Wednesday 28 March 2012

88. Daylight Saving by Edward Hogan

Daylight Saving by Edward Hogan
Published April 2012 Walker Books

From the publisher:

When Daniel Lever is dragged to Leisure World Holiday Complex for some "time away" with his depressed dad, his expectations are low. Daniel is overweight, he hates sport, and his father has brought along his beloved tomato plant. But soon Daniel spots a girl swimming in the fake lake. Lexi is elegant and smart, but very mysterious. Why are her bruises getting worse each time she and Daniel meet? And is her watch really ticking backwards? A dark figure stalks the pair, and as British summer time approaches, Daniel has to act quickly. Their souls depend on it. 


Daniel's family is falling apart, and as he sees it, it is his fault.  His Dad, in his wisdom, thinks that a weeks holiday in the great outdoors is just what they need to get things back on track.  Just a few problems with this scenario.  Firstly the slightly overweight Dan does not really 'do' the outdoors.  Secondly, Dad in his depressed state is spending too much time with the bottle 'cutting loose', not the best state to be in for parenting.



Things look up for Dan when he meets Lexie, she is unlike any girl he has ever met, and Dan starts to enjoy his holiday.  Only...something is not right about Lexie.  That faint bruise on her eye seems to be getting worse, not better...and then there's her watch...it's going backwards.

Only Dan can see Lexie...she is a ghost.  Something terrible happened to her, and every year she has to relive it, unless Dan can help make it stop.  While everyone around him thinks he is going crazy, talking to himself, disappearing into thin air...Lexie is actually helping Dan come to terms with what has happened with his family.

This book has a little bit of everything.  It's in part a ghost story, a family story,a mystery,  a thriller and with all of this Dan still has a sense of humour.  This is the author's first novel for teenagers, but I hope there will be more.






Who will like this book: Boys and girls age 15+
Read it if you like: Between by Jessica Warman

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