Sam is seven and Beth is fourteen. Sam is very intelligent for his age, a 'child prodigy,' but other than that their family is normal. One year ago their sister Laura died, and of course the family is still adjusting to the trauma of that tragic event. On the day that the family is to visit Laura's grave Sam starts to act peculiar. His family concluded that it is nothing and Sam will soon "get over it." But Sam doesn't "get over it" and events rapidly get worse. Sam talks of his 'imaginary' friend Del-Del who seems to be a weird and malevolent force. Del-Del seems much more real than imaginary, and Sam's family becomes increasing more desperate to rid their son of this evil influence. What is wrong with Sam? Is he mad? Is he possessed by a demon? Is he controlled by some otherworldly, alien force? Beth, the narrator of the story, is determined to follow ever clue, every detail, in order to rid Sam of this terrible circumstance, but can a teenage girl armed with nothing more than simple human caring and fortitude win out?

This novel is highly original, frightening, and grips the attention like a vice. It is written with such emotional force that the tale 'lives,' so much so that you might not want to read it while alone in the house. Kelleher looks deep into the heart of life summoning up the evil that is hidden, but that so easily can leap upon us in ways we don't expect. We go through life believing that the 'normal' is all that there is, then one day we discover something completely 'abnormal' and are utterly unprepared for it. This book plays upon our fear of the unknown, instinct to deeply mistrust the unexpected.

To my mind this is one of Kelleher's best books. He has written many futuristic stories in the 'fantasy/science fiction' genre, but this contemporary drama particularly captured my fancy in a winning way. For that reason it gets one of my rare five star ratings.