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October Song
A terrorist atrocity. A police officer on the run. A world in meltdown.
COIRA KEIR is a long-serving police officer. Abrasive, but respected by her peers, she has an enviable track record. When a bomb explodes during a government visit to the city of Edinburgh, dozens are left dead. Among the critically wounded is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, whose safety was Keir's responsibility.
Now Keir is missing.
Army veteran Sebastian Blakeslee is an operational advisor for MI5, the domestic security agency of the United Kingdom. Lorna Ainsworth is the agency’s chief in the unruly territory of North Britain. Thrust together in charge of a joint police and MI5 taskforce, under intense government pressure, the pair must track Keir down before more bombs go off. What follows is a cat-and-mouse chase towards the front of an intensifying war - along a wild, storm-blasted coast where thousands of desperate boat-borne refugees are hiding. Meanwhile, someone seems prepared to go to extraordinary lengths to stop Keir being found.
COIRA KEIR is a long-serving police officer. Abrasive, but respected by her peers, she has an enviable track record. When a bomb explodes during a government visit to the city of Edinburgh, dozens are left dead. Among the critically wounded is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, whose safety was Keir's responsibility.
Now Keir is missing.
Army veteran Sebastian Blakeslee is an operational advisor for MI5, the domestic security agency of the United Kingdom. Lorna Ainsworth is the agency’s chief in the unruly territory of North Britain. Thrust together in charge of a joint police and MI5 taskforce, under intense government pressure, the pair must track Keir down before more bombs go off. What follows is a cat-and-mouse chase towards the front of an intensifying war - along a wild, storm-blasted coast where thousands of desperate boat-borne refugees are hiding. Meanwhile, someone seems prepared to go to extraordinary lengths to stop Keir being found.
451 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2020
14 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Ru Pringle
6 books6 followers'Ru Pringle is one of the most interesting and exciting new writers to emerge north of the border since Iain Banks' - Gary Gibson, award-nominated author of Angel Stations, Against Gravity and Stealing Light.
'Rudy Rucker on drugs' - BestSF
Ru Pringle has written for a living since his late teens, beginning with regular features in numerous magazines and newspapers. His critically acclaimed early short fiction was published in Interzone. After several years as a touring musician, he his first two books were published in the summer of 2018: A Time of Ashes and Hunting Gods, the first parts of the fantasy / sf epic Fate and the Wheel. A dark near-future thriller, October Song, followed in October 2018. He is currently editing the centuries-spanning two-part space opera Sanctuary for publishing in Spring 2019.
He lives in the southwest Highlands of Scotland.
'Rudy Rucker on drugs' - BestSF
Ru Pringle has written for a living since his late teens, beginning with regular features in numerous magazines and newspapers. His critically acclaimed early short fiction was published in Interzone. After several years as a touring musician, he his first two books were published in the summer of 2018: A Time of Ashes and Hunting Gods, the first parts of the fantasy / sf epic Fate and the Wheel. A dark near-future thriller, October Song, followed in October 2018. He is currently editing the centuries-spanning two-part space opera Sanctuary for publishing in Spring 2019.
He lives in the southwest Highlands of Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 17, 2019
Book Reviewed by Ed on www.whisperingstories.com
Ru Pringle’s novel October Song starts with a short prologue that sets the stage for the rest of the novel when the former Scotland parliament building is almost destroyed by an improvised explosive device seriously injuring the British Prime Minister and killing dozens of people. The story is slightly futuristic following the collapse of the European Union after the UK Brexit withdrawal.
Chapter one introduces an injured woman fleeing in a kayak in cold, dangerous waters through the isles west of Scotland’s mainland. She is not experienced in kayaking, and her suffering, resolve, and survivor skills immediately attracted me to her. She narrowly survives the first day and her saga continues throughout much of the novel. The reader learns soon enough that she is a policewoman named Coira Weir.
The second chapter introduces the second major character, Sebastian Blakeslee, a man in his fifties who is put in charge of the task force assembled to track down the perpetrators of the bombing. Coira Weir is the task force’s main lead and suspect—capturing her was a top priority.
Chapter four introduces a new major character who is apparently a British agent. I was fascinated by the author’s use of the second person in referring to the agent as only “you”—you did this, you did that. The agent uses highly developed senses to track Coira Weir.
The story was intricate, challenging, and thrilling. I could not imagine a good outcome for my favorite character, Coira: but I won’t disclose the outcome here. I did struggle with the accents in some of the Scottish dialect, and the single, instead of double, quotation marks made the dialogue hard to pick out. But I got used to that. This is the most unusual novel that I have ever enjoyed, and I highly recommend it with a four-and-half-star-rating.
Ru Pringle’s novel October Song starts with a short prologue that sets the stage for the rest of the novel when the former Scotland parliament building is almost destroyed by an improvised explosive device seriously injuring the British Prime Minister and killing dozens of people. The story is slightly futuristic following the collapse of the European Union after the UK Brexit withdrawal.
