Babel by
Barry Maitland
hbk out September 02
Published by Orion
at £12.99
It is far from clear that DS Kathy Colla is ready to return to work.
Indeed, traumatised by an attempted rape and the subsequent bloodbath
at the close of the previous Maitland novel Silvermeadow, she is
contemplating another career, any career in a less stressful line of
work. Not even her boss, DCI Brock’s involvement in a high profile case,
the public shooting of philosopher Max Springer, can tempt her back. But
Brock is missing his foil and a persistent reporter phones Kathy with
what may be new information...
Springer was a professor at the University of Central London East in
London’s Docklands. Brock’s initial enquiries turn up Springer’s
long-held but recently unexpressed views on the Arab-Israeli conflict, a
death threat, and leaflets from an extremist Islamic group operating in
the nearby community. There are also hints of bitterness amongst the
dwindling arts faculty as funding more and more favours the rapidly
growing sciences, particularly that of biotechnology. Or could it be a
random act of violence in a society where such acts are becoming more
prevalent?
Barry Maitland writes some of the most cunning and deliciously plotted
crime novels around these days and this one is no exception. His
fictional London (he now lives in Australia) is entirely plausible.
Maitland’s recent background as a Professor of Architecture enables him
to create a persuasive picture of modern academic life, along with some
knowing asides on aspects of university architecture. And presciently
(for this book was conceived before September 11th) he uses the Islamic
connections to explore some of the social and religious issues already
creating tension in that community. Less convincing is the media
involvement in such a high profile case.
One other minor fault the pace flags markedly in the final stages as
the investigation fails to come together. But Maitland then pulls off a
exciting climax, one which finally convinces Kathy of the direction her
future life should take. The key clue, as so often (but not so often
amongst his contemporaries), was under our noses from the beginning.
Spiked with some well crafted characterisation (look out for the
brusquely managerial University ‘President’), a welcome addition to the
canon.
