Like her play* the novel is based on the London riots - the ripple effect of the police's mishandling of a black boy's behaviour on families, a soon to be demolished housing estate, and further afield. Plus an undercover cop gone AWOL. The tension is exaggerated by an unbearable heat wave. The power play between politicians and police about public order is interesting but those involved are too much like caricatures and perhaps thus detract from the essential tragedy.
*The Riots - produced at the Tricycle Theatre, London, in November 2011.
(Christine Miller - bwl 81 Summer 2016 ) |
