Mostly Murders

“Should you happen to be dying and have a choice between me and a cactus to nurse you, the cactus will likely be less prickly and do a better job.”

The poisoned apple. The magic mirror. The single drop of blood. If you know the story of Snow White, you’ll recognise these elements. What you may not be prepared for, however, is the way they are used here. Hemlock & Silver is an introspective, witty tale with more than a hint of absurdity. If you will like it or not, depends on what you think about Healer Anja, the main character.

Anja is extremely honest, self-deprecating, obsessive, irreverent and socially inept. She often loses herself in memories and introspections and always recounts things in a voice that is loaded with sarcasm and acuity. She won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I absolutely adored her. The story and the world surrounding Anja are interesting, but her character is what stands out the most to me, and what made me enjoy this novel so much.

Anja has no idea what she is getting into when she is suddenly recruited by the king to save his ailing daughter Snow. But with the help of a rooster, a cat, a snake, a mirror, a bodyguard and the combination of Anja’s immense curiosity and scientific methods learned through a lifetime, Anja uncovers a dark conspiracy, a deadly secret with the power to topple empires hidden in plain sight and a heartbreaking tragedy played out in the shadows. It is character-driven fantasy mystery, with elements of gothic horror, fairy tale magic and tongue-in-cheek romance and, as far as I am concerned, an absolutely riveting story with a wonderful main character.

Fantasy – Mystery