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Martin Scarsden #2
Silver
For half a lifetime, journalist Martin Scarsden has run from his past. But now there is no escaping. He'd vowed never to return to his hometown, Port Silver, and its traumatic memories. But now his new partner, Mandy Blonde, has inherited an old house in the seaside town and Martin knows their chance of a new life together won't come again. Martin arrives to find his best friend from school days brutally murdered, and Mandy the chief suspect. With the police curiously reluctant to pursue other suspects, Martin goes searching for the killer. And finds the past waiting for him. He's making little progress when a terrible new crime starts to reveal the truth. The media descend on Port Silver, attracted by a story that has it sex, drugs, celebrity and religion. Once again, Martin finds himself in the front line of reporting. Yet the demands of deadlines and his desire to clear Mandy are not the past is ever present. An enthralling and propulsive thriller from the acclaimed and bestselling author of Scrublands.
576 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2019
1109 people are currently reading
4196 people want to read
About the author
Chris Hammer
11 books1,418 followersChris Hammer is a leading Australian crime fiction author. His first book, Scrublands, was an instant #1 bestseller upon publication in 2018. It won the prestigious UK Crime Writers' Association John Creasey New Blood Dagger and was shortlisted for awards in Australia and the United States.
Scrublands has been sold into translation in several foreign languages. Chris's follow-up books—Silver (2019), Trust (2020), Treasure & Dirt (2021), The Tilt (2022) and The Seven (2023)—are also bestsellers and all have been shortlisted for major literary prizes. The Valley is his seventh novel.
The Tilt (published as Dead Man's Creek in the UK) was named The Sunday Times Crime Book of the Year for 2023.
Scrublands has been adapted for television, screening globally, and production is underway for a second series based on Silver.
Before turning to fiction, Chris was a journalist for more than thirty years. He has written two non-fiction books The River (2010) and The Coast (2012).
He has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Charles Sturt University and a master's degree in international relations from the Australian National University.
Scrublands has been sold into translation in several foreign languages. Chris's follow-up books—Silver (2019), Trust (2020), Treasure & Dirt (2021), The Tilt (2022) and The Seven (2023)—are also bestsellers and all have been shortlisted for major literary prizes. The Valley is his seventh novel.
The Tilt (published as Dead Man's Creek in the UK) was named The Sunday Times Crime Book of the Year for 2023.
Scrublands has been adapted for television, screening globally, and production is underway for a second series based on Silver.
Before turning to fiction, Chris was a journalist for more than thirty years. He has written two non-fiction books The River (2010) and The Coast (2012).
He has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Charles Sturt University and a master's degree in international relations from the Australian National University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 876 reviews
December 17, 2019
This is Chris Hammer's follow up to his stellar award winning Aussie crime fiction debut, Scrublands, and it confirms his talent as the location shifts to Port Silver in New South Wales, a coastal town, the town the now ex-journalist Martin Scarsden grew up in and couldn't leave fast enough after his traumatic childhood. At 8 years old he lost his mother and his sisters in a nightmare accident. He has never looked back, burying his memories and past deep inside him. After an emotional desert when it came to his personal life, he has surprisingly found a partner and family in the shape of Mandalay (Mandy) Blonde and her son, 10 month old Liam. After writing his true crime book, Martin is heading back to his childhood home, Mandy has inherited a house familiar to him, offering Mandy and him the opportunity to start anew. Arriving home, Martin finds himself faced with the horrifying sight of a murdered man, with Mandy's hands covered in blood.
The victim turns out to be Martin's best friend as a child, Jasper Speight, a real estate agent, and the police are focusing on their prime suspect, Mandy. Convinced of Mandy's innocence, Martin delves below the surface of Port Silver, a town and community he knows although much has changed. He can no longer shut down the past as he acquaints himself with the large and blended family of his Uncle Vern, a man he was ashamed of and unforgivably ignored through the years. Port Silver has become moderately affluent, having lost its cheese factory and fishing industry, it has become a tourist destination, with surfers, a retreat with a Indian Swami, flooded with backpackers looking to work on farms and acquire the relevant visas. Martin uncovers a town riddled with drugs, sex, celebrity, religion, development speculation and ambitions attracting big time money, corruption, greed, and murder. A tragic event ensures that Port Silver has the national and international media descending in a mad scramble to the town, and signals Martin's explosive return as a front line journalist.
Hammer immerses the reader in the beautiful coastal region, his rich descriptions vividly and atmospherically evoking Port Silver and its surrounding area. This novel explores Martin's personal history, a past that had made him the man he was, avoiding emotional entanglements, until he met Mandy and is offered the prospect of a future that he never thought would be his. However, their relationship is not one he can take for granted, with many factors that threaten to derail it, such as their lack of communication and trust on key issues, and Martin's unrelenting focus and ambition in following and leading the biggest story in the country. I was particularly taken with the beginnings of his reconnection with his Uncle Vern's large and sprawling family, and the revelations of what really happened in his troubled past. This is a truly riveting and compulsive Aussie crime read, a worthy sequel to Scrublands, it has me hugely anticipating the next in the series. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Headline for an ARC.
The victim turns out to be Martin's best friend as a child, Jasper Speight, a real estate agent, and the police are focusing on their prime suspect, Mandy. Convinced of Mandy's innocence, Martin delves below the surface of Port Silver, a town and community he knows although much has changed. He can no longer shut down the past as he acquaints himself with the large and blended family of his Uncle Vern, a man he was ashamed of and unforgivably ignored through the years. Port Silver has become moderately affluent, having lost its cheese factory and fishing industry, it has become a tourist destination, with surfers, a retreat with a Indian Swami, flooded with backpackers looking to work on farms and acquire the relevant visas. Martin uncovers a town riddled with drugs, sex, celebrity, religion, development speculation and ambitions attracting big time money, corruption, greed, and murder. A tragic event ensures that Port Silver has the national and international media descending in a mad scramble to the town, and signals Martin's explosive return as a front line journalist.
Hammer immerses the reader in the beautiful coastal region, his rich descriptions vividly and atmospherically evoking Port Silver and its surrounding area. This novel explores Martin's personal history, a past that had made him the man he was, avoiding emotional entanglements, until he met Mandy and is offered the prospect of a future that he never thought would be his. However, their relationship is not one he can take for granted, with many factors that threaten to derail it, such as their lack of communication and trust on key issues, and Martin's unrelenting focus and ambition in following and leading the biggest story in the country. I was particularly taken with the beginnings of his reconnection with his Uncle Vern's large and sprawling family, and the revelations of what really happened in his troubled past. This is a truly riveting and compulsive Aussie crime read, a worthy sequel to Scrublands, it has me hugely anticipating the next in the series. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Headline for an ARC.
April 25, 2020
I must admit I put off reading this novel, it's been sitting on my shelf for months, probably because of the size of it, at well over 500 pages. Now I'm kicking myself! Chris Hammer has woven an intricate tale, with offshoots going off everywhere. Fast paced and gripping, you'll find yourself glued to the pages, until it comes to it's power packed ending, where all the offshoots combine.
Martin Scarsden has returned to his hometown, with his partner Mandy and her son Liam, only to find his childhood best friend murdered in the living room. And all the evidence points to Mandy. Martin immediately starts investigating to clear her name, yet he finds that this is no straight forward murder. As he faces old friends, and foes, he finds that old memories don't die, and the past has a way of coming back to haunt him.
Even though this is set in a fictional town Chris Hammer has totally brought it to life. It has a great setting, wonderful characters and an intriguing plot. What more can you ask for? So do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of this book, I highly recommend it!
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own.
Martin Scarsden has returned to his hometown, with his partner Mandy and her son Liam, only to find his childhood best friend murdered in the living room. And all the evidence points to Mandy. Martin immediately starts investigating to clear her name, yet he finds that this is no straight forward murder. As he faces old friends, and foes, he finds that old memories don't die, and the past has a way of coming back to haunt him.
Even though this is set in a fictional town Chris Hammer has totally brought it to life. It has a great setting, wonderful characters and an intriguing plot. What more can you ask for? So do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of this book, I highly recommend it!
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own.
August 21, 2020
4.5 stars
The atmospheric Scrublands, by Chris Hammer, was one of my favourite thrillers with a stunning sense of place, intrigue, and compelling characters. In Silver, the author continues the next stage in the life of a disgraced journalist, Martin Scarsdale. Martin relocated from the heat, drought, and isolation of the outback town of Riversend to Sydney. There he wrote a successful true- crime book about the events in the scrublands.
Now Martin is moving to Port Silver in hopes of enjoying a promising future with his girlfriend, Mandalay (Mandy) Blonde and her adorable young son. Mandy inherited an old, large home and is awaiting his arrival. She and her son are living in a rental while repairs to be made in the old home. Martin grew up in Port Silver and left after a tragedy in his youth but now has reason to return.
Port Silver, an Oceanside town is vividly described in vibrant prose which places the reader in this seaside town alongside its fascinating characters. The author has included a map detecting its prominent areas and buildings as a helpful reference point. It is a small town that welcomes beachgoers, surfers, tourists, and backpackers. There is also a retreat run by an Indian guru or shaman. On his drive to Port Silver, Martin picks up an enthusiastic young backpacking couple. We meet them later, as they have a role in the story.
As Martin enters Mandy’s house he encounters a bloody and shocking scene. He sees the body of a man who has been stabbed to death in the hallway and Mandy sitting in stunned silence with blood on her hands. Martin calls the police, and Mandy becomes the main suspect in the murder. It turns out the murdered man is Jasper, Martin’s best friend in his youth.
This book is long (565 pages) and the plot very complicated. The murdered man worked in real estate with his mother. Martin, determined to prove Mandy’s innocence, promises Jasper’s mother he will search for the true murderer. His search brings him into a story of intrigue involving underhanded land development schemes, rivalries, and greed in the quest for oceanfront property, with environmental and economic changes to the landscape.
Connections he makes during his investigations help to restore his job as a reporter for his former newspaper. All the while, his loving relationship with Mandy becomes strained although the intent is exonerating her of the crime and finding the true killer amongst the entanglement of land development schemes.
Matters become much worse. Another shocking thread develops involving mass murder, celebrity, sex orgies, illicit drugs and religious pretensions. Martin finds himself tangled up in reporting this new crime while suspecting it may be somehow connected with Jasper’s brutal death. He is being helped by a police officer but also accused of interfering with a police investigation. It is hard to guess where all this is leading.
I eagerly await the next book revealing Martin’s future as a family man now that he has reconciled with his unhappy experiences as a youth in Port Silver.
