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Silver
A reporter investigates the murder of a novelist in a psychological thriller that blurs the boundaries of fact and fiction.
When romance novelist Joy Haversham is murdered, the trial causes a media frenzy. A man is put in prison, but journalist Nick Slater believes there's more to the story. Two other authors have died in ways that mimic their fiction. Could Joy's final manuscript reveal something about how and why she died?
Joy left behind a husband, a daughter, and Silver, a disturbing, unfinished book that is very different from her previous novels. Her husband Roger refuses to allow its publication. But as Nick follow every possible lead, the evidence he uncovers a dark mystery that leads beyond the realm of possibility.
When romance novelist Joy Haversham is murdered, the trial causes a media frenzy. A man is put in prison, but journalist Nick Slater believes there's more to the story. Two other authors have died in ways that mimic their fiction. Could Joy's final manuscript reveal something about how and why she died?
Joy left behind a husband, a daughter, and Silver, a disturbing, unfinished book that is very different from her previous novels. Her husband Roger refuses to allow its publication. But as Nick follow every possible lead, the evidence he uncovers a dark mystery that leads beyond the realm of possibility.
- GenresThriller
256 pages, ebook
First published April 23, 2016
27 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Mark L. Fowler
20 books28 followersMark writes in a number of genres, including detective crime fiction, psychological thrillers, and Gothic fantasy.
He is the author of the popular Tyler & Mills detective crime series set in Staffordshire in the noughties. RED IS THE COLOUR was shortlisted for the 2018 Arnold Bennett Prize and begins with the grim discovery of a schoolboy who disappeared thirty years earlier. BLUE MURDER involves a missing singer and a murdered guitarist, elevating an obscure band to sudden fame and fortune. THE DEVIL WORE BLACK unveils the mystery of a crucified priest. THE SMELL OF COPPER, finds Tyler out on a limb as the detectives uncover police corruption. SCARLET RIBBONS investigates the brutal murder of a sex worker. The latest book in the series, BLOOD ORANGE, concerns the death of a local greengrocer. All the books can be read as standalone crime novels.
Other detective mysteries include THE BATHROOM MURDERS. A series of women are found hacked to death while taking a shower. This is the first in a new series set in Manchester, featuring female detective Charlie Reed and her sidekick Paul Rigsby.
TWIST has the eponymous private investigator returning, against his better judgement, to the city of nightmares to look into the strange case of a dead philosophy student.
THE MAN UPSTAIRS introduces hard boiled Frank Miller, discovering he’s a fictional detective and that his author is plotting to kill him. This is the first in a series of crime fantasy novels, and the second book in the series has now been published: THE POISONED EYE OF A LOVING GOD,
Mark also writes psychological thrillers. SILVER finds journalist and crime writer Nick Slater obsessed with an unpublished manuscript that a best-selling author was working on when she was murdered, and which her family refuse to publish.
SEXTET explores the twisted rivalry between twin sisters, the weird games they played as children, and the rising murder rate in a small English town.
COFFIN MAKER is a Gothic tale. Death is sent two apprentices amid warnings from an out-of-favour priest that the devil has arrived on Earth.
PAINTED FIRE finds a writer travelling to America’s West Coast in a desperate bid to find a cure for a baffling illness afflicting his wife. An anonymous benefactor has offered to help, but at what price?
He is the author of the popular Tyler & Mills detective crime series set in Staffordshire in the noughties. RED IS THE COLOUR was shortlisted for the 2018 Arnold Bennett Prize and begins with the grim discovery of a schoolboy who disappeared thirty years earlier. BLUE MURDER involves a missing singer and a murdered guitarist, elevating an obscure band to sudden fame and fortune. THE DEVIL WORE BLACK unveils the mystery of a crucified priest. THE SMELL OF COPPER, finds Tyler out on a limb as the detectives uncover police corruption. SCARLET RIBBONS investigates the brutal murder of a sex worker. The latest book in the series, BLOOD ORANGE, concerns the death of a local greengrocer. All the books can be read as standalone crime novels.
Other detective mysteries include THE BATHROOM MURDERS. A series of women are found hacked to death while taking a shower. This is the first in a new series set in Manchester, featuring female detective Charlie Reed and her sidekick Paul Rigsby.
TWIST has the eponymous private investigator returning, against his better judgement, to the city of nightmares to look into the strange case of a dead philosophy student.
THE MAN UPSTAIRS introduces hard boiled Frank Miller, discovering he’s a fictional detective and that his author is plotting to kill him. This is the first in a series of crime fantasy novels, and the second book in the series has now been published: THE POISONED EYE OF A LOVING GOD,
Mark also writes psychological thrillers. SILVER finds journalist and crime writer Nick Slater obsessed with an unpublished manuscript that a best-selling author was working on when she was murdered, and which her family refuse to publish.
SEXTET explores the twisted rivalry between twin sisters, the weird games they played as children, and the rising murder rate in a small English town.
COFFIN MAKER is a Gothic tale. Death is sent two apprentices amid warnings from an out-of-favour priest that the devil has arrived on Earth.
PAINTED FIRE finds a writer travelling to America’s West Coast in a desperate bid to find a cure for a baffling illness afflicting his wife. An anonymous benefactor has offered to help, but at what price?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
February 6, 2017
3.5 *
Thank you to TBC for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
A new author to me but the blurb sounded right up my street. I do love a psychological thriller and this is a debut for Mark L Fowler..
Authors are being murdered, and murdered by methods they have written about in their books, spooky stuff.
Journalist, novelist and ex lothario Nick has a fascination with Joy Haversham, recently passed author...more though is his interest in her final yet unpublished book, Silver.
I so wanted to love this book, everything was there but it just didn't do it for me. I'm not really sure why, maybe the supernatural influences deterred me. I'm really not a fan of books in that genre and I can only assume that this put me off a little. Other than this the book took a while to get going, I was over a third of the way through before I felt I was making any headway. This is of course just my opinion and others have thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you to TBC for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
A new author to me but the blurb sounded right up my street. I do love a psychological thriller and this is a debut for Mark L Fowler..
