Book review: Gathering Evidence, by Martin MacInnes

This is a most unusual and extremely cerebral novel. It is, I should say, also very good. It is compelling, full of intriguing ideas, and yet retains an emotional sincerity and sensitivity. It also has a surprising denouement that it would be high reviewer treason to reveal. The British have quite often rather held their noses at the “novel of ideas” – bit too French – and in some ways this is far more philosophical than ideological. It worries around thoughts and the connections between thoughts like rubbing a handful of pebbles in your fingers.