“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.”

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.

Silver by Mark L. Fowler was published in the UK by Bloodhound Books on 23rd April 2016 and is available in eBook format | amazon.co.uk | amazon.com