"At the far reaches of the world, the Northern Institute sits in a vast expanse of ice and snow. It's home to a team of three caretakers--Gibbs, Cline, and their supervisor, Hart--and a researcher named Gilroy, who is feverishly studying the sensation of coldness. The work isn't thrilling, but for Hart, it's the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to hone his leadership skills and to 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. Hart thinks the thing 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 supervisor, and Gilroy--well, what is he really doing anyway? Perplexed and isolated--but most certainly not alone--Hart wrestles for control of his own psyche as the thing in the snow beguiles his team, upends their work, and challenges their every notion of what is normal" -- Provided by publisher.