Brooks, Kevin. The Road of the Dead.

BROOKS, Kevin. The road of the dead. Scholastic, c2006. 352p. 0-439-78623-1. $16.99. JS This rape-murder mystery has brooding violence, ESP, the vast, empty moors of England, Gypsies, crooked policemen, a gang of ignorant toughs, a ruthless hotel syndicate manipulating events to their own ends, and a near superhero, though a flawed one, which makes him more attractive.

Fourteen-year-old Ruben is half-Gypsy. While his father is in prison for manslaughter, Ruben, his 16-year-old brother Cole and their mother run the family junkyard. Meanwhile, when 19-year-old Rachel visits her old school friend on the moors, she is attacked and murdered. Cole and Ruben set out on a journey to find out who killed Rachel so that her body can be released for burial. They immediately encounter a village full of suspicious characters, from the local constable to the farmer they stay with, to the menacing businessman who lurks nearby and both watches and hinders their efforts. Ruben provides the extra-sensory perception that helps solve the mystery. Cole provides the near-mythical imperviousness to violence that saves the day. The local Gypsies prove to be invaluable allies. This is mainly an adventure story with atmosphere and interesting character development. Myrna Marler, Assoc. Prof. of English, BYU, Provo, UT