The Execution Channel by Ken Macleod Search Amazon for other books by or about Ken Macleod. Rating: Reviewed by: John Walsh

The world is in pretty bad shape: the war on Iraq has been succeeded by a war against Iran, as well as a terrifying flu pandemic and nuclear attacks. As security is replaced by insecurity, government agencies arrogate to themselves more and more power and plot against each other, using the resources that modern technology has to offer. Bloggers find their work falsified and routinely abused by planted false information. However, there are more serious events afoot: some one, presumably (although by no means definitely) some kind of vile foreign terrorist has established the so-called Execution Channel, which broadcasts acts of violence and murder of individuals who have fallen foul of those who are able to wield power. Society itself is coarsened and the bonds between people are at risk of breaking down--and that is before the nuclear attack on the American base at RAF Leuchars in Scotland, which results in the deaths of thousands, if nuclear attack is what in fact it was. Nothing is certain in a world in which too much (dis)information exists. This is very similar to our own world, of course, with just a few changed parameters to make it a rather more dangerous and unpleasant place. Within such a near-future society, Ken Macleod has created a tale of suspicion, torture, politics, and the search for personal freedom that characterises much of his work. Macleod has an unapologetically political approach to his novels and this one too calls for the liberation of individuals and society from the powerful and unaccountable sources that control them.

Trying to make sense of this society are Roisin Travis and her father, who is a long-term dissident and hacker and from whom Roisin has picked up some of the rudimentary tradecraft when she is obliged to flee from the peace camp she was attending at Leuchars when the big one goes off. Secondary plans are put into action as everyone involved tries to keep out of the clutches of whichever branch of the security forces is closest; meanwhile, the information war is trying to pin the blame for the disaster on a whole range of people, from the French secret service to a group of UFOs. Alas, the reach of the security people is pervasive and the terror of capture, together with its brutal concomitant, is never far removed.

This is an entertaining novel which has the potential to upset some people--which is always a good thing. It would be wrong to consider it anti-anyone or anything because no one comes out of the action with any great merit or credit. On the other hand, many of the characters are quite well-rounded and sympathetic to certain extents. The prose is appropriate for a suspense thriller and the events charge ahead at an appropriately pell-mell speed. Macleod is not always the world's easiest writer to follow because, in his work, so much that goes on is not what it at first (or second) sight it appears to be. Readers who have tackled Macleod's work before will know what to expect. It is a good read.