A remarkably prescient novel given it was written in 2009, long before the Edward Snowden revelations in 2013It is set in a near future England and deals with the loss of civil liberties through the state's ability to bring together data on us from different government databases, emails, phone calls, number plate recognition systems et al, and highlights the very real worries for democracy contained in the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Copied from my review under the book's original title - The Dying Light) A excellant political thriller. The main character is intelligent and competant and above all believable, a heroine without being super woman. Little lacking on fill out on supporting characters but the pace is quite high so you don't notice it until later. But this is not a thriller with guns and car chases, well actually there is a couple of murders and fast driving but that is not what gets your adrenalin up. The story is set in a very near future where anti terrorism and surviellance laws are taken the next logical step ie too far. Databases are joined up so all your personal data is out there for the government to use and abuse as they please. Camera's, number plate tracking and bugging is standard procedure with no recourse to a court order required. And if it isn't enough that the security services are out of control, or under the wrong control, the software is giving 10% failure rate on identifying anti social behaviour........!A very good book that ties in very nicely with my interest in the privacy of personal data in the digital age. The legislation is already in place and yet very few people are talking about it let alone complaining. This book is a fictional reminder of why we should be paying more attention. Start with this and then start reading the factual books on the subject.
What do You think about The Bell Ringers (2010)?
A very well written political espionage thriller of a book.
—Audrey
One of the best books I read this year.
—anotherday
