Description

* A WATERSTONES SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE MONTH *
* SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA HISTORICAL DAGGER AWARD *

‘As moving as it is gripping… I loved it’ CHRIS BROOKMYRE
‘Utterly compelling’ MARION TODD
‘Extraordinary’ JAMES OSWALD
‘Excellent’ HERALD SCOTLAND

There were good people in The Homes. But there were also some very, very bad ones…

A thousand unwanted children live in The Homes, a village of orphans in the Scottish Lowlands on the outskirts of Glasgow. Lesley was six before she learned that most children live with their parents. Now Lesley is twelve, and she and her best friend Jonesy live in Cottage 5, Jonesy the irrepressible spirit to Lesley’s quiet thoughtfulness.

Life is often cruel at The Homes, and suddenly it becomes much crueller. A child is found murdered. Then another. With the police unable to catch the killer, Lesley and Jonesy decide to take the matter into their own hands. But unwanted children are easy victims, and they are both in terrible danger…

Inspired by a true story, and introducing readers to the unforgettable voice of young orphan Lesley, The Homes is a moving and lyrical thriller, perfect for readers of Val McDermid, Chris Whitaker, Jane Casey and Denise Mina.

Publisher Review

Tense yet tender, as moving as it is gripping... set to be one of the Scottish crime books of the year. I loved it -- Chris Brookmyre An extraordinary story quite brilliantly told. Lesley is a wonderful character, and J.B. Mylet catches her voice perfectly. I found myself staying up long after lights out reading "just another chapter". And then another, and another. -- James Oswald Heart-warming, heart-breaking and utterly compelling. I could not put this beautiful book down and it stayed with me long after I finished it -- Marion Todd, author of the Detective Clare Mackay series Amazing. I was hooked from the first page... A brilliant, must read story, all the more powerful because it's told through the bewildered logic of a child. I read it with an ache in my chest for all the Lesleys and Jonesys out there -- Anna Smith, author of the Kerry Casey series A serial-killer mystery and a whodunit, but so much more. Tragic, gritty and haunting, yet brims with bitter-sweet humour and a main character who will steal your heart away -- Janice Hallett, author of The Twyford Code