The Song of Clouds

by Samantha Wood

“From a distance it looked like the carcass of a dolphin from one of the pods that lived in the bay. But dolphins didn’t wear hats. Or expensive leather shoes...”

Late one night, when her husband Paul is asleep, Meg Patterson escapes her violent marriage. Driving across the Nullarbor with her twelve-year-old son Josh, Meg hopes this is their chance at a new beginning. But will they ever be safe from Paul?

Paul, a trader at the Perth Stock Exchange, is being investigated for insider trading. Meg’s not only taken his son; she’s also taken his car and something very valuable inside it. Something Paul needs to get back before everything comes crashing down.

David Harper, newly unemployed and living far from his family, is devastated when his wife calls from Singapore to tell him that her contract has been extended and she and their son Sebastian will be away for another twelve months. But when Meg and Josh move in next door, and Sebastian visits for the school holidays, things start looking up for David.

Then a stranger arrives in town asking about Meg and her son. David knows it’s Paul. Somehow he has to protect Meg and Josh – and then the unthinkable happens…

The Song of Clouds is a story about the healing forces of nature, about letting go of the past and embracing new beginnings and, ultimately, the power of love.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2022

About the author

Samantha Wood is the author of the memoir, Culua: My Other Life in Mexico, which was published in 2003. The Bay of Shadows, her first novel, was published in December 2016 and was inspired by the beach town where she grew up. Her follow-up novel, Under Ten Thousand stars, a love story set in wine country, was released in May 2019.

She began her writing career with a travel piece for the Qantas In-Flight magazine. From then on, she travelled extensively between Mexico and Australia before writing the memoir, Culua: My Other Life in Mexico, a love letter to her mother’s country. She went on to write The Bay of Shadows, a novel about the unconventional bonds of love, and Under Ten Thousand Stars, another tale of love against the odds. Her third novel, The Song of Clouds, set on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, and the last book in the Coastal Noir Trilogy was released on February 28, 2022. Her fourth novel, Shalimar was released on July 1, 2025. She is currently working on her sixth novel, a thriller set in Broken Hill, New South Wales.

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Reviews

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This suspenseful narrative sank its teeth into me from the opening sentence. I was thrown off balance trying to figure out what had just happened to the main character, Meg Patterson. As the scene was finally revealed, I was shocked and worried for her and her son's safety. Instantly admiring Meg's character, I was further impressed by her strength, cunning mind, and determination to keep her son, Josh, safe and give both of them a better life at any cost. I could feel Meg and Josh's terror as they tried to quietly navigate through the dark house knowing that any noise would stir the psychotic fury of the bully and there would be no escape. Their journey for freedom and tranquility was an amazing story that proved fresh starts are possible if you are willing to take a chance. Wonderful, inspiring, Read! Thanks for this Great! Great! Story!!!!!

[Marbea Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how this author focused on the characters trying to fix their own stuff and in the meantime, not losing sight of the fact that it's a possibility that they may need to come to an end of the drama, grief, running. Meg, Josh, and David can start trying to focus on the here and now and not worry about a relationship throughout the storyline just connections to people again. Even Paul's character bought in a subtext of what it is to be determined, but also what it is to focus on all the things that made the story worthy of solid conclusion. I am so glad this was so much deeper and that this had nothing to do with just moving on to the next chaotic situation dealing with sex. I'm sorry if this was a spoiler*shrugs*.

[dollie ledford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weak

This was an interesting story, but why do they write the woman as a airhead. If someone was after me that tazer would have been in my pocket 24/7. I would had the police to go with me back to the house and would have let my son know what was going on. Give the woman a little more common sense, just saying I guess the book wouldn't have worked if she had been more vigilant.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it. I liked how we got to read from multiple points of view and see how close Meg & Josh were to being found.I loved that we got to watch Meg come out of her shell and let her guard down, the classic guy-next-door love interest that we also got to see grow. So much character growth and suspense made it fun to read. Would be a great Lifetime movie!!

[Elaine Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book. The descriptions of Australia and the characters were great all except Paul, who of course I hated the story was excellent. Then in the last maybe 20% of the book it’s as if they forgot to edit that part there were lots of mistakes, and it was just sloppy, so I was disappointed from that standpoint

[Patty U. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Great book. Getting mixed up with drugs is never good. It messes with you mentally and more. This book is about loss in some form or another, being afraid, abuse, and finally finding peace. I will be reading more by this author.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me unable to turn away even when I wanted to turn away. The tension was beautifully paced and I found myself cheering for Meg, Josh and Banjo.

[Will Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not put the book down before right up until the last few chapters when I was dissapointed with the climax . Still a riveting story and recommended reading.

[Barbara Kinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Song of Clouds

I really enjoyed this book! It kept my full attention right to its end, and I recommend it to many!