The brutal, inexplicable death of Inspector Thomas Lynley's wife has left Scotland Yard searching for answers. Who is the twelve-year-old boy who pulled the trigger? What were the circumstances that led to his horrific act? That story begins on the other side of London, where the three mixed-race Campbell children are sent to live with their aunt. The oldest, fifteen-year-old Ness, is headed for trouble as fast as her high-heeled boots will take her. That leaves the middle child, Joel, to care for the youngest, Toby. But before long, Joel has his own problems with a local gang. To protect his family, he makes a pact with the devil-- a move that leads straight to the front doorstep of Thomas Lynley.

Bressani Literary Prize Winner 2008

Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award Shortlist 2008

Chocolate Lily nominee 2007-2008

Rocky Mountain Book Award finalist, 2008

Could life get more embarrassing?

Mariangela longs to play the piano but when her Italian immigrant family arranges for accordion lessons instead, she can_t contain her disappointment. Who wants to be strapped to such a heavy, ugly old thing? But before she knows it, a mortified Mariangela is dragging the old accordion in a red wagon through the streets of Vancouver to her lessons. Try as she might, Mariangela can_t get the accordion to sing for her. Even her accordion teacher, whose two missing fingers and handsome looks fascinate her, cannot find a way to inspire his pupil. But he can tell stories, and through his own sometimes harrowing experiences, Mariangela gradually comes to understand both her family_s determination to start life in a new country and her own capacity to persevere.