The space between us

" 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