Cold Skin : Front Street

Cold Skin

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Steven Herrick

In Fiction

Ages: 14–17

List Price: $18.95

Cover: Hardcover

Published: 4/1/2009

ISBN: 1-59078-572-X

ISBN-13: 978-1-59078-572-0

First love, sexual awakening, murder, cowardice, vengeance and forgiveness ... these are the powerful ingredients for Steven Herrik's gutsiest book yet. "Cowards don't always hide. Sometimes they're so gutless they need to stand out." Eddie doesn't want to be in school, he wants to work in the mine. But his dad won't go down the coal pits and he won't let his sons go either. Nothing much happens in Burruga, except for fights at the pub. Then one Friday night a girl is found dead by the river, and every man in the town comes under suspicion. Eddie is drawn into secrets and a bitter struggle for revenge. Herrick deftly reveals a cast of vivid characters in this chilling story of mailce, power, and the courage to forgive.

Reviews

"Written in cadenced prose poetry, the realistic, chilling story unfolds slowly through...alternating first-person, present-tense voices. ... Herrick's adroit use of multiple perspectives allows readers to understand the motivations of each character in what proves to be a taut and tender tale of courage and revenge."
—Kirkus Reviews

"Herrick produces a hauntingly beautiful, murder mystery. ... [A] novel that is difficult to put down. This young adult novel will most certainly find its way into the hands of both teenagers and adults alike."
—Voice of Youth Advocates

"A multilayered and affecting read."
—School Library Journal

"A great title for readers’ theater."
—Booklist

"A multilayered and affecting read."
—School Library Journal

"A great title for readers’ theater."
—Booklist

In the April 2009 issue of Voice of Youth Advocates, Steven Herrick's Cold Skin is reviewed: "Herrick produces a hauntingly beautiful, murder mystery. ... [A] novel that is difficult to put down. This young adult novel will most certainly find its way into the hands of both teenagers and adults alike."

Kirkus Reviews awards Steven Herrick's Cold Skin with a starred review in the March 1, 2009 issue: “Written in cadenced prose poetry, the realistic, chilling story unfolds slowly through...alternating first-person, present-tense voices. ... Herrick's adroit use of multiple perspectives allows readers to understand the motivations of each character in what proves to be a taut and tender tale of courage and revenge.”