BOOK OF THE WEEK

Wisp by Elizabeth Mostyn, p’kaboo publishers, £16.00

Set in St Andrews, the protagonists in this mystery are academics, on the brink of retirement, supported by some younger colleagues. The story begins in 1982 with an accident in a lab, before fast forwarding to 2014 when key protagonist Ben Furness, a microbiology professor, has a vision, which even the languid dean of divinity cannot explain. Upset by the sighting, Ben stumbles upon another odd thing; a lost child, whose appearance startles him, but when he visits the police he discovers there are no missing-person reports. What is real and what is not becomes fudged in this complicated story involving the harrowing effects of dementia and loss of identity and purpose for some as they age. In her debut novel, scientist, phenomenologist, and descendant of Bram Stoker, Elisabeth Mostyn conjures up images of a sleepy town, with something menacing lurking in the laboratories beside St Salvador’s Chapel. Desperately lonely since the death of his wife Free, and disappearance of his daughter Wisp, Ben decides to dig deeper, despite concerns about his mental health by seldom-seen niece, Christabel, a “secret agent” from New York.

Meantime, a journalist from the Scotsman receives a threatening phone call from the MOD dissuading her from further contact with Ben and other barriers appear, hinting at a vast cover-up operation.

The tabloid press, FBI and UK defence department become embroiled, while Ben appears continually confused. I was too, as other characters and subplots emerge, such as when research student, Felicity, and Tubby, a scientist in the genetic engineering laboratory, introduce themes of romance, intertwined with ethical practice and scientific experiments, and supernatural explanations are provided by nuns.

Mostyn manages to balance complicated issues, involving serious threats of crimes against humanity, with humour and pathos, while the St Andrews setting provides enough realism to keep you grounded in the East and West Sands, as the story enticingly falls into a “Stranger Things” realm for disparate intellectuals.

This novel is essentially about loss, trauma, illness, love, loneliness, and relationships. It has pace and intrigue and ends in an exciting action finale, but the truth that emerges in the closing pages reveals an ultimate release, like a trapped dove set free by a skilled conjurer.