Two Degrees: A Climate Change Novel

by William Michael Ried

What happens to an oil industry lobbyist when climate change gets personal and deadly?

In a world where the devastating effects of climate change can seem inconsequential to the lives of the wealthy, Daniel Lazaro thrives as a powerful Washington lawyer lobbying for the fossil fuel industry. With a dream life on the Guadalupe River, a loving wife and a young daughter, Daniel is blind to the repercussions of his work. But when a flash flood in the Texas Hill Country sweeps away his home and his family, Daniel is left shattered and haunted by even the sight of water.

Daniel descends into a bleak abyss, burdened by guilt and his debilitating phobia. But a charismatic activist appears and tries to convince Daniel to use his political access to challenge the industry he once championed. Daniel is torn between grief and his urgent need to make amends. Will he redeem himself or stand aside as the world plunges toward chaos?

In Two Degrees, a gripping tale of greed, redemption and the fight for a dying planet, award-winning author William Michael Ried puts Dan Lazaro at the intersection of power politics and climate change, where a collision is in escapable.

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2023

About the author

William Michael Ried was born on Long Island, graduated from the University of Michigan and Georgetown University Law Center and practices law in New York City. His first novel Five Ferries was a finalist in the 2019 American Fiction Awards for Best New Fiction. In 2021 his second novel Backstory won the New York City Big Book Award for Mystery and a Silver Medal from the Wishing Shelf Book Awards for Adult Fiction, was a semi-finalist for the Kindle Book Award for Literary Fiction, and was named a 2022 Eric Hoffer Award Category Finalist. His third novel Pandion was named a 2022 Distinguished Favorite Mystery by the NYC Big Book Awards and a Red Ribbon Winner of the 2022 Wishing Shelf Awards, made the 2023 Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize Short List, was a semifinalist in the 2023 Kindle Book Awards for Mystery/Thriller, and was awarded Honorable Mention for Mystery/Crime in the 2023 Eric Hoffer Awards. His fourth novel Two Degrees: A Climate Change Novel was awarded a B.R.A.G. Medallion, named a Category Finalist for Mystery/Crime in the 2024 Eric Hoffer Awards and a Finalist for Political Thrillers in the American Fiction Awards. He lives with his wife in Manhattan.

Reviews

[Anne Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Two Degrees and I have to say it’s one of the most compelling and thought-provoking novels I’ve read in a long while. From the very first chapter, William Michael Ried pulls you straight into the world of Daniel Lazaro, a man who seems to have it all: a beautiful home, a thriving career, and a family he adores. But when tragedy strikes in the most devastating way, his entire life and his perception of the world unravels.

What struck me most about this book is how deeply personal and emotional the story felt. Yes, it’s about climate change, but it’s not told through statistics or lectures it’s told through a broken man’s grief, guilt, and eventual search for redemption. Watching Daniel grapple with his past choices, his paralyzing fear, and the possibility of making amends felt incredibly human and real. I found myself asking, “What would I do if I were in his place?” That, to me, is the mark of powerful storytelling.

Ried’s writing is sharp, vivid, and emotionally charged. The scenes of the flood are terrifyingly real, and Daniel’s internal struggles are portrayed with raw honesty. At the same time, the novel balances darkness with hope, reminding us that even in the face of overwhelming loss, there is still a chance to fight back and make a difference.

This is not just a novel about one man it’s a wake-up call wrapped in a story that’s impossible to put down. By the time I turned the last page, I felt both shaken and inspired. I believe Two Degrees will resonate with anyone who has ever wondered about the true cost of our choices and the urgency of protecting our planet.

If you’re looking for a book that is equal parts heartbreaking, suspenseful, and redemptive and one that will stay with you long after you close it I can’t recommend Two Degrees highly enough.

[Valerie Biel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Degrees combines the human loss of catastrophic weather events with the intrigue of backroom political dealing in Washington DC, when Daniel, a lawyer tasked with pro-fossil fuel lobbying, has a dramatic change of heart following the deaths of his wife and daughter in the flood that destroys their home. The story takes us on page-turning wild ride as Daniel attempts to redeem his past bad acts, linking up with environmental activists, all the while hoping to take down some of the worst offenders in climate change opposition. As with Ried’s previous books, his taut, suspenseful writing leaves you wondering where the twists and turns will take you until you’re presented with the most-satisfying conclusion. Reads like a story pulled straight from the headlines—and indeed it could be!