The atmospheric Scrublands, by Chris Hammer, was one of my favourite thrillers with a stunning sense of place, intrigue, and compelling characters. In Silver, the author continues the next stage in the life of a disgraced journalist, Martin Scarsdale. Martin relocated from the heat, drought, and isolation of the outback town of Riversend to Sydney. There he wrote a successful true- crime book about the events in the scrublands.
Now Martin is moving to Port Silver in hopes of enjoying a promising future with his girlfriend, Mandalay (Mandy) Blonde and her adorable young son. Mandy inherited an old, large home and is awaiting his arrival. She and her son are living in a rental while repairs to be made in the old home. Martin grew up in Port Silver and left after a tragedy in his youth but now has reason to return.
Port Silver, an Oceanside town is vividly described in vibrant prose which places the reader in this seaside town alongside its fascinating characters. The author has included a map detecting its prominent areas and buildings as a helpful reference point. It is a small town that welcomes beachgoers, surfers, tourists, and backpackers. There is also a retreat run by an Indian guru or shaman. On his drive to Port Silver, Martin picks up an enthusiastic young backpacking couple. We meet them later, as they have a role in the story.
As Martin enters Mandy’s house he encounters a bloody and shocking scene. He sees the body of a man who has been stabbed to death in the hallway and Mandy sitting in stunned silence with blood on her hands. Martin calls the police, and Mandy becomes the main suspect in the murder. It turns out the murdered man is Jasper, Martin’s best friend in his youth.
This book is long (565 pages) and the plot very complicated. The murdered man worked in real estate with his mother. Martin, determined to prove Mandy’s innocence, promises Jasper’s mother he will search for the true murderer. His search brings him into a story of intrigue involving underhanded land development schemes, rivalries, and greed in the quest for oceanfront property, with environmental and economic changes to the landscape.
Connections he makes during his investigations help to restore his job as a reporter for his former newspaper. All the while, his loving relationship with Mandy becomes strained although the intent is exonerating her of the crime and finding the true killer amongst the entanglement of land development schemes.
Matters become much worse. Another shocking thread develops involving mass murder, celebrity, sex orgies, illicit drugs and religious pretensions. Martin finds himself tangled up in reporting this new crime while suspecting it may be somehow connected with Jasper’s brutal death. He is being helped by a police officer but also accused of interfering with a police investigation. It is hard to guess where all this is leading.
I eagerly await the next book revealing Martin’s future as a family man now that he has reconciled with his unhappy experiences as a youth in Port Silver.
July 6, 2023
4★
“Martin can feel himself starting to blush, the hardened foreign correspondent reverting to teenagerdom.”
He's gone home, back to Port Silver with his new partner, Mandy, and her infant son, Liam. She’s inherited property there and is excited to move north and leave the trauma of the past behind. What she doesn’t know is that Port Silver was Martin’s hometown, filled with the trauma of his past, which he thought he had escaped. A lot of the town has changed.
“He walks into a town transforming, not so much a teenager blooming into adulthood as a middle-aged woman who’s undergone cosmetic surgery. The town of his youth is being nipped and tucked, its face lifted, its skin botoxed, its patchy exterior exfoliated; tarted up for the tourists and the retirees, the sea changers and the telecommuters.
. . .
The street has slimmed down, making room for the footpaths to expand, footpaths paved with herringbone bricks, wide enough to host outdoor cafes with chalkboard menus and umbrellas emblazoned with Italian coffee brands. The last time he was here, the footpaths were narrow strips of bitumen dotted with discarded gum, cigarette butts and dog turds.”
I enjoyed this one a lot. Yes, he’d become a hardened foreign correspondent, and a successful one, which was followed by his breaking open the biggest story in Australia at the time and introducing him to Mandy (in Scrublands). But still, when you go back home, you fall into old habits, don’t you? Siblings assume their old positions in the family, schoolfriends assume their old ranks, shopkeepers who’ve known you since you were a little tyke still see you as that kid.
For Martin, sometimes this is good and sometimes it’s just awful. The blurb of the book sets the scene, so I’ll skip that. I should be the perfect audience for this. It takes place in a fictional town on the NSW North Coast, much like where I live, and the development issues are almost identical to those that we have been campaigning about (with some success) for decades.
So I’m already familiar with conservation agreements and wetlands and protected species and planning corruption, and visa rorts (scams) for working backpackers. I guess the author had to explain it, but there seemed to be more preachy-teachy information than I care for.
THE MAP! The map I loved. It makes the whole story so much easier to follow. If you read it on a kindle, I suggest connecting it to a PC so you can enlarge the map on a screen and even print it. It was a great idea. I’ll copy it here so you can get the idea.
Map of Port Silver, fictional town on the NSW North Coast, between Sydney and Brisbane
Martin has not only his old ghosts (and there are plenty!) to contend with, he’s confronted with a bloody murder, hippies, developers pretty much all at once. Sex and drugs and rock-n-roll on the coast. Lots of characters, and I have to say, the map helped there, because some people’s places have their names on them.
The setting and landscape are perfect. I loved how well he wrote that in Scrublands, and he’s just as good here. You can feel nervous in the shadows and dank humidity of the heavily rainforested tracks and then the relief when they open out high above the beach looking out across the ocean.
“As he nurses the car down the slope, the forest opens up and Martin catches his first glimpse of the beach through the bush, gold and turquoise flaring from its waves. ‘Can you see the sea?’ The voice comes from nowhere, memory bubbling to the surface. ‘See the sea and get home free.’ He clamps down on the memory.”
Beautiful but full of ghosts, old and new. It may have dressed itself up a bit, but Port Silver is still a small town with all the petty jealousies and family rivalries of old with the addition of new money, new “silver”, and the constant quest for more.
It’s a good story, as Martin finds his family history turned upside down and his memories inside out. I think it's a bit longer and more complicated than it needs to be, but I do recommend it, and I await the next book.
“Martin can feel himself starting to blush, the hardened foreign correspondent reverting to teenagerdom.”
He's gone home, back to Port Silver with his new partner, Mandy, and her infant son, Liam. She’s inherited property there and is excited to move north and leave the trauma of the past behind. What she doesn’t know is that Port Silver was Martin’s hometown, filled with the trauma of his past, which he thought he had escaped. A lot of the town has changed.
“He walks into a town transforming, not so much a teenager blooming into adulthood as a middle-aged woman who’s undergone cosmetic surgery. The town of his youth is being nipped and tucked, its face lifted, its skin botoxed, its patchy exterior exfoliated; tarted up for the tourists and the retirees, the sea changers and the telecommuters.
. . .
The street has slimmed down, making room for the footpaths to expand, footpaths paved with herringbone bricks, wide enough to host outdoor cafes with chalkboard menus and umbrellas emblazoned with Italian coffee brands. The last time he was here, the footpaths were narrow strips of bitumen dotted with discarded gum, cigarette butts and dog turds.”
I enjoyed this one a lot. Yes, he’d become a hardened foreign correspondent, and a successful one, which was followed by his breaking open the biggest story in Australia at the time and introducing him to Mandy (in Scrublands). But still, when you go back home, you fall into old habits, don’t you? Siblings assume their old positions in the family, schoolfriends assume their old ranks, shopkeepers who’ve known you since you were a little tyke still see you as that kid.
For Martin, sometimes this is good and sometimes it’s just awful. The blurb of the book sets the scene, so I’ll skip that. I should be the perfect audience for this. It takes place in a fictional town on the NSW North Coast, much like where I live, and the development issues are almost identical to those that we have been campaigning about (with some success) for decades.
So I’m already familiar with conservation agreements and wetlands and protected species and planning corruption, and visa rorts (scams) for working backpackers. I guess the author had to explain it, but there seemed to be more preachy-teachy information than I care for.
THE MAP! The map I loved. It makes the whole story so much easier to follow. If you read it on a kindle, I suggest connecting it to a PC so you can enlarge the map on a screen and even print it. It was a great idea. I’ll copy it here so you can get the idea.
Map of Port Silver, fictional town on the NSW North Coast, between Sydney and Brisbane
Martin has not only his old ghosts (and there are plenty!) to contend with, he’s confronted with a bloody murder, hippies, developers pretty much all at once. Sex and drugs and rock-n-roll on the coast. Lots of characters, and I have to say, the map helped there, because some people’s places have their names on them.
The setting and landscape are perfect. I loved how well he wrote that in Scrublands, and he’s just as good here. You can feel nervous in the shadows and dank humidity of the heavily rainforested tracks and then the relief when they open out high above the beach looking out across the ocean.
“As he nurses the car down the slope, the forest opens up and Martin catches his first glimpse of the beach through the bush, gold and turquoise flaring from its waves. ‘Can you see the sea?’ The voice comes from nowhere, memory bubbling to the surface. ‘See the sea and get home free.’ He clamps down on the memory.”
Beautiful but full of ghosts, old and new. It may have dressed itself up a bit, but Port Silver is still a small town with all the petty jealousies and family rivalries of old with the addition of new money, new “silver”, and the constant quest for more.
It’s a good story, as Martin finds his family history turned upside down and his memories inside out. I think it's a bit longer and more complicated than it needs to be, but I do recommend it, and I await the next book.
September 30, 2019
It is no secret that Scrublands by Chris Hammer was one of my favourite books from 2018. So when I found out that Martin Scarsden was coming back in a follow up book I was desperate to read it. There was a little bit of trepidation, hoping that it was not going to disappoint. And am very pleased to report that Silver is just as addictive and binge worthy as Scrublands.
Martin has been finishing his book on the events that went on in Riversend. Now the book is complete and he heads to his childhood home of Port Silver on the coast. It has been a long time since he has been here and the place has changed. His girlfriend Mandalay Blonde (Mandy) has inherited a house here and they are looking forward to starting their lives together. But when he arrives at the rented home that Mandy has been staying in waiting for the keys to the new place he realises that they could be off to a bumpy start. Mandy is sitting alone, covered in blood and staring a dead body on the floor. He soon realises that the body is that of an old school friend and Mandy is the prime suspect.
While Martin is not currently working as a journalist he promises his friends mother that he will find her sons killer. People and events from his past start to come back into his life. Still investigating and trying to prove Mandy's innocence and another huge crime happens. The counties press start to descend on the town, bringing back some favourite characters from Scrublands. Martin is right in the middle of the action and his investigative skills come in really useful. Are the 2 events linked?
I loved that we learn so much more about Martin and his upbringing in Silver. He is a complicated character who does not like to talk about his past. We meet people that he grew up with and start to put the pieces together. He starts to question where his life is now going and what makes him happy.
Chris Hammer makes you feel as if you are in Port Silver along with Martin and Mandy. Again, like Scrublands, I feel this would make a fantastic film or series. he beautifully describes the town and its people so you can see it all happening as you are reading.
There is so much more I want to say about this book but you will have to read it for yourself to find out more. I am looking forward to see the author on his book tour for this release in Sydney.
