Sequels are a dangerous business. But then, so is moving away from your genre, which Melina Marchetta proved to be no obstacle in her fourth novel, Finnikin of the Rock. Her return to the world of Saving Francesca is met with greedy anticipation for us rabid fans and oh, we’re so glad Marchetta dares to be dangerous!

The Piper’s Son is the story of Tom Mackee – a Tom Mackee damaged by the five years between books. Tom is aiming for oblivion, wanting to leave behind the friends and family who tie him to grief. Kicked out of his flat, broke and friendless, Tom moves in with his aunt and slowly, his messy life comes into focus. There is darkness in this book: the darkness of real life, real pain. But there is warmth and light too, as Tom finds himself and realises the people he is trying to escape are the people who will ultimately help him move beyond it.