Bell Ringers

A corrupt prime minister uses current anti-terror laws to Orwellian extremes in this "e;sophisticated, engrossing, and important political thriller"e; (The Washington Post). In a near-future England, there are still concerns about terrorism, the press is still feisty, and the prime minister is about to call a general election. But unknown even to most government officials, new technology and anti-terror laws have been used to establish unprecedented control over the lives of ordinary citizens. A top-secret data-mining system known as Deep Truth combs through personal records, identifying law violators as well as anyone disposed to "e;antigovernment"e; beliefs. David Eyam was once the prime minister's head of intelligence, but after a mysterious fall from grace, he was killed by a terrorist bomb while on vacation in Colombia. Now his former lover, Kate Lockhart, has been named the benefactor of his estate. But Eyam has left her more than just wealth; Lockhart is also heir to his dangerous secrets. "e;North by Northwest meets House of Cards . . . Porter claims that the novel is set in the near future. Don't be fooled."e; Cullen Murphy, Vanity Fair "e;Scary, informative, and, alas, eminently believable."e; The Economist "e;Superb."e; Anna Mundow, The Boston Globe