It is great, as ever, to take part in an Orenda Books blog tour to celebrate Doug Johnstone's new thriller, Fault Lines. It is published in paperback on May 22nd 2018. I am also able to offer you the chance to win a copy of the book in a great Giveaway! Details on how to enter are at the foot of this post.
In a reimagined contemporary Edinburgh, in which a tectonic
fault has opened up to produce a new volcano in the Firth of Forth, and where
tremors are an everyday occurrence, volcanologist Surtsey makes a shocking
discovery. On a clandestine trip to The Inch - the new volcanic island - to
meet Tom, her lover and her boss, she finds his lifeless body. Surtsey's life
quickly spirals into a nightmare when someone makes contact - someone who
claims to know what she's done...
My Thoughts
In siting this story in a reimagined Edinburgh, the author gives you a setting which you are completely unsure about. Never quite certain what the reality is, everything seems both familiar and at the same time, unrecognizable. From the start, you feel that you are missing a step, not quite sure of what is what. I like that about a book. It makes you feel that anything is possible.
Throughout the book, the danger from the erupting earth is always there. It gets more insistent as the story progresses and makes you feel that danger is getting closer and closer. The truth of what happened to Tom and what is threatening Surtsey is a surprise when it is revealed and yet has always been hiding in plain sight. This is a cracking read and well worth the effort.
In short: An arresting setting and tension which ramps up throughout.
About the Author
Doug Johnstone is an author, journalist and musician based
in Edinburgh. He’s had eight novels published, most recently Crash Land. His
previous novel, The Jump, was a finalist for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish
Crime Novel of the Year. Several of his other novels have been award winners
and bestsellers, and he’s had short stories published in numerous anthologies
and literary magazines. His work has been praised by the likes of Ian Rankin,
Val McDermid and Irvine Welsh. Several of his novels have been optioned for
film and television.
Doug is also a Royal Literary Fund Consultant Fellow. He’s
worked as an RLF Fellow at Queen Margaret University, taught creative writing
at Strathclyde University and been Writer in Residence at both Strathclyde
University and William Purves Funeral Directors. He mentors and assesses
manuscripts for The Literary Consultancy and regularly tutors at Moniack Mhor
writing retreat. Doug has released seven albums in various bands, reviews books
for The Big Issue magazine, is player-manager for Scotland Writers Football
Club and has a PhD in nuclear physics.
Thanks to Doug Johnstone, Karen Sullivan and Anne Cater of Orenda Books for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
Don't forget these other great bloggers!
Giveaway (UK only)
Thanks so much for the Blog Tour support x
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