Johnstone, Doug
Thriller / suspense
Published on 16 March 2023 by Orenda Books in the United Kingdom as part of 'The Enceladons Trilogy' series.
Paperback | 300 pages
198 x 129 x 22 | 202g
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'