A Litany of Good
Intentions is the second book in my Human Spirit Trilogy
and will be published in October this year. The trilogy is a celebration of our
achievements as a species, in particular how we have used science to create a
better world over the last two hundred years. It also examines our staccato
approach to progress and the human failings that are holding us back.
The books are written in the genre of crime fiction –
action-packed adventure stories with the same lead protagonists battling
against the forces of evil – and I think of them as Thrillers with a Social
Conscience. This prompted me to think about other influential crime fiction
novels that also make a statement about the society in which we live. Please enjoy my Top Ten, below.
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The
Constant Gardener by John le
Carré
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If
you thought le Carré was all about Cold War espionage, think again. This
thriller is set in Africa where a brutal murder leads to the discovery of
malpractices by a devious pharmaceutical company. Essential social conscience
thriller reading by the Master himself.
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Coffin Road by Peter May
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Three
seemingly unrelated stories become entangled is this atmospheric eco-thriller
set in the Outer Hebrides. Why are the bees disappearing? Where are the
lighthouse keepers? What is the mystery that waits on Coffin Road?
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Wool by Hugh Howey
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A
truly gripping novel set in a dystopian future where humanity is imprisoned
in an underground silo existence having poisoned the planet. Is this to be
our fate if we don’t listen to the arguments about climate change?
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Reconciliation For The Dead by Paul E.
Hardisty
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It
may be set in the dark days of apartheid South Africa but there are
disturbing parallels to our world today; a society being torn apart by racial
hatred and greed. Fast paced, very
well written with a compelling theme for social reform.
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Good Money by J.M Green
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I
was fortunate to meet this first-time novelist at the launch of Good Money.
The introduction into the world of drug dealing in Melbourne was fascinating
but the real clincher was the insight into the power and political influence
of the mining industry across Australia.
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The Keeper of Secrets by Julie Thomas
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This
thought-provoking thriller follows a Jewish family from the horrors of WWII
through Stalinist Russia to the present day. The clever interplay between the
time periods and the backdrop of using a violin to link the storylines is
refreshing. Music is a wonderful common denominator.
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Kolymsky Heights by Lionel Davidson
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A
bone-chilling adventure set in the savage wastes of Siberia. The real
thriller though is the nature of the research being carried out in the
super-secret laboratory buried deep in the mountains. That research has
implications for our future society. Gripping stuff.
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I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes
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I
liked the idea of a book on two levels. Pilgrim has the key ingredients of a
thriller – explosive action scenes, daring storylines and larger-than-life
characters. The real story for me was how easy it would be to destroy
humanity with the right barcode and passwords. A worrying reminder that IT
systems lack compassion.
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Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
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One
of Dan Brown’s early techno-thrillers and a chilling portent of government
surveillance using computers to spy on its citizens. I like the fact that a
seemingly ordinary University professor can save the world using brains
rather than high powered weaponry. Dan Brown at his creative best.
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The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
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More
adventure than crime fiction perhaps but the use of an action-packed, page
turning genre to get this powerful social message across is a stroke of
genius. We have lost touch with our spiritual selves and the lessons of our
forefathers. By reconnecting we can make the world a better place to live.
Truly an inspirational thought.
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A Litany of Good Intentions by Andrew Harris published 12th
October by Faithful Hound, price £12.99 in royal paperback.
Read SHOTS’ review
here.
