Just Finished Reading: The Death Instinct by Jed Rubenfeld (FP: 2010)

New York, 16th September, 1920. As the lunchtime rush begins a massive explosion rips through the hearth of the financial district leaving many dead and countless wounded. At the scene by coincidence are battle weary doctor Stratham Younger and his friend NYPD Captain James Littlemore. Thrown into helping the injured and organising the first responders they give little thought to who planted the bomb and why they targeted innocent people going about their daily routine. Within hours however the FBI declare that they know who committed the atrocity and have issued warrants for the arrest of known Italian anarchists in league with Russian Bolsheviks. Before long the State Department is calling it an act of war and sabres are being rattled in all directions. But to Captain Littlemore the calls for immediate retaliation sound hollow and he senses that there is more to the attack than seems obvious at first glance. Some evidence from the scene makes little sense whilst other evidence seems all too conveniently found in just the right place and at just the right time to fit neatly into a pleasing narrative. If things hadn’t been cloudy enough both men are stumped at the possible involvement of Youngers female companion French radiochemist Collette Rousseau. Was her kidnap and subsequent murder attempt a coincidence or is there a connection between the explosion and the other strange goings-on. Who could possibly benefit from causing so much carnage under a blue September sky and why are their new bullet holes in the Treasury Building imposing walls?

The bomb that went off in New York in 1920 was a real event. A crime that has never been solved to this day. Initially international anarchism was blamed but nothing came of the various investigations carried out at the time or since. Of course this was a perfect place for a fictional account of the events surrounding the event – probably the first recorded car bomb (or in this case truck bomb). Essentially there are two, or possibly three, interweaving stories: the real reason behind the bombing, Collette’s back story in France during and just after WW1 and the use (and abuse) of the power of Radium. Some of it rather stretched credulity to breaking point and I did find some chase scenes very silly indeed. As much as I liked all three main characters I think the author overdid Youngers abilities as an action hero, Collette was a delight (as was her younger ‘mute’ brother) but her main motivation was, I thought, suspect at least and far-fetched at worst. The NYPD Captain probably came out as the strongest character and I liked him a lot. I’d like to read more about him in rather less convoluted storylines. Oh, there was a wonderful piece of misdirection about a third to half way through which left me shocked and distraught and then relieved which I thought was particularly well done. Generally it was a fun read, certainly engaging and well-paced as well as full of interesting historical detail (again particularly in relation to the use of radium which I feel the need to read up on). You will need to suspend disbelief a bit more than usual at times but this is still an entertaining read that will keep you guessing to the end. Recommended.