A raid on an impregnable bank. If it succeeds, mankind has a future. A masterpiece from a world class thriller writer. In 2069 mankind is on the edge of extinction. 80% of the population have P2, a parvovirus that will kill them within 10 years. The only cure is a complete transfusion of uncontaminated blood. Blood fee of P2 is now worth $1,480,000 a litre. Blood has become life itself and the healthy few guard theior supplies very jealously. The 1st National Reserve Bank is on the moon, protected by an impregnable array ...
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A raid on an impregnable bank. If it succeeds, mankind has a future. A masterpiece from a world class thriller writer. In 2069 mankind is on the edge of extinction. 80% of the population have P2, a parvovirus that will kill them within 10 years. The only cure is a complete transfusion of uncontaminated blood. Blood fee of P2 is now worth $1,480,000 a litre. Blood has become life itself and the healthy few guard theior supplies very jealously. The 1st National Reserve Bank is on the moon, protected by an impregnable array of security devices. But now the man who designed the systems , is on the run. His daughter has a rare genetic disorder: needing regular blood transfusions. Only place for this is the blood bank and he is too dangerous to be allowed to live. And so begins the impossible bank raid, watched by the mysterious 2nd Angel. An entity who has an agenda all it's own, upon which hangs the future of mankind.
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I've read that Kerr's "The Second Angel" has a cult following but I can't figure out why unless it's part of a Scientology reading program. I was very impressed with Kerr's Bernie Gunther series and am awaiting publication of the next novel in this series. That's the reason I delved into "The Second Angel" and "A Philosophical Investigation". Both books however do not measure up to the standards set by "Berlin Noir", "The One or the Other", or "The Quiet Flame". Bernie Gunther's personality and the offsetting characters from an excellent cast. His point of view carries through each book, adding weight to the evolving scheme in each novel.
I felt "The Second Angel" to be more contrived with a character roll call that is more of a filler than a compelling cast. Perhaps the fact that it is a science fiction novel acts to distract focus from the bare bones that make up a story. Some times the mere setting of a novel, in this case, the future with its futuristic gadgets etc., attract attention away from the character exchange that makes up the core of the novel, i. e., the real reason for reading it in the first place. I found "TSA" to be superficial as if Kerr breezed through the story in order to get at the ending which is the real point of the tale. Sorry Philip, not satisfying but can't wait to see what Bernie is up to in the next installment.
