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In the Silence: a gripping crime mystery (Anna Scavolini Mysteries) Paperback – October 3, 2021

by M.R. Mackenzie (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars 5,939 ratings
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SHORTLISTED FOR THE BLOODY SCOTLAND DEBUT PRIZE AND LONGLISTED FOR THE McILVANNEY PRIZE, 2019.

To outsmart a brutal killer, she must face her own darkest fears.

Anna Scavolini hasn’t set foot in Glasgow for ten years – and she’s not short of reasons. Her first night back in town takes a decidedly macabre turn when she stumbles upon an old flame, Andrew Foley, bleeding to death on the snow-clad slopes of Kelvingrove Park.

Who killed Andrew in such a savage way – and why? If the police have any leads, they’re keeping them to themselves. Convinced that Andrew was deliberately targeted rather than a random victim, Anna begins her own investigation, unearthing a trail of long-buried secrets leading back to a crime committed over a decade ago.

A crime so unspeakable its perpetrators are prepared to take their silence to the grave.

An absolutely gripping murder-mystery that will keep you guessing to the very end, In the Silence is the first book in the Anna Scavolini Mysteries series. Start reading today and discover why readers and critics alike are raving about these novels from McIlvanney Prize-nominated author M.R. Mackenzie.


Praise for M.R. Mackenzie

‘One of the most consistently accomplished writers on the current scene.’ – Financial Times

‘Brings a fresh new voice to the field of Tartan Noir.’ – James Oswald

‘Writes with precision and passion.’ – Caro Ramsay

‘An immersive slow burn of a tale, peppered with disquieting fire-crackers of revelation.’ – Morgan Cry

‘Mackenzie has come up with something that defies easy definition and is truly original.’ – NB Magazine

‘Up there with the best contemporary authors working today.’ – David B. Lyons

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  1. Book 1 of 7
    Anna Scavolini Mysteries
  2. Print length
    368 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    October 3, 2021
  5. Dimensions
    5.06 x 0.92 x 7.81 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    191609483X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1916094833
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mad House
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 3, 2021
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd ed.
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 191609483X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1916094833
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.06 x 0.92 x 7.81 inches
  • Book 1 of 7 ‏ : ‎ Anna Scavolini Mysteries
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 5,939 ratings

About the author

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M.R. Mackenzie

M.R. Mackenzie

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M.R. Mackenzie is the author of several gritty, character-driven crime fiction novels set mainly in his native Glasgow, including an ongoing series of mysteries featuring criminology lecturer Anna Scavolini.

The first book in the series, In the Silence, was shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year and longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year 2019.

PRAISE FOR M.R. MACKENZIE:

“One of the most consistently accomplished writers on the current scene.” — Financial Times

“Brings a fresh new voice to the field of Tartan Noir.” — James Oswald

“Writes with precision and passion.” — Caro Ramsay

“An immersive slow burn of a tale, peppered with disquieting fire-crackers of revelation.” — Gordon J. Brown

“Mackenzie has come up with something that defies easy definition and is truly original.” — NB Magazine

“Up there with the best contemporary authors working today.” — David B. Lyons

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
5,939 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's plot engaging, with one review noting its many twists and turns. Moreover, the writing quality receives positive feedback, with customers describing it as very well written. Additionally, customers say the book had them captivated to the end. However, opinions about character development are mixed, with some loving them while others find them unappealing.

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PlotReadabilityWriting qualityCharacter development
42 customers mention "Plot"35 positive7 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, describing it as a gripping thriller with many twists and turns.

"As the title states, “a gripping crime mystery “, sums it up nicely. Well written and engaging. There is intrigued at every turn. Enjoy" Read more

"...written with intriguing characters.. Very good character development & plot...." Read more

"...the author skillfully puts the reader in the setting, and the story is intriguing and the ending a surprise...." Read more

"The many twist and turns the mytsery builds bringing you along with slow charachter build giving you a chance to get to know them to see they want..." Read more

25 customers mention "Readability"25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, with multiple reviews noting they couldn't stop reading and were captivated until the end.

