Description
When three people suffer strokes after seeing dazzling lights over Edinburgh, then awake completely recovered, they're convinced their ordeal is connected to the alien creature discovered on a nearby beach . an adrenaline-soaked, deeply humane, life-affirming first-contact novel from one of Scotland's most revered authors. ?**Selected for BBC 2 Between the Covers 2023** ? `All the drive, curiosity and wonder of his crime and mystery novels . science fiction gains a new author'?Derek B Miller ? `If you read one life-affirming book this year, make sure it's this one'?Nina Pottell,?Prima ?? `The main characters, their lives and their struggles, are portrayed very vividly. I was straight into this, just like a thriller' Ivo Graham on Between the Covers? ? ------------------------------------------ ?Connecting will change everything. ? Lennox is a troubled teenager with no family.?Ava is eight months pregnant and fleeing her abusive husband.?Heather is a grieving mother and cancer sufferer. They don't know each other, but when a meteor streaks over Edinburgh, all three suffer instant, catastrophic strokes...? ? ...only to wake up the following day in hospital,?miraculously recovered.? ? When news reaches them of an octopus-like creature?washed up on the shore near where the meteor came to earth, Lennox senses that some extra-terrestrial force is at play. With the help of Ava, Heather and a journalist, Ewan, he rescues the creature they call 'Sandy' and goes on the run.? ? But they aren't the only ones with an interest in the alien . close behind are Ava's husband, the police and a government unit who wants to capture the creature, at all costs. And Sandy's arrival may have implications beyond anything anyone could imagine. ? ---------------------------------- ? `This had all the makings of a film . such relatable characters. Writing a story about a mixed-race boy in the care system and two women so brilliantly is so impressive' Sunetra Sarker on Between the Covers ? `So readable and accessible . I was really rooting for the characters' Alan Davies on Between the Covers ? `A gateway book to SciFi . I loved it' Sara Cox on Between the Covers ? `A sci-fi novel that is as moving as it is magical and mysterious. Doug Johnstone has hit it out of the park again'?Mark Billingham ? `A delicious, demanding departure from Doug Johnstone'?Val McDermid ? `Science fiction may be a departure for Johnstone, but he's approached it like the crime thrillers that made his name, prioritising pace, tension and high stakes . a plea for empathy, compassion and perspective, and a celebration of our capacity to connect with one another, shot through with vivid characters and a sense of wonder' Herald Scotland ? `An entertaining, fast-paced story of first contact . well told, with relatable characters and important themes making for an emotionally engaging read' Guardian ?`A gloriously hopeful story and a perfect road trip movie just waiting to be made . I can't recommend this highly enough'?James Oswald ? `An adrenaline-filled ride of a novel, laced with empathy and understanding for our instinctual need to connect'?Rachelle Atalla ? 'Johnstone's mesmeric story artfully puts Scotland centre stage in a sci-fi drama that is as much about the smallness of mankind and the importance of kinship . Pay attention, Steven Spielberg! This could be your next film'?Marnie Riches ? `A clever and unusual read . I was on a journey with these characters, and completely transfixed'?Susi Holliday ?`Doug?Johnstone held me spellbound with this mesmerising tale of wonder and hope'?Marion Todd ? `A heart-warming, fast-paced, often tense look at friendships that surpass all boundaries, and an exploration of the very basic need for connection and a place to belong . divine'?Jen Med's Book Reviews ?What readers are saying ?***** ? `I wish I could adequately convey how much I loved this book' ? `A beautiful story . it brought me to tears' ? `A masterpiece . compassionate, full of love and hope' ? `An out-of-this-world, mesmerising first-contact story about the striking importance and impact of true connection' ? `Riveting' ? `High stakes, high adrenaline and somehow so gentle and moving. This is one of the most beautiful, extraordinary books I've ever read' ? `I don't think I'll ever forget these characters'
Binding: Paperback / softback
Binding: Paperback / softback