Matt's Reviews > To Kill the Truth

It is always a pleasure to get my hands on a Sam Bourne novel, particularly when he is adding to his popular Maggie Costello thriller series. After leaving the White House, Maggie can only hope for a quieter life, but that is soon derailed when she receives a call by the Governor of Virginia. A prominent historian has been found dead in his office and something looks sinister. Some of the academic’s views on American history had been causing waves across campus, leading Maggie to surmise that it might be a targeted attack. However, there is something even more concerning when other academics in the field turn up dead, their views on slavery and the like equally as controversial. While Maggie is certain there is someone seeking to make a statement, she is stopped in her tracks when fires and explosions begin destroying some of the major libraries of the world, those housing original documents that make up the building blocks of the world’s history. It would seem as though someone is seeking to erase history and force a reboot of all that is known. While all this is taking place, a trial unfolds in Virginia, one where a controversial historian is arguing that events like American slavery is but a cobbled together group of misnomers, spun into a history that never took place. Could those memories of former slaves only be implanted memories or even shards of memory and suggestion? As things heat up and more libraries burn to the ground, a manifesto appears from someone calling themselves Bookburner, demanding that the world take notice and turn away from the past. By forgetting what has happened and starting fresh, peace is possible and without documents to purport specific views, everyone begins on a level playing field. Just as Maggie begins to make headway, she becomes the target of a smear campaign, one that is so nuanced as to convince large portions of the population that she is vindictive and that her views are not to be trusted. While trying to defend herself, Maggie knows that she cannot stop uncovering this mystery, as there is a Friday deadline to agree to terms. As the trial heats up and Bookburner continues rampaging valuable documents, it will be up to Maggie and a handful of others to save the world’s rich history, or watch a ‘factory reset’ decimate things in the blink of an eye. Bourne does a masterful job keeping the reader on the edge of their seat as they ponder the ramifications of this idea. Recommended to those who enjoy thrillers with a political leaning, as well as readers who have enjoyed Sam Bourne’s writing before.

Sam Bourne is never one to rest on his laurels, even when he makes fans wait years between publications. The themes embedded in his novels are rarely mainstream or readily found elsewhere, which makes these books all the more interesting. Maggie Costello is a wonderful protagonist, having seen much of the world in the series. Her past working inside the White House and on peace initiatives helps to explore some of her political capabilities, but she is also a stellar investigator. Hailing from Ireland, she has a history embedded in her genetics to always seek justice, but also not accept anything at face value. Her past emerges throughout this piece, including interactions with her family and a former lover, all of which enrich this already powerful story. Others in the book offer interesting angles and flavouring as the story explores the depths to which history is based on recounted tales and how strongly documentation serves to prop up a belief system. Bourne has done well to develop a vast array of individuals whose views create a narrative that will keep the reader questioning their beliefs. With a story that is both jarring and entertaining, Bourne succeeds at questioning all the reader may hold as self-evident. Posing queries about the reliability of texts and verbal accounts, Bourne pushes the reader to evaluate history as a weapon rather than a useful tool. In a thriller that offers countless opportunities to inject action, Bourne keeps the reader guessing what is to come and how a resolution will be possible without a complete reset. Bourne wants the reader to be an active participant in the game and develop their own narrative as they follow Maggie Costello and Bookburner through this timely game of cat and mouse. Brilliant work and a great novel to open the mind of the attentive reader.

Kudos, Mr. Bourne, on another wonderful addition to your collection. I am so pleased to see you pushing the limits in everything you write.

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