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Mystery & Crime
The Fifth Cataract by Jo Bannister β€” book cover

The Fifth Cataract

by Jo Bannister
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Overview

Bad dreams stop when you wake up . . . One-time doctor turned writer Clio Marsh joins a survival training course based on the Norfolk Broads as part of the research into a new novel ? strictly as an observer, she thinks.But course directors Hollis and Chase have other ideas, and Clio is soon immersed in a punishing boot-camp regime for which she is sorely unprepared. Most of her fellow trainees fare little better, and within days more than one has succumbed to a mysterious illness whose symptoms closely resemble the ?marsh fever? talked of in ominous tones by the locals of Graveleigh, an isolated village at the water's edge. Graveleigh's nearest neighbour is Growth Industries, a chemical plant with a sinister reputation. When Clio and her companions seek refuge at G.I.'s headquarters after a training exercise goes badly wrong, they are treated to a less than warm welcome ? and what started as a bad dream soon turns into a nightmare . . .

Bad dreams stop when you wake up . . . - Clio Marsh joins a survival training course as part of the research into a new novel strictly as an observer, she thinks. But the course directors have other ideas, and Clio is soon immersed in a punishing regime. Within days more than one of her companions has succumbed to a mysterious illness and what started as a bad dream soon turns into a nightmare . . .

Synopsis

Bad dreams stop when you wake up . . . - Clio Marsh joins a survival training course as part of the research into a new novel strictly as an observer, she thinks. But the course directors have other ideas, and Clio is soon immersed in a punishing regime. Within days more than one of her companions has succumbed to a mysterious illness and what started as a bad dream soon turns into a nightmare . . .

Publishers Weekly

Palpable tensions suffuse this gritty mystery from British author Bannister (True Crimes) set in the bleak marshlands of Norfolk. Clio Marsh, a former doctor turned writer, has joined a survival course to gather material for her latest work of fiction. When a fellow trainee falls ill, possibly with "marsh fever," wanders off and drowns, Marsh and her remaining colleagues receive no help from either the locals or the employees at a chemical plant, Growth Industries, believed to have polluted the environment. Marsh and the other survivalist trainees must use all their skills and determination to emerge from the experience alive. Readers who like their adventures hard-edged will be satisfied, though some may be a little disappointed at the deus ex machina ending. (Jan.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

About the Author, Jo Bannister

The author of over twenty acclaimed novels, Jo Bannister started her career as a journalist after leaving school at sixteen to work on a local weekly newspaper. Shortlisted for several prestigious awards, she left a career as an editor to pursue her writing full time. She lives in Northern Ireland and is currently working on her next novel. "Breaking Faith "is the fifth in her series featuring Brodie Farrell, Daniel Hood, and Jack Deacon.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly

Palpable tensions suffuse this gritty mystery from British author Bannister (True Crimes) set in the bleak marshlands of Norfolk. Clio Marsh, a former doctor turned writer, has joined a survival course to gather material for her latest work of fiction. When a fellow trainee falls ill, possibly with "marsh fever," wanders off and drowns, Marsh and her remaining colleagues receive no help from either the locals or the employees at a chemical plant, Growth Industries, believed to have polluted the environment. Marsh and the other survivalist trainees must use all their skills and determination to emerge from the experience alive. Readers who like their adventures hard-edged will be satisfied, though some may be a little disappointed at the deus ex machina ending. (Jan.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Book Details

Published
November 1, 2006
Publisher
Severn House Publishers
Pages
316
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780727875433

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