Publisher's Synopsis
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
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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…
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' All the makings of a film … such relatable characters' 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 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
' Prioritising pace, tension and high stakes … a plea for empathy, compassion and perspective … shot through with vivid characters and a sense of wonder' Herald Scotland
' An entertaining, fast-paced story of first contact … an emotionally engaging read' Guardian
' A gloriously hopeful story and a perfect road trip movie just waiting to be made… ' James Oswald
' An adrenaline-filled ride of a novel, laced with empathy and understanding' Rachelle Atalla
'Pay attention, Steven Spielberg! This could be your next film' Marnie Riches
' Clever and unusual … I was on a journey with these characters, and completely transfixed' Susi Holliday
' A mesmerising tale of wonder and hope' Marion Todd
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'
' Riveting'
' High stakes, high adrenaline and somehow so gentle and moving'
' I don' t think I' ll ever forget these characters'
