During the hottest summer on record, the children of a small Italian hamletplay in the surrounding fields. While completing a dare set by the others, oneof the boys, Michele Amitrano, discovers something so shocking that he feelsforced to keep it a secret from his friends.

Michele is repulsed by what he has discovered and yet is unable to resistunearthing more. But what upsets him most, is finding out to what extent theadults know.

A terrifying situation is revealed through the eyes of this nine year old,with a mixture of his burgeoning understanding of morality, his imagination andhis naivety about the adult world.

The heat and the isolation of the setting create an stiflingatmosphere that mirrors the boy's fear and adult's increasing desperation.

Absolutely gripping, this powerful and beautifully writtenstory is reminiscent of Stephan King's Stand By Me, and Harper Lee'sTo Kill a Mockingbird.

Niccolo Ammaniti was born in Rome in 1966. This is his third novel and hehas also published a collection of stories. His books have been translated intoover half a dozen languages. At thirty-four, he was the youngest ever winner ofthe prestigious Viareggio-Repaci prize.