Henry’s wife dies in childbirth and he is existing working for his father in law’s in his shop as an aurologist when in walks Edward Ashmore-Percy looking for a cure for his daughter’s deafness. Henry is sent to Edward’s home and place of work to see whether he can help and becomes embroiled in the machinations of the incredible silk factory - is it a force for good or evil? The spiders spinning their incredible webs have a strange effect on the workers and anyone associated with the factory itself! A strange tale which had me hooked initially but unfortunately I found the conclusion a bit of a damp squib!

This was a disturbing, creepy read which was satisfying and felt like a fresh, innovative narrative.

Henry is grieving the loss of his wife and child when he is presented with an opportunity of a lifetime - to promote a fantastic new silk, spun by rare spiders whose thread blocks out all noise.

As Henry arrives in Telverton, he is warned of the oddness of the valley and the silk factory, but he pays no heed to the warnings and soon falls under the spell of this unnatural place and its magical silk. Henry's growing attraction to Sir Edward is cleverly plotted and Henry gradually finds himself leaving behind his previous grief and notions of normality.

Henry's experiences are interspersed with another story, one which traces the identification and capture of the spiders by Sir Edward's ancestors. again, the spiders seem to be the catalyst for a same sex relationship, but this time it is Sophia who succumbs to an unexpected experience.

These relationships are not explored very much, and I wasn't quite sure if they were meant to show the unnatural effect of the spiders on those who choose to reside alongside them: no good can come from such dark magic!

Beautifully written, this was an interesting premise which I enjoyed reading; however, I am not sure that I really connected with any of the characters and feel like I missed some deeper meaning or intention.

I enjoyed this storyline, it was well written and I found myself wanting to know how the characters developed. I am not a fan of spiders myself but it didn’t bother me too much. I would say this is gothic fiction and I do enjoy this genre. I would like to read other books by this author after finishing this one.

I enjoyed this at the start then I got a bit bored, not sure why. Then I enjoyed the end. Storyline ok, not exciting

PSA - this is not for an arachnophobe to read! I had nightmares about the spiders I won’t lie. It may have been my arachnophobia kicking in but I struggled to connect to the main characters and found the pace quite slow in parts.

I love this authors work and this was the best yet! Absolutely brilliant storyline and fantastic ending! Highly recommend

The Silence Factory is an intriguing gothic fantasy that follows two characters, Henry and Sir Edward, and the discovery of a rare spider-produced silk that can block out sound. The concept is definitely unique and had a lot of potential. The dual perspectives added some interesting layers to the story, but I personally struggled to connect with the characters.

While the premise pulled me in, I found myself wanting to fast-forward through certain parts, as the pacing felt a bit slow for my taste. It’s not the kind of book I typically go for, but I can see how others might really enjoy the atmospheric writing and the darker, gothic elements.

Even though this one didn’t fully work for me, I’d still be open to reading more from the author since I’ve heard great things about their other works.

Love all of Bridget Collins books. This was another fantastic gothic historical fiction story that brings to life the Vuction factory industrial life experiences, children experience abuse, neglect, poverty, class, being deaf, LGBTQ+ experiencs & the impact of childbirth loss,

Sophie felt so alive and would have liked more insight from her eyes. Frustrated with Henry, Bridget can really write string characters, but could have warned us about the spiders.

In 1820, Sophia Ashmore-Percy and her husband travel to a Greek island. While there, Sophia's husband searches for a special spider and Sophia grows close to one of the village women.
Several decades later, widower Henry Latimer finds himself in the home of Sir Edward Ashmore-Percy, a man in the silk business whose daughter's deafness Henry will try and cure.
Sir Edward is an ambitious man whose silk is made by spiders and has the ability to block out sound. However, the silk can also harm those around it.
As Henry becomes entangled in Sir Edward's business, he learns that perhaps there is more to Sir Edward and the spiders than there appears.