"...Well written and engaging. There is intrigued at every turn. Enjoy" Read more

"This book was good. how determined someone can be to find out the truth. Loved the characters...." Read more

"...This was a good book." Read more

"Well told story that kept me interested. I’ll look for other books in this series. I can recommend this author." Read more

17 customers mention "Writing quality"13 positive4 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one customer noting how well it captures the Scottish way of speaking.

"As the title states, “a gripping crime mystery “, sums it up nicely. Well written and engaging. There is intrigued at every turn. Enjoy" Read more

"...I have to admit the book is well-written. The author is skillfull. Would like to read more of his work bit won't because of the stated reasons." Read more

"The writing was wonderful, the author skillfully puts the reader in the setting, and the story is intriguing and the ending a surprise...." Read more

"...The author also did their best to impersonate the Scottish way of speaking, for which I am very grateful because I could almost hear all the voices..." Read more

17 customers mention "Character development"10 positive7 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the characters in the book, with some loving them while others find them unappealing.

"...how determined someone can be to find out the truth. Loved the characters...." Read more

"...I'm saying that although I did not find the characters appealing & it has given me a poor impression of Glasgow & it's population...." Read more

"...The cast of characters are an interesting lot -some you will like -others not so much -I would have appreciated a little more background on Anna's..." Read more

"...The character development was spot-on and easy to follow, with enough background to solidify the character's position...." Read more

Compelling debut in a new 'tartan noir' series.
4 out of 5 stars
Compelling debut in a new 'tartan noir' series.
I’ll admit it took me quite a while to warm to Anna Scavolini. Likely in part to the fact that she doesn’t want people to warm to her. She has very few people in her life and that is the way she seems to prefer it. She abandoned her Jewish faith along with her family. Even though she was back home in Glasgow, she made zero effort to contact her mother. I thoroughly enjoyed the rapport between Anna and her old school friend Zoe, though even in this relationship she seems to be holding back. I appreciated the writing. “His wasn’t an unkind face, but it didn’t look like the sort that did much smiling.” The crimes themselves were disturbing – almost as disturbing as the event that precipitated them. The wintery Glasgow setting was expertly described and made vivid to the reader. The author’s affection for his home city was very apparent. Anna’s actions sometimes stretched the bounds of credibility. Why would she invest in this case? What had she to gain? She took some crazy risks, which I think were below a woman of her experience and intelligence. I couldn’t understand her dislike of the police, which seems more ingrained that the situation warranted. The denouement of the novel was highly satisfactory, though quite tense and emotionally draining. This is a debut novel and the first in a Tartan Noir crime series featuring Dr. Anna Scavolini. I have the second novel in the series loaded on my Kindle and I’m looking forward to her development as a character.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars in the Silence
    Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    As the title states, “a gripping crime mystery “, sums it up nicely. Well written and engaging. There is intrigued at every turn. Enjoy
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  • scooby who
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good plot
    Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Very well written with intriguing characters.. Very good character development & plot. I'm saying that although I did not find the characters appealing & it has given me a poor impression of Glasgow & it's population. Reading this you would think all Scots are crude, rude, sex-crazed & foul- mouthed. It gets a little preachy at times although it is somewhat enlightening. I gave 4 stars although without the gritty smut I'd have given 5+ easily. I have to admit the book is well-written. The author is skillfull. Would like to read more of his work bit won't because of the stated reasons.
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  • Molly Morris
    3.0 out of 5 stars Well written, but...
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The writing was wonderful, the author skillfully puts the reader in the setting, and the story is intriguing and the ending a surprise. However, I disliked how the main character, Anna, lashed out at people, with little or no regret. I also tired of her playing the victim when events were of her own making. She's savvy enough to know she was making bad choices but did them anyway, and her medical condition, IMO, doesn't account for that.
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  • Marjorie Simmons
    5.0 out of 5 stars great story
    Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book was good. how determined someone can be to find out the truth.
    Loved the characters.
    Sad what boys will do to a girl and how affected she was with no punishment for them Awful
    One person found this helpful
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  • Susan Donohue
    4.0 out of 5 stars Nice twist
    Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    The many twist and turns the mytsery builds bringing you along with slow charachter build giving you a chance to get to know them to see they want you to see. With many possible conclusions you don't see this one coming. This was a good book.
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  • Jean
    5.0 out of 5 stars tough subject dealt with gravitas-
    Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I was really in a quandary -going between 4-* or 5-I finally resolved my dilemma by asserting that as a first attempt author -revising and revising an original manuscript -this author has done a wonderful job and created a fascinating story/study-from various perspectives on the consequences/ points of divergent viewpoints -ie. victim-authorities -participants-enablers- psychologists -friends-family -of abusers and violence against women. I did have some minor confusion as to Jenny's Fathers behaviour-Originally it wasn't clear to me -if his behaviour was linked to his profession-position in the community - his trying to protect her from public scrutiny-or a misogynistic generational attitude. That is my personal digression -from the story-which reads and flows extremely well. The cast of characters are an interesting lot -some you will like -others not so much -I would have appreciated a little more background on Anna's family of origin-though perhaps for future consideration. As a male writer -I have to say the author has dealt with a very feminist subject -without holding back. The truth of the stats on justice being served by the courts -3% -if that-is appalling-This story raises some moral issues that likely will never be resolved to everyone's satisfaction -I give accolades to this writer -for tackling the subject -and doing a credible job -through red headed Zoe -and her no holds barred attitude and Anna struggling with her own story and repressed feelings-but applying a very measured analytic academic mindset -Well done !!!!!!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Grey Wolffe
    4.0 out of 5 stars Going Home after Ten years can be Traumatic
    Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    She's returned to Glasgow after ten years in Italian and a Doctorate in Female Studies. She's staying with her BFF from high school who she kept in touch with all these years. Zoe hasn't change a bit since HS and is still spending her time at nothing jobs and partying as much as she can. Against her better judgement Anna agrees to go out to a disco on their first night.

