No Place Of Safety

No Place Of Safety by Robert Barnards Fifteen-year-old
Katy Bourne and sixteen-year-old Alan Coughlan are
missing. Though they are students at the same school they
hardly know each other so its strange that they should
disappear together. Katys mother self-centered and
unloving doesnt mind if her daughter never comes home.
Alans solid working-class parents are pained and puzzled
by their sons departure. Theres not much the police can do
about runaway teenagers but Detective Constable Charlie
Peace goes through the motions. He interviews the families
he visits the school. Alan had friends and had aspired to
a good education. Katy had nothing least of all
self-esteem. The two teens could be anywhere even living
dangerously on the streets of Leeds so its with relief
that Charlie discovers them in a hostel for homeless young
people. But are they safe? And who is Ben Marchant the man
who runs the shelter? Whoever he is he seems to be doing
well. Young people beg or work as street musicians during
the day then eat and sleep at the hostel at night. They
can remain there two weeks and then must leave for two
weeks before beginning the cycle again. Only Katy and Alan
stay longer. Only they have a special mysterious
understanding with Ben. But all is not well at the
shelter. Neighbors complain about strange goings-on.
Residents too often display feelings of jealousy and
suspicion. A young woman flees from a violent family
member perhaps bringing danger with her. Emotions run high
ranging from love and gratitude to fear and hate. One
person may even hate enough to murder. One persons hate
may destroy this place that some regard as a haven of
peace and safety and others fear as something more complex
and diabolical. No Place of Safety combines brilliant
social commentary with a mesmerizing mystery plot that
will once again enthrall Robert Barnards legion of fans.
Recognized as one of the best of all contemporary crime
writers Barnard is in top form.