posted on 29 Apr 2017

The Darwin Code by J.D.Welch

I must confess that I am probably the most un mathematical person on the planet so when I read that this was a book for puzzle lovers, I was a bit tentative. However, I do like detective novels and thrillers so I was reassured to realise that this was a world I could enter with ease. This is the second novel in a series of three and the prologue and first chapter hints at plenty of dark and dangerous shenanigans prior to this story. We are introduced to the elusive ‘Chief’ who seems to enjoy sending cryptic messages, all in code. His mysterious identity and sadistic agenda drive the plot and provide thirteen year old Ben, the main protagonist with all kinds of headaches throughout the story.

Ben’s mother, Sue is a scientist and it seems that she has recently been released from a week’s captivity by the evil one. She has been given a fully paid stay by her boss, Ballantyne at a posh Oxford hotel to recuperate from this frightening experience. The rationale for this is something of a mystery in itself and Ben is rightly suspicious about it all. Could Ballantyne be the ‘Chief’ perhaps? Sue and Ben are joined by his aunt and uncle and his two cousins, Jess and Freddie and they are all determined to enjoy their all expenses paid stay in unaccustomed luxury.

Freddie is a very clever young man who likes to educate and entertain his cousin through the use of clues to solve puzzles. I gather that this was central to the plot of the first book in the series, The Einstein Code. This time the focus of the puzzles that he sets is on genetics. But there is an extra incentive for Ben this time because he is persuaded that he needs to know the identity of his father (he was previously told by Sue that he was an IVF baby). I won’t spoil the outcome of this thread other than to warn you that it involves collecting ear wax to identify his father. The author manages to give lots of interesting information about genetics, including in relation to the earwax, as the story unfolds which makes this an educational read.

Despite the fun of unravelling puzzles about genetics and attempting to decode more messages, the three children are in potential danger. It seems that ‘the ‘Chief’ who Ben recognises is an ’evil, clever genius’ is determined to poison as many people, especially children, as possible in his quest for world domination, I’m not sure whether more will be revealed about his motives in the final book because I wasn’t quite sure why he was so nasty? Perhaps he had an awful childhood or he is just plain horrid as often happens in stories. They have some narrow escapes from encounters with several unpleasant individuals including Goatee Man and Ice Cream Man (who immediately made me think of comic book baddies).

The author is clearly a great fan of Oxford and takes the opportunity to write about the streets and colleges as the children rush about solving clues and avoiding getting killed. The upside to their stay is that they are sustained by plenty of sumptuous meals which are described in mouth -watering detail throughout the book:

 ‘She was tucking into the most beautiful chocolate cake Ben had ever seen, glisteningly tempting and covered in ornate curls. His blueberry tart was delicious the pastry soft and crumbly, the blueberries intense and warm and comforting’..

Such passages rather remind me of the way that food is treated in The Famous Five adventures and in the Harry Potter books. As in those stories, it provides a welcome relief from the relentless intrigue and suspense.

By the end of the story we know a bit more about the identity of ‘The Chief’, or do we? Who exactly are Goatee man and Ice Cream Man? Can Ballantyne really be trusted? Presumably the final book in the trilogy will reveal all. Overall, this is an entertaining and action packed book that will engage young readers who like to experience the frisson of danger along with some challenging riddles to solve.  

Karen Argent

April 20017