The Thing in the Snow: A Novel

In the remote Northern Institute, a team of three caretakers and a researcher study the sensation of coldness, but a mysterious object in the snow disrupts their work and challenges their perceptions of reality. The novel satirizes the isolated workplace and the age of endless distraction.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 02 March 2023
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

From the critically acclaimed author of The Heap, a thought-provoking and wryly funny novel—equal parts satire and psychological thriller—that holds a funhouse mirror to the isolated workplace and an age of endless distraction.

At the far reaches of the world, the Northern Institute sits in a vast expanse of ice and snow. Once a thriving research facility, its operations were abruptly shut down after an unspecified incident, and its research teams promptly evacuated. Now its home to a team of three caretakers—Gibbs, Cline, and their supervisor, Hart—and a single remaining researcher named Gilroy, who is feverishly studying the sensation of coldness.

Their objective is simple: occupy the space, complete their weekly tasks, and keep the building in working order in case research ever resumes. (Also: never touch the thermostat. Also: never, ever go outside.) The work isn't thrilling—test every door for excessive creaking, sit on every chair to ensure its structural integrity—but for Hart, it's the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to hone his leadership skills and become the beacon of efficiency he always knew he could be.

There's just one obstacle standing in his way: a mysterious object that has appeared out in the snow. Gibbs and Cline are mesmerized. They can't discern its exact shape and color, nor if it's moving or fixed in place. But it is there. Isn't it?

Whatever it might be, Hart thinks the thing in the snow is an unwelcome distraction, and probably a huge waste of time. Though, come to think of it, time itself has been a bit wonky lately. Weekends pass in a blur, and he can hardly tell day from night. Gravity seems less-than-reliable. The lights have been flickering weirdly, and he feels an odd thrumming sensation in his beard. Gibbs might be plotting to unseat him as the supervisor, and Cline is always hovering nearby, watching him like a hawk.

As the days pass, Hart becomes increasingly paranoid and agitated. He can't shake the feeling that something is wrong with the Northern Institute, and that the object in the snow is somehow connected to it. He spends hours poring over old research files, trying to piece together any clues that might lead him to the truth. But all his efforts are in vain. The more he digs, the deeper he gets into a web of lies and deceit, and the closer he is to losing his mind.

One night, as he sits alone in his office, Hart is startled by a loud noise coming from outside. He cautiously peeks out the window and sees a group of people gathered around the mysterious object in the snow. They're chanting and dancing, and he can feel a strange energy emanating from them. He tries to call out to them, but they ignore him, and he soon realizes that he's been locked in his office.

Hart panics. He knows that he has to escape, but he doesn't know how. He tries to break down the door, but it's too sturdy. He searches for a window, but there aren't any. He's trapped.

As he sits there, waiting for his fate to be decided, Hart begins to hallucinate. He sees shadows moving in the corners of his office, and he hears voices whispering in his ear. He feels like he's being watched, and he can't shake the feeling that he's in danger.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Hart is rescued. The caretakers have found him locked in his office, and they bring him back to the main building. He's shaken and confused, but he's alive.

As he sits in his room, trying to process what has happened, Hart realizes that the Northern Institute is not just a place of research. It's a place of darkness and danger, a place that has been hiding a secret for years. He knows that he has to do something to expose the truth, to bring the people responsible to justice. But he also knows that it's a dangerous game, and that he may not make it out alive.

The Northern Institute sits in a vast expanse of ice and snow, once a thriving research facility, its operations abruptly shut down after an unspecified incident, and its research teams promptly evacuated. Now its home to a team of three caretakers—Gibbs, Cline, and their supervisor, Hart—and a single remaining researcher named Gilroy, who is feverishly studying the sensation of coldness. Their objective is simple: occupy the space, complete their weekly tasks, and keep the building in working order
order in case research ever resumes. (Also: never touch the thermostat. Also: never, ever go outside.) The work isn't thrilling—test every door for excessive creaking, sit on every chair to ensure its structural integrity—but for Hart, it's the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to hone his leadership skills and become the beacon of efficiency he always knew he could be.

