About This Book
Reach for this book when your adolescent is grappling with the realization that adults are not always safe or when they are facing a situation involving complex manipulation and intimidation. This gritty thriller, set in Depression-era New Zealand, centers on Colin Potter, a young boy who becomes the target of Herbert Muscol, a man returning to his hometown to enact a long-simmering revenge on those who bullied him as a child. It is a powerful exploration of how past trauma can warp a person and how a young person must find the inner strength to resist psychological control. Because of its dark psychological depth and moments of genuine peril, this is best suited for mature readers aged 11 and up who are ready to discuss the cyclical nature of bullying and the heavy weight of secrets. It provides a vital opening to talk about setting boundaries, the difference between adult authority and adult abuse, and the courage required to break a cycle of fear.
