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… ” 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 ” 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 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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… – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – ” 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 ” 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” Praise for Doug Johnstone **Shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Best Scottish Crime Book of the Year** **Longlisted for Theakston” s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year** ” An engrossing and beautifully written tale that bears all the Doug Johnstone hallmarks in its warmth and darkly comic undertones” Herald Scotland ” Gripping and blackly humorous” Observer ” Remarkable” Sunday Times ” Exceptional … a must for those seeking strong, authentic, intelligent female protagonists” Publishers Weekly
