Book review: Ordinary Thunderstorms, by William Boyd

In a world of worthy writers William Boyd stands shoulder to shoulder with the best. Now try saying that ten times really fast! In his latest book, Ordinary Thunderstorms, Boyd tells the story of Adam Kindred an expert in clouds, not the ethereal techy ones but those that so prolifically adorn the skies over Scotland.

Now, that opening paragraph might not make the book seem so appealing but when you then learn that Kindred is in effect being framed for murder for no other reason than meeting the wrong man in the wrong place at precisely the wrong time then things start to get interesting.

A man is murdered as he has discovered that a new wonder asthma drug in testing has been killing young children. In his dying death throes he passes his papers to Kindred and warns him to “hrrmphhs, bleugh…” or whatever else it is a man says after being knifed in the heart. Kindred runs.

Being a professor of cloud-thingys, Kindred is at least clever and wipes himself off of the grid and sets up home under a bridge near Chelsea, London. He foregoes his old life, monies and relationships in a battle for survival. Hunting him and his secret down are Big Pharma, ex-military, the police and Servants of John Christ.

Boyd is a master storyteller and whilst Ordinary Thunderstorms is not quite as good as Restless, it is nonetheless a fun read, with suitable and subtle prose and full of scenes and that take the reader from their semi-detached comfort zone.

7/10