Another lyrical and gripping read from the multi-award winner, David Almond. With fascination, Davie and his best friend Geordie watch the arrival of a new boy, Stephen Rose, in their town. His history is a mystery, he seems to have come from nowhere, and when he arrives to live with his distant aunt, the local 'loony', 'Crazy Mary', no one envies him his new home. But perhaps he's the answer to Davie and Geordie's prayers - a secret weapon in their war against monstrous Mouldy and his gang? Intrigued by him, gradually Davie and Geordie befriend Stephen. But they are heading innocently down a dangerous path that brings with it a monster of an entirely unexpected nature. Their encounter with the mysterious Stephen is as incredible as it is menacing, and as the true shocking story of Stephen's past slowly emerges, Davie's life is changed forever.