The author challenges one constantly as she spies upon the inhabitants of Combfoot Chase. She employs an episodic format as she passes judgement before either temporarily or permanently discarding characters. Throughout one senses that no-one is safe.
There's emotion and beauty hidden among the slings and arrows of an innovative plot. The polemic has touches of George Orwell with capitalism run riot, and suspense is enhanced by glances through Cornell Woolrich's Rear Window.
The author looks at our times; out deepest fears and obsessions; and yet leaves us with a little dark hope. I loved the deft balance of horror and wit.

The Shadowing of Combfoot Chase by Hillard Morley.
One night, on a hill above the town of Combfoot Chase, a group of mysterious spies arrives and makes a plan to infiltrate the town. As the spies grow in confidence, they begin to meddle in the lives of the inhabitants. Life takes a sinister turn and the citizens find themselves trapped and increasingly alone in an unfamiliar culture that is fragile, fearful and fragmented. But what will happen when the watchers discover that they, in turn, are being watched? They start to turn on one another. Then one of the spies strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young actress, Ava, and together they begin to plot their escape…
A good read with good characters. Little slow. 3*.