[Hilda Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Degrees isn’t just a story, it’s a gut punch. William Michael Ried takes us inside the life of Daniel Lazaro, a man who once thrived as a lobbyist for the oil industry, only to have climate change rip his world apart in the most personal way imaginable.

What struck me most is how the novel balances heartbreak and urgency. Daniel’s grief is raw, his phobia of water painfully human, and his search for redemption feels both intimate and universal. At the same time, the book shines a harsh light on the systems of power and greed fueling our planet’s decline.

Ried has crafted a story that’s gripping, thought-provoking, and chillingly relevant. Two Degrees forces us to ask: how much must we lose before we choose to act?

[Carmen Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Degrees is far more than a novel, it’s a deeply moving, eye-opening story that forces you to think about where we’re headed as a society. William Michael Ried has created a narrative that blends human emotion, societal tension, and urgent environmental realities into something unforgettable. The characters feel real and relatable, their struggles mirror what many people are going through today, and the consequences of their choices ripple far beyond the page. What impressed me most was how seamlessly the author wove big ideas, like climate change, political will, and human responsibility, into an engaging and dramatic plot. This is storytelling with purpose, and it left me thinking long after I turned the last page.

[Pricillar Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Heart Wrenching, Thought Provoking Masterpiece
Two Degrees is more than a novel it’s a searing exploration of guilt, redemption, and the terrifying reality of climate change. William Michael Ried crafts Daniel Lazaro’s journey with extraordinary emotional depth, making the reader feel every loss, every moral dilemma, and every fleeting hope. The story is both intimate and urgent: a man at the pinnacle of power, suddenly forced to confront the catastrophic consequences of his actions. With vivid depictions of Texas floods and the human cost of environmental neglect, this book grips you from the first page and refuses to let go. A must read for anyone who loves intense, meaningful storytelling with a conscience.

[Bratty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Riveting Tale of Power, Loss, and Redemption
William Michael Ried delivers a thrilling yet deeply human story in Two Degrees. Daniel Lazaro, a powerful oil industry lobbyist, is suddenly confronted with the personal devastation caused by the very industry he defends. The narrative seamlessly weaves suspense, political intrigue, and heart wrenching tragedy, keeping readers on edge while provoking critical reflection about our planet’s future. The emotional weight of Daniel’s journey from denial to despair to the fight for redemptionis utterly compelling. This novel is not just a story; it’s a wake up call wrapped in exquisite storytelling.

[Jane Danny]

If Two Degrees made you stop and think about the cost of silence the price of power, greed, and climate denial then don’t keep that reaction to yourself.

Your review matters. Every rating, every comment helps this novel reach new readers who need to feel its warning and its hope.

Daniel Lazaro’s journey from privilege to purpose mirrors what’s happening in our world right now. Let your review be part of that conversation.

Take one minute today to share how Two Degrees moved you, challenged you, or opened your eyes.
Your words can help turn awareness into action

[Louise Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This clever book is really a book within a book. It is on the face of it a strong fictional work with an engaging plot line, but it is also a well researched expose of topics and challenges which many of us don’t like to think about. The author has effectively snuck in an analysis of some of society’s biggest challenges so you can’t avoid learning about them even as you enjoy the story itself. I really like that!

[D.K. Hundt · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘What happens to an oil industry lobbyist when climate change gets personal and deadly?’

TWO DEGREES: A Climate Change Novel – by William Michael Ried

‘“[O]ur children have more to fear from climate change than we do, but they have no say in our failure to address the crisis.”’

My Heart! Recommend!

Thank you, NetGalley and CKBooks Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of TWO DEGREES at the request of an honest review.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did Two Degrees stay with you long after you turned the last page?
Then help make sure others don’t miss it.

William Michael Ried’s bold novel doesn’t just tell a story it confronts us with our shared future. Your honest review is more than feedback; it’s a call for accountability, empathy, and change.
Post your review today because the more readers discover Two Degrees, the louder the message becomes: redemption is possible, but time is running out.

