Will Fletcher is going about his normal London workday when
the news breaks that a senior politician has been shot and
injured. Will's journalist girlfriend Amy was in the car,
interviewing, and she was also struck and injured. After
dealing with the immediate situation, Will realises that he
needs to LOOK CLOSER at what happened and why.
The story quickly feels a bit formulaic, with a journalist
uncovering a secret that could get someone killed and her
partner having to retrace steps, discover a break-in, find
the hard drive with the secrets, and hand this over to the
bad guys. I really and truly think that Will would have
been letting the police know, especially as his partner had
armed security in the hospital. Apparently he doesn't
expect the security services to do a good job. But it makes
for more tension if he feels alone and scared.
The characterisation is well done that I started to get
a feel for Will - a quiet archivist - and the opposition, a
scheming, vicious bunch of thugs in suits. Will can call on
some friends for help in copying computer files or making
phone calls, but I think I'd want a friend to be phoning
the police on my behalf while I appeared to comply with the
crooks' demands. The politician who was fortunate enough to
escape with his life, started out in construction so he is
not the usual old-money Etonian, while a sprinkling of
everyday minor characters helps to flesh out the city
tour. A young woman who has a dubious connection decides
to help Will, brightening up the dark scenario. But is she
on his side, or not?
There's a nice twist, or maybe it's two, which improved my
view of the story. With London vistas alternating with
rural ones, I enjoyed the backdrop and flavour of Rachel
Amphlett's book, LOOK CLOSER. We do need to consider what
kind of person wants to enter politics, and what their
motivation is for wanting to do probably one of the worst
jobs in the world. Once a boundary has been crossed, they
may find that there is no return. Try this cross between a
thriller and a treasure hunt for size, and if you enjoy it
Rachel Amphlett has more thrillers on offer, some with
London locations.
How far would you go to protect a secret?
How far would you go to expose a lie?
Will Fletcher seems to have it all – perfect job, perfect
life. Then in one act of extreme violence, his world is
turned upside down.
A bungled assassination attempt on a London street uncovers
a disturbing conspiracy fuelled by organised crime and
political ambition. Now, Will finds himself on the run,
pursued by a dangerous enemy who will stop at nothing to
protect his employer’s past.
The only way to stop the chain of events is to follow a
trail of clues that lead to the heart of British politics.
With the date for the UK General Election only days away and
the killers closing in, Will is running out of time to
deliver his own version of vigilante justice and expose the
corruption. As the web of lies and deceit unravels, Will
knows the answer’s out there.
All he has to do is look closer.
Everyone has secrets. Everyone lies.