Frankie's Story

This second part of the trilogy begun by Starry Night (the final part is out in hardback now) shifts the focus to a Republican housing estate in a small town. It catches the everyday realities which are both the ordinary and the awful. When Frankie, caught in the break-up of her parents, finds herself caught in the wild rumours of sectarian gossip, the grim and violent undercurrents are felt in terrifying detail. It's an excellent, very moving book which would make a very good companion for Under Goliath (Peter Carter) in those schools where that is used with whole classes. It should be available for all pupils and when the whole trilogy is in paperback many readers will catch the full force of Martin Waddell's (Catherine Sefton) achievement.