Screen of Deceit

June 1, 2008
Fourteen-year-old Mark Carter lives on a bleak housing estate in England, where crime, drugs, and violence are rife. His mother is an alcoholic, and his sister is a drug addict, but Mark is determined to escape his awful life. But when his sister, Beth, dies of a drug overdose, Mark is determined to exact retribution from local drug dealer Jonny Sparks, whom he blames for Beths death, and from the Crackman, the much-feared, mysterious drug kingpin who is Jonny Sparks supplier. Meanwhile, Detective Chief Inspector Henry Christie is investigating Beths death and sees an opportunity to nab the Crackman and get himself back in the good graces of his superiors. To do this, though, he has to convince Mark to turn police informer, find the Crackman, and set him up for Christie to arrest. Although the plotting isnt quick as airtight asit was in last years Critical Threat, Oldhams latest cop drama offers the same taut suspense and gritty authenticity that we have come to expect from this fine series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)