    At the disco they run into a lot of their old high school friends, and a boy (man) who Anna had a massive crush on in HS. After having drank too much and not being able to get a taxi, they decide to walk up to the main road to see if they can find one. While walking past the park, near the club, the hear some one call out in pain, twice. When she goes into the Park, Anna runs right into the old flame who has been stabbed and is coughing up blood. He looks at Anna and dies.

    Not liking the way the Police Detectives are handling the case, she decides to investigate on her own. Immediately, she finds the cops to be almost lackadaisical in the way they are pursuing the murder. With help from Zoe, she goes and visits old friends from the group they ran around with back in the day. She begins to find out why Thomas Wolfe said "you can't go home again".

    Following how Anna pursues the investigation, the Glasgow Police begin to suspect her. But she continues her inquiries even after three of the old friends are also murdered until in the end she finds out "who" and "why".
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  • Suzie Q
    5.0 out of 5 stars good read
    Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Well told story that kept me interested. I’ll look for other books in this series. I can recommend this author.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Ruglengirl
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Glasgow I'm unfamiliar with
    Reviewed in Canada on April 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Was an interesting story, but left one somewhat dangling, where you have to buy the following books. I think a bit farfetched inasmuch a young women running around investigating murders and getting herself in all kinds of hot water.
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  • Maureen
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
    Reviewed in Australia on June 1, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    First book by this author but won't be the last. An amazing read. Anna is a criminology lecturer in Rome, back in Glasgow for childhood friend, Zoe's birthday. She gets involved in the hunt for a serial killer. This book moved me to tears. Great characters, although some of them I didn't like but they all played their part well.
    Report
  • Halloween Granny
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping and tense! Great read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Great book, 1st of many of Anna Scavolini's escapades! Being from Ayshire I could picture where she was in a lot of named places in Glasgow.
    Very well written, at times you're scared to turn a page for fear of what's next! Drama, twists and turns. Anna is one very nosy lady and Zoe, well she's a belter!
    I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would 100% recommend.
    Report
  • lovetoread
    1.0 out of 5 stars Not much of a mystery
    Reviewed in Brazil on October 6, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Incoherent and jumping to conclusions. Full of platitudes and the story unwinding in an absolutely predictable way. The main character, Dr Anna Scavolini barely believable.
    Report
  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Gut wrenching drama
    Reviewed in Australia on March 27, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Who knows what would happen if we were all put in to a particularly unenviable position of horrendous distresstgrough no small part that we chosenot to take action when it was required. A heartfelt drama dragged out over too many years of indecision, but the climactic finale was earth shattering.
    Report