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Inspiring Insomnia

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London Underground

London Underground - Chris Angus London Underground is an intriguing mash-up of WWII fiction, government conspiracies, and science gone very, very wrong. It opens with the city's residents suffering and dying from the sweating sickness. King Henry VIII and his lover, (and still head-possessing) Anne Boleyn, fled the city, and Henry reveals a tantalizing secret: England recently captured a treasure-filled Spanish ship, and the loot was hidden in a secret location. I was a bit worried when I read this exchange between Henry and Anne near the beginning of the novel: Anne asked, "Pray, tell me, what does the future hold for me?" Henry replied, "You have a beautiful head on your shoulders, Anne. It will have a roll all its own in the future of our country." I thought I was in for a punishing read of roll/role usage errors, but it quickly became apparent that the author has a sense of humor that's right up my alley.

In the present day, Carmen Kingsley, an administrator for the British Museum, leads a massive dig for Roman ruins recently discovered in London. The discovery of WWII-era bones leads to Carmen's abrupt and mysterious dismissal from the dig. Carmen won't go away quietly, though, and she's determined to learn what else lies beneath the city, and what other secrets officials are so determined to hide. She might have been better off just going away...

Much of the story takes place in London's underground tunnel system, and the claustrophobic feeling is palpable as characters are chased and threatened by deadly, inhuman beings. We see the lengths to which a government will go to keep its citizens in the dark, supposedly for the good of the people. These same government officials will behave like trapped rats (read the book - you'll get the reference) when pressed and cornered. The horror elements are very well written: bloody, graphic, and terrifying. Combined with the WWII and conspiracy angles, London Underground is a suspenseful, intelligent read.

I received the Kindle version of this novel from the publisher with a request for an honest review.