I'm a bit of a fan of this writer since she was recommended to me by a book group member a few months ago.

I thought her book 'Pet' was brilliant, so I was very keen to try this. And once again it's a case of being wrongfooted as we seek to work out who we can trust, and nothing ever being entirely as it seems. This time though it's set in an alternative reality.

We meet three boys who are the sole residents of a secluded home in the New Forest, in 1979. They are part of the government's Sycamore Scheme and, under the care of three mothers - Mother Morning, Mother Afternoon and Mother Night - they do their chores, play games and take their medicine.

Everything is monitored or prescribed. Their nightmares are recorded in The Book of Dreams. Their lessons are taken from The Book of Knowledge. And their sins are reported in The Book of Guilt.

Vincent, Lawrence and William have heard, though, that they might be sent to the Big House in Margate, a life full of sunshine and fairground rides and this is their hope and dream. But when they hear that the government plans to shut down the Sycamore Homes, they realise that all they've been told is not in fact the real picture and they are unwittingly a part of something very sinister.

While I felt that the story stalled in places, it was impossible to put down as I had to know what was going on. And ultimately it's a clever, compelling, troubling thriller. Well worth a read. A great writer.