Blood and Mortar

White, middle-class, 15-year-old accused of GBH on his own uncle, who subsequently dies in hospital ... the nightmare of Nick's situation is given added drama by being told in the present tense; the police cells and interrogation, the remand home, the hearings and the malice of the widow are all relayed with convincing realism in this taut and compelling novel that never disappoints right up to the final court room confrontation. I had a job putting it down and will recommend it to many older youngsters.