Out of the Easy – Ruta Sepetys

Set against the vivid background of 1950s New Orleans, this is the riveting story of seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine. The daughter of a prostitute, Josie is determined to escape the life she was born into. Working in a local bookstore in exchange for a safe place to sleep and cleaning the brothel to earn money, Josie dreams of attending an elite college far away from the clutches of her scheming mother. But then a mysterious death in the city threatens Josie’s plans and the murky underworld lures her in deeper as she searches for the truth, and temptation beckons at every turn. Feisty, intelligent and street smart, Josie is surrounded by a cast of colourful characters; some who will do anything to protect her, some who are determined to do her harm.

Love, mystery, murder, blackmail and friendship combine in this rich historical novel of secrets and intrigue.

Out of the easy website

Why We Took the Car – Wolfgang Herrndorf

When 14 year old Mike Klingenberg discovers that he’s among the few “boring kids and losers” who are not invited to the party of the year being held by the most popular girl in school (and the love of his life), he is devastated. With his mother in rehab and his father on a business trip, Mike is facing a miserable summer holiday alone.

That is, until the new Russian kid at school, Tschick arrives at his house in a beaten-up old car that he has temporarily ‘borrowed’. Forget the popular kids. Mike and Tschick are going on a road trip with no map, no phone and no destination. Will they get hopelessly lost in the middle of nowhere? Probably. Will they meet crazy people and get into serious trouble? Definitely. But will they ever be called boring again?

Not a chance.

The Screaming Staircase – Jonathan Stroud

When the dead come back to haunt the living, Lockwood & Co. step in . . .

For more than fifty years, the country has been affected by a horrifying epidemic of ghosts. A number of Psychic Investigations Agencies have sprung up to destroy the dangerous apparitions.

Lucy Carlyle, a talented young agent, arrives in London hoping for a notable career. Instead she finds herself joining the smallest most ramshackle agency in the city, run by the charismatic Anthony Lockwood. When one of their cases goes horribly wrong, Lockwood & Co. have one last chance of redemption. Unfortunately this involves spending the night in one of the most haunted houses in England, and trying to escape alive.

Set in a city stalked by spectres, The Screaming Staircase is the first in a chilling new series full of suspense, humour and truly terrifying ghosts.

Jonathan Stroud’s website

The Screaming Staircase book trailer

Jonathan Stroud answers fan questions