A young couple celebrate their relationship over a meal in a city centre restaurant. He is the son of a successful Asian Moslem businessman. She is a bright English girl, involved with the media.
They speed off into the city underpass. Their car smashes lethally into the concrete wall.
Who was responsible? A jilted lover? A racist?
This is Birmingham, September 1999.
David Jeffery is a solicitor who knows both families. Dismissing the obvious suspect, he searches for the truth.
David takes us with him for 10 days. He is an interesting companion, open about his thoughts and feelings, but not insisting on our immediate attention. He covers Christianity, Islam, and American coffee shops in England, the point of sermons, the ethics of air fresheners, and much more.
David is a practising Christian. He finds himself planning a dramatic funeral. His faith and sexual fidelity come under pressure as never before.
David keeps investigating until the truth comes out.
Some questions and answers:
Is ‘A British Crash’ about Diana, Princess of Wales?
No. The story has a few echoes of the story of Diana but it is an entirely new novel.
Isn’t ‘A British Crash’ trying to jump on the ‘Diana bandwagon?’
It’s a bit late for that! This is not a Diana novel, but it would appeal to anyone interested in the wider implications of the story of Diana and Britain. One reader wrote: ‘Shakespeare lifted some good stories didn't he? Why not use the Diana story?’ It is very hard for a new book by a new writer to be noticed. One way to gain attention is to write a novel with echoes of a popular interest, such as the story of Diana.
Is ‘A British Crash’ very religious?
No. Religion is a strong theme, but is one of several. ‘One reader has written, ‘You've made me think - you raise the issues of extremism and faith.’ Another comment: ‘You've depicted someone trying to live a Christian life in 2000... and it was interesting to read about this, and to see that living as a Christian was not easy for David.’
Is ‘A British Crash’ just trying to push a Christian message?
No. ‘A British Crash’ tells a whodunit story for people to enjoy, and to make their own conclusions. It will appeal to Christians and to anyone with an interest in faith in Britain today. Reader comments: ‘A page turner’, ‘a good plot’, ‘easy to read’, ‘I wanted to find out what happened’.
