The Fifth Message

2203 year. The Earth is scorched by solar flares, cities lie in ruins. Due to climate change, an unbearable heat hangs in the air, and acid rains corrode all living things. Many years ago, people sent a distress signal into space. Since then, four messages have arrived on Earth with hints for the Chosen Ones on how to survive. The fifth and final one is supposed to speak of the place and time of salvation. But no one knows when and where it will be received. Survivors live in colonies, protected from the outside world. A young man named Leon has trained his entire life to prove he is worthy of becoming Chosen. But to achieve this, he will have to kill. Together with his assistant Martha, they pursue a victim across the poisoned lands. Soon, Leon begins to doubt the righteousness of his actions, but there is no way back. Will they be able to survive this dangerous trial, and most importantly — find the fifth message? “The Fifth Message” (2019) — is the debut book of Irish writer Charlie Pike, an English teacher, journalist, and Trinity College graduate.