There's just one obstacle standing in his way: a mysterious object that has appeared out in the snow. Gibbs and Cline are mesmerized. They can't discern its exact shape and color, nor if it's moving or fixed in place. But it is there. Isn't it?

Whatever it might be, Hart thinks the thing in the snow is an unwelcome distraction, and probably a huge waste of time. Though, come to think of it, time itself has been a bit wonky lately. Weekends pass in a blur, and he can hardly tell day from night. Gravity seems less-than-reliable. The lights have been flickering weirdly, and he feels an odd thrumming sensation in his beard. Gibbs might be plotting to unseat him as the supervisor, and Cline is always hovering nearby, watching him like a hawk.

As the days pass, Hart becomes increasingly paranoid and agitated. He can't shake the feeling that something is wrong with the Northern Institute, and that the object in the snow is somehow connected to it. He spends hours poring over old research files, trying to piece together any clues that might lead him to the truth. But all his efforts are in vain. The more he digs, the deeper he gets into a web of lies and deceit, and the closer he is to losing his mind.

One night, as he sits alone in his office, Hart is startled by a loud noise coming from outside. He cautiously peeks out the window and sees a group of people gathered around the mysterious object in the snow. They're chanting and dancing, and he can feel a strange energy emanating from them. He tries to call out to them, but they ignore him, and he soon realizes that he's been locked in his office.

Hart panics. He knows that he has to escape, but he doesn't know how. He tries to break down the door, but it's too sturdy. He searches for a window, but there aren't any. He's trapped.

As he sits there, waiting for his fate to be decided, Hart begins to hallucinate. He sees shadows moving in the corners of his office, and he hears voices whispering in his ear. He feels like he's being watched, and he can't shake the feeling that he's in danger.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Hart is rescued. The caretakers have found him locked in his office, and they bring him back to the main building. He's shaken and confused, but he's alive.

As he sits in his room, trying to process what has happened, Hart realizes that the Northern Institute is not just a place of research. It's a place of darkness and danger, a place that has been hiding a secret for years. He knows that he has to do something to expose the truth, to bring the people responsible to justice. But he also knows that it's a dangerous game, and that he may not make it out alive.

The Northern Institute sits in a vast expanse of ice and snow, once a thriving research facility, its operations abruptly shut down after an unspecified incident, and its research teams promptly evacuated. Now its home to a team of three caretakers—Gibbs, Cline, and their supervisor, Hart—and a single remaining researcher named Gilroy, who is feverishly studying the sensation of coldness. Their objective is simple: occupy the space, complete their weekly tasks, and keep the building in working order in case research ever resumes. (Also: never touch the thermostat. Also: never, ever go outside.) The work isn't thrilling—test every door for excessive creaking, sit on every chair to ensure its structural integrity—but for Hart, it's the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to hone his leadership skills and become the beacon of efficiency he always knew he could be.

There's just one obstacle standing in his way: a mysterious object that has appeared out in the snow. Gibbs and Cline are mesmerized. They can't discern its exact shape and color, nor if it's moving or fixed in place. But it is there. Isn't it?

Whatever it might be, Hart thinks the thing in the snow is an unwelcome distraction, and probably a huge waste of time. Though, come to think of it, time itself has been a bit wonky lately. Weekends pass in a blur, and he can hardly tell day from night. Gravity seems less-than-reliable. The lights have been flickering weirdly, and he feels an odd thrumming sensation in his beard. Gibbs might be plotting to unseat him as the supervisor, and Cline is always hovering nearby, watching him like a hawk.

As the days pass, Hart becomes increasingly paranoid and agitated. He can't shake the feeling that something is wrong with the Northern Institute, and that the object in the snow is somehow connected to it. He spends hours poring over old research files, trying to piece together any clues that might lead him to the truth. But all his efforts are in vain. The more he digs, the deeper he gets into a web of lies and deceit, and the closer he is to losing his mind.

