One night, Kat wakes up to find an intruder in her room. She screams and the man disappears, but the event becomes a catalyst for Kat, and those around her, to confront a number of problems they have been ignoring. Since her mother’s death, Kat’s father has been working late shifts, leaving Kat alone in the house. Kat’s safety is at risk and although she loathes her mother’s best friend, the ‘evil witch’ who lives next door, she has re-entered her life, along with a very slobbery dog named Hercules. A boy named Al also appears and is a friend to Kat as she tries to find out what is happening to her and struggles to cope with all of her troubles.

Intruder is a satisfying read containing some crime, some romance and some drama. It’s a really nicely constructed story about family, grief and healing, and it stars an absolutely charming dog.

Kim Gruschow works as a booksller at Readings Hawthorn.