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Best-selling author Greg Iles was born in Germany. His father ran the US Embassy medical clinic there, which perhaps explains his interest in both Germany and medicine. Iles crashed effortlessly onto the best-seller lists with his first two novels, historical thrillers Spandau Phoenix and Black Cross. Despite the former being published in 1992 this author has not followed the lead of others in churning out a novel a year, instead, he took time off to spend with his family when his son was born. Thus his novels, which include Mortal Fear, The Quiet Game, 24 Hours, Dead Sleep, Sleep No More and now Dark Matter number only eight. Greg Iles has been quoted as saying he never wanted to fall into the trap that claimed other best selling authors by writing the same novel over and over again. He has certainly succeeded in this aim. After writing two historical novels set in Germany, he changed genres and with Dark Matter he has hurdled the sub-genre barrier once again. His novels have few things in common although suspense is a predominating attribute. Of course, his fine characterisation is also a distinguishing feature of his books. Dark Matter begins in the first person - a favourite with Iles - although it alternates with the third person. David Tennant is a medical doctor and an ethicist. He has been foisted on Project Trinity by the President of the United States himself, much to the dismay of some of the people working on the undertaking. The aim of the experiment is to build a self aware computer, an artificial intelligence, and the President, on the basis of his having met Tennant and knowing Tennant's late brother well, has decided David is the man for the job to ensure an adherence to high moral principles. The scientists working on Project Trinity have been subject to intense MRI scans but all have suffered side effects from the procedure. David's is narcolepsy during which episodes he sees visions. He has insisted on being seen by a psychiatrist not employed by Trinity, Dr. Rachel Weiss, a follower of Jungian theory. Tennant's best friend on the project, Andrew Fielding, has died of a stroke. Tennant is certain the death is murder and, after receiving a mysterious parcel from Fielding, decides to flee in order to protect his life. Rachel, however, forces him to let her accompany him and the two decamp, Tennant, the while, attempting to contact the President in order to warn him of what is going wrong at Trinity. The duo's flight is complicated by many things. Their pursuers seem prescient in their knowledge of Tennant's movements and Tennant himself continues to be subject to attacks of narcolepsy in which he sees visions in which he relives memories of being Jesus as he draws inexorably toward Golgotha and crucifixion. It is very difficult to categorise this novel. It most certainly is a thriller, with the tension pegged high. It is crime fiction to be sure since crimes are commissioned and performed, yet there is a healthy dollop of science fiction (the genres have never been seen as mutually exclusive - remember Isaac Asimov's work) but what to make of the portion of mysticism thrown in? There is, too, the romantic aspect included, just for the hell of it. Iles has produced what is bound to be another best seller. He has an amazing knack for maintaining suspense and breathlessness in the reader. Readers can hope he keeps this facility as he is bound to retain their loyalty with this opus.
Reviewed by Denise Wels, August 2003
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