Matlock's System
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5.0 • 1 Rating
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- $2.99
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- $2.99
Publisher Description
A dystopian thriller of "twisty intrigue" by the award-winning author of the Dalziel and Pascoe mysteries (Publishers Weekly).
Best known for his Dalziel and Pascoe novels, which were adapted into a hit BBC series, Reginald Hill proves himself to be a "master of . . . cerebral puzzle mysteries" in his stand-alone thrillers as well—now available as ebooks (The New York Times).
A national Expectation of Life seemed liked a good idea at the time. Nearly half a century ago, Britain's overpopulation resulted in a collapsing economy that foretold certain doom. The visionary solution was left to then–Prime Minister Matthew Matlock. The Age Bill was his brainchild. It also became mandatory. To control the population, every English citizen was fitted with a clock heart. Expectation of Life: seventy-five. Matlock was the first. The country followed. But now that he's reaching his golden years, Matlock wants only to abolish his draconian law. So do others in high places. If Matlock can trust them. And if he still has what it takes to rise against his E.O.L. before time ticks away.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Originally published in England in 1973 as The Heartclock, by Dick Morland, this speculative novel is an early departure from the Dalziel and Pascoe crime novels for which Hill (The Wood Beyond) has become well known. In a country wracked by overpopulation, a teetering economy is sustained by severely regulating the population. Matt Matlock was the original sponsor of the bill that became the "Age Law," requiring all English citizens to have a device installed in their hearts that will kill them when they reach 75, the current EOL, "Expectation of Life." Now that Matlock has reached the age of 69, however, he's having more than a few second thoughts about his draconian solution. Apparently, so are some others in high places, and they're all eager to get Matlock on their side as a persuasive figurehead. Although the thin futuristic veneer provided by hovercars and radio-telephones can't disguise this novel as serious SF, its strengths echo those of Hill's much better mysteries: a convoluted plot and twisty intrigue, and a main character as independent and intelligent as he is determined to succeed.
