by Kate Ellison
I have been reading far too many young adult dystopian novels - it was time for a change. And here it was. A superb thriller which sucks you in until you can't put it down. I filled up in a few places, and then felt a warmth of happiness and a smile on my face during the romantic parts. I was slightly irritated at the beginning by the main character's obsessive compulsive behaviour - all her little routines, words and actions she had to carry out - but as I continued through the book, it was accepted that was part of her behaviour, part of her coping, and it didn't bother me after that.While trying to find out her late brother's last whereabouts, Penelope becomes involved in an incident which draws her into the world of Neverland - a place of homelessness, drug addicts, strip joints, and the charming Flynt. Yet Penelope is learning to trust nobody, not even the police. When she is hunted down and threatened by murderers, Penelope resolves to solve the mystery herself - with terrifying results.
A hard-hitting thriller, with language and themes to suit the higher end of teenage - I'd recommend 14/15yrs.
If you like this, try The Vanishing of Katharina Linden by Helen Grant.
