Sweetie - Softcover

It is the summer of 1976, the hottest summer on record.

In the heart of London's bustling East End lies a tight-knit community of families. They lead a very traditional way of life, the men are down the pub, the women are gossiping at the toddler group in the working men's club and the children stay out late in the long summer evenings, playing in the park and roaming the streets carefree.

In the sweltering heat, Grace Ballantyne leaves her son Adam playing in his toy car in the garden. When she returns, she finds the door to the car open and her four-year-old son is nowhere in sight. As Grace frantically searches, panic creeps in and so the nightmare begins.

A series of horrific assaults on young children spreads through the neighbourhood, each one more brutal; there is only so much this close community can take. As they cling to one another for hope and survival, the men beat up the school caretaker who they believe to be the perpetrator of this twisted abuse. But have they got the right man?

Finally, it is the women who take control. In a battle to protect their families - and seek revenge - they make sure the attacker gets his just desserts.

It is the summer of 1976, the hottest summer on record.

In the heart of London's bustling East End lies a tight-knit community of families.

But in the sweltering heat, a young girl called Chantal is snatched on her way home from school. The carefree and traditional way of life is shattered when her lifeless body is found. Then young Adam Ballantyne goes missing from his garden. As his mother frantically searches for the four year-old boy, panic creeps in and so the nightmare begins.

A series of horrific assaults on young children spreads through the neighbourhood, each one more brutal; there is only so much this close community can take. As they cling to one another for hope and survival, it is the women who take control. In a battle to protect their families and win back the innocence of their children.