Crime Zone by
Michael Cordy
hbk out June 99
Published by Bantam
at £9.99
This is not a murder mystery, this is an out and out thriller, with some inspired writing and enough science to satisfy the most determined Sci-Fi buff.
In 2008 many of the difficulties of geneticists have been eased. Their need for massive computing power is satisfied by supercomputers based upon photoresponsive proteins; these have allowed scientists to sequence every aspect of the human genome. And one aspect is clear: as Steve Jones, Professor of Genetics, University College London has said, 'there is one gene which is shared by most criminals - and its complete DNA sequence is known.' It is the part that defines maleness on the Y chromosome.
This begins with a criminal, an evil and dangerous psychopath, in jail and suffering agonies as a result of his crimes. He murdered thirteen girls, concealing all their bodies so effectively that they were never found. When he sees an FBI agent rescuing another man's victim, he asks to meet the agent, saying he'll give details of where the girls are hidden.
Luke Decker is not keen to see the man. He himself suffers torments - it's why he is so effective an agent. Although he hates the trait, he is able to empathise with killers. He can understand them to a degree he loathes, as if he could himself follow them. That is why he has already resigned once - but his boss refused to accept his resignation.
He has an able scientific helper in Dr Kathy Kerr, a woman who is keener to look at the physiology of mental illness rather than the psychology. She has been helping produce a new series of treatments which could prevent violent criminals committing more crimes. She has developed bacteria which infect the human genes, altering them and inserting modified strands which alter the man's behaviour. Instead of being motivated towards violence, she gives him a predisposition towards calmness.
Use of the treatment will take away a man's self-determination and free will, but if only criminals are so treated, there is a significant benefit for mankind.
But when Kathy realises that there have been mass trials without FDA approval, she becomes concerned and when she discovers that there are more projects underway she and Decker find themselves caught in a net of intrigue, deceit and murder.
Cordy writes smoothly and well. His scientific understanding is excellent but he doesn't confuse the reader: he describes the issues clearly and manages to persuade the reader to move along each argument with apparent ease. He is also clever enough to populate his books with believable characters - I particularly liked his mafia-connected businessman.
In short this book is a very good read - and one which we all should look at. The issues raised put this story far above the run of the mill thriller, and they are put on paper by a man who has been raised in an ethical profession and who has explained the problems carefully for a mass audience.
(
Michael Jecks
- author of the highly acclaimed Furnshill & Puttock series)