Authors are being murdered, and murdered by methods they have written about in their books, spooky stuff.
Journalist, novelist and ex lothario Nick has a fascination with Joy Haversham, recently passed author...more though is his interest in her final yet unpublished book, Silver.
I so wanted to love this book, everything was there but it just didn't do it for me. I'm not really sure why, maybe the supernatural influences deterred me. I'm really not a fan of books in that genre and I can only assume that this put me off a little. Other than this the book took a while to get going, I was over a third of the way through before I felt I was making any headway. This is of course just my opinion and others have thoroughly enjoyed it.
April 23, 2016
I was offered a copy of this book by the publisher and was intrigued enough by the synopsis that I had to read it. A plot about writers being bumped off in the style of their own books? I just had to know more.
The books starts off with a bang and a terrific premise, writers have died in ways that mirror plots from their own novels. The latest,Joy Haversham, was working on a book called Silver when she died and everyone wants to get their hands on the unfinished manuscript. One of those is Nick Slater, a journalist, who has also written two books, the second of which was completely different to his well received first book. His obsession leads him to meeting Joys murderer in prison and Grace, Joys daughter.
I have to say that this book is really unlike anything else I have read recently. It's style and subject matter make it really difficult to pigeon hole into any particular genre as it combines crime thriller with the occult and the supernatural. Due to this and the fact that it's very dark, I did struggle to get into it at the beginning as it wasn't what I had been expecting. It reminded me at times of a British made film made by the Hammer team in the early Seventies with the descriptions of Roger Haversham in his laboratory trying to communicate with his dead wife.
I liked the pairing of Nick and Grace and found myself cheering them on especially towards the end of the book when things really came together. From about half way through, when the plot really started to come together for me, the pace increased and I galloped towards the ending which threw up a few surprises I wasn't expecting! A cast of rather unsavoury characters made this creepy unusual tale an interesting read that, although not the type of book I would normally pick up, made me appreciate the authors writing style enough to want to read more by him in the future.
Thanks to Bloodhound books for my ARC of Silver in return for my unbiased review.
The books starts off with a bang and a terrific premise, writers have died in ways that mirror plots from their own novels. The latest,Joy Haversham, was working on a book called Silver when she died and everyone wants to get their hands on the unfinished manuscript. One of those is Nick Slater, a journalist, who has also written two books, the second of which was completely different to his well received first book. His obsession leads him to meeting Joys murderer in prison and Grace, Joys daughter.
I have to say that this book is really unlike anything else I have read recently. It's style and subject matter make it really difficult to pigeon hole into any particular genre as it combines crime thriller with the occult and the supernatural. Due to this and the fact that it's very dark, I did struggle to get into it at the beginning as it wasn't what I had been expecting. It reminded me at times of a British made film made by the Hammer team in the early Seventies with the descriptions of Roger Haversham in his laboratory trying to communicate with his dead wife.
I liked the pairing of Nick and Grace and found myself cheering them on especially towards the end of the book when things really came together. From about half way through, when the plot really started to come together for me, the pace increased and I galloped towards the ending which threw up a few surprises I wasn't expecting! A cast of rather unsavoury characters made this creepy unusual tale an interesting read that, although not the type of book I would normally pick up, made me appreciate the authors writing style enough to want to read more by him in the future.
Thanks to Bloodhound books for my ARC of Silver in return for my unbiased review.
July 1, 2016
I have to admit, it took me a little to get into Silver! I didn’t fully get where the story was heading until I was about a quarter of the way through. But the more I read the further I was drawn into the story and I'm glad I stuck with it!
There is a very diverse cast in this book. I was very intrigued by Gils Ray...who is he? What is he? How is he doing what he's doing? Is there more to him than him just being a reformed murderer preparing for release? Is he just delusional?? So many questions!!
Roger now he was a little dull character but then what do you expect from a lecturing professor but is all what it seems?? The man with the secret project!
I really liked the banter between Tim and Nick – it reminds me of some of the guys I work with “Where’s the cake?” “If I’d known you were coming I would have notified the caterers.”
The author's writing style is very readable, enough descriptions to make you imagine the surroundings. One phrase that really struck me was "Atlantis of sleep". To me Grace was being wrenched from her deep sleep which I could totally sympathise with!
Silver is a psychological thriller with intrigue and mystery that keeps you reading to the end! Mark Fowler is definitely an author I'd read again - I'll be hunting out his previous books when my rather large pile of reads allows me!
A big thank you to Mark Fowler and Shell Baker of Crime Book Club on Facebook for giving me a copy of Silver to read and review.
There is a very diverse cast in this book. I was very intrigued by Gils Ray...who is he? What is he? How is he doing what he's doing? Is there more to him than him just being a reformed murderer preparing for release? Is he just delusional?? So many questions!!
Roger now he was a little dull character but then what do you expect from a lecturing professor but is all what it seems?? The man with the secret project!
I really liked the banter between Tim and Nick – it reminds me of some of the guys I work with “Where’s the cake?” “If I’d known you were coming I would have notified the caterers.”
The author's writing style is very readable, enough descriptions to make you imagine the surroundings. One phrase that really struck me was "Atlantis of sleep". To me Grace was being wrenched from her deep sleep which I could totally sympathise with!
Silver is a psychological thriller with intrigue and mystery that keeps you reading to the end! Mark Fowler is definitely an author I'd read again - I'll be hunting out his previous books when my rather large pile of reads allows me!
A big thank you to Mark Fowler and Shell Baker of Crime Book Club on Facebook for giving me a copy of Silver to read and review.
February 10, 2017
The Blurb:
A writer murdered.
A reader with a dangerous obsession.
A killer who shouldn’t exist.
