One stormy night, five stranded schoolchildren uncover the story of Richard Clayton Harwick a boy who many years ago learned what it was like to have a truly wicked stepfather. But the children have stories of their own step-parents to tell stories that have warmth and humour, as well as sadness, and a fair share of happy endings. For children who have some similar experience, this novel will be therapeutic; for those who haven t it s an absorbing read, to make them laugh and cry Sunday Telegraph.