A very big thank you to Allen and Unwin for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
Martin has been finishing his book on the events that went on in Riversend. Now the book is complete and he heads to his childhood home of Port Silver on the coast. It has been a long time since he has been here and the place has changed. His girlfriend Mandalay Blonde (Mandy) has inherited a house here and they are looking forward to starting their lives together. But when he arrives at the rented home that Mandy has been staying in waiting for the keys to the new place he realises that they could be off to a bumpy start. Mandy is sitting alone, covered in blood and staring a dead body on the floor. He soon realises that the body is that of an old school friend and Mandy is the prime suspect.
While Martin is not currently working as a journalist he promises his friends mother that he will find her sons killer. People and events from his past start to come back into his life. Still investigating and trying to prove Mandy's innocence and another huge crime happens. The counties press start to descend on the town, bringing back some favourite characters from Scrublands. Martin is right in the middle of the action and his investigative skills come in really useful. Are the 2 events linked?
I loved that we learn so much more about Martin and his upbringing in Silver. He is a complicated character who does not like to talk about his past. We meet people that he grew up with and start to put the pieces together. He starts to question where his life is now going and what makes him happy.
Chris Hammer makes you feel as if you are in Port Silver along with Martin and Mandy. Again, like Scrublands, I feel this would make a fantastic film or series. he beautifully describes the town and its people so you can see it all happening as you are reading.
There is so much more I want to say about this book but you will have to read it for yourself to find out more. I am looking forward to see the author on his book tour for this release in Sydney.
A very big thank you to Allen and Unwin for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
September 7, 2019
Anyone who follows my reviews at all will probably be aware that I was a massive fan of Scrublands, the first novel to feature disgraced journalist Martin Scarsden, so it was with some trepidation that I started Silver because you just never know if it will be a one off moment…
Well no. Silver is truly excellent, if anything even better now you have a real feeling for some of the players. The heat and drought of Scrublands has changed to more refreshing yet equally involving coastline as Martin moves back to his childhood home, somewhat reluctantly for reasons we’ll discover. There he finds a dead body, leaving his hoped for new life hanging by a thread…
The descriptive sense of place is once again stunning, really putting you right on the spot with the characters and events unfolding. The engaging, flawed and eclectic character building is also back along with a genuinely compelling and utterly unpredictable mystery element.
Expanding on some of the themes of Scrublands and showing some of the consequences of that time, Chris Hammer also engages the reader with new thought provoking events and delves into Martin’s backstory with the intuitive eye for detail and nuance that made the first book so addictive.
This is a long novel at over 500 pages but no word is wasted and it flies by you, I was gripped throughout, I adore the way Chris Hammer writes and I’m really looking forward to hopefully many years of reading his work. This is intelligent, talented crime fiction, the kind that I love.
Warning: You WILL want fish and chips whilst reading this book. Be prepared.
Highly Recommended.
February 2, 2021
It felt strange to Martin Scarsden to be back in Port Silver, the small coastal NSW town where he grew up and fled as soon as he finished school. His memories of his childhood were tarnished after his mother and younger twin sisters died when he was eight and it was left to his bitter and drunken father to bring him up alone until he also died eight years later. Fortunately, Martin's kindly Uncle Vern was there to pick up the pieces and see him through his senior years at school before he left town as fast as he could for University and a career as a journalist.
After holing up in Sydney to finish writing his true crime book on the events in the Riverina the previous year, Martin finally arrived in Port Silver to join Mandy Blonde and her baby son Liam and embark on a new life together in the old mansion she's inherited on a hill beside the town. However, when he arrives at the townhouse Many has rented, while her property is renovated, he finds the body of a man on the floor of the living room and Mandy in a state of shock with blood on her hands. It's certainly not the welcome he was expecting.
Martin received a further shock when he discovered the dead man to be his best friend from his school days, Jasper Speight, a local real estate agent who had something he wanted to tell Martin. With Mandy a prime suspect in Jasper's murder, Martin launches into full investigative journalist mode to find the real killer and their motive. Martin discovers that Port Silver is no longer the quiet backwater relying on its (now closed) cheese factory and fishing industry but an emerging tourist location for surfers and hippies. He finds himself investigating a complex case involving greed, power, corruption and grabs for land. A deadly incident at a meditation retreat will throw him back into the international media spotlight as the journalist on the spot.
Chris Hammer has written another terrific thriller. He has painted a very evocative picture of a typical small seaside town on Australia's east coast, one that is just starting to realise its tourist potential and trying to find the balance between development and preserving the natural bushland. Martin also reconnects with his Uncle Vern and his extended family and discovers a lot he didn’t know about his parents shedding some light on his difficult childhood. Although no longer employed as a journalist his quest to solve Jasper’s murder and determine what has been happening in the town means he is not always there for Mandy and their relationship starts to show cracks. However, he’s come to realise that his reluctance to get too close to people may have it roots in his childhood and that Mandy and Liam are too important to him to risk losing. Hopefully all will be well again by the start of the next book.
After holing up in Sydney to finish writing his true crime book on the events in the Riverina the previous year, Martin finally arrived in Port Silver to join Mandy Blonde and her baby son Liam and embark on a new life together in the old mansion she's inherited on a hill beside the town. However, when he arrives at the townhouse Many has rented, while her property is renovated, he finds the body of a man on the floor of the living room and Mandy in a state of shock with blood on her hands. It's certainly not the welcome he was expecting.
Martin received a further shock when he discovered the dead man to be his best friend from his school days, Jasper Speight, a local real estate agent who had something he wanted to tell Martin. With Mandy a prime suspect in Jasper's murder, Martin launches into full investigative journalist mode to find the real killer and their motive. Martin discovers that Port Silver is no longer the quiet backwater relying on its (now closed) cheese factory and fishing industry but an emerging tourist location for surfers and hippies. He finds himself investigating a complex case involving greed, power, corruption and grabs for land. A deadly incident at a meditation retreat will throw him back into the international media spotlight as the journalist on the spot.
Chris Hammer has written another terrific thriller. He has painted a very evocative picture of a typical small seaside town on Australia's east coast, one that is just starting to realise its tourist potential and trying to find the balance between development and preserving the natural bushland. Martin also reconnects with his Uncle Vern and his extended family and discovers a lot he didn’t know about his parents shedding some light on his difficult childhood. Although no longer employed as a journalist his quest to solve Jasper’s murder and determine what has been happening in the town means he is not always there for Mandy and their relationship starts to show cracks. However, he’s come to realise that his reluctance to get too close to people may have it roots in his childhood and that Mandy and Liam are too important to him to risk losing. Hopefully all will be well again by the start of the next book.
February 16, 2022
After really enjoying the first Martin Scarsden book, Scrublands, recently I was pleased to get this second book from the library. It picks up about a month after the shocking events of Scrublands set in the drought stricken Riverina area of New South Wales (NSW). His girlfriend, Manalay (Mandy) and her baby son, Liam, have moved to Port Silver on the NSW north coast where she has inherited a stunning but rundown property on a headland. Martin had spent a month in Sydney banging out his true crime book about the events at Riversend. He now heads off to Port Silver, his home town coincidentally, to join her.
But as he arrives at the townhouse she is renting he finds the door ajar and a body on the floor - still leaking blood. Mandy is on the couch, hands bloody and in shock. The body turns out to be his old friend Jasper Speight who joined his mother in real estate. The town has changed a lot in the 23 years since Martin left it. Both he and Mandy are questioned but not immediately suspected of the murder.
This is a story mired in greed. There are new, luxury developments planned but certain properties need to be acquired first and it seems the owners are not keen to sell. One of these properties is a beachfront retreat run by former surfing champion Jay Jay Hayes. She has an Indian swami there running meditation and mindfulness workshops and there are simple cabins for holiday makers also. At the end of every two week retreat the swami prepares a concoction of herbs and alcohol and who knows what else as a celebration. Things come to a head on one of these nights as people start vomiting and retching and the paramedics are called but, alas, a number of people have already died.
This was another complex and tautly plotted story. Nothing and no one were as they seemed. Old secrets and resentments bubbled to the surface and everyone seemed to be guilty of something. Can Mandy and Martin make their relationship work or is it all too hard? And is Martin still a captive to the story because he sure has the scoop on this one. There were many explosive revelations as the story drew towards its conclusion. It was a brilliant piece of work but it did require a bit of concentration to follow all the plot lines. The ending, however was well worth the effort and I have reserved book 3 with the library already. One thing I particularly love about Hammer’s books is that they are so quintessentially Australian.
But as he arrives at the townhouse she is renting he finds the door ajar and a body on the floor - still leaking blood. Mandy is on the couch, hands bloody and in shock. The body turns out to be his old friend Jasper Speight who joined his mother in real estate. The town has changed a lot in the 23 years since Martin left it. Both he and Mandy are questioned but not immediately suspected of the murder.
This is a story mired in greed. There are new, luxury developments planned but certain properties need to be acquired first and it seems the owners are not keen to sell. One of these properties is a beachfront retreat run by former surfing champion Jay Jay Hayes. She has an Indian swami there running meditation and mindfulness workshops and there are simple cabins for holiday makers also. At the end of every two week retreat the swami prepares a concoction of herbs and alcohol and who knows what else as a celebration. Things come to a head on one of these nights as people start vomiting and retching and the paramedics are called but, alas, a number of people have already died.
This was another complex and tautly plotted story. Nothing and no one were as they seemed. Old secrets and resentments bubbled to the surface and everyone seemed to be guilty of something. Can Mandy and Martin make their relationship work or is it all too hard? And is Martin still a captive to the story because he sure has the scoop on this one. There were many explosive revelations as the story drew towards its conclusion. It was a brilliant piece of work but it did require a bit of concentration to follow all the plot lines. The ending, however was well worth the effort and I have reserved book 3 with the library already. One thing I particularly love about Hammer’s books is that they are so quintessentially Australian.
November 25, 2019
For many years Martin Scarsden has run from his past, but this time there is no escape. Despite his vow never to return to his home town of Port Silver, Martin finds circumstances change his view. When his partner Mandy Blonde inherits an old house there, Martin knows he has to return if he wants to keep their relationship intact. Even so he delays till he finishes the true crime book he is writing. Nothing prepares him for what he finds when he arrives in Port Silver. Jasper, his best friend from school days and teenage years has been brutally murdered and Mandy is their prime suspect. Determined to uncover the real killer Martin finds not only his past waiting for him but a crime scene involving sex, drugs, a cult and a celebrity. Just as Martin is determined to uncover what is going on in Port Silver there are those equally as determined he does not uncover the truth.