When romance novelist Joy Haversham is murdered she leaves behind a husband, daughter and Silver, a disturbing, unfinished manuscript the publishing world are desperate to read. But her grieving husband, Roger, refuses to allow publication. Roger wants to lock himself away with his memories. But the fans have other ideas.
Nick Slater, a former reporter and successful novelist who covered the trial, remains obsessed with the unanswered questions surrounding Joy’s death. Determined to learn the truth Nick finds himself in trouble. And the evidence he will find is … impossible.
Silver is a spectacular, heart-pounding thriller about how literature shapes a life. For better and for worse. It's truly unique but if you like authors such as Adam Croft, B.A. Paris and Robert Bryndza you are sure to love this book.
I loved reading B A Paris and Robert Bryndza so I thought I would really enjoy this book. But I really struggled with it. Neither the plot nor the characters gripped me and it took me a long while to get through it.
I'm quite sure that other people will disagree with me, but I can only give this 2*
A writer murdered.
A reader with a dangerous obsession.
A killer who shouldn’t exist.
When romance novelist Joy Haversham is murdered she leaves behind a husband, daughter and Silver, a disturbing, unfinished manuscript the publishing world are desperate to read. But her grieving husband, Roger, refuses to allow publication. Roger wants to lock himself away with his memories. But the fans have other ideas.
Nick Slater, a former reporter and successful novelist who covered the trial, remains obsessed with the unanswered questions surrounding Joy’s death. Determined to learn the truth Nick finds himself in trouble. And the evidence he will find is … impossible.
Silver is a spectacular, heart-pounding thriller about how literature shapes a life. For better and for worse. It's truly unique but if you like authors such as Adam Croft, B.A. Paris and Robert Bryndza you are sure to love this book.
I loved reading B A Paris and Robert Bryndza so I thought I would really enjoy this book. But I really struggled with it. Neither the plot nor the characters gripped me and it took me a long while to get through it.
I'm quite sure that other people will disagree with me, but I can only give this 2*
May 9, 2016
A couple of authors have died in suspicious circumstances, each done to death in the same manner as their last protagonist. Joy Haversham dies, leaving an unfinished manuscript very different from her previous best-selling romances. Author Nick Slater wants to get his hands on it. He’s met the man accused of killing her. This man, Gil Ray, is due to be released from prison and the Haversham family, determined not to publish the book, are in for a difficult time.
There’s something strange going on here and the reader is aware of it early on, but we don’t know quite what it is. Gil Ray is a mysterious character, grandson of a stage hypnotist, and he has a powerful effect on those who meet him, even in jail. The author cranks up the tension which is occasionally relieved by the humorous character of Nick’s agent, and by the brittle beginnings of Nick and Grace Haversham’s relationship. I haven’t read a book quite like this before. It’s most definitely a thriller but it has overtones of the supernatural. You decide if it’s really there. I love this sort of thing – being led to think rather than spoon-fed the answers. Gil Ray is a powerful creation and Silver is very enjoyable book.
There’s something strange going on here and the reader is aware of it early on, but we don’t know quite what it is. Gil Ray is a mysterious character, grandson of a stage hypnotist, and he has a powerful effect on those who meet him, even in jail. The author cranks up the tension which is occasionally relieved by the humorous character of Nick’s agent, and by the brittle beginnings of Nick and Grace Haversham’s relationship. I haven’t read a book quite like this before. It’s most definitely a thriller but it has overtones of the supernatural. You decide if it’s really there. I love this sort of thing – being led to think rather than spoon-fed the answers. Gil Ray is a powerful creation and Silver is very enjoyable book.
February 5, 2017
I saw this book on THE Book Club on Facebook (TBCONFB) in their spin off review group, and the premise was so interesting to me that I volunteered to read it.
Two authors have died in the same gruesome way as their book endings, and yet the police don’t suspect foul play. When a third author, Joy Haversham, dies, her manuscript “Silver” is unfinished, and this time, unlike with the other deaths, a man—Gil Ray—is charged and convicted of causing Joy’s death. At the prison where Gil is being held, guards begin to fall ill and, in some cases, die in mysterious circumstances and as Gil’s release date gets ever closer, Joy’s husband, Roger, starts behaving rather oddly and her daughter, Grace, turns to former journalist, Nick Slater for help and support. Could “Silver” hold the answers to Joy’s death?
Nick Slater is a one-time successful novelist, although his second book was poorly received and his third one doesn’t look like it will get off the ground either. Nick covered the original Joy Haversham trial and as the killer gets closer to being released from prison, Nick finds himself, once more, embroiled in the Haversham family.
My Review
This book could have been great. As I said at the beginning of this post, the premise is very interesting, but the book didn’t hit the mark for me. It took quite some time to get into it – at least a third of the way – before it began to mildly pique my interest.
I couldn’t connect with any of the characters and I think it was because the writing style was very much ‘narrator’ rather than inside the characters heads. The style created too much distance for my personal tastes, almost as though a third party was watching the events unfold and reporting on what they saw. As the book reached its climax, I would have loved to have been firmly in Nick’s head, seeing and feeling things from his perspective, but alas, it was not to be.
The narrator style also created quite a bit of head hopping without a definitive scene break, especially where the author wanted to get something specific across, and I found some of the transitions clunky which, in turn, jerked me from the story in a very uncomfortable way.
I should also mention that although this is marketed as a thriller, there are supernatural elements to the story which definitely add mystery, although I don’t feel the explanation as to how they came about was fully fleshed out.
I also found the character of Christine, a work colleague of Grace and ex (of sorts) of Nick Slater to be superfluous and not really adding anything to the story. If her character was completely removed, nothing would have changed in the story.
This is Mark L Fowler’s first novel. On the positive side, he shows promise. But in his next novel, I’d like to see his writing much deeper, getting right into the characters heads and having a good old poke around, which, in turn, will give the reader more chance of connecting deeply with the characters – and ultimately caring about what happens to them.
