Overlaying her tale with a ghost story, MacPhail (Missing) explores the dynamics of a down-at-heel Scottish family held in thrall by a lawless son. Col McCann has always idolized his older brother, Mungo, a criminal like their late father. But when Col pulls affluent young Dominic Sampson from the icy waters of a loch—nearly at the cost of his own life—everything changes. Media attention to Col angers Mungo, who fears exposure of his illegal activities, and Mungo is further enraged that Col risked his life for "nothing" (Mungo dismisses Dominic as "a poncy wee snob"). MacPhail contrasts the touching relationship between Col and the now-worshipful Dominic with the more disturbing bond between Col and Mungo. Meanwhile, Col is haunted by a vague memory of something terrifying he saw in the loch, and visited by the enigmatic Klaus, who claims to have witnessed Col's rescue of Dominic. As Col is increasingly torn between loyalty to Mungo and his desire to do the right thing to redress Mungo's newest crimes, McPhail ups the ante via a supernatural element. Readers may be faster than Col in equating Klaus's presence with Col's frightening vision in the loch, but the story moves quickly enough that it will likely hold the audience's interest. Ages 10-up. (Feb.)
