Simultaneously Piers Egerton, a research biologist, is having second thoughts about the implications of work he is doing for the government. He believes that his work may be put to use to harm other people and the environment. He resigns his post, but is still worried that his research could ultimately be harmful to humanity. He has only vague thought of how he might right his imagined wrong, but feels he must do something or his conscience will literally kill him.

The paths of these two disheartened men are destined to cross with unimaginable consequences. At first the two are adversaries, though again life intervenes and they become most unlikely accomplices. In a way they are lucky as the strength of one man supports the other’s weakness. The duo soon learns that fate has more obstacles to throw in their way and life is not nearly as straightforward as they had previously imagined.

While I normally recoil when I read tales that rely on chance encounters causing a chain of events that spiral into disaster, author Curzon has so meticulously arranged the circumstances in On Track that it is easy to accept her premise. It is also easy to empathize with both men who are unwittingly caught in a trap that many an unsuspecting person could have fallen into. All the anger, rage, fear, and despair that they feel are emotions that the reader will feel himself as the plot unfolds.

As an American reading novels written by British writers it is always entertaining to “translate” British English into American speak. References to objects such as sunbeds (think beds in tanning salons) or bungs (plug for the drain) in the bathtub to hold the water in add a different sort of mystery for the American reader.

Off Track is a part of Curzon’s Superintendent Mike Yeadings series. What is particularly interesting about this entry is the main protagonists are unique to this volume. They are not part of the police department. In later chapters Yeadings and his cohorts make their appearances as they become involved in the crimes. The author is clever in her introduction of the main series characters inserting information about their backgrounds and relationships without disrupting the story line or boring the reader with too much personal information.

It would be easy to pick up this book without having read any of the previous volumes in the series, yet those regular fans can easily pick up on the activities of  favorite characters. The characters have depth and substance which leads to some lively discussions about commitments to job versus significant other.

Claire Curzon has written a tightly woven tale of personalities and circumstances. While not everyone lives happily ever after, the author depicts realistic situations that people are forced to grapple with. How they react in given situations makes for a highly entertaining read.

--Andy Plonka