Two authors have died in the same gruesome way as their book endings, and yet the police don’t suspect foul play. When a third author, Joy Haversham, dies, her manuscript “Silver” is unfinished, and this time, unlike with the other deaths, a man—Gil Ray—is charged and convicted of causing Joy’s death. At the prison where Gil is being held, guards begin to fall ill and, in some cases, die in mysterious circumstances and as Gil’s release date gets ever closer, Joy’s husband, Roger, starts behaving rather oddly and her daughter, Grace, turns to former journalist, Nick Slater for help and support. Could “Silver” hold the answers to Joy’s death?
Nick Slater is a one-time successful novelist, although his second book was poorly received and his third one doesn’t look like it will get off the ground either. Nick covered the original Joy Haversham trial and as the killer gets closer to being released from prison, Nick finds himself, once more, embroiled in the Haversham family.
My Review
This book could have been great. As I said at the beginning of this post, the premise is very interesting, but the book didn’t hit the mark for me. It took quite some time to get into it – at least a third of the way – before it began to mildly pique my interest.
I couldn’t connect with any of the characters and I think it was because the writing style was very much ‘narrator’ rather than inside the characters heads. The style created too much distance for my personal tastes, almost as though a third party was watching the events unfold and reporting on what they saw. As the book reached its climax, I would have loved to have been firmly in Nick’s head, seeing and feeling things from his perspective, but alas, it was not to be.
The narrator style also created quite a bit of head hopping without a definitive scene break, especially where the author wanted to get something specific across, and I found some of the transitions clunky which, in turn, jerked me from the story in a very uncomfortable way.
I should also mention that although this is marketed as a thriller, there are supernatural elements to the story which definitely add mystery, although I don’t feel the explanation as to how they came about was fully fleshed out.
I also found the character of Christine, a work colleague of Grace and ex (of sorts) of Nick Slater to be superfluous and not really adding anything to the story. If her character was completely removed, nothing would have changed in the story.
This is Mark L Fowler’s first novel. On the positive side, he shows promise. But in his next novel, I’d like to see his writing much deeper, getting right into the characters heads and having a good old poke around, which, in turn, will give the reader more chance of connecting deeply with the characters – and ultimately caring about what happens to them.
April 26, 2016
What a blurb! I was caught hook, line and sinker with this one so I had very high expectations from the outset (sorry about that Mark L. Fowler!). A thriller about authors and their books...surely a must-read for all book bloggers! It's an enjoyable story but I was surprised and maybe a little thrown by the supernatural element.
Joy Haversham, successful romance novelist, is allegedly murdered by Gil Ray. Ray has a childhood most fictional psychopaths would be proud of. Following his conviction he is moved to Westfield, a progressive prison with a fairly laid back approach, quite possibly the worst place for him to be.
Nick Slater, former journalist, former lothario and best selling author (but only the once, his second book sucked!) is obsessed with the Havershams, Gil Ray and most importantly the manuscript Joy was working on when she died. Her husband and daughter refuse to have Silver published. It's nothing like Joy's former work...NOTHING like it! Why is Nick so drawn to Silver? What secrets does it hold...?
There are inexplicable things in this book that capture and hold your attention. For example, some futuristic holographic science thanks to Joy's husband, plus Westfield staff dropping like flies, some beyond saving.
There's a little bit of romance and a fair amount of explicit sexual content (blush!). The relationship between Nick and Grace was starting to wear a little thin for me but then I'm not one for that sort of thing in my books. I found the conclusion the most enjoyable as the pace quickened and the action escalated.
If you love character driven thrillers then you should thoroughly enjoy this début. Or if you are looking for something a little bit different then I suggest you give this book a try.
Three and a half stars out of five.
Many thanks to Bloodhound Books, Crime Fiction Addict and Mark L. Fowler for providing me with a copy of Silver in exchange for an honest review.
Joy Haversham, successful romance novelist, is allegedly murdered by Gil Ray. Ray has a childhood most fictional psychopaths would be proud of. Following his conviction he is moved to Westfield, a progressive prison with a fairly laid back approach, quite possibly the worst place for him to be.
Nick Slater, former journalist, former lothario and best selling author (but only the once, his second book sucked!) is obsessed with the Havershams, Gil Ray and most importantly the manuscript Joy was working on when she died. Her husband and daughter refuse to have Silver published. It's nothing like Joy's former work...NOTHING like it! Why is Nick so drawn to Silver? What secrets does it hold...?
There are inexplicable things in this book that capture and hold your attention. For example, some futuristic holographic science thanks to Joy's husband, plus Westfield staff dropping like flies, some beyond saving.
There's a little bit of romance and a fair amount of explicit sexual content (blush!). The relationship between Nick and Grace was starting to wear a little thin for me but then I'm not one for that sort of thing in my books. I found the conclusion the most enjoyable as the pace quickened and the action escalated.
If you love character driven thrillers then you should thoroughly enjoy this début. Or if you are looking for something a little bit different then I suggest you give this book a try.
Three and a half stars out of five.
Many thanks to Bloodhound Books, Crime Fiction Addict and Mark L. Fowler for providing me with a copy of Silver in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2016
Not only did the cover of this book intrigue me, but when I read the description for it, I knew I had to read it.
As a novelist I would have thought Nick might actually be slightly scared when a couple of authors meet an untimely death but the journalist in him makes him develop a slightly unhealthy obsession instead.
Grace, Joy’s daughter, ends up falling for Nick after they meet and between them they try to solve the mystery around Joy’s death and the unfinished book.
Grace has been trying to make sense of all that has gone on and every time she goes to her parents house she reads more of the manuscript. One I think to see what it’s about as her father doesn’t want anyone to read it and secondly I think it makes her feel closer to her mother.
The author certainly takes the reader on a journey of intrigue and suspense that made for a steady read which picks up speed towards the end.