The plot of this novel takes place over eight days as facts are uncovered. At the same time incidents from Martin’s past are recounted. I had not read Scrublands so this was my first introduction to Martin, Mandy, and some of the other characters who apparently also feature in that book. However it was easy enough to get a feel for the characters, and especially Martin, even if at times I didn’t much like him and his choices. The setting of the coastal town is well portrayed. Perhaps too much so that at times that, plus the real estate interactions, slow the pace down a bit. The book is 583 pages in length. Despite getting tired of the littering of coarse language and some of the cruder scenes, the plot continued to draw me along. It portrays the vulture like attitude of journalists out for a scoop effectively. I really liked some of the scenes where we see a gentler side of Martin as he relates to Mandy’s young son Liam.
It was as different a read to my previous book as it could be, but that is not a bad thing. My thanks to Allen & Unwin for my uncorrected proof copy to read and review. Silver is an interesting crime novel with well defined characters and setting and an involving plot. I get the feeling this won’t be the last we hear of Martin Scarsden and it might be interesting to see how he evolves.
The plot of this novel takes place over eight days as facts are uncovered. At the same time incidents from Martin’s past are recounted. I had not read Scrublands so this was my first introduction to Martin, Mandy, and some of the other characters who apparently also feature in that book. However it was easy enough to get a feel for the characters, and especially Martin, even if at times I didn’t much like him and his choices. The setting of the coastal town is well portrayed. Perhaps too much so that at times that, plus the real estate interactions, slow the pace down a bit. The book is 583 pages in length. Despite getting tired of the littering of coarse language and some of the cruder scenes, the plot continued to draw me along. It portrays the vulture like attitude of journalists out for a scoop effectively. I really liked some of the scenes where we see a gentler side of Martin as he relates to Mandy’s young son Liam.
It was as different a read to my previous book as it could be, but that is not a bad thing. My thanks to Allen & Unwin for my uncorrected proof copy to read and review. Silver is an interesting crime novel with well defined characters and setting and an involving plot. I get the feeling this won’t be the last we hear of Martin Scarsden and it might be interesting to see how he evolves.
May 20, 2020
Book 2 in the Martin Scarsden series published 2019.
4.5 stars.
There’s no getting away from it ‘Chris Hammer’ knows how to write, grab you by the throat, thrillers.
After the traumatic events of the last book it’s time for Martin and his girlfriend ‘Mandy’ to have a bit of a sea change. Mandy has inherited a much run down property just outside Port Silver, the very place where Martin grew up. So the decision is made to give Port Silver a go.
When Martin arrives, a few weeks after Mandy, he finds Mandy in the lounge of her rented home with a dead, obviously murdered, man. On closer inspection Martin realises that the dead person is one of his best friends from years ago. Given the circumstances Mandy, not surprisingly, is the number one suspect.
The police have their suspect and as far as they are concerned the case is closed.
With no other alternative Martin is forced to turn to his investigative journalist skills to find the truth.
What follows is a tangled, twisted tale of who did what and why and will keep you guessing to the very end.
This was a great follow up to the first book ‘Scrublands’ and has cemented, in my mind, that Chris Hammer is a author at the very top of his game.
Recommended for readers who like thrillers that exercise the grey matter between their ears.
4.5 stars.
There’s no getting away from it ‘Chris Hammer’ knows how to write, grab you by the throat, thrillers.
After the traumatic events of the last book it’s time for Martin and his girlfriend ‘Mandy’ to have a bit of a sea change. Mandy has inherited a much run down property just outside Port Silver, the very place where Martin grew up. So the decision is made to give Port Silver a go.
When Martin arrives, a few weeks after Mandy, he finds Mandy in the lounge of her rented home with a dead, obviously murdered, man. On closer inspection Martin realises that the dead person is one of his best friends from years ago. Given the circumstances Mandy, not surprisingly, is the number one suspect.
The police have their suspect and as far as they are concerned the case is closed.
With no other alternative Martin is forced to turn to his investigative journalist skills to find the truth.
What follows is a tangled, twisted tale of who did what and why and will keep you guessing to the very end.
This was a great follow up to the first book ‘Scrublands’ and has cemented, in my mind, that Chris Hammer is a author at the very top of his game.
Recommended for readers who like thrillers that exercise the grey matter between their ears.
May 30, 2020
Aussie crime fiction has a flavour and an atmosphere of it’s own, I think. It’s down to the people and the place: the characters tend to be down to earth and upfront, forthright in a way that’s different to the way people are portrayed in English and American books and the settings are big landscapes, dramatic coasts and small dusty towns. In Hammer’s last book Scrublands we met ex-journalist Martin Scarsden who had spent years in foreign war zones before returning to his native land only to run into a strange and enthralling mystery concerning a mass killing in a small rural town. In the course of reporting on and helping to investigate the tragedy he met his now girlfriend Mandalay Blonde and her young son, Liam. Mandalay has now inherited an old house in the small coastal town of Port Silver, New South Wales, and she’s already set herself up in in a rented house there while she plans restoration work on what is to be a family home for the three of them.
After Scarsden had stayed on in Sydney for a few weeks to put the finishing touches to his book detailing his Scrublands adventure, he sets off to meet up with Mandalay and Liam in Port Silver. But soon the problems start, after picking up a couple of hitchhikers en route Martin reaches the the house Mandalay is staying in only to find a scene of horror. I’ll need to be careful how much I say from this point as I really don’t want to give too much away. Suffice to say, this is a long story (circa 600 pages or 17 hours of audio), full of twists and turns and with a cast of characters any and all of which might be considered slightly dodgy. There’s also a good deal of background activity concerning plans to turn the local swamp into a luxury marina.
Aside from being a mystery story this is also a tale of Martin’s past. He’d actually grown up in Port Silver but he left early in his life after a huge piece of luck and a family disaster has occurred in close proximity. Until now he hasn’t been back. We learn, slowly, of the events and of the characters involved in his early life and as the current day mystery begins to deepen we also meet a number people Martin recalls from those days – whether they’re friend or foe it be a while before we’re able to assess.
I believe strength of this book is its ability to sell the reader on the setting and the development of its supporting characters, Hammer brings it all alive brilliantly. The slight issue for me is that the mystery element is very convoluted. About two thirds of the way in I was sure it was turning into an Agatha Christie novel in which all potential wrongdoers would be gathered together for the dramatic unveiling of whodunnit. Thankfully we were spared that but I would have preferred a slightly less tangled tale – a case of less would have been more. The other aspect that started to prick me towards the end is that I realised I didn’t really like the self-centred Scarsden.
I do believe you can enjoy a book without liking the central character but in this instance it might just give me pause if a third book was to hit the shelves. It’s probably three and a half stars for me but I’m going to give it the benefit of doubt and award four stars.
After Scarsden had stayed on in Sydney for a few weeks to put the finishing touches to his book detailing his Scrublands adventure, he sets off to meet up with Mandalay and Liam in Port Silver. But soon the problems start, after picking up a couple of hitchhikers en route Martin reaches the the house Mandalay is staying in only to find a scene of horror. I’ll need to be careful how much I say from this point as I really don’t want to give too much away. Suffice to say, this is a long story (circa 600 pages or 17 hours of audio), full of twists and turns and with a cast of characters any and all of which might be considered slightly dodgy. There’s also a good deal of background activity concerning plans to turn the local swamp into a luxury marina.
Aside from being a mystery story this is also a tale of Martin’s past. He’d actually grown up in Port Silver but he left early in his life after a huge piece of luck and a family disaster has occurred in close proximity. Until now he hasn’t been back. We learn, slowly, of the events and of the characters involved in his early life and as the current day mystery begins to deepen we also meet a number people Martin recalls from those days – whether they’re friend or foe it be a while before we’re able to assess.
I believe strength of this book is its ability to sell the reader on the setting and the development of its supporting characters, Hammer brings it all alive brilliantly. The slight issue for me is that the mystery element is very convoluted. About two thirds of the way in I was sure it was turning into an Agatha Christie novel in which all potential wrongdoers would be gathered together for the dramatic unveiling of whodunnit. Thankfully we were spared that but I would have preferred a slightly less tangled tale – a case of less would have been more. The other aspect that started to prick me towards the end is that I realised I didn’t really like the self-centred Scarsden.
I do believe you can enjoy a book without liking the central character but in this instance it might just give me pause if a third book was to hit the shelves. It’s probably three and a half stars for me but I’m going to give it the benefit of doubt and award four stars.
March 26, 2020
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Silver by Chris Hammer. (2019).
(Martin Scarsden #2)
For half a lifetime, journalist Martin has run from his past. He'd vowed never to return to his hometown, Port Silver, and its traumatic memories. But now his new partner, Mandy, has inherited an old house in the seaside town and Martin knows their chance of a new life together won't come again. Martin arrives to find his best friend from school days brutally murdered, and Mandy the chief suspect. With the police curiously reluctant to pursue other suspects, Martin goes searching for the killer. And finds the past waiting for him...
I just want to start off by saying you could definitely read this without reading the first one (you may just miss some references and obviously be out of context on some things). Though I would highly recommend reading the first one because it is excellent! At over 550 pages this book truly is a biggie but it really doesn't feel like it because you are just so engaged with the storyline. The author is extremely skilled at descriptions which lets you easily imagine the scene. The storyline is a bit complex but does all end up coming together nicely at the end (I particularly appreciated a scene where Martin simplifies and connects all the dots for another character!). I'd really love to see this series of books behind made into a television series because I think it would play out really well on a screen. I'm definitely keen for future books in this series and if Australian crime is your thing then put this novel on your reading lists for sure.
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Silver by Chris Hammer. (2019).
(Martin Scarsden #2)
For half a lifetime, journalist Martin has run from his past. He'd vowed never to return to his hometown, Port Silver, and its traumatic memories. But now his new partner, Mandy, has inherited an old house in the seaside town and Martin knows their chance of a new life together won't come again. Martin arrives to find his best friend from school days brutally murdered, and Mandy the chief suspect. With the police curiously reluctant to pursue other suspects, Martin goes searching for the killer. And finds the past waiting for him...
I just want to start off by saying you could definitely read this without reading the first one (you may just miss some references and obviously be out of context on some things). Though I would highly recommend reading the first one because it is excellent! At over 550 pages this book truly is a biggie but it really doesn't feel like it because you are just so engaged with the storyline. The author is extremely skilled at descriptions which lets you easily imagine the scene. The storyline is a bit complex but does all end up coming together nicely at the end (I particularly appreciated a scene where Martin simplifies and connects all the dots for another character!). I'd really love to see this series of books behind made into a television series because I think it would play out really well on a screen. I'm definitely keen for future books in this series and if Australian crime is your thing then put this novel on your reading lists for sure.
July 10, 2025
I really enjoyed Scrublands by Chris Hammer and was delighted to receive a copy of his new book Silver.
