The Last Exile
".. a very good debut... "
Synopsis:
It has been a year since Paul Tallis shot a woman he believed to be a terrorist but who was, in fact, innocent. Now his career is just a memory and he is sinking fast in an alcoholic blur. Then he is visited by a woman, Cavall. She wants him to find four people who were jailed for crimes and - instead of being deported - got released back in to the community. These people need to be found and sent back to the country of origin. Reluctant at first, Tallis takes on the task and sets out to gather these exiles and repatriate them. Or so he thinks...
When each exile is found and handed over Tallis doesn't realise - until much later - that these people are not being deported, they are being terminated. Tallis discovers that an organisation is operating to 'clean up' the streets of Great Britain and rid the country of the multi-nationals who have come to live in the country. It is up to Tallis to hunt down these extremists and – ultimately - save the last exile from these animals... but will it be at a great personal cost to the man himself?
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Review:
The Last Exile is the first novel by this exciting new author, and it is a very assured piece of work. The issues that surround this book are very current. The shooting of innocents mistakenly thought to be terrorists, the influx of Eastern Europeans and the issue of cheap labour - along with the rising sense of anger that some cultures appear to have more of a liberal standing in society than others. These are issues that always rear their head whenever you are living in a multi-cultural society, as we do today. They are also big issues that can seriously burn a writer if not deal with properly or with some degree of sensitivity. Despite this being her first book, Seymour has managed to convey a Britain that does have issues but is also predominantly strong and comfortable in its own society. You can also tell that Seymour has certainly done her fair share of research. Thankfully she has avoided the pitfall of preaching to an intelligent reader. What Tallis feels about the extremists is mirrored by a large percentage of the people of this world. That racism will not be tolerated. However, amongst all this, the story is a gripping one and which flows very well, making the reader turn the pages to get through to the end. I also enjoyed many well-drawn characters, especially Crow who I hope will feature in a future novel - even one of her own? The denouement is well planned if not a total surprise and it does bring the book nicely to a full circle. This is a very good debut from an author who is comfortable with her writing and I expect will become stronger and more assured with every new release.