The whole story is a very dark one. Not only did I really want to know what was contained in the unfinished manuscript, I was also fascinated with a certain character whose release is very imminent from prison. Between him and his brother, who is keeping an eye on what is happening on the outside, it certainly made for a chilling and thrilling read.
Silver is without a doubt a dark and disturbing read and I can not wait to read more by the author.
Many thanks to Bloodhound Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As a novelist I would have thought Nick might actually be slightly scared when a couple of authors meet an untimely death but the journalist in him makes him develop a slightly unhealthy obsession instead.
Grace, Joy’s daughter, ends up falling for Nick after they meet and between them they try to solve the mystery around Joy’s death and the unfinished book.
Grace has been trying to make sense of all that has gone on and every time she goes to her parents house she reads more of the manuscript. One I think to see what it’s about as her father doesn’t want anyone to read it and secondly I think it makes her feel closer to her mother.
The author certainly takes the reader on a journey of intrigue and suspense that made for a steady read which picks up speed towards the end.
The whole story is a very dark one. Not only did I really want to know what was contained in the unfinished manuscript, I was also fascinated with a certain character whose release is very imminent from prison. Between him and his brother, who is keeping an eye on what is happening on the outside, it certainly made for a chilling and thrilling read.
Silver is without a doubt a dark and disturbing read and I can not wait to read more by the author.
Many thanks to Bloodhound Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2017
When a number of authors are found dead, by the methods they have written about in their own books, surely, it’s more than coincidence?
The latest author to be killed is romance novelist, Joy Haversham, who was working on her new book before her death. The author’s unpublished manuscript becomes the obsession of Nick Slater (journalist/novelist), who is also a fan, but the family are refusing to allow it to be published – but why? What secrets lie within the book?
Nick is trying to recover his career, after his second novel is poorly received by the public, and his publisher is pushing him for the next best seller. Joy Haversham’s killer is due for release from prison, and Nick, (who covered the original trial), decides to re-visit him. Nick tries to find out the truth behind Joy’s death, and also wants to discover the secrets that lie within the book. Could there be an idea for his next book, or does he get more than he bargained for?
This book starts well, but slows in the middle, gaining momentum towards the unexpected end! The story has some despicable characters, is very dark in parts, but there is also some intermittent humour, making it a really enjoyable read!
The latest author to be killed is romance novelist, Joy Haversham, who was working on her new book before her death. The author’s unpublished manuscript becomes the obsession of Nick Slater (journalist/novelist), who is also a fan, but the family are refusing to allow it to be published – but why? What secrets lie within the book?
Nick is trying to recover his career, after his second novel is poorly received by the public, and his publisher is pushing him for the next best seller. Joy Haversham’s killer is due for release from prison, and Nick, (who covered the original trial), decides to re-visit him. Nick tries to find out the truth behind Joy’s death, and also wants to discover the secrets that lie within the book. Could there be an idea for his next book, or does he get more than he bargained for?
This book starts well, but slows in the middle, gaining momentum towards the unexpected end! The story has some despicable characters, is very dark in parts, but there is also some intermittent humour, making it a really enjoyable read!
February 7, 2017
Thank you to the online book club TBConFB for a copy of this book to read as an arc. Gil Ray has been convicted of author Joy Haversham's murder and is now due for release. Nick Slater, journalist and author, has visited Ray in prison and is investigating the circumstances of Joy's death. Could Ray be connected with the mysterious deaths of two other authors and does Joy's unfinished novel Silver hold any clues to her death?
This is quite a dark, gruesome with threads of humour through it which I really liked. The relationship between Nick and his agent is really well written and funny. The book is a good, suspenseful read which keeps you turning the pages, however, there is also a supernatural theme which I wasn't so keen on and I also found myself getting a bit confused at times.
The book is well worth a read if you enjoy thrillers.
This is quite a dark, gruesome with threads of humour through it which I really liked. The relationship between Nick and his agent is really well written and funny. The book is a good, suspenseful read which keeps you turning the pages, however, there is also a supernatural theme which I wasn't so keen on and I also found myself getting a bit confused at times.
The book is well worth a read if you enjoy thrillers.
January 23, 2017
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and a very clever book. I warmed to the main character, Nick Slater, and thought all the other players were well drawn and believable. The story moved along at a good pace, only occasionally getting bogged down in a confusion of names; La-Bas, Huysmans, Gilles de Rais, Taymon, I got myself in a bit of a muddle with remembering who was who and which agent went with which author, (I'm still not sure I know who Taymon is)! That's the reason, for me, why the book got 4 stars instead of 5. Putting that to one side, this is a clever story, complimented by excellent writing, which I am very pleased to highly recommend.
February 14, 2017
Silver is a debut novel, and the blurb intrigued me to want to read it. However, although the premise of author's being killed according to how their own characters had died was a great idea, I struggled with this book. It wasn't the writing style, which I enjoyed. The plot itself took a while to get into, and I didn't feel anything for the characters. They weren't fleshed out enough for me to get to 'know' them. The last few chapters were the best and I really like the conclusion, so much so that I will definitely read the author's next book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
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May 11, 2016I received this book from the uk crime book club on facebook in exchange for an honest review, there is a great premise to this novel and it blended horror and crime reasonably well whilst only really dipping a toe into both and this i feel is where it fell down slightly as it could have embraced those worlds more and gone further with the novel, that said it continues the unspoilt run of bloodhound books putting out good reads and i would not be adversed to reading more from this author.
January 22, 2017
Silver by Mark L Fowler is a thriller read.
A writer murdered.
A reader with a dangerous obsession.
A killer who shouldn’t
This was a good read with good characters. 4*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from tbc on fb.
A writer murdered.
A reader with a dangerous obsession.
A killer who shouldn’t
This was a good read with good characters. 4*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from tbc on fb.
