Shortlisted for the Best Crime Novel for Young Adults at the CrimeFest Awards 2017.
In a nutshell : tense, unusual thriller
Set in a not-too-distant future in which, following the collapse of the EU and a major recession in the UK (that must feel much more prescient now than when the book was being written), jails are filled not just with criminals, but the innocent family members of those who have committed crimes too, Simon Mayo’s first YA novel is a gripping, well-thought out thriller that asks interesting questions about our pre-disposition to apportion blame as a way of avoiding more difficult questions about what’s really gone wrong. The central character Ant, imprisoned with her foster parents and little brother Mattie, is the kind of feisty, impulsive and courageous heroine who lights up the best YA.
One to recommend to fans of The Hunger Games. Readers who enjoy this kind of thoughtful political thriller will also like One of Us by Jeannie Waudby. ~ Andrea Reece
What happens when society wants you banged up in prison for a crime your parents committed? That's the situation in which Ant finds herself - together with her little brother Mattie and their foster-parents, she's locked up in a new kind of family prison. None of the inmates are themselves criminals, but wider society wants them to do time for the unpunished 'heritage' crimes of their parents. Tensions are bubbling inside the London prison network Ant and Mattie call home - and when things finally erupt, they realize they've got one chance to break out. Everyone wants to see them punished for the sins of their mum and dad, but it's time for Ant to show the world that they're not to blame...
Simon Mayo is best known for his BBC Radio 2 Drivetime show. He began writing four years ago, when he decided to create something for his son Joe, an avid reader and science nut. Having spent ten years interviewing scientists for his Radio 5 Live show he had plenty of ideas, and was soon consumed by ITCH and his story, waking up in the middle of the night to write. Simon has spent the last three years juggling his broadcasting job with visiting schools and talking about the ITCH series. During this time he’s met over 10,000 children as well as having appeared at literary and science festivals. Simon has worked on BBC radio since 1981 and runs a Book Club on his Radio 2 show. He is also the co-presenter of "Kermode and Mayo's Film Review" on BBC Radio 5 Live. In 2008, Mayo was recognized as the "radio broadcaster of the year" at the 34th annual Broadcasting Press Guild Awards and the "Speech Broadcaster of the Year" at the Sony Radio Academy Awards.
