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A cracking and class-act of a crime novel stuffed full of atmosphere and detail which skilfully sits alongside a truckload of tension. Journalist Martin Scarsden plans on a new start in Port Silver, Australia. On arrival he finds his childhood friend murdered, and his partner is number one suspect. While this could be read as a standalone novel, I recommend starting with Scrublands, Chris Hammer’s debut novel which won The Crime Writers’ Association John Creasy New Blood Award in 2019. The author has been a journalist for over 25 years and I feel his knowledge is anchored in this tale. This is a satisfyingly long read which sets a quite wonderful scene before the story really takes off. Australia sings and Port Silver becomes a known town, with a map planting the locations firmly in mind. I sank in and only came up for air a couple of times. I feel this a beautifully balanced novel, the storyline, setting, characters, and potential for the next book all smoothly combining into one effortlessly compelling read. Silver just has to be included as a LoveReading Star Book, it is a vibrant, sweeping, fabulous read.
A HOMECOMING MARRED BY BLOOD
Journalist Martin Scarsden returns to Port Silver to make a fresh start with his partner Mandy. But he arrives to find his childhood friend murdered - and Mandy is the prime suspect. Desperate to clear her name, Martin goes searching for the truth.
A TERRIBLE CRIME
The media descends on Port Silver, compelled by a story that has it all: sex, drugs, celebrity, and religion. Martin is chasing the biggest scoop of his career, and the most personal.
A PAST HE CAN'T ESCAPE
As Martin draws closer to a killer, the secrets of his traumatic childhood come to the surface, and he must decide what is more important - the story or his family...
Closing date: 01/05/2021
In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion some of our Reader Review Panel were also lucky enough to read and review this title. You can click here to read the full reviews.
A crime story set against the backdrop of an unassuming seaside town, but with a deadly storm brewing! Full review
I enjoyed this novel immensely, great pace, interesting twists and turns, lots of cliff hangers and chapters just the right length. I would thoroughly recommend. Full review
This is a well-written and entertaining story. Set in a small Australian coastal town, it describes an investigative journalist's mission to prove his girlfriend's innocence and find the real murderer. Full review
A multi-layered story with so many threads which are drawn together perfectly at the very last minute. Silver is a cracking read! Full review
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! If you've read Scrublands, you'll love this. Full review
Great read, fast paced, full of action, great protagonist. Full review
Wow! From page one this book showed terrific promise and I was not disappointed. Full review
Silver is the perfect sequel to Scrublands - dark, twisty and atmospheric, with writing so real you can almost feel the blistering heat of the Australian summer. I savoured every page, I didn't want it to end - Lisa Hall, author of Between You and Me
Compelling, original and brilliantly executed - an excellent thriller from a new master of Australian noir - Charles Cumming, author of A Foreign Country
Stunning ... Scrublands is that rare combination, a page-turner that stays long in the memory -- Sunday Times on 'Scrublands' Shimmers ... A tortured tale of blood and loss -- Val McDermid on 'Scrublands' -
ISBN: 9781472255365
Publication date: 03/09/2020
Publisher: Wildfire an imprint of Headline Publishing Group
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781472255358
Publication date: 09/01/2020
Publisher: Wildfire an imprint of Headline Publishing Group
Format: Hardback
| ISBN: | 9781472255365 |
| Publication date: | 3rd September 2020 |
| Author: | Chris Hammer |
| Publisher: | Wildfire an imprint of Headline Publishing Group |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 512 pages |
| Genres: | Books of the Month, Reader Reviewed Books, Crime / Mystery, Family Drama, Star Books, |
| Collections: | 30 Novels Featuring The Lands Down Under, Our Favourite Books of 2020, |
| Categories: | Crime & mystery, |
Chris Hammer was a journalist for more than thirty years, dividing his career between covering Australian federal politics and international affairs. For many years he was a roving foreign correspondent for SBS TV's flagship current affairs program Dateline. He has reported from more than thirty countries on six continents. Chris's non-fiction book, The River, published in 2010 to critical acclaim, was the recipient of the ACT Book of the Year Award and was shortlisted for the Walkley Book Award. Scrublands, his first novel, was published in 2018 and won the CWA John Creasey Debut Dagger Award, as well as being shortlisted for ...
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