A Twist of Light — Joyce Mandeville

When Lizzy is only twelve, she and her older sister Ellie discover their mother lying dead in a pool of vomit. Behaving with the practical aplomb that only young girls possess, they bury her body and drive out of town.

But Lizzy hadn't counted on Ellie's boyfriend coming along for the ride. Steve is a convicted juvenile criminal and, more importantly for Lizzy, his colours are bad. For as long as she can remember, Lizzy had seen bands of colour around people. Some were good, some not so; Steve's colours were almost black. And, as Lizzy predicts, the journey does not lead to happiness . . .

Now a mother herself, Lizzy writes of her past to her own daughter, patching together her curious upbringing afresh: a brave and heart-warming process, revealing the secrets and mysteries at the core of her life.

A stirring, ultimately uplifting novel of love, loyalty and survival.