'War Games'

This is a story about Lucy Marchmount, a delightful name that recalls many a character in Edith Wharton's ghostly tales. Lucy is an 'awkward child' because, unlike her boisterous brothers, she prefers to sit in her room reading. She also asks a lot of questions and, when the story begins, has just started getting into ghosts, poltergeists, and such-like matters.

Lucy's parents, Jason and Alison, worry about her. However, they accommodate Lucy's paranormal obsession to the extent of visiting the ruined Chilton Castle. On their return Lucy's brothers change their habitual garden war game to include a medieval dimension. Then they go missing, causing a frantic search. When the boys turn up many hours later they insist that they were attacked by a medieval knight.

The story proceeds at a fair pace as the Marchmounts wonder just how unusual Lucy is. The brothers vanish again, and this time seem to travel many miles by no obvious method. Finally there is a showdown at Maiden Castle, the huge Iron Age earthwork. It is not exactly a twist ending, but I did not see it coming.

An intriguing story that places the supernatural firmly in the context of a modern family, and the questions all parents ask about their children - are they safe, normal, happy? I liked it.