Shadows Behind A Screen

Tom Jones #5

by Andrew Puckett

“The plot roars into action.” Oxford Journal Computers play a huge part in all our lives now, but too huge? We are used to accepting what the computer says as Absolute Truth – but what if someone with malice aforethought has tampered with it? Harry Benedict’s son has an ear infection and is admitted to hospital, and Harry, a hospital scientist himself, is convinced that someone has altered the antibiotic results, meaning that the boy is given the wrong one. He reacts violently. Tom Jones, Health Service Investigator and computer expert is called in. Harry, he quickly learns, although clever, is amoral and possesses plenty of enemies. He has stolen a colleague's fiancé, who was then killed in a car accident – which was almost certainly Harry’s fault. Before this, he had a girlfriend - but the relationship didn't end well. Harry has consistently undermined his superior, who has become desperate. But which of his enemies could hate him enough to try and revenge themselves through his son? Together with the attractive Inspector Liz Kendall of the local police, Tom investigates. But when Tom questions Harry rigorously about his enemies’ motives, Harry attacks him. Tom is prepared to make allowances, but this is too much - and Tom can be violent too. Tom’s enquiries pose a question – just how secure are the computers that control so much of our lives? Andrew Puckett was born in Sherborne, Dorset. He has worked in various hospitals in Taunton, London and Oxford, and in the latter city was for many years microbiologist at the Blood Transfusion Centre. He now lives in Taunton with his wife and two daughters. Praise for Andrew 'If medical mysteries are what keep you glued to your fireside chair... then look no further. Puckett, something of a master of the genre, has penned a cracker.' Western Daily Press 'An interesting story with a very plausible plot and frightening overtones.' Mystery News 'A terrifying scenario made all the more chillingly believable by its similarities to real life situations.' The Southern Daily Echo 'The best thing about it is its remarkable feeling of authenticity.' Birmingham Post 'Successful and thoroughly enjoyable novel.' Financial Times

280 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 1999

About the author

Andrew Puckett is a writer who feels he should experience for himself the trials imposed on his protagonists.
Examples are: Being locked in a freezer room at -40 degrees, Climbing a 1000 foot cliff from a rocky beach in the dark, Then encountering the Exmoor Beast (involuntary), Escaping from a prison ship (not actually incarcerated!), Falling into the sea from Durdle Dor (not quite), Escaping from a burning caravan etc.

Before that, he grew up on his parents' farms, the first in a remote part of Dorset, the second in the shadow of Salisbury cathedral.

He worked in a brewery, a chemical factory and Porton Germ Warfare Establishment, where he acquired a painful immunity to Plague, Anthrax and Smallpox (which did at least give him the idea for his novel Going Viral). He then worked in hospital labs in Taunton, London and finally Oxford, where he ran the microbiology department at Oxford Blood Transfusion Centre for fifteen years.

His first novel, Bloodstains, was derived from his experiences in the Blood Transfusion Service. He has subsequently published ten more, mostly on a medical theme. He now lives in Taunton with his wife and daughters.