I love the idea behind this book. In particular because it’s something which has been talked about a lot in real life. There have been incidents in the news where images seen on Google Streetview have triggered searches for possible murder victims, or that have later been removed and of course there have been some incidents of peoples’ infidelity being caught out. So the idea of someone finding something dark – like someone being murdered, is incredibly appealing.
Thomas Kilbride believes he will be recruited by the CIA to help them in the future. Thomas has a unique gift that means he has a photographic memory. He is currently using the internet to explore the world and memorise the towns and cities. According to Thomas, one day in the future all the electronic maps will disappear, and he will be required to help produce maps using his recollections. Whilst researching New York, Thomas comes across an image in a window – it looks like someone being smothered. He sends his brother to New York to check out the building and sets in motion a series of events that will change everyone’s lives.
Switching from the present to an event taking place previously (there is little mention of how long ago this could have been), the reader is allowed to follow the events taking place, and has the position of knowing what really did happen, while watching the characters investigate for themselves. This omniscience doesn’t allow the reader to relax however, as there are a few twists and turns along the way, which make for plenty of page turning.
The characters were well written and were believable. At times the story is told from each of their points of view, and this fitted into the story. It wasn’t too sudden when the narration changed, and as it was told in the third person, it meant it didn’t create too many different voices to follow. I felt Thomas in particular must have been a difficult character to write, but it was done well, and it was done in a way that he did come across as different, even in his speech, whilst at the same time, sounding like a real person might. I did wonder at the schizophrenia diagnosis as earlier in the book I had assumed he was autistic but I suppose ultimately that’s not a massive issue.
I found the pace of the storyline was just right. It moved along nicely and kept you hooked for more, without revealing too much too soon. Nor did it then fizzle out once the drama had been concluded. It was finished nicely, and the story was concluded well…. With a little twist at the end, just to make sure you are paying attention.
The only downside to this book, was that whirl360 is blatantly Google. And I’m sure that there are legal reasons why this was changed, and obviously it is a work of fiction etc. It is only a small niggle, but still annoyed me. I had previously read one of Linwood’s books and whilst I had enjoyed it, I had found that the pace of the book was a little too hectic and ended up running out of steam. This is only the second book of his I have read, and a few years on I have to say his narration and story telling have definitely improved. I will now be seeking out his other books in the hope of being Just as enthralled!
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