I hadn't read a book by this author before, but I'd heard good things about their previous books, so I was looking forward to reading this one.
Sophia and Henry were both likeable protagonists. However, I did like Sophia more, and did find Henry a little annoying at times, but I could understand why he acted the way he did. I felt sorry for both Sophia and Henry, as neither of them had an easy time of things.
The plot was enjoyable and held my attention, but nothing that happened surprised me, and I wasn't gripped. I also didn't feel particularly invested in what happened to Sophia or Henry.
The writing style was easy to follow and I would read another book by the author.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

I loved the Binding so so much, so was so excited to try this new novel by Bridget Collins. I am so happy to say i was not let down. Such a great gothic novel, absolutely perfect for this time of year.

A unique fast paced, thought provoking story.

I really enjoyed the dual time perspective which set the foundations for the outcome of the story. Henry Latimer was a great character and I liked him a lot.

In both time perspectives the character relationship development was brilliant.

The story itself was extremely unique and I was entranced from the first few chapters. How the story was written made me want to keep reading to get to the end of the story!

Thank you NetGalley and The Borough Press for an advanced reader copy for review.

Gosh, where to start with describing this book… it’s incredibly atmospheric - you might find yourself breathing differently as you navigate the fog or the jungle… the writing is crystal clear yet slightly threatening… the premise brilliantly executed and the ending has a satisfying twist. The story has two threads and each is strong and moves the narrative along without the reader losing track.

The characters are well developed and a nice mix of the naive but honest and good, and the uncertain, the possibly evil and the offhand and dismissive. Certainly I found myself hoping Henry found something to help him find a purpose after the death of his wife and child. And Sir Edward is confusing enough that you’re not sure of his motives.

The concept of the silk is astonishing and the complex plotting is masterful. Bridget Collins sure knows how to write a book and this is one worth reading.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

The Silence Factory is an intricate and beautifully written novel that will appeal to fans of gothic fiction, psychological thrillers, and literary fantasy. Bridget Collins once again proves herself to be a masterful storyteller, weaving a tale that lingers long after the final page.

This was thoroughly enjoyable that kept me reading into the small hours. It was full of mystery and intrigue and the story just pulls you in, This is not normally my genre but I thought I would take a chance and I am so glad I did. I will certainly be looking to read more by this wonder author

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

DNF 60%
Im having a hard time trying to put into words my feelings about this book. The story itself its interesting to me, different than what i have been reading which is good. I love the atmosphere. The characters and the writing are good. But theres something missing to make me immersed in the story. I cannot connect, and it cannot grip me.
Im putting it down because it could be that im in a reading slump and it could be just a timing thing, i will keep it open to return to it someday.

A very interesting and unique gothic, historical fiction read.
The setting and dark atmosphere really made this book for me.

I love this author’s writing so was looking forward to this book. And in terms of quality of writing, atmosphere and suspense I was not disappointed. I was grabbed by the story and enjoyed its unfolding, however somehow the ending didn’t quite work for me. The very end was good but just before that was somewhat disappointing. I think there was a lot of unanswered questions/unresolved issues for many characters.

I enjoyed the story and the mystery of the silk spiders. A good read but not this author’s best in my opinion.

3.5 rounded up

This one wasn't really for me. I just didn't find it overly interesting, this story about the rare spiders spinning slightly supernatural silk.

A gothic mystery with a delightful prose that I've come to recognise as Bridget Collins's signature. I loved the eerie qualities of this novel and the spine tingling story that Collins' weaved.
I was drawn in by the story telling that kept my attention throughout. A definite choice for those who love historical fiction and gothic mysteries.
I also really enjoyed the dual timelines and how the story unfolded across the two.

Henry Latimer works in a shop providing hearing apparatus for deaf customers when he meets Sir Edward Ashmore-Percy, whose daughter Philomel is profoundly deaf so he travels to their home to carry out an assessment on the young girl. Whilst there he discovers that Sir Edward has developed a special silk that mutes all noise and Henry is entranced, the possibilities for improving people's lives are endless - blocking out the constant noise from the street, keeping babies cocooned in a quiet environment, muffling noise in any situation. It's only after Henry stays longer at the family home and then visits the silk factory that he realises the new material may also be used for sinister purposes and he's complicit in promoting it to wealthy investors.

I absolutely loved this story, it's so dark and atmospheric, so cleverly written and it completely transported me to the various locations. I'd recommend this to anyone wanting a great autumn read 🖤 4.5 stars from me 🖤