Chapter one introduces an injured woman fleeing in a kayak in cold, dangerous waters through the isles west of Scotland’s mainland. She is not experienced in kayaking, and her suffering, resolve, and survivor skills immediately attracted me to her. She narrowly survives the first day and her saga continues throughout much of the novel. The reader learns soon enough that she is a policewoman named Coira Weir.
The second chapter introduces the second major character, Sebastian Blakeslee, a man in his fifties who is put in charge of the task force assembled to track down the perpetrators of the bombing. Coira Weir is the task force’s main lead and suspect—capturing her was a top priority.
Chapter four introduces a new major character who is apparently a British agent. I was fascinated by the author’s use of the second person in referring to the agent as only “you”—you did this, you did that. The agent uses highly developed senses to track Coira Weir.
The story was intricate, challenging, and thrilling. I could not imagine a good outcome for my favorite character, Coira: but I won’t disclose the outcome here. I did struggle with the accents in some of the Scottish dialect, and the single, instead of double, quotation marks made the dialogue hard to pick out. But I got used to that. This is the most unusual novel that I have ever enjoyed, and I highly recommend it with a four-and-half-star-rating.
June 28, 2020
She been a great police officer and has a great record. She is given the job of protecting the British prime minister has been injured badly. Now she has disappears. Who is behind the attack? What has happened to her? Will she been found? See what is really going on
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 3, 2020
It is some years in the future and the climate change is causing a migration in to Europe and the British isles that disrupting the normal political environment in a dangerous way. In Scotland politics has caused the independent to dissolve and England is taking over opposed by Scottish nationalists waging gorilla warfare, areas are being overrun with migrants, many of them from war-torn areas and bring their undisciplined ways with them. There is a terrorist bombing in Scotland that kills many and injures the current head of state and Coria Keir, police detective and nationalist sympathizer is identified as one of the bombers. Thus begins the tale of her desperate journey to escape capture in the rugged land of Scottish coastal villages and islands and disparate and often dangerous groups. She is being hunted by several different government agencies some of whom have different agendas. Its a tale of danger, persistence, intrigue, a old friendship renewed and lost.
I really liked this one, its hard to put down and I recommend it highly.
I really liked this one, its hard to put down and I recommend it highly.
February 3, 2019
From the very first page the action, suspense and tension hits you. Danger, intrigue and mystery lurk everywhere in this near-future dystopian tale, only too believable with all the political chaos in the world today. Even as we empathise with the hardy heroine - nice to have a believable female action hero - we are kept guessing as to who we can trust, who are the 'good guys' and who the bad. If you love adventure stories, action, suspense or who-dun-its, this is a tale for you, gripping and fast moving. Ru Pringle manages to keep a whole plethora of balls in the air as we move from the depths of secret service operations to the open waters and mazed islands of the Scottish coast and back. Characters are complex and appealing, I was engaged from the start, and it held me all the way through. I'm telling you no more, as part of the pleasure of reading was in never knowing where it would take me next. I thoroughly recommend this book.
January 24, 2019
October Song - This is my first read by this author and by the fourth chapter I didn't want to put the book down. It is intriguing and keeps your mind actively involved with the storylines and where they're heading. The pace is continuous and carries the reader through the pages at a good clip with plenty of suspense and tension.
The characters are realistic and have good dialog. This turned out to be a rollercoaster ride full of intrigue, danger, violent deaths (not graphic), deception and survival. The emotions run the gamut. The author does a good job with his vivid descriptions and writing style. I am interested in reading more of his work.
I laughed when Trainor was considered old-school, but this story is set in 2045. I found this book on Booksprout. 5*
The characters are realistic and have good dialog. This turned out to be a rollercoaster ride full of intrigue, danger, violent deaths (not graphic), deception and survival. The emotions run the gamut. The author does a good job with his vivid descriptions and writing style. I am interested in reading more of his work.
I laughed when Trainor was considered old-school, but this story is set in 2045. I found this book on Booksprout. 5*
January 28, 2019
This is my first book by this author, and I am very glad that I chose to read this book. The plot is set in the future and it appears to be a very dangerous future! The story moves along at a good pace and I felt compelled to continue reading until I had finished the book. There is lots of action with all the different groups of people that we meet as the story moves along. I loved reading this book and shall look out for other books from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 11, 2019
Stunning read!
This is a brilliantly written story which is set in the not too distant future and immerses you in all things Scottish!
It's a thrilling read which keeps you on the edge of your seat as you follow the characters violence riddled journeys!
Such an emotional rollercoaster ride which is scarily believable!
Highly recommended!
This is a brilliantly written story which is set in the not too distant future and immerses you in all things Scottish!
It's a thrilling read which keeps you on the edge of your seat as you follow the characters violence riddled journeys!
