DOYLE’S narrative style is deceptively simple as he narrates this family adventure story set mostly in the icy wastes of Lapland.

Tom and Johnny’s mother takes them on a thrilling husky sledging holiday to get them out of the way when their step-sister Grainne’s absentee mother suddenly turns up. It turns out to be a journey of self discovery for all the children. Grainne’s nervously developing relationship with the mother she’s never known helps her out of the dark shell of teenage angst and depression she’s been hiding in. And the boys discover a maturity no one could have guessed at when their own mother goes missing and they set out in the snow to rescue her. A leisurely read with convincing dialogue and vivid descriptions of the Arctic. (Age 9+)