|
Following an ecological disaster the rains came to London.
Now, thirty-five years later, the landscape has changed almost
beyond recognition. The rest of the planet is fairing no better,
in the southern regions the rains have stopped and millions
of starving people are waiting at the gates of Europe. For
a lucky few dry rooms still exist and for the rich the domes
have been created, but for the mass of humanity life is short
and miserable. What wealth does exist is being ploughed into
an impenetrable nuclear barrier in an effort to halt the landing
of an alien force that is on route to earth. Against this
backdrop Inspector O'Neil is sent to investigate an impossible
act, the murder of a Dry, Professor Keyhoe, in one of the
impenetrable domes...
Dark
Rain is the debut novel by Conor Corderoy, apart from
its sci-fi backdrop the novel has more in common with a Raymond
Chandler murder mystery. When O'Neil won't tow the party line
on the professor's murder he is dismissed. In the new world
order this is tantamount to a death sentence. His rescue comes
in the form of the Professor;s wife who likewise does not
believe the given reason for her husband's murder and is willing
to throw her considerable wealth behind O'Neil's investigation.
While
the publisher's blurb tries to align the story with the likes
of Blade Runner, in truth, it has more in common with
Soylent Green, itself
an adaptation of Harry Harrison's Make Room! Make Room!
A rebellious cop acting outside the system investigates the
murder of a wealthy man who harbours a secret - a secret that
the inner sanctum of society will kill to keep. Through the
investigation of this one single act, by the seemingly only
honest cop left, a chain of event leads to a discovery that
could change mankind's fate. The similarities don't end there
the character of O'Neil is very much in the mould of Charlton
Heston's portrayal of Robert Thorn, gruff and world weary
he moves forward in his investigation allowing nothing to
deviate him from his chosen course.
That
said the book is actually quite good, though it's not for
the faint hearted as Corderoy describes the grim reality of
living in a world under water. The ever present rain not only
brings death but creates an omnipresent oppressive presence
which makes the novel a very dark read. If anything the novels
central theme is the chance of hope in hopeless circumstances.
The
book is published under the Macmillan New Writing banner,
which initially came under a lot of attack when the idea was
first mooted as it sounded too much like vanity publishing.
Nice to see then that they have set the benchmark for new
writers very high; I look forward to reading more from this
series and especially more from Conor Corderoy.
Charles
Packer
Buy
this item online
We
compare prices online so you get the cheapest
deal! Click on the logo of the desired store
below to purchase this item.
|
|
|
£8.57
(Amazon.co.uk) |
| |
|
|
|
£12.99
(Countrybookshop.co.uk) |
All prices correct at time of going to press.
|
|
