The Main Experiment

by Christopher Hodder-Williams

‘It’s hard, fast, suspenseful — the pace will make you sweat’ THE TRIBUNE At Hadley Plant nuclear centre, deep in the English countryside, Martin Higgs works behind closed doors on secret experiments, hidden from the public eye. Together with his colleague, Sally Parks, Martin’s tirelessly experiments with new particles and scientific methods. But when the nuclear centre’s elusive benefactor Lord Honiton dies, Sally and Martin find themselves drawn even further into the mystery of the Plant. Why do even they know so little about the particle they are working with? There is something wrong with these experiments… This particle can alter the way people think. The Main Experiment is a gripping sci fi thriller from renowned master of the techno thriller genre, Christopher Hodder-Williams. Praise for Christopher ‘It is fast-moving, at times almost bafflingly so, and has this author’s customary display of technical expertise.’ DAILY TELEGRAPH ‘Utterly credible and applicable to the whole community.' DAILY EXPRESS ‘Both humanly and scientifically plausible. Read and be scared’ THE SUN ‘Transfixed me throughout. It’s hard, fast, suspenseful …’ TRIBUNE ‘Horribly fascinating — and as disconcerting as LSD’ SUNDAY TIMES ‘Christopher Hodder-Williams writes science fiction in that too rare Wellsian sense of solidly worked-out fiction exploring solidly worked-out science.’ SUNDAY TELEGRAPH ‘One of those writers on whom critics have lavished almost every word of praise possible.’ RADIO TWO ‘… secures for its author a comfortable place among the best catastrophe writers — Verne, Wyndham and Wells.’ TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT ‘Scathing exposure of psycho-surgery … A novel with an acute contemporary theme.’ BOOKS AND BOOKMEN ‘Tortuous enough to send you round the Mobius twist …’ NEW STATESMAN ‘It's a gripping tale, well told, that holds you right to the end, and leaves you with the memory of its disturbing implications.’ BIRMINGHAM POST Christopher Hodder-Williams was an English writer, mainly of science fiction, but he wrote novels about aviation and espionage as well. Before his career in writing, Hodder-Williams joined the army in 1944, and served in the Middle East and lived in Kenya and New York, later settling in the UK. Many of his books are early examples of what would later be called techno-thrillers. He also worked as a composer and lyricist, and wrote numerous plays for television.

Genres: Science Fiction

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Christopher Hodder-Williams was an English writer, mainly of science fiction, but he wrote novels about aviation and espionage as well. Before his career in writing, Hodder-Williams joined the army in 1944, and served in the Middle East and lived in Kenya and New York, later settling in the UK. Many of his books are early examples of what would later be called techno-thrillers. He also worked as a composer and lyricist, and wrote numerous plays for television.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe this book was "awesome" when it was written in the '60's but I doubt it. I have never finished a book which plodded along so slowly, and with characters with whom I felt so little attachment. The book was suspensful (at least enough to keep me reading) but truly unsatisfying overall. If you see this in a bargain bin, like I did...don't bother.

[MR CHRISTOPHER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable

Not the type of book I would usually go for, but very readable and very well written novel.
I am working my through Christopher's books, and while not my favourite it still kept my interest.

[Charlotte Larsson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was probably pretty thrilling in the sixties...

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm pretty sure this was a deadpan comedy, and in that lens it's pretty fun.

[Matt Kelland · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was pretty tedious until about 75% of the way through, then I went a-ha for a short while as he explained the Big Mystery. Then the rest was disappointing. It would make a pretty good radio drama, though, and some of the descriptions of 1960s S0merset made me feel nostalgic.