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The Disappeared by M R Hall (view source)
Revision as of 18:26, 12 December 2009
, 18:26, 12 December 2009no edit summary
It was never going to be that simple though. At the heart of this case are the fates of two young men – and the stink of corruption and conspiracy. It's not just that Jenny has good reason to suspect the loyalty of her officer (who used to be in the local CID) and the honesty of the police; she's also getting pressure from above in the form of the security services. When she declines to bend to their will a code of silence is imposed on the inquest. Mentally close to breaking point she begins to unravel the secrets of her own past.
'Terrorism' has become a handy catch-all for when the state government wants us in a state of fear and holding its hand more tightly. In its name all manner of practices can be laundered and there's very little check on what is being done in our name. M R Hall catches the atmosphere perfectly and it rises from the pages like a fog and is all the more compelling because it's set in what might be thought of as a nice part of the country.
The characters come off the page – Jenny Cooper is a great heroine. She's got guts and courage. Sometimes she's downright stupid and difficult. Her teenage son is at that stage where he's an adult child rather than a childish adult – sometimes a real support and sometimes difficult. Disgraced solicitor Alec McAvoy has charisma – but just how far can Jenny trust him, despite the obvious attraction between them?