An Irish-American medic called Gus McWilliams returns home to Northern Ireland, his urgent mission to find a donor kidney for his ill son – whose renal function is deteriorating – at all costs. His own kidney problems suggest hereditary renal disease and other modern (and old) ethical and genetic dilemmas feature in this novel where in the quiet village of Rostrevor, his genealogy research uncovers a mysterious crime committed in the last century against his ancestors. He uncovers evidence of a 19th century rogue scientist called Diogenes who has discovered the secrets of human cloning. Sinister elements from both sides of the local terrorist divide mix with some international terrorism from the aftermath of 9/11 to both aid and hinder his research leading to an exciting climax.
This is an altogether gripping tale of a doctor struggling to combine his research skills with a hope that he can save his son's life. Goodall has woven a masterpiece of intrigue in a book that will appeal to all. His attention to detail draws on his own research and veterinary background and is fastidious. Factual information is stretched credibly to give a book full of surprises; personal ethics is stretched to the limit.
The book contains 28 beautifully short chapters – just short enough to read individually in a few snatched spare moments of time such as between consultations or in the departure lounge. As the story gets more exciting by the chapter, these are gobbled up by compulsive reading as the patients sit in the waiting area wondering why the ‘consultation’ is taking so long …