Mini-Reviews of Recent Reads: Silent Scream, Mostly Hero, Autumn

Silent Scream by Angela Marsons

Categories: Thriller

First Publication Date: February 20, 2015

In Silent Scream, a crime was committed ten years ago, and now the people involved in it are dying, one by one. Detective Inspector Kim Stone is assigned to the case, and as the bodies start piling up, she must find the connection between them, find out what they did and who is behind all this. At the same time, her own dark past is catching up with her, as she sees on the victim all those years ago, a mirror of who she used to be. This is a very intriguing thriller, with so many mysteries to be put together and connected somehow, and I actually really liked Kim. She’s tough and no-nonsense to the point of caricature, and I found it fun to follow her along the investigation. The mystery is very formulaic, and I’m not sure if I will remember the plot in a few months, but I will remember Silent Scream was an exciting read and had a cool twists!

Mostly Hero by Anna Burns

Categories: Fantasy, Novella

First Publication Date: August 13, 2014

In Mostly Hero, Femme Fatale is under a spell to kill her beloved Hero, who finds himself in love with her despite all the murder attempts and the fact that her Great Aunt is a super-villain he needs to kill. This is such an engaging satire about vulnerability, love and lies we tell ourselves. This was so funny, smart and fun to read, not to mention I loved the gorgeous Faber Stories edition which fit in my purse so nicely. There are minor editing/typing errors in this edition but they didn’t detract from my reading experience.

Autumn by Ali Smith

Categories: Literary Fiction

First Publication Date: 31 Aug. 2017

I received an advance copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

In Autumn, Elisabeth is reading to her once-neighbor Mr. Gluck, who is a hundred years old and in a coma, and so unwillingly getting closer to her mother. This was a book with some of the most interesting, vivid dream imagery I’ve read – it mixes present-day story with Elisabeth’s witty narration, Mr. Gluck’s past and dream sequences. This is a very timely book, as Elisabeth is dealing with the immediate reactions to the Brexit results. This did not entirely work for me, it was a bit too experimental and I detest dream sequences, but when it did it was brilliant. This is not as much a story as it’s a feeling – this entire book book is a concoction of imagery, feelings, impressions. It’s a lovely book, but that did not entirely work for me.