The prologue is an excellent example of an unreliable narrative - the story evolves from a letter allowing the reader from their POV to become involved in the plot and set up the reason for the mission. Each character, including the lesser ones are fully realised and relevant to the story, there is no wastage. Sixty-one chapters broken up into six parts keep a tight rein on the timeline and add to the propulsion of the narrative. And lastly, a great deal rests on the success or failure of the mission.ĭavidson's attention to detail is mesmeric and this allows the premise to appear real to the reader. It is a quest that is easy to understand Porter has a mission and makes the fateful decision to undertake it. He reluctantly agrees and embarks on a perilous voyage to undertake a rescue mission.īut also, its a quest it is hard, an arduous journey by sea and land in extreme environments. It is addressed to Jonny Porter a Canadian from the Gitxan tribe who has excellent linguistic skills and because of his tribal heritage can pass for a inhabitant of the Russian steppes. The plot revolves around a secret message smuggled out of a secret Russian laboratory in the far flung reaches of Siberia. I borrowed it from the local library, read it twice cover to cover and decided I needed to have this to hand and bought it. It was an introduction too, to his other works and I have read them all, but this book is by far his most accomplished.

It introduced me to Lionel Davidson, who only produced seven novels in his career, but each one an outstanding read. Kolymsky Heights is the third book on my list of the 9 books that inspired me to write.

I think its the best thriller ever written. Steven Spielberg, before filming, always watches John Ford's The Searchers , when I start planning to write, I always read Kolymsky Heights. The American poet, Kenneth Koch once said ,'You cannot not be influenced by great writing', and this book was one of those 'turning points' in my writing.

Kolymsky heights by lionel davidson