Review of 'Enigma'

Enigma by Robert Harris

A novel set in the (not so fictional) second world war code breaking facility Bletchley Park (England). Bletchley was well known for it's code-breaking abilities particularly with regard to the german Engima (and all of its variants). Bletchley is also considered by many to be the birth-place of the modern computer. This story follows Thomas Jericho, a code-breaker from Bletchley, as he falls in love with Claire Romily, a clerk also with Bletchley, who then promptly disappears under mysterious circumstances. Jericho finds some incriminating evidence stored in Romily's quarters prompting his investigation into her disappearance. Jericho does not quite “fit in” to the Bletchley crowd and begins his own investigation which leads to a tale of lies, disceet, and murder. Very interesting, particulary to myself who have been to see Bletchley and have a small interest in cryptography. Easy to read and very fast paced if not all a bit far-fetched in places – For example, that the facility could have let what Jericho does go by without notice is, frankly, unbelievable.

Rating: “Really good but I have some issues”

Genre: General Fiction