Silver

If you have not yet read ‘Silver' by Chris Hammer, only proceed if you are okay with spoilers.

Where do I begin? I have so many thoughts about this book. I can see how much work went into Silver, and it has all the ingredients for a masterpiece. My feedback is meant with the utmost respect for his craft. I will definitely be reading other work by Chris and I would be intrigued to know if there will be a third Martin Scarsden story.

What I liked about Silver:

The setting. Port Silver is a fictional town somewhere between Kempsey and Byron Bay, which immediately makes it interesting and relatable because I live not far away. Rural towns, beaches and forests are all dear to my heart.

The pace: nothing slow about this book! I finished it in two days, not an easy feat when it is nearly 600 pages!

The way Martin dealt with his traumatic past through flashbacks, conversations, and ‘wake up!' moments. I thought this was well done and probably the best storyline in the book.

Characters like Vern and Josie. Flawed but extremely generous and kind, the type of foster parent I hope to be one day.

The interactions between baby Liam and Martin. Awkward but cute. I don't think I've ever read such sweet moments between a stepson and a father before. A really a nice touch in an otherwise frantic timeline.

The Malcom Naden-esque fugitive. Chris has done his homework. (Although I really wanted this sub plot to be more than it was).What I did not like:This book could have been more succinct with an intensive edit. Martin is obsessed with detail, every crack in a concrete path, every pothole, every time his car muffler makes a noise, every time he looks left or right when describing a breathtaking vista, every tired, sagging face he sees. I am a visual person and I was overwhelmed, sometimes having to skip paragraphs to stay focused. There are also numerous token characters and rambling side plots.The relationship between Mandy and Martin is almost non-existent. They barely communicate and there does not seem to be a reason for them to stay together. Martin is obsessed with exonerating Mandy, but this is the only indication he gives that he cares about her. (I will admit I have not yet read Scrublands). Criminality: Aside from the murders, there is: drug running, regular drink spiking and sexual assault, visa-for-sex racket, grifting, endangered wildlife poaching, manslaughter, police corruption. All casually introduced and left hanging. A sleepy beachside town my ass.The ending: Martin saves the day. The baddies turn out to be background characters. Anticlimax. Although I was disappointed, I do have to give props to Chris for demonstrating how a media storm can be created and dissipated in a short time. We create the drama in our own minds, when the truth is often much less exciting, although no less devastating for those involved.

Although I really enjoyed Silver, I wish I'd read Scrublands first so I could get a handle on the character of Mandy, the girlfriend of journo Scarsden, the protagonist. I found it a bit long and convoluted, and was amazed he managed to pull everything together in the end. Full review on my blog here: https://annabookbel.net/silver-by-chris-hammer