November 24, 2016
Actual Rating: 3.25 Stars
I took a brief break from horror it seems to flip through the pages of Mark L. Fowler’s novel, Silver. The book comes in at a fairly moderate length and encompasses a rather intriguing plot: authors are dying in the same fashion as the heros and heroines of their latest work of dark fiction. When best selling author Joy Haversham becomes the latest victim, in a manner not quite as gruesome, she leaves behind her husband and adult daughter to deal with the emptiness left in her wake. In addition to her untimely death, the manuscript for her unfinished novel, also titled Silver remains unpublished.
As far as the characters of Fowler’s novel go, each one has their own flaws. While some, such as Nick Slater’s brief time as a womanizer after his wife’s death, are rather generic, others, such as Gil Ray, are not. It is clear in the first several pages written in Gil Ray’s perspective that Fowler truly thought this heavily damaged character through entirely. Grace Haversham, daughter to the late Joy Haversham, appears to be somewhat unsure about anything regarding her own future; she constantly seems to look to those around her for guidance, and is perhaps a bit too obvious of a target for victimhood. It felt to me that many of the side characters to this book were more wholly fleshed out than the main ones.
Plot wise, I found the latter half of the book to be more engaging than the first; the farther along I read, the easier it was to remain focused. For the most part, it’s pretty straight forward: guy kills woman, guy goes to jail, guy gets out, more trouble comes. Personally, especially with how much detail is given to our villain, I would have liked to see a bit more about how he operates. It’s clear throughout the novel that something supernatural is going on, but whatever that is, it’s never really revealed in its entirety. I feel like the book should have been a lot longer, but for some reason, ended directly after its climax with no true denouement.
Other than that, Silver was a decent read. It doesn’t quite sate my personal thirsts when it comes to books, as I prefer things bloody with a side of gross, but it’s definitely something fans of a more tame crime novel might enjoy. That isn’t to say there isn’t sensitive material, for there is the use of profanity and subject matter pertaining to less savory things, but it’s not something that needs a huge warning sign.
I would like to thank the author, Mark L. Fowler, for providing me with a free copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.
I took a brief break from horror it seems to flip through the pages of Mark L. Fowler’s novel, Silver. The book comes in at a fairly moderate length and encompasses a rather intriguing plot: authors are dying in the same fashion as the heros and heroines of their latest work of dark fiction. When best selling author Joy Haversham becomes the latest victim, in a manner not quite as gruesome, she leaves behind her husband and adult daughter to deal with the emptiness left in her wake. In addition to her untimely death, the manuscript for her unfinished novel, also titled Silver remains unpublished.
As far as the characters of Fowler’s novel go, each one has their own flaws. While some, such as Nick Slater’s brief time as a womanizer after his wife’s death, are rather generic, others, such as Gil Ray, are not. It is clear in the first several pages written in Gil Ray’s perspective that Fowler truly thought this heavily damaged character through entirely. Grace Haversham, daughter to the late Joy Haversham, appears to be somewhat unsure about anything regarding her own future; she constantly seems to look to those around her for guidance, and is perhaps a bit too obvious of a target for victimhood. It felt to me that many of the side characters to this book were more wholly fleshed out than the main ones.
Plot wise, I found the latter half of the book to be more engaging than the first; the farther along I read, the easier it was to remain focused. For the most part, it’s pretty straight forward: guy kills woman, guy goes to jail, guy gets out, more trouble comes. Personally, especially with how much detail is given to our villain, I would have liked to see a bit more about how he operates. It’s clear throughout the novel that something supernatural is going on, but whatever that is, it’s never really revealed in its entirety. I feel like the book should have been a lot longer, but for some reason, ended directly after its climax with no true denouement.
Other than that, Silver was a decent read. It doesn’t quite sate my personal thirsts when it comes to books, as I prefer things bloody with a side of gross, but it’s definitely something fans of a more tame crime novel might enjoy. That isn’t to say there isn’t sensitive material, for there is the use of profanity and subject matter pertaining to less savory things, but it’s not something that needs a huge warning sign.
I would like to thank the author, Mark L. Fowler, for providing me with a free copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2017
Silver: a compelling & stylish thriller
By: Mark L. Fowler
5 out of 5 stars
The story Silver: a compelling & stylish thriller by Mark L. Fowler is a psychological crime thriller. I would also describe it as part of the horror genre. It grabs on to you from the very start and will not let you go until you have read each and every page. The story revolves around a romance novelist that is murdered. She leaves behind a husband, daughter, and Silver, a disturbing, unfinished manuscript the world wants to read. Her husband will not allow the book to be published. Enter Nick Slater. He is a former reporter and successful novelist who covered the murder trial of Joy Haversham and continues to investigate the unanswered questions surrounding her death. Will he find the answers?
To say that this book is awesome is an understatement. The story that the author has written has to be read to be fully appreciated. As you progress through the book, you come to recognize that this is not your run of the mill thriller. The feelings that come with reading can be intense and I highly suggest reading in the daytime, with the lights on. The characters are well developed and through some of them, you feel as if you have found true evil. Others such as Nick will have you rooting for the truth to be discovered and revealed. I have always loved thrillers and this one really knocks the ball out of the park. I also love the horror genre and this book would fit in this category as well. Looking for a read that will have you looking over your shoulder? Then this is the book is for you! I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.
By: Mark L. Fowler
5 out of 5 stars
The story Silver: a compelling & stylish thriller by Mark L. Fowler is a psychological crime thriller. I would also describe it as part of the horror genre. It grabs on to you from the very start and will not let you go until you have read each and every page. The story revolves around a romance novelist that is murdered. She leaves behind a husband, daughter, and Silver, a disturbing, unfinished manuscript the world wants to read. Her husband will not allow the book to be published. Enter Nick Slater. He is a former reporter and successful novelist who covered the murder trial of Joy Haversham and continues to investigate the unanswered questions surrounding her death. Will he find the answers?
