The Silence Factory is a dark and eerie gothic that just never quite hit its peak.

This book follows two main characters; Henry, an audiologist who finds himself working for a mysterious industrialist and Sophia, the wife of a scientist who is researching a rare species of spider in Greece. Henry's story makes up the majority of the plot and we are told that he is dealing with the death of his wife and infant daughter as well as feelings of inadequacy while working for his father in law. On a mission to work with the deaf daughter of Sir Edward, Henry becomes drawn into his business of producing a fine silk with the ability to shield the wearer from outside noise. Occasional flashbacks to Sophia tell us that a specific breed of spider is the source of this silk and that its powers were known to the Greek women in the village. Although the silk is being touted as a solution to the hustle and bustle of an increasingly industrialized Britain, Henry begins to observe strange going-ons within the production factory as well as the exploitation of the impoverished workers.

Collins has a remarkably atmospheric style of writing and I found myself immersed in a smog-choked and bustling mechanical world. She also did a wonderful job of showing the gap between the wealthy businessmen and investors compared to the workers (including children) that were forced to labor in unsafe conditions. I was drawn into the first three quarters of this story but found myself slightly let down by the climax. It may have been the author's choice to leave the power of the silk/spiders as intentionally vague but I would have liked to have gotten some form of explanation to really tie things together. Additionally, I am curious about how the story could have been expanded on by including the perspectives of some of the side characters (i.e. Mercy and Miss Fielding). While I absolutely enjoyed this book, I finished it not feeling completely fulfilled and missing a bit of that eeriness that I had felt earlier on.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

Bridget Collins crafted the perfect gothic tale! This book was dark and beautiful infused with suspense. Henry a lonely widower falls into a partnership with Sir Edward a manufacturer of a special type of silk made by spiders. The material creates silence when used as intended, but can also make “Echos” when turned the other way round. The echoes and spiders are a mystery and you learn more about them both as the story unfolds. I loved this book!

The Silence Factory is like a tapestry woven with the finest silk and gilded in blood; you cannot help but be fascinated, yet horrified in the same breath. A gothic masterpiece of storytelling!

It’s impossible not to be captivated by this gothic historical mystery, especially with its eerie and artistic cover that seems to speak to your soul and pique your most eccentric cravings.

I hadn't had the chance to delve into Bridget Collins' previous works before, but after reading this book, I'm certain it won't be my last. If you're in the market for originality, uniqueness, and surprising plot twists, then this book is a perfect fit for you

The story is split between two timelines. One timeline follows Sophia Ashmore as she assists her husband James in his search for a rare breed of spiders known as Pseudonephila Sireine on a remote island in Greece. The primary timeline follows Henry Latimer, an audiologist and poet, as he attempts to assist Edward Ashmore in gaining investors for his unique spider silk fabric. 

The fabric is unusual in the fact that one side creates complete silence, cutting off all sound of the outside world, while the other side causes a sound nicknamed the Telverton malaise which causes an illness known as the echoes. The echoes cause deafness and madness, which has corrupted the town and all who live and work around the factory. 

As Sophia discovers more about the island people, the spiders, and her growing love for a village woman named Hira so too does Henry learn of the curse of the spiders as he struggles with his own infatuation for Sir Edward.

This book is so hard to explain! I enjoyed it, though I will say the characters are not lovable - this book is filled with characters who are cruel, self-absorbed, and gaslight each other left and right. Even so, I found the book interesting and it kept me invested.

There are a few side characters I would have liked to see more of like Philomel, Edward's daughter, who was born deaf due to complications with the spiders - her and her mother's story would make an interesting prequel/sequel.

If you get an opportunity to pick it up on release day prepare for some gothic vibes and a lot of references to Greek Mythology! Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and author Bridget Collins for allowing me to read an ARC of this book

It's impossible not to be captivated by this gothic historical mystery, especially with its eerie and artistic cover that seems to speak to your soul and pique your most eccentric cravings.

I hadn't had the chance to delve into Bridget Collins' previous works before, but after reading this book, I'm certain it won't be my last. If you're in the market for originality, uniqueness, and surprising plot twists, then this book is a perfect fit for you. Just imagine a special silk, spun by spiders, that envelops you in a deafening silence unlike anything you've ever experienced before. Is it mind-spinning, scary, astounding, and earth-shattering? Absolutely.

The main plot unfolds across two timelines: the first perspective is presented through the diary of Sophia Ashmore Percy in 1820. She travels to a Greek island with her husband James, intending to explore a specimen that could change the course of the world. However, upon arrival, they discover that their scientist friend is already deceased, and they are left in the care of a mysterious woman named Hira. Sophia's budding friendship and deep connection with Hira will change her life in ways she never imagined.

The narrative then shifts to decades later, introducing Henry Latimer, a widower working in his father-in-law's store as an audiologist. Still grappling with grief and depression, Henry's life takes a dramatic turn when he receives a special gift from Sir Edward Ashmore-Percy: a piece of silk produced by spiders, which severs his connection to the earth with its magical properties. Henry's encounter with this fabric leads him to Cathemute House in Telverton, where he meets Sir Edward and his deaf daughter Philomel. Determined to help Philomel, Henry becomes entangled in a partnership with Sir Ashmore-Percy to introduce spider silk to various markets. However, as Henry's feelings for Edward deepen, he begins to question Miss Fielding's warnings about the silk's potentially cursed nature, which manifests in various afflictions among workers and adults alike.

Overall, this is a well-written, intense gothic mystery that immediately draws you in. The mechanization of the Telverton silk factory is depicted with vivid realism, offering a glimpse into the lives of workers and the machinery they operate.

The conclusion ties up the narrative threads neatly, making this a must-read for fans of historical thrillers and gothic mysteries alike.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest feedback.