A Review of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's "Silver Nitrate"

I am a huge fan of vintage horror films of the sixties and seventies, so I was immediately drawn to Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. This is the third book of hers I have read, and I have yet to be disappointed.

Montserrat is a sound editor in 1990s Mexico City who has grown tired and frustrated by her position at an old boys’ club studio. When her best friend, Tristan, moves into a new building and realizes one of his neighbors is horror director Abel Urueta, Montserrat takes it as a chance to diversify: researching a bit for television about Abel’s last, forgotten film. But the curious research project takes on a new tone when the film’s strange history and cast of characters come into play. Soon, Montserrat and Tristan find themselves embroiled in a decades-old plot involving the occult, flammable film, and possible immortality.

I am hard to scare these days, having consumed a lot of horror fiction and film. But there was a scene in this book that got me. I won’t go into details because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, but yeah, I got a little queasy and scared. The main characters and the supporting cast were all strong, with the proper amount of creepy where it was due. The magic “effects” were fun and original. I also enjoyed the ups and downs of the relationship between Montserrat and Tristan.

I definitely recommend this book for fans of old horror movies. The nods here and there to directors and titles are little easter eggs for the savvy reader. Again, I’m looking forward to what comes next from Silvia Moreno-Garcia. I received the ARC from NetGalley.

Read my other review of her work (I realized I never reviewed Mexican Gothic. What’s wrong with me?): The Daughter of Dr. Moreau

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