The Bell Ringers
A Novel
Published on 1. April 2018
416 pages
978-0-8021-9795-5 (ISBN)
Description
A corrupt prime minister uses current anti-terror laws to Orwellian extremes in this "sophisticated, engrossing, and important political thriller" (
The Washington Post).
In a near-future England, there are still concerns about terrorism, the press is still feisty, and the prime minister is about to call a general election. But unknown even to most government officials, new technology and anti-terror laws have been used to establish unprecedented control over the lives of ordinary citizens. A top-secret data-mining system known as Deep Truth combs through personal records, identifying law violators as well as anyone disposed to "antigovernment" beliefs.
David Eyam was once the prime minister's head of intelligence, but after a mysterious fall from grace, he was killed by a terrorist bomb while on vacation in Colombia. Now his former lover, Kate Lockhart, has been named the benefactor of his estate. But Eyam has left her more than just wealth; Lockhart is also heir to his dangerous secrets.
" North by Northwestmeets House of Cards...Porter claims that the novel is set in the near future. Don't be fooled." -Cullen Murphy, Vanity Fair
"Scary, informative, and, alas, eminently believable." - The Economist
"Superb ." -Anna Mundow ,The Boston Globe
In a near-future England, there are still concerns about terrorism, the press is still feisty, and the prime minister is about to call a general election. But unknown even to most government officials, new technology and anti-terror laws have been used to establish unprecedented control over the lives of ordinary citizens. A top-secret data-mining system known as Deep Truth combs through personal records, identifying law violators as well as anyone disposed to "antigovernment" beliefs.
David Eyam was once the prime minister's head of intelligence, but after a mysterious fall from grace, he was killed by a terrorist bomb while on vacation in Colombia. Now his former lover, Kate Lockhart, has been named the benefactor of his estate. But Eyam has left her more than just wealth; Lockhart is also heir to his dangerous secrets.
" North by Northwestmeets House of Cards...Porter claims that the novel is set in the near future. Don't be fooled." -Cullen Murphy, Vanity Fair
"Scary, informative, and, alas, eminently believable." - The Economist
"Superb ." -Anna Mundow ,The Boston Globe
More details
Other editions
Additional editions
Henry Porter
Bell Ringers
Book
01/2011
Grove Press / Atlantic Monthly Press
€14.50
Shipment within 10-20 days
Person
Henry Porter is the British editor of
Vanity Fair. He contributes commentary and reportage to the
Guardian, the
Observer,
Evening
Standard, and the
Sunday Telegraph. He divides his time between New York and London.
Content
- Intro
- Cover Page
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- 1 A Death Explained
- 2 The Centre of Things
- 3 Night Thoughts
- 4 The Prime Minister's Spy
- 5 Sister
- 6 The Mourners
- 7 The Cut
- 8 Civic Watch
- 9 Dove Cottage
- 10 A Wonderfully Private Institution
- 11 A Creature of Habit
- 12 Red Admiral
- 13 The Spreading Stain
- 14 Mother
- 15 The Edit Point
- 16 Interrogation
- 17 Book Lovers
- 18 Great Lord Protector
- 19 Country Matters
- 20 The Otherness of the Other
- 21 Avalonia
- 22 Witless Familiarity
- 23 The Oxford Plotters
- 24 Evensong
- 25 The Bell Ringers
- 26 A Basket of Danish
- 27 The Devil's Quilted Anvil
- 28 Night Moves
- 29 Hotel Papa
- 30 The Joins
- 31 The Committee
- Preview: The Old Enemy
- Afterword
- Acknowledgements
