I've read maybe 4 or 5 Barbara Erskine novels now and to a certain extent, yes, they follow a formula. But for the sake of being entertained I was willing to get past this. I read through the 500 or so pages (a mere trifle for her books, I might add!) and at times it was scary and suspense-filled and I was thoroughly entertained. And then I get to the last page! I don't want to spoil the book for anyone wanting to read it, but to be honest, I had to read the last page a few times to make absolutely sure I wasn't seeing things and that it did indeed say what it did! After being taken through this roller coaster ride of a story, what an incredible let-down! It won't stop me from reading her books -I'm about to start 'Hiding from the light' but if she does this again, I think I'll be dropping her publishers a wee note!!