Meet Martyn Pig, a boy with a terrible name, trapped in a terrible life. Justwhen he thinks things can't get any worse, his father is accidentally killed, setting off a horrific chain of events. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

In a starred review, PW called this novel about a boy who accidentally kills his slovenly and abusive alcoholic father (and decides not to call the authorities) "hard-boiled, wide eyed and laugh-aloud funny." Ages 10-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr 8 Up-Martyn Pig's mother left years ago; his father is an abusive alcoholic. Living in a dreary English seaside town, he thinks that things can't get any worse. But, in the week that readers spend with him, his life takes an even worse turn. He makes the mistake of yelling at his father; as the drunken man comes at his son with his fist raised, he stumbles, falls (with just the merest shove from Martyn), hits his head on the fireplace wall, and dies. Faced with the possibility of living with his dreadful aunt, and feeling no sense of having done anything really wrong, he decides not to notify the police. With the help of his friend Alex, he concocts a macabre, blackly humorous scene to fool Aunty Jean into thinking Dad is very ill in bed. He and Alex then sew him and some rocks into a sleeping bag and pitch him into a quarry. When Martyn stumbles across a letter informing his father of a substantial inheritance, he thinks he and Alex will be set for the future. Then blackmail and double-crossing enter the picture. She steals the money and disappears, but not before she does away with her boyfriend. In a brief epilogue, readers see Martyn in his aunt's house, in sunnier times. They will be fascinated with the gripping plot twists and turns, and fully engaged by Martyn's distinctive voice. While there are some heavy issues here, the characters are surprisingly likable, and the bleakness is tempered by some tongue-in-cheek and zany humor. Fresh and edgy, Martyn Pig will have tremendous teen appeal.-Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Kevin Brooks has led a varied career, including jobs at a railroad station, a crematorium, and the London Zoo. He is married and lives in Essex, U.K. (officially the smallest town in England). His greatest literary heroes are Jack Kerouac, Raymond Chandler, Cormac McCarthy, and, of course, J.D. Salinger. Martyn Pig is his first novel. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Wednesday	p. 1
Thursday	p. 43
Friday	p. 73
Saturday	p. 100
Sunday	p. 140
Monday	p. 153
Tuesday	p. 181
Christmas Day	p. 202
Epilogue	p. 221

Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.