This is the second book featuring Martin Scarsden and his girlfriend Mandalay Blond. They move back to his home town Port Silver after Mandalay inherits a house.
From the moment he arrives everything goes wrong, starting with the murder of his old school friend.
Although Martin is not working as a reporter he had been asked by his friend's mother to investigate her son's death.
This book was slower to start than the previous book and gave a lot of information from Martins childhood.
I enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next book by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book featuring Martin Scarsden and his girlfriend Mandalay Blond. They move back to his home town Port Silver after Mandalay inherits a house.
From the moment he arrives everything goes wrong, starting with the murder of his old school friend.
Although Martin is not working as a reporter he had been asked by his friend's mother to investigate her son's death.
This book was slower to start than the previous book and gave a lot of information from Martins childhood.
I enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next book by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 14, 2020
I really enjoyed this follow up to Scrublands. The opening chapter is great and drew me into this fast paced murder mystery. The events in this book occur over 8 days; and 6 weeks after the end of the previous book. Martin scarsden is moving to Port Silver to be with his girlfriend Mandy and her baby son. The major coincidence of Mandy inheriting a house that just happens to be in Martin’s hometown was something I rolled my eyes at but the book is so readable I can forgive it. The location is almost the opposite of scrublands but the heat is still there. The town of Port Silver is fictional but is located somewhere on the NSW north coast, somewhere near Byron Bay and the depiction of this sort of beach town is well done, hippies, backpackers, tourists, and rich people on the cliffs with great views. Real estate, drugs, and all sorts of other details crop up in the investigation, and also background of Martin and his family.
An excellent read, I’m looking forward to Trust now!
An excellent read, I’m looking forward to Trust now!
August 28, 2019
A bit too long. I ran out of patience half way through and I didn't feel strongly enough about any of the characters to keep reading. DNF
June 27, 2021
Hot on the heels of his debut novel, "Scrublands", comes Chris Hammer’s second novel, "Silver". Set in the fictitious town of Port Silver, supposedly somewhere on the northern New South Wales coast (yet reminiscent of a certain era in the development of Queensland’s Port Douglas) it features some of the same characters from "Scrublands". Lead character is journalist, Martin Scarsden who decides to return to his home town where his new partner, Mandy Blonde has inherited an old house. Just as Martin arrives in the town, he stumbles upon the body of his best friend from school days, Jason Speight, who has been brutally murdered. Close by, he sees Mandy, holding a knife – both she and the knife covered in blood. Convinced she is innocent, Martin summons all his investigative journalism skills to find the real killer himself, putting him in conflict with the local police, especially as Mandy is their chief suspect. As the investigation, layer by layer, slowly reveals the truth, Martin must confront aspects of his past, a past he would rather have left behind.
As with "Scrublands", author Chris Hammer has produced in "Silver" a novel which captures the mood and feel of the place where the story is set. Painting a picture with his words, his descriptions of people and places are beautifully clear, his characters three-dimensional. The author has woven an intricate plot, perhaps a little slow in the first half of the book but the pace quickens as Martin begins to uncover the truth. The backdrop to the main story will be familiar to residents of Australian coastal towns – developments, some wanted, some not, the rich, the not-so-rich, the curse of drugs, particularly with its youth and, in some cases, the role of the indigenous population. Given the author’s own background, he deftly deals, in a credible way, with the sometimes complex relationship between journalists and the police. This fine, Australian author is one to watch.
As with "Scrublands", author Chris Hammer has produced in "Silver" a novel which captures the mood and feel of the place where the story is set. Painting a picture with his words, his descriptions of people and places are beautifully clear, his characters three-dimensional. The author has woven an intricate plot, perhaps a little slow in the first half of the book but the pace quickens as Martin begins to uncover the truth. The backdrop to the main story will be familiar to residents of Australian coastal towns – developments, some wanted, some not, the rich, the not-so-rich, the curse of drugs, particularly with its youth and, in some cases, the role of the indigenous population. Given the author’s own background, he deftly deals, in a credible way, with the sometimes complex relationship between journalists and the police. This fine, Australian author is one to watch.
September 10, 2020
⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
Silver by Chris Hammer
Silver is the sequel to Scrublands but can be read as a standalone.
Martin Scarsden is a journalist, he’s run from his past and now he is about to return to his hometown Port Silver. His partner Mandalay (Mandy) Blonde has inherited an old house and it’s a great opportunity for them to start a new life together. Martin hasn’t mentioned to Mandy that Port Silver is his hometown or anything about his horrific past there.
On the day Martin arrives to join his partner who has already gone on ahead and been staying in Port Silver with her young son Liam, an old friend is brutally murdered and Mandy is the prime suspect.
Martin uses his investigative journalism skills to help the police find the killer and to clear Mandy. There are a lot of twists and turns.
I enjoyed this crime based thriller with it’s complex and compelling mystery. It was well written and the characters were well defined.
It’s a huge book over 500 pages which looks daunting but once I started reading, I was hooked. Impossible to put down, awesome read!
Thank you to Allen & Unwin for an advanced copy of the book
Silver by Chris Hammer
Silver is the sequel to Scrublands but can be read as a standalone.
Martin Scarsden is a journalist, he’s run from his past and now he is about to return to his hometown Port Silver. His partner Mandalay (Mandy) Blonde has inherited an old house and it’s a great opportunity for them to start a new life together. Martin hasn’t mentioned to Mandy that Port Silver is his hometown or anything about his horrific past there.
On the day Martin arrives to join his partner who has already gone on ahead and been staying in Port Silver with her young son Liam, an old friend is brutally murdered and Mandy is the prime suspect.
Martin uses his investigative journalism skills to help the police find the killer and to clear Mandy. There are a lot of twists and turns.
I enjoyed this crime based thriller with it’s complex and compelling mystery. It was well written and the characters were well defined.
It’s a huge book over 500 pages which looks daunting but once I started reading, I was hooked. Impossible to put down, awesome read!
Thank you to Allen & Unwin for an advanced copy of the book
July 6, 2023
Martin Scarsden, first introduced in the hectic maelstrom of Scrublands, set in the remote town of Riversend in Victoria, is back in the sequel, Silver. Things have calmed down, he’s finished writing the book recounting the sordid events from the town and he’s ready to follow his partner, Mandy, to his childhood coastal home in Port Silver.
Upon hitting town he immediately comes across the body of a man in Mandy’s townhouse apartment. It’s a traumatic return to a town that is the source of a lot of memories, and a lot of them aren’t good. The man has been stabbed and, after the police have been called, Mandy quickly becomes the prime suspect in his murder.
Making it even more personal is the revelation that the murdered man is none other than Jasper Speight, one of Martin’s childhood friends and this prompts the first of what would be many emotional recollections of the past.
In trying to clear his own and Mandy’s names in the involvement of Jasper’s death, Martin embarks on an investigation on what might have led to the murder. What he uncovers includes possible development disputes, a sex for visas scam, a wellness guru who may not be who he claims to be and a drug culture that’s running rife through the backpackers retreat. It’s the usual mix of money, drugs, power, corruption and greed that leads to a shocking night of murder that will bring the small town to national prominence.
Through Silver we gain a greater insight into Martin Scarsden’s past, far more than we did when he made his first appearance in Scrublands. The tragedies in his early life and disappointments experienced in Port Silver explain the somewhat rocky relationship he has with Mandy and the basic mistakes he makes that threatens to derail their new life together.
As with Scrublands, the evocative surrounding landscape of Silver plays a key role in setting the mood of the story. The coastal town is both idyllic and dangerously forbidding in equal measure. Natural beauty from features like the coastal waters and dense rainforest surrounding the town also means the likelihood of finding yourself alone, isolated and cut off from help should you run into trouble. Both sides of the coin prove important as Martin rediscovers his investigative journalist feet.
Although the book is over 550 pages in length, there’s plenty going on in a story that grabbed my attention very effectively. That’s my way of saying the pages fly by very quickly. The original murder leads to a multitude of mysteries and the process of picking through each character's lies and deception helps to nail down what is actually a tight, well-paced plot.
I think I enjoyed this second outing from Martin Scarsden more than his first appearance. At times it became frantic as one discovery crowded in on the next, but it was the deeper personal reflections and self-awareness that made him a more sensitive and relatable character. Add to that a wide-reaching, intricate mystery and this becomes an Australian crime story that ticks most boxes.
Upon hitting town he immediately comes across the body of a man in Mandy’s townhouse apartment. It’s a traumatic return to a town that is the source of a lot of memories, and a lot of them aren’t good. The man has been stabbed and, after the police have been called, Mandy quickly becomes the prime suspect in his murder.
Making it even more personal is the revelation that the murdered man is none other than Jasper Speight, one of Martin’s childhood friends and this prompts the first of what would be many emotional recollections of the past.
In trying to clear his own and Mandy’s names in the involvement of Jasper’s death, Martin embarks on an investigation on what might have led to the murder. What he uncovers includes possible development disputes, a sex for visas scam, a wellness guru who may not be who he claims to be and a drug culture that’s running rife through the backpackers retreat. It’s the usual mix of money, drugs, power, corruption and greed that leads to a shocking night of murder that will bring the small town to national prominence.
Through Silver we gain a greater insight into Martin Scarsden’s past, far more than we did when he made his first appearance in Scrublands. The tragedies in his early life and disappointments experienced in Port Silver explain the somewhat rocky relationship he has with Mandy and the basic mistakes he makes that threatens to derail their new life together.
As with Scrublands, the evocative surrounding landscape of Silver plays a key role in setting the mood of the story. The coastal town is both idyllic and dangerously forbidding in equal measure. Natural beauty from features like the coastal waters and dense rainforest surrounding the town also means the likelihood of finding yourself alone, isolated and cut off from help should you run into trouble. Both sides of the coin prove important as Martin rediscovers his investigative journalist feet.
Although the book is over 550 pages in length, there’s plenty going on in a story that grabbed my attention very effectively. That’s my way of saying the pages fly by very quickly. The original murder leads to a multitude of mysteries and the process of picking through each character's lies and deception helps to nail down what is actually a tight, well-paced plot.
I think I enjoyed this second outing from Martin Scarsden more than his first appearance. At times it became frantic as one discovery crowded in on the next, but it was the deeper personal reflections and self-awareness that made him a more sensitive and relatable character. Add to that a wide-reaching, intricate mystery and this becomes an Australian crime story that ticks most boxes.
November 30, 2019
“Somewhere in all of this, there is a terrific story, one that’s screaming to be told. It’s not the staggering criminality of Riversend, but it’s certainly something to capture the imagination: murder and mystery, drugs and sex, celebrity and religion, all unfolding against a backdrop of real estate speculation, small-town ambitions and big-time money.”
