The Night Walkers

Clues to the nature of this story proliferate - it is set in Covendale; the surname of one of the victims is Craven; one of the symptoms of the affliction is a sensitivity to light. A horror story, perhaps? When their brothers are affected, their personalities submerged inside automatons wishing to claim others, Nora and Maxine decide to act by exposing the children to the very light which scars them. Nora is left alone when Maxine is caught and transformed but she - and an elderly housekeeper - finally triumph. A fast, compelling potboiler - though lacking in subtlety, it achieves a degree of tension. I found the climax frenetic but I feel sure 2nd and 3rd year pupils - including reluctant readers - will demand more.