The Health of Strangers

This debut novel, published in 2017, is intriguing, interesting and now very topical. The story is set in Edinburgh, but in a different present to ours. The world is in the grip of a pandemic - a flu virus, simply known as The Virus. It mainly attacks young adults and has been around for several years, so monthly health checks are mandatory and policed by Health Enforcement Teams. One of these teams gets caught up with the disappearance of several young female students who are deeply involved in a Virus inspired religious revival; and there’s also the smuggling and dealing of a drug that’s said to prevent the Virus. It’s a pretty complicated story but with interesting characters, and it’s an uncanny read given our current situation. Freyja gives it 3+ Stars.