Alpha to Omega

William Lynhope

Average Rating 8/10 (1 Review)

"The dark cloud over Britain will not return. We certainly need have no fear of travelling by train, Tube or bus in London or any other city."

Seven years later and Andrew Aitken re-reads an old newspaper cutting. The focus of most policing and security throughout 2012 had been on the London Olympics. For him, however, there was a puzzle spanning more than 70 years to unravel; further complicated by the brutal murder of an elderly former Intelligence officer connected to the case he is now working on.

From a series of apparently unconnected incidents, before and after the old man's death, a bizarre picture begins to emerge. While investigating one of the leads, he is alerted by another Intelligence Agency to a possible terrorist plot involving an eminent UK scientist. This information leads to a major row with the Prime Minister and Aitken is suspended from duty.

He wiles away the days of his suspension waiting to see if the information he was given was correct. Aitken is unaware, however, that elsewhere the old man's killer and others are planning something far more devastating than he or any of his colleagues could ever have imagined or planned for.

Apparently unconnected individuals and events gradually reveal a single thread of connectivity; and seeds sown decades earlier start to bring forth their harvest.

Review by Norma (300612) Rating (8/10)

Review by Norma
Rating 8/10
When you read a good thriller, you expect pace, deaths, twists and turns of the plot and an outcome that is not easily predictable. Alpha to Omega ticks all these boxes. Few such books are also thought provoking - but Alpha to Omega is. I read another review of the book which ended with the words: "Just ask yourself, could it actually happen? The answer is yes." Perhaps that accounts for my reaction.

Like all properly constructed novels, it has a beginning, middle and end. But it also left me wondering what happened next. I don't mean in terms of this book; its outcome is clear. But I would be intrigued to know what happens in the years to come; not least to one of the story's young characters.

The action, viewed from two perspectives, covers a period of more than 70 years, ending in the not too distant future. I have to admit that I have not previously read a novel that is constructed like this, but I'm sure they must exist. Suffice it to say, it works and the author's ability to pull together the various threads is to be commended.

If you enjoy a good thriller, I don't think you'll be disappointed with this book.
Norma (30th June 2012)