The Collapsing Wave by Doug Johnstone
Six months since the earth-shattering events of The Space Between Us, the revelatory hope of the aliens’ visit has turned to dust and the creatures have disappeared into waters off Scotland’s west coast.
Teenager Lennox and grieving mother Heather are being held in New Broom, a makeshift US military base, the subject of experiments, alongside the Enceladons who have been captured by the authorities.
Ava, who has given birth, is awaiting the jury verdict at her trial for the murder of her husband. And MI7 agent Oscar Fellowes, who has been sidelined by the US military, is beginning to think he might be on the wrong side of history.
When alien Sandy makes contact, Lennox and Heather make a plan to escape with Ava. All three of them are heading for a profound confrontation between the worst of humanity and a possible brighter future, as the stakes get higher for the alien Enceladons and the entire human race...
About the author
Doug Johnstone is the author of 16 previous novels, most recently The Opposite of Lonely (2023) and The Space Between Us (2023). The Big Chill (2020) was longlisted for Theakston Crime Novel of the Year, and Black Hearts was shortlisted for the same award. Three of his books, A Dark Matter (2020), Breakers (2019) and The Jump (2015), have been shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Novel of the Year. He’s taught creative writing and been writer in residence at various Institutions over the last decade, and has been an arts journalist for over twenty years. Doug is a songwriter and musician with six albums and three EPs released, and he plays drums for the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers. He’s also co-founder of the Scotland Writers Football Club, and has a PhD in nuclear physics.
Review
It's always such a joy to pick up a Doug Johnstone book and this one was no exception! I absolutely have taken this series to my heart and Sandy is absolutely brilliant! Could you pick this book up as a standalone? Yes, you could but you would seriously be missing out on an outstanding read in the first book!
‘The Collapsing Wave’ picks up the story six months later and dives straight into an action-packed and thrilling plot! Lennox and Heather are prisoners in New Broom, a US military base on the west coast of Scotland. They are being subjected to experiments, alongside the Enceladons they have managed to capture. Ava is facing trial for the murder of her abusive ex-husband. When Sandy contacts them for the first time since their capture, they attempt a break out of the camp!
I just love everything about this book and its characters, writing and message. The crux of this book is humanity and how we treat our fellow beings. Doug manages to reflect on society’s reactions to refugees and spread the message that we should treat them with the respect and empathy they deserve. Sandy and the Enceladons might be completely alien to us but they show us up completely with their empathy and willingness to trust and help their human companions. We also see how horrendous humanity can be to its fellow man in the actions of some characters from New Broom. I'm definitely team Sandy and the Enceladons.
As well as the characters from the last book we are introduced to a raft of new ones, with Vonnie being my favourite. Lennox meets her on a walk along the border of the camp and instantly forms a tight bond with her. There are also a group of curious people who have formed a camp known as ‘Outwith’ and have an instinct to come to be near the creatures. They are run by the brilliant Jodie and I loved her! Plus, outwith is my favourite word and getting to see it so many times in one book was brilliant. We also see more Oscar the only UK official left standing and thankfully he begins to have a change of heart and I was warming to him as the book went on. Doug manages to create such brilliant characters and you really are rooting for them and feel everything with them!
Thank god this is a trilogy as I don't know if I could cope with knowing that there is no more Sandy coming in my life! This one left me wanting more and I can't wait for the final chapter.
Let me know if you pick this one up!