[Mary Behan · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page, this story grabs you and doesn’t let go. This is a classic hero’s journey. That said, the story is thought-provoking, with much information about climate change and the consequences of human intervention. The transformation of Daniel from a driven corporate lawyer to a revolutionary is well-written and thoroughly believable. This is a great read.

[Christine Townes · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading this you can tell the author is passionate about it and done alot of research. This book touches on a wide range of topics such as family, betrayal, lobbyists, climate change and heartache. It was very well written.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that TWO DEGREES: A Climate Change Novel by William Michael Ried has been honored with the B.R.A.G. Medallion (Book Readers Appreciation Group). It now joins the very select award-winning, reader-recommended books at indieBRAG.

[John Waanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read with a few nice twists to keep the reader engaged.

[William Ried]

“An intriguing political thriller that doesn’t shy away from the difficult topics of climate justice and environmental stewardship.” – Kirkus Reviews

“A compelling thriller that confronts climate change, corporate greed, and the preservation of the planet, Two Degrees captivates the reader, and leaves no doubt the ongoing battle to preserve our planet for future generations is in our hands.” – Booklife Reviews

“Original, exceptional, compelling, deftly crafted, a prophetic story of redemption and the fight for our dying planet, Two Degrees puts Daniel Lazaro and the fascinated reader at the intersection of power politics and climate change, where a collision is inevitable. Two Degrees is especially and unreservedly recommended.” – Midwest Book Review Small Press Bookwatch

“At its core the book seemed less about climate change and ecology than it was about an individual searching for meaning in a shattered life and what his true role in life could and ought to be, and it does an excellent job.” – B.R.A.G. Medallion Reviewer

“A fascinating tale of climate change, politics, greed, terrorism, relationships, deception, betrayal, and redemption. Plenty of drama and conflict move the story at a fast pace.” – B.R.A.G. Medallion Reviewer

“An intelligently written novel that displays a healthy knowledge (and much research) of the political aspects of climate change, which makes for serious reading, but with a well-crafted main character who provides that personal touch of personal tragedy and a journey of discovery.” – B.R.A.G. Medallion Reviewer

“Ried's environmentally driven plot is timely and compelling. Ried is a master at staging scenes, and his eloquent, striking descriptions give Two Degrees added depth while transporting readers directly into each scenario.” – The BookLife Prize

Author Review:

Rapacity and Resistance in the Anthropocene

Can a man achieve fulfillment by focusing only on himself?

Daniel Lazaro was born into the turbulence of climate politics. When an accident at his father’s mine devastated the local economy and fouled the groundwater, Daniel thought only of how this affected him. This may have been understandable for a teenager whose mother retreated into fanatical religion and father turned to suicide, leaving him to get by on his own. And that he pulled himself together and finished college and graduated from law school spoke to his resilience and determination.

Daniel never dwelled on the environmental impact of the mine disaster, as that was beyond his control and largely out of his line of sight. And when a powerful lobbying firm dangled prosperity before him, it was easy to join a world where greed would always trump conscience, and ignore the global ramifications of his work. He focused instead on building an arcadian sanctuary for a wife who loved him unconditionally and a daughter who filled his home with laughter.

But then tragedy returns to plague Daniel, knocking from beneath him the buttresses of all he has achieved and all he has aspired to, leaving him debilitated and alone.

He wallows in personal grief and guilt until he discovers there are others who look beyond their own comfort and safety, who take upon themselves the burden of a death spiral threatening us all. “The final notice is nailed to the planet’s door, my friend,” Kristof Tyndall tells him. “Foreclosure proceedings have begun.”

“It is a sad commentary,” another activist says, “when a society is more outraged by soup on a painting than about its government investing in fossil fuels.”

But is activism and protest the answer? And where does civil disobedience cross the line to civilizational collapse? Is it possible to sound the global alarm without becoming an agent of destruction, and along the way find redemption and even love?

Two Degrees presents Daniel Lazaro with the big questions, about survival, yes, but also about integrity and responsibility. Seeking answers to these questions may also be his only way forward.