Silver is the sequel to award-winning Australian author Chris Hammer’s first Martin Scarsden novel, Scrublands. Having just finished writing a true-crime book about the murders in the drought-ridden town of Riversend, Martin Scarsden heads to Port Silver to join Mandalay Blonde and her son, Liam. The town where he grew up, the place to which he never intended to return: as he drives through, he notes some modernisation, and wonders how much has really changed.
But at the townhouse Mandy is renting, he walks straight into a murder scene: a just-stabbed man lies face-down in a pool of blood. Martin is shocked to learn it is his childhood friend, Jasper Speight who, it seems was coming to see him. The real estate agent, Martin learns, was heavily involved in persuading landowners into the subdivision of the coastal strip while vehemently opposed to any development of Mackenzie’s swamp. The religious postcard tightly gripped in his dead hand is a puzzle.
Mandy, though, has blood on her hands, and Martin’s first priority is to prove his lover’s innocence; if there’s a story in it, that will be a bonus. As he treads the town, chatting to locals, encountering old acquaintances, trying to ascertain who had motive for murder, Martin is reminded of the tragedies of his childhood and youth, and the reason he was in such a hurry to leave.
Then, just a few days later, another shocking event rocks the town, and Martin, on the spot, goes into journalist mode. It’s perhaps at the expense of his time with and for Mandy, but resisting the siren call of the story is difficult, even if the damage to his tender new relationship might be irreparable. After his errors of judgement in Riversend, Martin is wary of assuming too much from the known facts: a wise move, as each new revelation adds another wrinkle to the story.
Hammer gives the reader an intriguing plot with twists, red herrings and distractions, and many threads, which he manages to neatly draw together in the final pages. His characters are again familiar, easily believable, the sort a small town throws up, some with major flaws, all with minor ones. Has Martin now matured enough to make it work with Mandy?
Hammer’s depiction of the tropical north coast NSW town and its hinterland is excellent, and he has a marvellous turn of phrase: “The three of them, aged twelve, on the cusp of puberty, the tectonic shift to adolescence approaching, the girls and the drinking and the delinquency, the febrile hormones, the fractured families and fragile identities.” Once again, brilliant rural crime fiction.
This unbiased review from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Allen&Unwin.
Silver is the sequel to award-winning Australian author Chris Hammer’s first Martin Scarsden novel, Scrublands. Having just finished writing a true-crime book about the murders in the drought-ridden town of Riversend, Martin Scarsden heads to Port Silver to join Mandalay Blonde and her son, Liam. The town where he grew up, the place to which he never intended to return: as he drives through, he notes some modernisation, and wonders how much has really changed.
But at the townhouse Mandy is renting, he walks straight into a murder scene: a just-stabbed man lies face-down in a pool of blood. Martin is shocked to learn it is his childhood friend, Jasper Speight who, it seems was coming to see him. The real estate agent, Martin learns, was heavily involved in persuading landowners into the subdivision of the coastal strip while vehemently opposed to any development of Mackenzie’s swamp. The religious postcard tightly gripped in his dead hand is a puzzle.
Mandy, though, has blood on her hands, and Martin’s first priority is to prove his lover’s innocence; if there’s a story in it, that will be a bonus. As he treads the town, chatting to locals, encountering old acquaintances, trying to ascertain who had motive for murder, Martin is reminded of the tragedies of his childhood and youth, and the reason he was in such a hurry to leave.
Then, just a few days later, another shocking event rocks the town, and Martin, on the spot, goes into journalist mode. It’s perhaps at the expense of his time with and for Mandy, but resisting the siren call of the story is difficult, even if the damage to his tender new relationship might be irreparable. After his errors of judgement in Riversend, Martin is wary of assuming too much from the known facts: a wise move, as each new revelation adds another wrinkle to the story.
Hammer gives the reader an intriguing plot with twists, red herrings and distractions, and many threads, which he manages to neatly draw together in the final pages. His characters are again familiar, easily believable, the sort a small town throws up, some with major flaws, all with minor ones. Has Martin now matured enough to make it work with Mandy?
Hammer’s depiction of the tropical north coast NSW town and its hinterland is excellent, and he has a marvellous turn of phrase: “The three of them, aged twelve, on the cusp of puberty, the tectonic shift to adolescence approaching, the girls and the drinking and the delinquency, the febrile hormones, the fractured families and fragile identities.” Once again, brilliant rural crime fiction.
This unbiased review from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Allen&Unwin.
May 19, 2020
Silver is the sequel to Scrublands which is a book that was an absolute favourite, 5 star read for me. While I really enjoyed this book, it didn't quite do it for me like its predecessor.
Martin Scarsden is returning to Point Silver, the place he was born, but also the place he fled from as a troubled teen. Not only does he arrive carrying a lot personal baggage, but he soon finds his girlfriend Mandy (from Riversend) has got herself into some deep trouble.
Once again Martin does himself no favours in finding himself in trouble and rubbing everyone up the wrong way. He and Mandy seem to be losing their trust and faith in each other as the past and a series of mistruths and betrayals come to light.
A great, fast paced book that is full of twists and turns. Although this could probably be read as a standalone, to really understand the central characters read Scrublands first.
Martin Scarsden is returning to Point Silver, the place he was born, but also the place he fled from as a troubled teen. Not only does he arrive carrying a lot personal baggage, but he soon finds his girlfriend Mandy (from Riversend) has got herself into some deep trouble.
Once again Martin does himself no favours in finding himself in trouble and rubbing everyone up the wrong way. He and Mandy seem to be losing their trust and faith in each other as the past and a series of mistruths and betrayals come to light.
A great, fast paced book that is full of twists and turns. Although this could probably be read as a standalone, to really understand the central characters read Scrublands first.
October 3, 2019
Bursting onto the scene in August 2018, Scrublands by Australian author Chris Hammer was a bestseller. I predicted it would go on to win awards and I was right. Now, seasoned journalist Martin Scarsden is back in the much hyped sequel Silver.
Martin has finished writing his book about the dramatic events at Riversend and moves with his girlfriend back to his hometown of Port Silver. No sooner does he arrive than his girlfriend is a suspect in the murder of an old school mate and the story begins.
The victim runs the local real estate company and the plot contains a complex series of proposed developments and land sales that required me to continually flick back to the delightful map of the township at the front of the book.
Port Silver really shines here. While Riversend was a dusty, hot town in the grip of drought, Port Silver is a coastal town, fresh with retirees seeking a sea-change and delicious fish and chips.
Being back in his hometown after so many years away brings up painful memories for Martin and the reader learns more about his tragic past in flashbacks. These include revelations about his father and I really enjoyed learning more about Martin's backstory.
Coming in at 563 pages, Silver is a hefty read and in my opinion there was too much description. The pace of the novel often slowed as Martin observed his surroundings and contemplated nature while I was urging him to 'get on with it'. As in Scrublands, Martin does a lot of driving from place to place in his investigations in an effort to uncover the truth, and this started to wear thin too.
Apart from the initial murder, something happens further into the book that highlights the seedy underbelly of the town and really lifted the tension. However by the time Martin uses his journalistic skills to get to the bottom of it all - which includes his return to paid journalism - the thrill lost a little of its edge for me.
The property development mystery wasn't able to hold my interest through the various computations and variations and I soon lost interest there too.
In my opinion, Silver can be read as a standalone, but readers familiar with Scrublands will receive greater enjoyment from Martin's backstory. Scrublands is a whydunnit and Silver is a series of multiple whodunnits which I'm sure will find a deserved place on the Australian crime shelves of dedicated readers.
* Copy courtesy of Allen & Unwin *
Martin has finished writing his book about the dramatic events at Riversend and moves with his girlfriend back to his hometown of Port Silver. No sooner does he arrive than his girlfriend is a suspect in the murder of an old school mate and the story begins.
The victim runs the local real estate company and the plot contains a complex series of proposed developments and land sales that required me to continually flick back to the delightful map of the township at the front of the book.
Port Silver really shines here. While Riversend was a dusty, hot town in the grip of drought, Port Silver is a coastal town, fresh with retirees seeking a sea-change and delicious fish and chips.
Being back in his hometown after so many years away brings up painful memories for Martin and the reader learns more about his tragic past in flashbacks. These include revelations about his father and I really enjoyed learning more about Martin's backstory.
Coming in at 563 pages, Silver is a hefty read and in my opinion there was too much description. The pace of the novel often slowed as Martin observed his surroundings and contemplated nature while I was urging him to 'get on with it'. As in Scrublands, Martin does a lot of driving from place to place in his investigations in an effort to uncover the truth, and this started to wear thin too.
Apart from the initial murder, something happens further into the book that highlights the seedy underbelly of the town and really lifted the tension. However by the time Martin uses his journalistic skills to get to the bottom of it all - which includes his return to paid journalism - the thrill lost a little of its edge for me.
The property development mystery wasn't able to hold my interest through the various computations and variations and I soon lost interest there too.
In my opinion, Silver can be read as a standalone, but readers familiar with Scrublands will receive greater enjoyment from Martin's backstory. Scrublands is a whydunnit and Silver is a series of multiple whodunnits which I'm sure will find a deserved place on the Australian crime shelves of dedicated readers.
* Copy courtesy of Allen & Unwin *
September 15, 2019
3.5 stars
I think I liked Martin better in this second book,not sure if that's due to more of his history being revealed,or just that he was a familiar character at the beginning of book...
This is a busy book... there's a lot going on,death,drugs,inheritance,revenge.
I think I made a similar comment about Scrublands,but this isn't just a copy.
Glad to get to the end and have all my questions answered... except for one. When's book 3 out?
I think I liked Martin better in this second book,not sure if that's due to more of his history being revealed,or just that he was a familiar character at the beginning of book...
This is a busy book... there's a lot going on,death,drugs,inheritance,revenge.
I think I made a similar comment about Scrublands,but this isn't just a copy.
Glad to get to the end and have all my questions answered... except for one. When's book 3 out?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2020
3.5★
It's still only a short time since events in Riversend (see Scrublands) unfolded. Former journo Martin Scarsden has just had time to quickly write the book that will become the definitive account, when he travels to Port Silver, his former hometown, to join Mandy and Liam to begin their new life together in the old homestead that she has inherited. But within minutes of his arrival, Martin stumbles upon a scene that will mark the beginning of a new nightmare for this seemingly doomed couple. There, lying dead in a pool of blood in Mandy's hallway, is Jasper Speight, one of Martin's childhood friends, and Mandy is sitting nearby with blood on her hands. Over the week that follows, Martin tries doggedly to solve the murder and prove Mandy's innocence, all while his own emotionally troubled past starts catching up with him.
