The Knowledge

Written by the Bafta Scotland nominated writer and award-winning short film maker Mark Jackson, who is based in Montrose, The Knowledge is a short but entertaining novel based around the black cabs of London. Jackson is the author of four books and the screenplay of his first book The Revenge of Colonel Blood was an official selection at the Burbank International Film Festival.

Set in the early 1970s, the book follows the story of London cabbie Tony Pinner. Coming from a long tradition of black cab drivers, with both his father and grandfather being cabbies before him, Tony’s life has stalled and his marriage has become stale and strained.

When one of his regular fares is kidnapped and later fished out of the Thames, Tony is keen to find out what happened. His search brings him to the attention of a secret society within the ranks of the black cabs that is determined to silence him. Soon, he is being hunted through the very streets he calls home.

Tony requires all his knowledge to help him uncover the truth. But little does he know, the knowledge could cost him his life.

At just around 150 pages, The Knowledge can easily be read in one sitting. However, although the book may lack in physical pages, its storyline is full of depth, clever twists and turns and rarely gives the impression that it’s lacking in any sense.

Jackson builds anticipation throughout the plot superbly. The looming threat that lays over Tony becomes ever more apparent as he delves deeper and deeper into the mystery behind the death of his former regular fare.

Politics, finance and secret societies all play a part in adding complexity to Tony’s discoveries and though his life may have been stale at the beginning of the book, this is certainly not the case by the end.

Jackson also takes care in creating an authentic feel to the storyline. The makes and models of various cabs are detailed in great length – a plus point for any Black Cab enthusiasts out there.

The only minor limitation to the book perhaps lies in its ending which feels slightly rushed compared to the patient build up of tension that precedes it. Only here does the book’s lack of pages feel more exposed.

In all, The Knowledge offers an interesting alternative to most regular thrillers.

Review by Jamie Wild.