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Late one night, two brothers learn that their sister has died in the worst way imaginable. She’s found, strangled, in a desolate place hundreds of miles from their East London home.

Ruben is the smarter of the two, with a gift for getting into other people’s hearts; Cole may be older, but he’s a devil’s angel who doesn’t care if he lives or dies. Together, they set out to find their own answers and retrace Rachel’s final journey.

Reviews:  

'For any teenagers who like a good crime mystery packed with atmosphere, this is a must-read.' BIRMINGHAM POST

'This clever novel mixes up the numinous (Ruben is telepathic) with the brutal … I’d give it to any boy.'  OBSERVER 

'… will have you gasping for breath …' SCOTSMAN

'You can taste the blood in your mouth as you read this.' PHILIP ARDAGH, GUARDIAN

A heart-stopping, heart-breaking thriller about three ill-fated siblings and the love, and blood, that runs between them.  This is an accomplished, gripping and atmospheric novel from the groundbreaking author of the highly acclaimed young adult novels Martyn Pig, Lucas, Kissing the Rain and Candy.

I knew the Dead Man had killed Rachel.

I didn’t know who he was, or why he’d done it. But I knew he was dead.

I didn’t know why he was dead.

And I didn’t know what it meant.

I hadn’t told any of this to Cole or Mum yet, and I didn’t know when – or if – I was going to.

I didn’t know what that meant, either.

But the biggest thing I didn’t know was how I felt about Rachel. After that night in the back of the Mercedes, when all I’d felt was blackness and nothing, my head and heart had been invaded with all the feelings in the world, some of which I’d never felt before. I was sick and empty and full of lies. I wanted to hate someone, but I didn’t know who. I was nowhere and everywhere. I was lost.

When we got home, Cole went straight up to his room without saying a word. I followed Mum into the kitchen and made us some tea, then we sat down together at the table and listened to the muffled sounds coming from Cole’s room. Measured footsteps, drawers opening, drawers closing ...

‘He’s going to Dartmoor, isn’t he?’ I said to Mum.

‘Probably.’

‘Do you think that’s a good idea?’

‘I don’t know, love. I’m not sure it matters what I think. You know what he’s like when he sets his mind on something.’

‘What do you think he’s planning to do?’

‘Find out who did it, I expect.’ She looked at me. ‘He wants to find out who killed Rachel so we can bring her back home.’

‘Are you sure that’s all he wants?’