It's only been a few months since I read Scrublands, so of course I'm going to make comparisons. It has been one of my reading highlights of the year so far. Overall, Silver didn't reach the same heights for me. The mystery/crime was equally layered and complex, and there was a lot of growth for returning characters (particularly Martin), but I have to admit I found the real estate development focus rather dull. When a book is this lengthy, you don't want to be putting it down too often, but the speculation of wheeling and dealing just wasn't interesting enough to keep me hooked. However, when the story began to go off in a different direction (the revelation of some of those other layers I referred to) it really picked up. I also enjoyed learning more of Martin's backstory.
I have the next instalment, Trust, coming up soon, and I'm looking forward to continuing this solid Australian crime series.
It's still only a short time since events in Riversend (see Scrublands) unfolded. Former journo Martin Scarsden has just had time to quickly write the book that will become the definitive account, when he travels to Port Silver, his former hometown, to join Mandy and Liam to begin their new life together in the old homestead that she has inherited. But within minutes of his arrival, Martin stumbles upon a scene that will mark the beginning of a new nightmare for this seemingly doomed couple. There, lying dead in a pool of blood in Mandy's hallway, is Jasper Speight, one of Martin's childhood friends, and Mandy is sitting nearby with blood on her hands. Over the week that follows, Martin tries doggedly to solve the murder and prove Mandy's innocence, all while his own emotionally troubled past starts catching up with him.
It's only been a few months since I read Scrublands, so of course I'm going to make comparisons. It has been one of my reading highlights of the year so far. Overall, Silver didn't reach the same heights for me. The mystery/crime was equally layered and complex, and there was a lot of growth for returning characters (particularly Martin), but I have to admit I found the real estate development focus rather dull. When a book is this lengthy, you don't want to be putting it down too often, but the speculation of wheeling and dealing just wasn't interesting enough to keep me hooked. However, when the story began to go off in a different direction (the revelation of some of those other layers I referred to) it really picked up. I also enjoyed learning more of Martin's backstory.
I have the next instalment, Trust, coming up soon, and I'm looking forward to continuing this solid Australian crime series.
February 25, 2021
At the outset of “ Silver”, journalist turned freelancer Martin Scarsden is relocating to the his coastal hometown of Port Silver. He is meeting his girlfriend, Mandalay Blonde,and her young son. Having met in the outback town of Riversend under difficult circumstances, they hope to solidify their relationship and form a family unit.Both have had difficult pasts and bring emotional baggage to the relationship.Martin had an unhappy childhood. His mother and two sisters died in a car crash when Martin was eight,precipitating his father’s descent into alcoholism, culminating in his death when Martin was fifteen. Subsequently raised by his uncle Vern, Martin leaves Port Silver at eighteen and has not returned for twenty three years. Mandy was raised by a now deceased single mother and repeated the same cycle of single motherhood. The mysteries of Mandy’s unknown father are revealed in the violent events she and Martin experienced in Riversend. Mandy inherited a house in Port Silver and is living in a rental while the house is being renovated.
Their reunion gets off to an inauspicious start. Martin arrives at the rental property to find Mandy on the floor, covered with blood, next to a dead man.Shockingly, the deceased is Jasper, Martin’s closest childhood friend. This less than promising reunion starts Martin on a journey to exonerate Mandy, who is the prime suspect. Port Silver is a coastal town transitioning from a failing industrial economy to a tourist based revival, resulting in a scramble for land acquisition and real estate development. The town is not the same as it was in Martin’s youth yet the same power players are in place.Martin has to meld the new norm with the old familiar passions, including greed and corruption,in order to exonerate Mandy. At the same time, he attempts to come to terms with the traumas of his childhood in hopes of moving forward in his relationship with Mandy.
On balance, this is a well done book. Chris Hammer evokes the ambience of a seaside town in some detail.He also introduces a host of characters as he lays out the backstory of Martin’s childhood. While these features are well written, I thought that there was a bit of overkill in the early exposition of the plot. I struggled to engage with the first part of the book. Although the Port Silver setting is well done,I personally did not feel it seep into me the way Hammer’s description of the outback did in his previous work,” Scrublands.” It is possible, though, that my initial lack of engagement reflects my literary blind spot. However, once the pieces are in place, the plot explodes with tension, sub plots and exciting pace. Despite my mitigating observations, I rounded this up to 4.5 stars.The book is definitely worth the effort.
Their reunion gets off to an inauspicious start. Martin arrives at the rental property to find Mandy on the floor, covered with blood, next to a dead man.Shockingly, the deceased is Jasper, Martin’s closest childhood friend. This less than promising reunion starts Martin on a journey to exonerate Mandy, who is the prime suspect. Port Silver is a coastal town transitioning from a failing industrial economy to a tourist based revival, resulting in a scramble for land acquisition and real estate development. The town is not the same as it was in Martin’s youth yet the same power players are in place.Martin has to meld the new norm with the old familiar passions, including greed and corruption,in order to exonerate Mandy. At the same time, he attempts to come to terms with the traumas of his childhood in hopes of moving forward in his relationship with Mandy.
On balance, this is a well done book. Chris Hammer evokes the ambience of a seaside town in some detail.He also introduces a host of characters as he lays out the backstory of Martin’s childhood. While these features are well written, I thought that there was a bit of overkill in the early exposition of the plot. I struggled to engage with the first part of the book. Although the Port Silver setting is well done,I personally did not feel it seep into me the way Hammer’s description of the outback did in his previous work,” Scrublands.” It is possible, though, that my initial lack of engagement reflects my literary blind spot. However, once the pieces are in place, the plot explodes with tension, sub plots and exciting pace. Despite my mitigating observations, I rounded this up to 4.5 stars.The book is definitely worth the effort.
October 28, 2019
Look, I didn't love Scrublands, but I do love a trashy bush noir, so I wasn't disappointed with this second instalment in the adventures of journalist Martin Scarsden. All the things I loved to hate about Scrublands were back - improbably named characters, ridiculously hard to follow plot developments, unlikely working relationships between journos and cops, and endless repetition of key points disguised as character musings - the difference being that this time I was prepared. There's an added layer of depth to Silver which is quite enjoyable, as Scarsden delves into the traumas of his childhood in Port Silver. If you like your literature to be profound and meaningful then maybe give this one a miss, but all in all a quality holiday read. 2 satisfied stars.
August 24, 2019
I loved Scrublands but this one took a lot longer to get into and it didn't have the same romance element with martin and mandy...
November 24, 2019
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
4.5 stars
The lighthouse sits atop Nobb Hill, catching the afternoon sun, a beacon of glowing white, almost silver against the clarity of the sky. Silver.’
The much praised author of last year’s smash hit, Scrublands, returns with Silver. Chris Hammer brings back dogged journalist Martin Scarsden for another round of crime. This time Martin is confronted with a brutal and complicated crime, striking at the heart of his life, as well as his painful past.
Silver sees the homecoming of prodigal son Martin Scarsden. Many years ago, Martin made the decision to move away from his home town of Port Silver and he chose not to return, due to his painful past. But things change for Martin when his new partner, Mandy, acquires a house in his old hunting ground. Martin is devoted to Mandy and he must attempt to put the past behind him in an effort to seal his future. On the back of the traumatic events of Scrublands, Martin returns rather reluctantly to Port Silver. When he arrives he is greeted with a horrific murder scene. Blood is everyone and it seems it is on Mandy’s hands too. Martin must do all he can to exonerate Mandy from taking the fall for this brutal crime. But with the authorities reluctant to chase other leads, or consider other suspects, Martin is on a personal crusade to free Mandy from this wrongful charge. As Martin delves deeper into this complex case, a world of debauchery, drugs, alternative living, religion and sexual relations is uncovered, attracting the full attention of the media. Martin must simultaneously deal with his case a journalist, a partner to the accused, and an undercover detective of sorts. But confronting the past is his overriding concern, striking at the heart of everything.
Chris Hammer quickly gained a space in my line up of top notch Australian crime writers, after his explosive thriller Scrublands hit my radar last year. I haven’t forgotten this novel in a hurry and it was top shelf crime writing in my opinion. I have been eagerly anticipating the release of Hammer’s next novel and I certainly wasn’t disappointed.
Silver sees Martin Scarsden placed in yet another difficult bind, he must confront his painful past and family roots. Silver opens up an opportunity for the reader to glean a little more about Martin, the impact of previous events on this hardened man, his past trauma and what made him the man he is today. I appreciated this character insight, as well as the character follow up.
‘Until a year ago he’s been a correspondent, wearing his profession like a carspace, proud and remote and emotionless, but no longer. Something has happened in the Middle east, something more down in the drought stricken Riverina. He’s changed, the shield has been stripped away.’
I also liked Hammer’s sub narrative focus on the continuation of Mandy and Martin’s relationship. The dynamics of this partnership within the confines of Martin’s old stomping ground made for some interesting reading fodder.
Yet again Hammer is the master of crime and vivid crime scenes. The crime Martin walks into (what are his chances?) is the stuff of nightmares. However, although it was harrowing, I admired Hammer for his ability to transfer this onto the page with such clarity. I felt incredibly uncomfortable, but I did feel like I was standing in the exact spot Martin was situated in as he reeled off his observations of this tragic scene.
The narrative is carefully plotted and full of unexpected twists, that made me further appreciate Hammer’s astute approach to his writing. He certainly tested me, more than a few times. Hammer is also very good at raising our consciousness to a variety of issues that circulate around this crime story. I was able to consider what my thoughts were on real estate, development opportunities, economic ties, the environment, land rights, progress versus protection and small town community relations. There is plenty to consider, which is all offset to the overriding crime at large. The crime itself will test any seasoned crime fiction fan, and the final fallout was quite shocking!
My last word on Silver must be a nod to the landscape. Hammer displays his prowess in this department and at all points where setting has a part to play. The landscape acts as an overlay, providing an umbrella over the events of the novel and stirring up a strong sense of tension to heighten the action of this consuming tale.
‘Five Mile Beach stretches into the distance, the ocean to the left, coastal scrub and cane fields to the right, the homes of Port Silver’s middle class below. Out to the sea, storm clouds are gathering on the horizon. It’s an impressive vista, stunning.’
Silver is a story told with great conviction and speculation. Chris Hammer’s second novel is a dynamic crime based thriller, that deftly combines murder, intention, revenge, restitution, corruption and the past in the one involving novel. Silver is an excellent follow up to Scrublands and it will definitely have you pondering what Martin Scarsden will be confronted with next!
*Thanks extended to Allen & Unwin for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
*Book #11 of the 2019 Aussie male author challenge.
4.5 stars
The lighthouse sits atop Nobb Hill, catching the afternoon sun, a beacon of glowing white, almost silver against the clarity of the sky. Silver.’
