As of my knowledge cutoff date in early 2023, Susan Allott is an author from the United Kingdom known for her debut novel, "The Silence." The book is a literary thriller that delves into themes of family secrets, guilt, and the impact of the past on the present. It is set both in 1997 and the 1960s and stretches between England and Australia. It deals with a mystery involving a missing neighbor and the protagonist's return to her homeland to face the secrets her family has been keeping for decades. Before turning to writing, Susan Allott had various jobs including working in publishing and for the British government. She has garnered attention for her evocative prose and compelling storytelling, but beyond this debut novel, detailed biographical information about her may require further research as she is a relatively new author on the literary scene.