This is a great story for winter, aimed at readers aged 9-12 - and it kept me gripped throughout!

Tom's mum is a security officer, protecting a scientist who may have discovered a way to eradicate illness. He is staying at a ski chalet after an attempt on his life. Though Tom's mum is on duty, she is hoping to have time skiing with her son in this luxury destination.

Things haven't worked out as planned. Tom has to attend ski school because his mum can't get off work, and he is with children much younger than him, and without any friends. 

Nevertheless he has an exciting day on the slopes (he ended up taking a wrong turning and finding himself on a black run), and then meets up with Emily, the boss's daughter. 

As they near the chalet, Tom and Emily are shocked to see their parents ambushed by six men.  

A shot is fired which triggers an avalanche. Tom and Emily manage to get back to the chalet and safety, but the kidnappers are also here, with their captured parents. Can Tom and Emily come to the rescue? And so the adventure begins. 

This is a brilliant book! It's so atmospheric of the snowy mountains, luxurious chalet and the fear and entrapment of these terrible events. It's perfectly paced and the story is believable and engaging. I highly recommend it!