Serendipity plays an important part in the plot of this novel. Recently divorced, Adam Kindred decides to change his life and return to his native England. So he resigns his university position in Arizona and applies for a position in London. On the night of his interview there, he stops for a meal at a local restaurant and meets Dr. Philip Wang, an immunologist heading the development of a new asthma drug for a drug company. They chat for a few minutes and Wang leaves. Adam discovers that he left a file behind, and Adam phones him and is invited for a drink when he returns the paper.
From this simple encounter flows a series of incidents that change the course of lives and events. When Adam arrives where Wang is staying, he finds him with a knife protruding from his chest, just barely alive. Wang urges him to remove the knife, and then dies within a short period of time. It would appear that Adam interrupted the murderer who had been going through files and searching for something. Adam leaves the apartment, eventually returning to his hotel, only to be attacked. Fighting off his attacker, he goes into hiding.
The descriptions of a man hiding from the world, separated from all aspects of civilized society, are graphic and disturbing. Meanwhile, Adam soon determines that it is in his interest to maintain his freedom, not reporting his knowledge of Wang’s murder (of which he is accused), and to begin his own investigation to determine exactly what occurred and why. It is a well-written, exciting albeit disturbing story. I have to admit that it felt vaguely unfinished, perhaps with a sequel in mind. Nonetheless, it is recommended.