Such an emotional rollercoaster ride which is scarily believable!
Highly recommended!
November 27, 2018
Amazing - I couldn't put it down. Definitely not fluffy but it's so worth the slightly traumatic read! It's mostly a thriller but is full of adventure, chase and intrigue and is a pretty terrifying vision of the future. You'll be so glad you read this – it's one of those books that stays with you.
January 9, 2019
Gripping and thought-provoking. Well crafted development of characters and a thrilling chase up the Scottish west coast. Set within the political tension of a divided UK and a fractured Europe of the near future.
February 17, 2019
October Song, by Ru Pringle, is a dark and grim thriller set about 25 years into the future. After Scottish independence, followed by eight years of reunification with the UK, there are still angry separatists demanding independence. During this renewed attempt at independence, the government struggles with refugee immigration issues, terrorism, and corrupt officials.
Decorated police officer, Coira Keir, is in Edinburgh, outside the offices of the North British Council, once known as the Scottish Parliament, when there is a devastating bomb attack. She suddenly realizes she is a suspect in the bombing, and drives away, but flips her car. She finds herself coming upon a fierce battle, and steals a kayak belonging to a man killed in the fight.
From then on, Coira is a fugitive in what becomes a never-ending, life-threatening chase scene taking her far into the Scottish Isles. There she encounters armed immigrants, as well as the terrorists they had fled in their home countries, pirates, and Russian mobsters. Somehow, Coira manages stay a step or two ahead of her pursuers, and even finds a few hours of respite here and there.
As a public health educator, I particularly enjoyed Pringle’s comment on tobacco use when one of his characters “…studies her cigarette….” then mutters, “This really is a nasty habit.” Another character looks at his cigarette in disgust, flips it away, and comments, “I was right to give these up”.
The book makes clear statements about the effects of climate change, and explores the monetary reasons large companies continue exploiting the planet. He doesn’t let the consumer off the hook, though, saying, “We liked the lifestyle these companies were selling us, so we chose to ignore the warning.” He also reminds us of our tendency to do what his character calls “subjective validation” which he describes “…subconsciously cherry-picking information to support an existing belief….”
Pringle’s character development is superb, and the action never stops. The violence and dark nature of October Song are more than I bargained for, but those who enjoy this genre will most definitely enjoy October Song.
What Makes This Book Reviewer Grumpy?
Consistently using the word “further” in place of “farther” – they are not interchangeable. Misplacement of the word “only” within sentences – we all do it when speaking, but in writing, it is more noticeable. An occasional dangling sentence, and missing commas.
Decorated police officer, Coira Keir, is in Edinburgh, outside the offices of the North British Council, once known as the Scottish Parliament, when there is a devastating bomb attack. She suddenly realizes she is a suspect in the bombing, and drives away, but flips her car. She finds herself coming upon a fierce battle, and steals a kayak belonging to a man killed in the fight.
From then on, Coira is a fugitive in what becomes a never-ending, life-threatening chase scene taking her far into the Scottish Isles. There she encounters armed immigrants, as well as the terrorists they had fled in their home countries, pirates, and Russian mobsters. Somehow, Coira manages stay a step or two ahead of her pursuers, and even finds a few hours of respite here and there.
As a public health educator, I particularly enjoyed Pringle’s comment on tobacco use when one of his characters “…studies her cigarette….” then mutters, “This really is a nasty habit.” Another character looks at his cigarette in disgust, flips it away, and comments, “I was right to give these up”.
The book makes clear statements about the effects of climate change, and explores the monetary reasons large companies continue exploiting the planet. He doesn’t let the consumer off the hook, though, saying, “We liked the lifestyle these companies were selling us, so we chose to ignore the warning.” He also reminds us of our tendency to do what his character calls “subjective validation” which he describes “…subconsciously cherry-picking information to support an existing belief….”
Pringle’s character development is superb, and the action never stops. The violence and dark nature of October Song are more than I bargained for, but those who enjoy this genre will most definitely enjoy October Song.
What Makes This Book Reviewer Grumpy?
Consistently using the word “further” in place of “farther” – they are not interchangeable. Misplacement of the word “only” within sentences – we all do it when speaking, but in writing, it is more noticeable. An occasional dangling sentence, and missing commas.
January 27, 2019
Didn't finish. Picked this up as a recommendation from Ken MacLeod. It has blurb that says its like Banks at his best. It's definitely not that. The central premise is fine and it's an interesting extrapolation of current trends but the execution of this book was very poor. For me, weak characters, bad storytelling etc. I cannot recommend. It's got a 4.86 on here so this just might be a personal thing ofc.
October 9, 2024
It Needs Further Validation With A Sequel.
An outstanding tale. Depressingly, and achingly so, it would not surprise me if this is indeed how things turn out.
An outstanding tale. Depressingly, and achingly so, it would not surprise me if this is indeed how things turn out.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews