Smart

Smart Synopsis

'I found Jean's friend dead in the river. His name was Colin Kirk. He was a homeless man, but he still wanted to live.'

There's been a murder, but the police don't care. It was only a homeless old man after all. Kieran cares. He's made a promise, and when you say something out loud, that means you're going to do it, for real. He's going to find out what really happened. To Colin. And to his grandma, who just stopped coming round one day.

It's a good job Kieran's a master of observation, and knows all the detective tricks of the trade. But being a detective is difficult when you're Kieran Woods. When you're amazing at drawing but terrible at fitting in. And when there are dangerous secrets everywhere, not just outside, but under your own roof.

A truly astonishing debut novel affecting, uplifting and beautifully written, Kim Slate has created an unforgettable hero in Kieran Woods, whose internal deliberation and astute observations will make any reader desperate to see him succeed in his mission for justice. Smart tackles difficult subjects with sensitivity, warmth and humour, demonstrating that hope can be found in the most unlikely of places – and with the most unlikely of heroes.