Chill Factor

From an Irish writer and an Irish publisher comes a novel set, appropriately enough, in Ireland, more specifically on an island off its western coast. (The name of this island, Fair Isle, has its own ingenious, if slightly far-fetched, role to play in the evolution of the patterning of the novel.) Here an American billionaire, whose son and wife have been killed in a road accident from which he himself emerged disabled, has established a centre dedicated to genetic research, to the investigation of stem cell therapy and to the possibilities of cloning. This research can be furthered only by the co-operation of a team of experts in such matters, which explains why he has arranged for the kidnapping of one Dr Denis Gunne, having failed to attract him by more conventional methods. To Gunne’s son Sean (aided by a resourceful young woman called Jackie) falls the responsibility for journeying to the island, rescuing his father and, eventually, returning to the mainland. In spite of several episodes which will stretch the reader’s willingness to suspend disbelief and rather too many examples of fortunate coincidences, the skilful pacing of the novel ensures an exciting, if not particularly demanding, story. Readers – of whatever age – interested in the morality of the darker sides of genetic engineering will find plenty here to exercise their minds and consciences.