The much praised author of last year’s smash hit, Scrublands, returns with Silver. Chris Hammer brings back dogged journalist Martin Scarsden for another round of crime. This time Martin is confronted with a brutal and complicated crime, striking at the heart of his life, as well as his painful past.
Silver sees the homecoming of prodigal son Martin Scarsden. Many years ago, Martin made the decision to move away from his home town of Port Silver and he chose not to return, due to his painful past. But things change for Martin when his new partner, Mandy, acquires a house in his old hunting ground. Martin is devoted to Mandy and he must attempt to put the past behind him in an effort to seal his future. On the back of the traumatic events of Scrublands, Martin returns rather reluctantly to Port Silver. When he arrives he is greeted with a horrific murder scene. Blood is everyone and it seems it is on Mandy’s hands too. Martin must do all he can to exonerate Mandy from taking the fall for this brutal crime. But with the authorities reluctant to chase other leads, or consider other suspects, Martin is on a personal crusade to free Mandy from this wrongful charge. As Martin delves deeper into this complex case, a world of debauchery, drugs, alternative living, religion and sexual relations is uncovered, attracting the full attention of the media. Martin must simultaneously deal with his case a journalist, a partner to the accused, and an undercover detective of sorts. But confronting the past is his overriding concern, striking at the heart of everything.
Chris Hammer quickly gained a space in my line up of top notch Australian crime writers, after his explosive thriller Scrublands hit my radar last year. I haven’t forgotten this novel in a hurry and it was top shelf crime writing in my opinion. I have been eagerly anticipating the release of Hammer’s next novel and I certainly wasn’t disappointed.
Silver sees Martin Scarsden placed in yet another difficult bind, he must confront his painful past and family roots. Silver opens up an opportunity for the reader to glean a little more about Martin, the impact of previous events on this hardened man, his past trauma and what made him the man he is today. I appreciated this character insight, as well as the character follow up.
‘Until a year ago he’s been a correspondent, wearing his profession like a carspace, proud and remote and emotionless, but no longer. Something has happened in the Middle east, something more down in the drought stricken Riverina. He’s changed, the shield has been stripped away.’
I also liked Hammer’s sub narrative focus on the continuation of Mandy and Martin’s relationship. The dynamics of this partnership within the confines of Martin’s old stomping ground made for some interesting reading fodder.
Yet again Hammer is the master of crime and vivid crime scenes. The crime Martin walks into (what are his chances?) is the stuff of nightmares. However, although it was harrowing, I admired Hammer for his ability to transfer this onto the page with such clarity. I felt incredibly uncomfortable, but I did feel like I was standing in the exact spot Martin was situated in as he reeled off his observations of this tragic scene.
The narrative is carefully plotted and full of unexpected twists, that made me further appreciate Hammer’s astute approach to his writing. He certainly tested me, more than a few times. Hammer is also very good at raising our consciousness to a variety of issues that circulate around this crime story. I was able to consider what my thoughts were on real estate, development opportunities, economic ties, the environment, land rights, progress versus protection and small town community relations. There is plenty to consider, which is all offset to the overriding crime at large. The crime itself will test any seasoned crime fiction fan, and the final fallout was quite shocking!
My last word on Silver must be a nod to the landscape. Hammer displays his prowess in this department and at all points where setting has a part to play. The landscape acts as an overlay, providing an umbrella over the events of the novel and stirring up a strong sense of tension to heighten the action of this consuming tale.
‘Five Mile Beach stretches into the distance, the ocean to the left, coastal scrub and cane fields to the right, the homes of Port Silver’s middle class below. Out to the sea, storm clouds are gathering on the horizon. It’s an impressive vista, stunning.’
Silver is a story told with great conviction and speculation. Chris Hammer’s second novel is a dynamic crime based thriller, that deftly combines murder, intention, revenge, restitution, corruption and the past in the one involving novel. Silver is an excellent follow up to Scrublands and it will definitely have you pondering what Martin Scarsden will be confronted with next!
*Thanks extended to Allen & Unwin for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
*Book #11 of the 2019 Aussie male author challenge.
August 31, 2021
“Somewhere in all of this, there is a terrific story, one that’s screaming to be told. It’s not the staggering criminality of Riversend, but it’s certainly something to capture the imagination: murder and mystery, drugs and sex, celebrity and religion, all unfolding against a backdrop of real estate speculation, small-town ambitions and big-time money.”
Silver is the sequel to award-winning Australian author Chris Hammer’s first Martin Scarsden novel, Scrublands. The audio version is narrated by Dorje Swallow. Having just finished writing a true-crime book about the murders in the drought-ridden town of Riversend, Martin Scarsden heads to Port Silver to join Mandalay Blonde and her son, Liam. The town where he grew up, the place to which he never intended to return: as he drives through, he notes some modernisation, and wonders how much has really changed.
But at the townhouse Mandy is renting, he walks straight into a murder scene: a just-stabbed man lies face-down in a pool of blood. Martin is shocked to learn it is his childhood friend, Jasper Speight who, it seems was coming to see him. The real estate agent, Martin learns, was heavily involved in persuading landowners into the subdivision of the coastal strip while vehemently opposed to any development of Mackenzie’s swamp. The religious postcard tightly gripped in his dead hand is a puzzle.
Mandy, though, has blood on her hands, and Martin’s first priority is to prove his lover’s innocence; if there’s a story in it, that will be a bonus. As he treads the town, chatting to locals, encountering old acquaintances, trying to ascertain who had motive for murder, Martin is reminded of the tragedies of his childhood and youth, and the reason he was in such a hurry to leave.
Then, just a few days later, another shocking event rocks the town, and Martin, on the spot, goes into journalist mode. It’s perhaps at the expense of his time with and for Mandy, but resisting the siren call of the story is difficult, even if the damage to his tender new relationship might be irreparable. After his errors of judgement in Riversend, Martin is wary of assuming too much from the known facts: a wise move, as each new revelation adds another wrinkle to the story.
Hammer gives the reader an intriguing plot with twists, red herrings and distractions, and many threads, which he manages to neatly draw together in the final pages. His characters are again familiar, easily believable, the sort a small town throws up, some with major flaws, all with minor ones. Has Martin now matured enough to make it work with Mandy?
Hammer’s depiction of the tropical north coast NSW town and its hinterland is excellent, and he has a marvellous turn of phrase: “The three of them, aged twelve, on the cusp of puberty, the tectonic shift to adolescence approaching, the girls and the drinking and the delinquency, the febrile hormones, the fractured families and fragile identities.” Once again, brilliant rural crime fiction.
Silver is the sequel to award-winning Australian author Chris Hammer’s first Martin Scarsden novel, Scrublands. The audio version is narrated by Dorje Swallow. Having just finished writing a true-crime book about the murders in the drought-ridden town of Riversend, Martin Scarsden heads to Port Silver to join Mandalay Blonde and her son, Liam. The town where he grew up, the place to which he never intended to return: as he drives through, he notes some modernisation, and wonders how much has really changed.
But at the townhouse Mandy is renting, he walks straight into a murder scene: a just-stabbed man lies face-down in a pool of blood. Martin is shocked to learn it is his childhood friend, Jasper Speight who, it seems was coming to see him. The real estate agent, Martin learns, was heavily involved in persuading landowners into the subdivision of the coastal strip while vehemently opposed to any development of Mackenzie’s swamp. The religious postcard tightly gripped in his dead hand is a puzzle.
Mandy, though, has blood on her hands, and Martin’s first priority is to prove his lover’s innocence; if there’s a story in it, that will be a bonus. As he treads the town, chatting to locals, encountering old acquaintances, trying to ascertain who had motive for murder, Martin is reminded of the tragedies of his childhood and youth, and the reason he was in such a hurry to leave.
Then, just a few days later, another shocking event rocks the town, and Martin, on the spot, goes into journalist mode. It’s perhaps at the expense of his time with and for Mandy, but resisting the siren call of the story is difficult, even if the damage to his tender new relationship might be irreparable. After his errors of judgement in Riversend, Martin is wary of assuming too much from the known facts: a wise move, as each new revelation adds another wrinkle to the story.
Hammer gives the reader an intriguing plot with twists, red herrings and distractions, and many threads, which he manages to neatly draw together in the final pages. His characters are again familiar, easily believable, the sort a small town throws up, some with major flaws, all with minor ones. Has Martin now matured enough to make it work with Mandy?
Hammer’s depiction of the tropical north coast NSW town and its hinterland is excellent, and he has a marvellous turn of phrase: “The three of them, aged twelve, on the cusp of puberty, the tectonic shift to adolescence approaching, the girls and the drinking and the delinquency, the febrile hormones, the fractured families and fragile identities.” Once again, brilliant rural crime fiction.
September 30, 2019
Martin Scarsden is a journalist and a writer, who has been avoiding his past in his hometown of Port Silver most of his adult life. But when he meets a woman, Mandy Blonde, who has inherited a home in Port Silver, he makes the decision to return there with her.
But when Martin arrives home to meet Mandy, his childhood friend has been murdered and it seems that Mandy is a prime suspect. Though Martin has hung up his boots on journalism, he becomes involved in the case and his reporting skills come calling. Hammer weaves a clever who done it, combined with family drama that kept me guessing all the way. I must admit when I initially saw the size of this one (at 563 pages), it was daunting. That said, I was totally engaged throughout and this was one I really enjoyed. Definitely recommend.
Thank you to Allen & Unwin for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
But when Martin arrives home to meet Mandy, his childhood friend has been murdered and it seems that Mandy is a prime suspect. Though Martin has hung up his boots on journalism, he becomes involved in the case and his reporting skills come calling. Hammer weaves a clever who done it, combined with family drama that kept me guessing all the way. I must admit when I initially saw the size of this one (at 563 pages), it was daunting. That said, I was totally engaged throughout and this was one I really enjoyed. Definitely recommend.
Thank you to Allen & Unwin for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 21, 2020
In the follow up to the excellent "Scrublands", journalist Martin Scarsden returns to his hometown of Port Silver, intending to settle down to a quiet life with his partner Mandy and their son Liam. However, the quiet intentions are immediately shattered when Martin discovers the dead body of a childhood friend in Mandy's house. She also soon becomes the main suspect to his murder.
In his attempts to clear Mandy's name, Martin soon discovers a whole network of corruptions involving land grabs, inheritances and religious cults. Also, he learns much more about his early life, parents and their friends.
This is not only a gripping murder mystery, but also an emotional voyage of self-discovery. Another tour-de-force from Chris Hammer.
In his attempts to clear Mandy's name, Martin soon discovers a whole network of corruptions involving land grabs, inheritances and religious cults. Also, he learns much more about his early life, parents and their friends.
This is not only a gripping murder mystery, but also an emotional voyage of self-discovery. Another tour-de-force from Chris Hammer.
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