Flood

When a tidal surge meets a spring tide and the mother of all storms crashes down the south-east coast of England, it leaves unimaginable devastation in its wake. The Home Office, at first reluctant to believe that the Met Office's predictions are accurate, eventually orders the closure of the Thames Barrier, the state-of-the-art flood defence system. But the defensive measure is too late for some commuters trapped in the underground, and in low-lying dwellings. Disaster piles on disaster when a 250,000 tonne foreign tanker causes a horrendous accident at an oil depot across the channel from Canvey gas terminal. There is a huge explosion and the conflagration rapidly spreads down the Thames heading towards the seat of government, office blocks and heritage buildings. It quickly becomes apparent that even the most sophisticated technology can fail when pitted against ferocious elements. This is a meticulously researched book; there are descriptions of the workings of the Thames Barrier, planning of helicopter and sea rescues and all the machinery of government and other official organizations. The sense of place is strong and the Aquarium, Dome and London Eye all have starring parts. The devastation is unremitting, but the narrative keeps its hold throughout. The prose is calm and understated, slowly building up levels of unbearable tension as the scale of the crisis escalates and the very existence of London comes under threat. A top-class disaster novel. (Kirkus UK)