A glance at Noon’s bibliography reveals he produces books quickly, and occasionally it shows: the odd line of action sticks out awkwardly, or a piece of dialogue clunks very slightly. But these are minor quibbles, and this an excellent book — an original plot, a character it’s a pleasure to spend time with, and the deployment of the author’s clever, ranging talent to freshen up a great genre. Best of all, it’s a novel drenched in that most elusive and valuable of literary elements — atmosphere.