Angela Marsons: Silent Scream

In her debut novel Angela Marsons shows that the uglier a secret the harder it is to keep it hidden:

Five figures crowd around a shallow grave all swearing they will keep the secret of what has happened that night, an innocent life has been taken to save their own, they have made a pact with blood. Many years later a head mistress of a children's home is found brutally killed in her home and when buried remains are discovered at the former children's home Detective Inspector Kim Stone realizes that this home has many buried secrets. Stone is all too familiar with life in a state run children's home and knows the horrors that can happen here, but which secret of many is the cause to murder. As the body count rises Stone needs to stop the murderer before they can strike again as Stone herself may find that she is the next target.

This is a fantastic book, a great read and I did not want to put it down. I think this is the best mystery debut novel I have read in a long time. This book is well paced, never really slows down but takes the time to develop the main character D.I. Kim Stone. I always love a book that keeps me guessing to the end and I think you will find that happens with Silent Scream, just when you think you have figured everything out Marsons throws in another twist, another piece of evidence that changes your perspective. I don't think I can say it enough, this is a great mystery read and I think a must read for mystery lovers.

D.I. Kim Stone has had a tough past but that is what has fortified her into the women and detective that she is today and she draws on this strength to help her achieve what she wants. These past scars have also left her with the ability to question authority (makes me wonder how she made it to detective Inspector status) as well as the phrase it is easier to ask forgiveness than permission, which makes some interesting conversations with her superior. Stone is a shoot from the hip kind of detective but she has the brain to go along with her decisions. I also liked how Stone managed the other detectives that were part of her team, never asking them to do something that she herself would not do as well as knowing the strengths of each and using them to the best of their ability. It is really hard to find fault with the character that Marsons has created.

Loved the mystery aspect which is what this book is about, yes the body count does get up there but I did not find that that Marsons was overly descriptive of the murders or the scenes. I say murders as for most of the victims in the book, the reader spends the last few moments with them which was a smart move by Marsons as you become more invested in the book even if you don't like some of the victims. This book also had an interesting twist at the end that was not needed but added to the over all story that Marsons had created as well as wrapping up some unanswered questions from the past.

I think this was the perfect book for Marsons to start her series off with and the plot that she executed let the reader get to really know the main character but not take away from the investigation and mystery. Marsons hits all the points that I think are needed in a great mystery read and I do not think readers will be disappointed, just be prepared to not want to put it down. I'm excited to get my hands on the next book in this series, Marsons has set the bar high not only for herself, but also other debut mystery writers out there.

Enjoy!!!!

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