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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

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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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‘ 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

Read a sample here