The novel opens with Martin driving the windy road down to his hometown, arriving at Mandy's door to find a dead body inside. The body belongs to Martin's childhood friend, Jasper Speight, whom he has long lost touch with. Mandy is a suspect, and Martin begins his own investigation to help his girlfriend. Along the way there are many twists and turns, red herrings and subtle clues with Martin exploring property development, missing persons, drug-fuelled parties, backpackers, bumbling police and a mysterious swami.
We learn more about Martin's history. He grew up in the 'Settlement' - a poor area of Port Silver, where he and his neighbours all dreamed of escape. When he was eight years old, his mother and twin sisters were killed in a car accident. Left with his father, Martin watches the man become increasingly unstable. Martin depended on uncle Vern, who was there for him no matter how much distance Martin drove between them.
We also learn more about Martin's relationship with Mandy, which doesn't quite gel as she is not a fully formed character. Perhaps it is because I have only been reading books authored by women for the past 18 months, but I found the female characters in Silver to be very one-dimensional and lacking substance.
While this novel does not live up to the expectations of Scrublands, it is a rapid-paced thriller. A perfect beach-read escape. I look forward to the next Scarsden outing - Trust.