What better phrase to use while entering the third lockdown in the UK… A song of isolation indeed. Gone are for now thoughts of travelling. Around the globe other countries introduce new restrictions. Involuntary isolation, being lonely and being alone might take on special meaning in the current situation but are not that different from what Michael J Malone portrayed in his latest novel. The emotions are raw.

Imagine three lives side by side, just moving towards the future. Nice calm Scottish neighbourhood. Silver screen star Amelie Hart’s fame follows her wherever she turns, and in spite of her unexpected disappearance from the shiny universe of film five years ago, any mention of her name can still attract rumour-hungry vultures. Yet in her quiet house she feels reasonably content. She shares home with boyfriend Dave, an ordinary guy, accountant, keen gardener, and decent neighbour, interested in keeping in touch with parents and just being at home. A man who does not care about the spotlights and gossip, or any glamour that was part of Amelie’s experience. Despite some tension between them he is just about to propose. And there’s Damaris, a bored eleven-years-old girl next door who often crosses the boundary between gardens to get some attention from Dave, talk about plants, or to play Frisbee.

And then the three lives collide in the most horrendous way when Dave gets arrested on charges of child sexual abuse. He desperately asserts his innocence but the judicial system is quickly in full swing and within hours his life is destroyed. Initial stay in prison, trial and sentencing put the end to his relationship with Amelie, and to the normal existence. Term paedophile means death by hatred. Amelie refuses to denounce him and soon needs to escape abroad to hide from the journalists who focus on her status to sell as many stories as possible. As the adults, including Dave’s parents, try to come to terms with the devastating consequences of what they anticipate are lies, another much younger victim is unable to deal with own emotions and fall-out in the family. Damaris tries to find a way to cope with experience of being the centre of attention for a very disturbing reason, and feeling isolated in the world consisting of half-truths. Her path from childhood to teenage years begs the questions on skewed parenting.

Yet again, Michael J Malone takes the contemporary issues and throws them into the wolves, or rather to the modern society that chews and spits out everything. His perception of emotional effects on each person in the story is superbly presented as he is acutely aware of various methods to manipulate the facts, and even more, of trying to discover and recognize what the truth really is, and whose version of events, of what has, or not, happened, is accurate. Trial by social media, greed, physical and psychological violence from every direction. Opinions based on superficial comments. Strong desire to punish those who commit unspeakable acts towards the others, and harshness of the legal system. All these elements provide strong background for the most human drama at its core. As the story unfolds and we learn more about reasons behind Amelie’s sudden withdrawal from the public eye, Dave’s trauma, and Damaris’ pain, we can only appreciate the craft and mastery of Malone’s writing.

Heart-wrenching A Song of Isolation is dark and brutal, perfectly structured, and unforgettable, in some sections difficult to read, yet important, with a hint of hope and totally gripping. However, it can bring some respite and hope to all of us.

A Song of Isolation, published by Orenda Book, is available via Bookshop.org and the usual online retailers