What do you think?
Rate this book
Silent Scream
A lost silent horror film from 1928. An inheritance tainted with madness and death. A long-dead film actress whose diary speaks from the grave of evil, corruption and debauchery. A missing film actor whose stardust life unravelled into grotesquerie.
Can a one hundred-year-old film destroy lives today? How far will Ivy have to go to find the truth? And who will she have to lose along the way?
Midnight’s Terror is coming to a cinema near you – soon. Beware.
Can a one hundred-year-old film destroy lives today? How far will Ivy have to go to find the truth? And who will she have to lose along the way?
Midnight’s Terror is coming to a cinema near you – soon. Beware.
70 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2021
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 18, 2021
Every single time I read an Alyson Faye release, it reminds me of why she’s a must-read author and just how phenomenal she is.
She’s a master craftsman with dark fiction. It is really a joy to read her work and her newest ‘Silent Scream’ is no exception.
I’ve read a large number of her releases (I think I’m just missing a few of her short stories at this point) and when I heard she had a new novella coming soon, I couldn’t wait.
When it was sent over, I loaded it on my Kindle and dove in.
What I liked: ‘Silent Scream’ is both an ode to film but also a study in human’s desire to uncover that which should stay buried.
The novella follows the strange case of a movie, made almost a century ago, that seems to have the ability to drive those who watch it mad.
I loved how we get to see a snippet of its powers at the beginning and then follow the brother-sister relationship when the film falls into their possession. Faye sets it up really nicely and even though we know things are going to go off the rails, the writing sucks you in and makes you hope that just maybe, it won’t happen this time.
The investigation into the history surrounding the film and the cast and crew was fantastic and I truly loved how we see the darkness unravel and unfurl.
Faye has a way of plunking you into the action, as though you’re a character and in this case she does it to the next level. Outstanding.
What I didn’t like: Spoiler free here – which makes it tough – but we do learn some of the reasoning behind the change that occurs with the cast in the movie, but not completely and I would’ve loved to have learned a little bit more about the ‘where’ for certain things.
Why you should buy this: Faye is such an outstanding writer and this is just another example of why she’s a must-read and why her work is some of the best of the best.
The characters were great, the setting and set pieces superb and the backstory/lore surrounding the film was fantastic. Such an amazing piece of fiction. Well done!
She’s a master craftsman with dark fiction. It is really a joy to read her work and her newest ‘Silent Scream’ is no exception.
I’ve read a large number of her releases (I think I’m just missing a few of her short stories at this point) and when I heard she had a new novella coming soon, I couldn’t wait.
When it was sent over, I loaded it on my Kindle and dove in.
What I liked: ‘Silent Scream’ is both an ode to film but also a study in human’s desire to uncover that which should stay buried.
The novella follows the strange case of a movie, made almost a century ago, that seems to have the ability to drive those who watch it mad.
I loved how we get to see a snippet of its powers at the beginning and then follow the brother-sister relationship when the film falls into their possession. Faye sets it up really nicely and even though we know things are going to go off the rails, the writing sucks you in and makes you hope that just maybe, it won’t happen this time.
The investigation into the history surrounding the film and the cast and crew was fantastic and I truly loved how we see the darkness unravel and unfurl.
Faye has a way of plunking you into the action, as though you’re a character and in this case she does it to the next level. Outstanding.
What I didn’t like: Spoiler free here – which makes it tough – but we do learn some of the reasoning behind the change that occurs with the cast in the movie, but not completely and I would’ve loved to have learned a little bit more about the ‘where’ for certain things.
Why you should buy this: Faye is such an outstanding writer and this is just another example of why she’s a must-read and why her work is some of the best of the best.
The characters were great, the setting and set pieces superb and the backstory/lore surrounding the film was fantastic. Such an amazing piece of fiction. Well done!
October 22, 2021
A short read delivering atmospheric chills. A strange inheritance turns Ivy's life upside down, bringing tragedy and mystery in equal measure. Her research into the background of the film and its enigmatic stars takes her deeper into darkness and loss. As she unravels the mystery of missing cast members, she unwittingly exposes herself - and those closest to her - to ever-increasing danger. A great story which keeps you turning the pages.
If you need a quick horror fix and would also like to support a very worthwhile charity (all monies are going to UK charity Centrepoint which helps the homeless), this is the perfect answer.
