This time there’s more at stake than just her life—now they want to take her past.
London, the near future. GRM, a shadowy company running private prisons, has introduced a programme to alter prisoners’ memories, removing those that led to their criminal behaviour. When journalist Antonia Conti hears rumours that the technology has deadly side effects, she decides to investigate.
Antonia has looked into GRM’s corrupt dealings with the government before, and when a stolen lorry ploughs into a whistle-blower’s car, leaving him dead and her trapped in the burning vehicle, she’s convinced GRM are responsible. Enlisting her old friend DI Russell Chapman to check out the supposed ‘accident’, she discovers that he’s already investigating three other deaths that appear suspiciously linked to her own investigations.
The deeper Antonia probes, the more her friends and colleagues are at risk. Whatever sinister experiments GRM are conducting, they are determined to keep them secret. By any means necessary. Can Antonia and Chapman thwart them before anyone else loses their life? Or their mind?
I'm delighted to finally be sharing my thoughts on A Stolen Memory today. I had hoped to review it a little closer to its publication date but have been suffering from vertigo for a few weeks which has made writing a bit of a trial at times. My apologies and thanks to David Beckler and Thomas & Mercer, and to FMcM Associates for sending me an advance copy of the novel.
I recently read the first book in David Beckler's Antonia Conti series, A Long Shadow and knew I'd found a new favourite but there's always some trepidation when reading the second novel – would it live up to my expectations? The answer to that question has to be a resounding yes... and actually, A Stolen Memory is even better than I'd hoped! I would recommend reading the series in order, if possible; A Stolen Memory can be enjoyed as a standalone but those who have read A Long Shadow first will have a greater depth of understanding as to what drives Antonia in particular, if they know what occurred previously. It's an absolutely cracking read too, of course!
The novel is set in a near future which seems a little too prescient and much as I want this book to be a success, I must admit to hoping it doesn't fall into the hands of certain politicians and opinion shapers who might think some of the developments which are employed to supposedly reduce crime rates could actually be a good idea. The more authoritarian society depicted here is only too believable and would almost certainly appeal to the more hardline sections of the media (and public). There are already prisons run by private companies, of course and their track record is far from impressive, so it's not difficult to accept that the actions of GRM, the sinister fictional company running prisons, are entirely plausible. I can understand how prisoners having their memories modified to prevent them offending again could be spun as a positive advancement but I personally think it's a horrifying idea and that's borne out by what takes place as the storyline progresses.
As an investigative journalist, especially one with a very personal reason to want to bring GRM down, Antonia is understandably determined to find out more about the side effects allegedly noted in some prisoners. Both she and readers quickly realise the lengths people are prepared to go to in order to prevent the truth being exposed and the sense of tension engendered throughout the novel ensures this is a nail-biting read from start to finish. It's not just the threat of physical danger which is so nerve-racking however, and one of the sub-plots in particular reinforces just how the powerfully corrupt can manipulate the desperate and vulnerable.
Antonia is a first-rate protagonist and undoubtedly the star of the book; resolute, resourceful and courageous but not infallible and still shaped by the tragedy of her past – of which we learn more about here. She's a really interesting character and I'm looking forward to seeing how she is developed in subsequent books but the strength of a series such as this lies in the rendering of the other characters too, whether they will just appear in the one novel or be recurring figures. DI Russell Chapman makes a welcome return in A Stolen Memory and the friendship which is developing between him and Antonia is a highlight; it feels natural and even though the bonds which are forming are tested here for various reasons, there's real depth and even some humour to their relationship. I also really like another returning character, Sabirah who has a pivotal role to play; perhaps more than anybody else, she epitomises how some people are treated now and what may be exacted on them in the near future, if we continue on our current path. Two new characters, Adam and Jean also stand out, while the many antagonists are a chilling combination of the cunning and the brutal.
This is a complex read which demands attention but it rewards its readers with a pacy, exciting plot which is as thought-provoking as it is dramatic. I'm mindful not to give away any spoilers but I can say that the twists, turns and shocking revelations come thick and fast. There are a number of scenes which had my heart in my mouth and despite the ominous sense of foreboding which makes clear the risks Antonia is taking, the plot is satisfyingly unpredictable throughout with a conclusion which left me eagerly anticipating the next instalment. A Stolen Memory is an atmospheric, electrifying thriller: I enjoyed it immensely and very highly recommend it.
A Stolen Memory is published by Thomas & Mercer and can be purchased here.
About the Author
David Beckler was born in Addis Ababa in 1960, and spent his first eight years living on an agricultural college in rural Ethiopia where his love of reading developed. After dropping out of university he became a firefighter and served 19 years before leaving to start his own business.
Manchester has been David’s adopted home since 1984. In his spare time he tries to keep fit, listen to music, socialise and feed his voracious book habit.
David began writing in 2010 and uses his work experiences to add realism to his fiction. He writes fast-paced action thrillers populated with well-rounded characters.
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