This author of well-written page-turners deserves to be better known. Uncle Vampire uses the ancient myth as a powerful metaphor. Carolyn’s uncle Toddy (yes, Tod means death in German) is abusing her, but she expresses her fears in supernatural terms.

In Shadow Man, a brilliant use of multiple viewpoints explores the effect of a death. Gabriel, a golden boy from a dysfunctional family, is resurrected in the words of his girlfriend, family and friends.

We learn about him in short chapters that form a dazzling picture of a small community and the way it deals with grief. Unmissable books for anyone of 12 or over.