Silver

Author
Veteran Australian journalist. Several published non-fiction books. His first novel Scrublands (2018) won lots of accolades and prizes, and rightly so. In it, we meet investigative journalist and former foreign correspondent Martin Scarsden, who travels to a small town outback called Riverbend to explore why a priest gunned down five locals. He gets more than he bargained for in the process. Silver is the sequel.

Plot
After finishing his true crime book about the Riverbend escapade, Martin heads north to Port Silver, a fictional community on the far north coast of NSW. His newly acquired GF Mandalay Blonde (which sounds like a strain of marijuana to me, not that I’d know anything about that) has decamped from Riverbend, infant in tow, for a sea change there because she inherited a property. Just so happens our boy grew up in Port Silver, but got out years ago for various, mainly family related reasons. No sooner does he arrive, than an old school friend of his turns up stabbed to death, in the townhouse Mandy is renting no less. She’s in a state, and has blood on her hands. Both she and Martin are suspects, she more than him. Of course, Martin investigates. He also revisits his youth. Stuff happens. Like Riverbend, Port Silver has a seamy side with abundant dark secrets. Resolution occurs. Eventually. The books stretches to almost 600 pages.

Characters
We learn heaps more about Martin from the flashbacks to his formative years. We already knew he was damaged goods. Now we know why. The dramatis personae in a book this long are many, but Mr Hammer keeps things under control. He even gives a few quasi-Dickensian names (Siobahn Snouch for instance) to help us remember.

Prose
Another highly professional job. Some wonderful descriptive writing, possibly too much for a mystery story.

Bottom line
My only quibble with Scrublands was that it was too long. This is 100 pages longer. I don’t think it needs to be, but what would I know? Mr Hammer’s doing just fine without my help.

had me guessing right till the end. So many twists and turns and characters so interesting and complex there was never a dull moment in this book. Can’t wait to read more of Chris Hammers books.

After reading Chris Hammer’s first book and loving it, I went seeking what comes next, especially in the Martin Scarsden series. Once I located Silver and Trust I started reading the reviews and was almost swayed not to keep reading. Lots of very critical and not so positive reviews. But I’m so glad I followed my gut and read on regardless. I thoroughly enjoyed Silver, even more so that the first book. Hammer’s ability to weave a compelling story is a true gift, with twists and turns, nail biting moments, and his gift for creating the most awkward, uncomfortable and very human scenarios. I love that Martin is not a perfect hero. I love that he gets it wrong and makes mistakes. It’s wonderful to see real human growth in a literary character. His mission to ‘do better, be better’ is such a wonderful theme throughout these stories. Please read this book. You won’t regret it.