The premise for Mark Watson’s “Contacts” is original and intriguing, and one filled with real potential – especially for the writer. Unfortunately, to my mind, this potential is never quite realised.
I’m afraid I found the narrative a little flimsy and, in spite of the book’s 370 pages, for me the characters never made it beyond the superficial; and the formulaic and protracted unravelling of the few relevant past events was more tedious than teasing. I forced myself to read the book all the way through to the end in the hope that the narrative would redeem itself, but the climax was predictable – and the ‘twist’ that accompanied it felt forced and unnatural.
My opinion is simply that, of course: my opinion. And I can’t be dishonest and sugar-coat it.
Having said that, there are probably many more people who disagree with me than agree…
Ian Gouge - Writer 