The Wild Hunt of Hagworthy

An ancient tradition, the horn dance, is revived by an enthusiastic village committee. Kester, the blacksmith's son is growing away from the locals as he succeeds at school. Along with the older villagers he is aware that the original hunt involved the pursuit and punishment of an odd one out. He is bitter and antagonistic. Lucy, visiting the village, is aware of his loneliness and becomes determined to break the secret of the hunt before too many are hurt. There is a sinister tension throughout the story. Penelope Lively uses the oppressive heat of an unusual summer to create a sense of tension and darkness. Nerves are constantly at snapping point and the compulsion to read on is positively eerie. Once again this author's characters are most aptly portrayed --- the horsey girls, the sour blacksmith, the vague and kindly aunt. A perfect story for intelligent and sensitive readers. For the upper middle school.