To say that this book is awesome is an understatement. The story that the author has written has to be read to be fully appreciated. As you progress through the book, you come to recognize that this is not your run of the mill thriller. The feelings that come with reading can be intense and I highly suggest reading in the daytime, with the lights on. The characters are well developed and through some of them, you feel as if you have found true evil. Others such as Nick will have you rooting for the truth to be discovered and revealed. I have always loved thrillers and this one really knocks the ball out of the park. I also love the horror genre and this book would fit in this category as well. Looking for a read that will have you looking over your shoulder? Then this is the book is for you! I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.
May 5, 2016
I was sent a copy of Silver by the author, Mark Fowler, in exchange for an honest review. I was hooked by the intriguing description, and I’m glad that I agreed to read it.
As Silver progresses it becomes clear that there is more to the story than meets the eye, and that Joy Havisham’s murder was not an isolated incident. However, as Nick and Grace come closer to solving the mystery, they’re putting themselves in an increasingly dangerous position. The climax of the story is very tense – will Gil Ray become the ultimate controlling mastermind, or will Nick and Grace be able to stop him before it is too late?
I enjoyed Silver and it was quite different to anything I have read before. Gil Ray is definitely one of the creepiest fictional characters I have encountered. I found the beginning quite slow but I really enjoyed the intensity of the last few chapters.
I would definitely recommend Silver to anyone looking for a mystery thriller with some unpredictable twists and turns.
For my full review please visit: https://aliceandthebooks.wordpress.co...
As Silver progresses it becomes clear that there is more to the story than meets the eye, and that Joy Havisham’s murder was not an isolated incident. However, as Nick and Grace come closer to solving the mystery, they’re putting themselves in an increasingly dangerous position. The climax of the story is very tense – will Gil Ray become the ultimate controlling mastermind, or will Nick and Grace be able to stop him before it is too late?
I enjoyed Silver and it was quite different to anything I have read before. Gil Ray is definitely one of the creepiest fictional characters I have encountered. I found the beginning quite slow but I really enjoyed the intensity of the last few chapters.
I would definitely recommend Silver to anyone looking for a mystery thriller with some unpredictable twists and turns.
For my full review please visit: https://aliceandthebooks.wordpress.co...
May 30, 2016
I was given a copy of Silver by Shell Baker in exchange for an honest review.
this is a really well written and crafted book that sucks you in from the beginning. Gil Ray is very creepy and evil but in an understated way a bit like Hannibal Lector. his brother is overtly evil so this family team put tension at the heart of the narrative.
on the other side you have a grieving husband who is a science genius quietly plotting his revenge on Gil Ray, the man responsible for his wife's death, from a house hidden in a forest. His wife was a famous writer and at the heart of this book is the manuscript for her unfinished work "Silver". Nick a journalist wants the manuscript. Grace is this couples only daughter. She has the manuscript but can she trust Nick? Throw in a shady publisher and a hand full of dead novelists where life imitates art in their causes of death and you have yourself a real page turner!!
The novel is well paced and certainly accelerates the tension from slow burn to red hot as the story unfolds. I am happy to give this book 5 stars and would recommend to my fellow readers!!
this is a really well written and crafted book that sucks you in from the beginning. Gil Ray is very creepy and evil but in an understated way a bit like Hannibal Lector. his brother is overtly evil so this family team put tension at the heart of the narrative.
on the other side you have a grieving husband who is a science genius quietly plotting his revenge on Gil Ray, the man responsible for his wife's death, from a house hidden in a forest. His wife was a famous writer and at the heart of this book is the manuscript for her unfinished work "Silver". Nick a journalist wants the manuscript. Grace is this couples only daughter. She has the manuscript but can she trust Nick? Throw in a shady publisher and a hand full of dead novelists where life imitates art in their causes of death and you have yourself a real page turner!!
The novel is well paced and certainly accelerates the tension from slow burn to red hot as the story unfolds. I am happy to give this book 5 stars and would recommend to my fellow readers!!
April 25, 2016
A male journalist turned novelist, a beautiful girl, an eminent scientist, a house in the woods and a killer: elements that might sound predictable as the stuff of crime fiction, yet the author has brought these components together with such finesse and cultured prose that this book has a truly refreshing originality about it. No run-of-the-mill thriller, this is a novel about a novelist on the trail of a late novelist’s last unfinished novel that imitates a real-life fictional biography of a sixteenth-century child-killer known as Bluebeard.
Silver is a very well written, enthralling, superior and satisfying thriller mystery with a tantalizing riddle factor to entice the reader into its complex, clever plot. It is that teases the publishing industry and mixes the genres of crime fiction, the supernatural and science fiction.
Skillfully crafted description and dialogue have produced properly animated, credible characters to contrast with the unlikely events that occur through the tale. A book that I really enjoyed.
Silver is a very well written, enthralling, superior and satisfying thriller mystery with a tantalizing riddle factor to entice the reader into its complex, clever plot. It is that teases the publishing industry and mixes the genres of crime fiction, the supernatural and science fiction.
Skillfully crafted description and dialogue have produced properly animated, credible characters to contrast with the unlikely events that occur through the tale. A book that I really enjoyed.
May 3, 2016
Mark Fowler’s third novel is a gripping psychological and yet brutal crime novel, that has left me shocked and bewildered. It is about a man and his revenge, about a boy grown up in such surroundings, that he is lost forever. Meet the authors that die according to the crimes in their own novels and discover the gruesome plot behind their deaths and why he, who is seemingly innocent, is slowly but steadily controlling his environment and the people that are unfortunate enough to have caught his attention.
What is happening in Westfield prison? Did Joy Haversham have to die? What is the shocking truth behind her unfinished novel ‘Silver’? Has crime journalist and author Nick Slater ulterior motives when courting Joy’s daughter Grace and is it just the manuscript he’s interested in finishing? Choose carefully your time to pick up this crime and suspension novel, because once entered into the dark and evil world of Ray de Gil, you cannot turn back. You simply are enthralled and captivated until the very last pages.