If you need a quick horror fix and would also like to support a very worthwhile charity (all monies are going to UK charity Centrepoint which helps the homeless), this is the perfect answer.
October 18, 2021
I was lucky enough to read an early version of Silent Scream for a blurb. Here's what I thought:
The cursed film is one of the most fascinating of horror's tropes, to me at least, so when I was asked to read this novella, I jumped at the chance.
I'm glad I did.
Beginning with what might well be Alyson Faye's grisliest ever scene, we soon settle into the world of our protagonists. One a money hungry young man and the other his more cautious, considered family member.
When Silent Scream, the first 'talky' featuring an old Hollywood heartthrob is uncovered by a deceased family member's lawyer, the story clicks into gear as the film's curse begins to claw its way from the projector into reality.
Faye does an amazing job of peeling back the layers of the story, uncovering more and more of the hideous truth until the climax.
This might just be my favourite of her works to date.
The cursed film is one of the most fascinating of horror's tropes, to me at least, so when I was asked to read this novella, I jumped at the chance.
I'm glad I did.
Beginning with what might well be Alyson Faye's grisliest ever scene, we soon settle into the world of our protagonists. One a money hungry young man and the other his more cautious, considered family member.
When Silent Scream, the first 'talky' featuring an old Hollywood heartthrob is uncovered by a deceased family member's lawyer, the story clicks into gear as the film's curse begins to claw its way from the projector into reality.
Faye does an amazing job of peeling back the layers of the story, uncovering more and more of the hideous truth until the climax.
This might just be my favourite of her works to date.
December 8, 2021
“Only he went too far. Way too far. Even for Johnny B., Hollywood Star.” Silent Scream
I’ve been a fan of Faye’s writing for years, so it was no surprise that I would love this book. The storyline, ultimately, is a mystery, unraveled through snippets of letters, movies, and other artifacts her characters uncover to their detriment. Faye ratchets the tension, perfectly, from attempts to solve a long-ago crime, to missing children, to freakshows, eventually winding to characters who undergo metamorphic changes, leaving them feeling “liquid” or with faces that “slip[] from one aspect to another in the blink of an eye.” This wisely told tale will give you an appreciation of the era Faye depicts and an accurate snapshot of her talents as an author. Five stars.
I’ve been a fan of Faye’s writing for years, so it was no surprise that I would love this book. The storyline, ultimately, is a mystery, unraveled through snippets of letters, movies, and other artifacts her characters uncover to their detriment. Faye ratchets the tension, perfectly, from attempts to solve a long-ago crime, to missing children, to freakshows, eventually winding to characters who undergo metamorphic changes, leaving them feeling “liquid” or with faces that “slip[] from one aspect to another in the blink of an eye.” This wisely told tale will give you an appreciation of the era Faye depicts and an accurate snapshot of her talents as an author. Five stars.
October 21, 2021
Silent Scream is a chilling page-turner which skilfully evokes both the glamour and the grit of the silent movie era – the untimely death of a starlet; a disgraced leading man; an unknown evil. This grisly golden-age tale is unpeeled as the modern-day mystery of the novella unfolds. Alyson Faye’s knowledge of early cinema shines through, and her prose is deft and atmospheric as she leads us through a world which exudes surface sparkle but hides something dark and depraved at its heart.
The cursed film is an endlessly fascinating theme and Faye keeps up the pace as the truth is slowly uncovered. I highly recommend immersing yourself in the captivating world she has created.
The cursed film is an endlessly fascinating theme and Faye keeps up the pace as the truth is slowly uncovered. I highly recommend immersing yourself in the captivating world she has created.
October 18, 2021
I had the pleasure of reading this prior to publication. I love Alyson's writing and this one certainly didn't disappoint.
Silent Scream evokes the nostalgia of the black and white silent movie era and turns it into an action-packed, modern-day mystery. A plot-driven page-turner that packs a punch.
Silent Scream evokes the nostalgia of the black and white silent movie era and turns it into an action-packed, modern-day mystery. A plot-driven page-turner that packs a punch.
October 24, 2021
This was great. A cursed film is something I rarely come across and this was so creepy! A wonderfully dark and spooky read for cold evenings.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews