A Song of Winter by Andrew James Greig

Edinburgh is basking in an unnaturally warm winter until the snow starts falling. When a student disappears, along with his climate research, and the national government close down all communications, Professor Finlay Hamilton realises there is a link between his own research into dark matter and the freak weather. Suddenly he is in a desperate race to save his wife, Jess, and their young family from a catastrophic event. His only help is a man from Jess's past, a past he never knew existed.

Under the relentless snowfall, only the strong will survive – and Jess must be strong enough to keep her family safe.

About the author

Andrew James Greig lives in Scotland with his family and is inspired by the country he calls home. He has written two crime novels - Whirligig and The Devil’s Cut. His debut crime novel, Whirligig, published by Edinburgh based Fledgling Press in 2020, was longlisted for the CWA New Blood Dagger debut award and a Finalist for the Bloody Scotland McIlvanney Prize.

Review

‘A Song of Winter’ is a lament for the world. Have we gone too far and damaged our planet to the degree where is it not sustainable? Global warming is the mainstay of climate debate but the author has gone the other way to the beginning of an Ice Age which is just as much as a catalyst for the end of humanity. Yes, this book has a lot of science in it but it is written in an accessible manner which readers will be able to process and understand the concepts. I can't claim to be a scientist, far from it (A Level Geology!) but it's clear that this book is impeccably researched and doesn't shy away from the complex data models and concepts.

There is a varied and wide cast of characters and they were all interesting and well-drawn, from the self-served interests of people in Westminister to the students whose work governments around the world are now working upon. I could understand Fergus’s excitement on seeing his stimulation being found to be true without realising what this meant for the world until he was in that hotel room. I know too many people like Jess and Titch, my dad was in the SAS and they were definitely on point by instantly reverting to old personas of survivalists with military bearing.

I think the atmosphere of this tale was enhanced by where I was reading. I'm on holiday at the moment right at the tip of the Cowal Penisula in a place called Toward. The garden ends at the shore of the Firth of Clyde and today the weather has been wild! But being able to be warm and cosy whilst listening to the wind buffet off the windows and whistle down the chimney has made me appreciate being safe! Unless you are trained like Titch and Jess you wouldn't survive the situation in ‘A Song of Winter’ and that is scary. As a species we have become weak, reliant on others to provide food, shelter and heat. I know I wouldn't be able to survive, would you?

There is a sub-genre of climate thrillers emerging now but this is one of the best ones I have read. The writing was superb and I honestly had goosebumps reading this during certain points. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and heartily recommend it.

Let me know if you read it!