Every Second Counts

This sequel to Split Second continues the story of Nat and Charlie, hunted down as suspected terrorists in a politically corrupt and bankrupt London. Both were recruited to the English Freedom Army, believing that they were combating the terrorism which devastated their families. In reality, they were victims of an elaborate plot hatched by Riley, a charismatic political leader whose followers commit acts of violence and blame others, leading the public to believe that the government has lost control. Cue for Riley’s party to step forward and replace an impotent government…

The dual narrative format and the short, tightly-written chapters help to build the tension which permeates the narrative. The developing relationship between Charlie and Nat gives both characters a vulnerability, further emphasised by their separation, when Charlie decides she will attempt to infiltrate Riley’s organisation again. The plot twists and turns throughout, but just when the reader believes that the climax has come, McKenzie cleverly steers events away into an entirely new direction – a race against time to save London from a deadly bomb, which rushes the book breathlessly to its hopeful close.

McKenzie explores trust, loyalty, fanaticism and corruption in thought-provoking ways, so that the reader is placed unequivocally in Charlie’s and Nat’s shoes. This is a carefully constructed and convincing book which amply rewards and challenges its readers.