What is happening in Westfield prison? Did Joy Haversham have to die? What is the shocking truth behind her unfinished novel ‘Silver’? Has crime journalist and author Nick Slater ulterior motives when courting Joy’s daughter Grace and is it just the manuscript he’s interested in finishing? Choose carefully your time to pick up this crime and suspension novel, because once entered into the dark and evil world of Ray de Gil, you cannot turn back. You simply are enthralled and captivated until the very last pages.
May 18, 2016
Well this is a busy little book which kept me on my toes. I found that I was intrigued by the mysterious deaths of two new authors that had written their own demise without releasing it and the wonder of is this third author's death to have taken a similar route?
but without the release of her latest novel who would know?
This book really did totally entertain me but it went in so many directions that it is hard to say just what gendre I would put it in. Mystery, obsession and a touch of the mad scientist. It came together with precision and to be honest for a debut novel it was a cracking book to read. This author has a wonderful talent that stands out from many others. he has his own uniqueness, that you will recognise to him alone. like a couple of bars of music you know you can relate to a musician. Very much looking forward to more from Mark Fowler.
I wish to thank The Crime Book Club on Facebook for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
but without the release of her latest novel who would know?
This book really did totally entertain me but it went in so many directions that it is hard to say just what gendre I would put it in. Mystery, obsession and a touch of the mad scientist. It came together with precision and to be honest for a debut novel it was a cracking book to read. This author has a wonderful talent that stands out from many others. he has his own uniqueness, that you will recognise to him alone. like a couple of bars of music you know you can relate to a musician. Very much looking forward to more from Mark Fowler.
I wish to thank The Crime Book Club on Facebook for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2016
An author is “murdered” by falling and accidently hitting her head on a desk whilst someone else is in the room having broken into the property. The murderer’s first offence. Was he there for murder or another purpose?
Two other authors have died by methods they described in their last books, life imitating art?
Nick who covered the trial discovers that he has written a novel that looks like it is based on something he knew nothing about involving Gilles des Rais- Bluebeard. Gil Ray is the murderer. Coincidence?
This is a unique book to say the least. Easy enough to follow but rather strange. One of those that you really have to read it to make up your own mind. The ending although complete, left me a little baffled. Not quite what I expected from the synopsis.
Two other authors have died by methods they described in their last books, life imitating art?
Nick who covered the trial discovers that he has written a novel that looks like it is based on something he knew nothing about involving Gilles des Rais- Bluebeard. Gil Ray is the murderer. Coincidence?
This is a unique book to say the least. Easy enough to follow but rather strange. One of those that you really have to read it to make up your own mind. The ending although complete, left me a little baffled. Not quite what I expected from the synopsis.
May 7, 2016
I would like to thank Betsey at Bloodhound Books and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest and open review.
An author killing authors in the manner that they killed people in their books! Who wouldn't be intrigued by that description?
I was very surprised to find that this was Mark Fowler's debut novel. I found the writing style polished and sophisticated.
The characters were well developed and their strengths and weaknesses were shown which made them come across as realistic.
It's very hard to say what genre this novel falls into as it has a bit of everything. I would describe it as a mystery/thriller with a supernatural twist.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who's looking for something a bit different.
An author killing authors in the manner that they killed people in their books! Who wouldn't be intrigued by that description?
I was very surprised to find that this was Mark Fowler's debut novel. I found the writing style polished and sophisticated.
The characters were well developed and their strengths and weaknesses were shown which made them come across as realistic.
It's very hard to say what genre this novel falls into as it has a bit of everything. I would describe it as a mystery/thriller with a supernatural twist.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who's looking for something a bit different.
May 28, 2016
I am grateful to the crime book club on Facebook for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was very excited by the synopsis I read that it is about authors who are dying in the same fashion as the characters they write about. I did, however, struggle to get into the story. It was well written and with plenty of dislikeable characters but it took me a few attenpts before I could really feel like I was onboard with it. The pace did really pick up as the story went along. I think I would chategorise this as a psychological thriller with supernatural and horror elements. I would be interested in reading fututre work by this author.
July 3, 2017
I received this book as an ARC from the publisher. The views in this review are entirely my own. This was an intriguing book as it combined a serial killer storyline with ha foray into the occult world of suggestion and control. The premise is original and certainly does not fit into traditional crime thriller territory. I enjoyed the psychopathic bad guy and his terrified brother, and the scenes where our hero, Nick, has ridiculous conversations with his publisher. I would have enjoyed a less fraught relationship for Nick with Grace, as it distracted me from the story, otherwise an entertaining read. I look forward to more from this author.
June 5, 2016
Well, what can i say? From the first page I was shocked at the actual opening of the story! It takes a lot to shock me but boy, the first paragraph actually had me thinking....have I missed a page? This is because you are thrown right in at the deep end so to speak and this carries on all the way through. I found it an interesting read and it certainly does make you think instead of giving all the answers away so easily...this seems to be a problem with a lot of books these days. I will certainly look out for more books by Mark Fowler!
April 15, 2016
I was sent an ARC of Silver in exchange for an honest review. I found this book gripping from the start and I was determined to read it as quickly as possible, such was the intrigue contained therein. This is a very well written novel, stylish and erudite, and the premise of the book is fascinating. As authors are dying in a manner redolent of their own books, is Joy the latest in the series and will the killings continue. I look forward eagerly to further books by Mark L Fowler.
April 23, 2016
I was given an ARC by Bloodhound books for an honest review. It was darker than my usual reads and took me 1/3 of the way through to get to grips with. It then became a"must finish soon read" with a Crescendo of an ending..!!
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May 11, 2016Good for a debut novel. It not my normal sort of book and not sure if would choose it if saw it advertised. If u like dark novel then definitively for you.
June 29, 2016
Loved this book. Everything about it worked - brilliant characterisation, formidable plot - just read it!
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