One night, as he sits alone in his office, Hart is startled by a loud noise coming from outside. He cautiously peeks out the window and sees a group of people gathered around the mysterious object in the snow. They're chanting and dancing, and he can feel a strange energy emanating from them. He tries to call out to them, but they ignore him, and he soon realizes that he's been locked in his office.

Hart panics. He knows that he has to escape, but he doesn't know how. He tries to break down the door, but it's too sturdy. He searches for a window, but there aren't any. He's trapped.

As he sits there, waiting for his fate to be decided, Hart begins to hallucinate. He sees shadows moving in the corners of his office, and he hears voices whispering in his ear. He feels like he's being watched, and he can't shake the feeling that he's in danger.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Hart is rescued. The caretakers have found him locked in his office, and they bring him back to the main building. He's shaken and confused, but he's alive.

As he sits in his room, trying to process what has happened, Hart realizes that the Northern Institute is not just a place of research. It's a place of darkness and danger, a place that has been hiding a secret for years. He knows that he has to do something to expose the truth, to bring the people responsible to justice. But he also knows that it's a dangerous game, and that he may not make it out alive.

The Northern Institute sits in a vast expanse of ice and snow, once a thriving research facility, its operations abruptly shut down after an unspecified incident, and its research teams promptly evacuated. Now its home to a team of three caretakers—Gibbs, Cline, and their supervisor, Hart—and a single remaining researcher named Gilroy, who is feverishly studying the sensation of coldness. Their objective is simple: occupy the space, complete their weekly tasks, and keep the building in working order in case research ever resumes. (Also: never touch the thermostat. Also: never, ever go outside.) The work isn't thrilling—test every door for excessive creaking, sit on every chair to ensure its structural integrity—but for Hart, it's the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to hone his leadership skills and become the beacon of efficiency he always knew he could be.

There's just one obstacle standing in his way: a mysterious object that has appeared out in the snow. Gibbs and Cline are mesmerized. They can't discern its exact shape and color, nor if it's moving or fixed in place. But it is there. Isn't it?

Whatever it might be, Hart thinks the thing in the snow is an unwelcome distraction, and probably a huge waste of time. Though, come to think of it, time itself has been a bit wonky lately. Weekends pass in a blur, and he can hardly tell day from night. Gravity seems less-than-reliable. The lights have been flickering weirdly, and he feels an odd thrumming sensation in his beard. Gibbs might be plotting to unseat him as the supervisor, and Cline is always hovering nearby, watching him like a hawk.

As the days pass, Hart becomes increasingly paranoid and agitated. He can't shake the feeling that something is wrong with the Northern Institute, and that the object in the snow is somehow connected to it. He spends hours poring over old research files, trying to piece together any clues that might lead him to the truth. But all his efforts are in vain. The more he digs, the deeper he gets into a web of lies and deceit, and the closer he is to losing his mind.

One night, as he sits alone in his office, Hart is startled by a loud noise coming from outside. He cautiously peeks out the window and sees a group of people gathered around the mysterious object in the snow. They're chanting and dancing, and he can feel a strange energy emanating from them. He tries to call out to them, but they ignore him, and he soon realizes that he's been locked in his office.

Hart panics. He knows that he has to escape, but he doesn't know how. He tries to break down the door, but it's too sturdy. He searches for a window, but there aren't any. He's trapped.

As he sits there, waiting for his fate to be decided, Hart begins to hallucinate. He sees shadows moving in the corners of his office, and he hears voices whispering in his ear. He feels like he's being watched, and he can't shake the feeling that he's in danger.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Hart is rescued. The caretakers have found him locked in his office, and they bring him back to the main building. He's shaken and confused, but he's alive.

As he sits in his room, trying to process what has happened, Hart realizes that the Northern Institute is not just a place of research. It's a place of darkness and danger, a place that has been hiding a secret for years. He knows that he has to do something to expose the truth, to bring the people responsible to justice. But he also knows that it's a dangerous game, and that he may not make it out alive.

Weight: 372g
Dimension: 149 x 218 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780063257757