The Radleys

Matt Haig takes an original and witty approach to the supernatural genre in this quirky young adult novel..

The Radleys may appear just like any other ordinary family living in a peaceful English village, but parents Peter and Helen are hiding a dark secret from their neighbours: in fact, they are a family of abstaining vampires.

Their teenage children Clara and Rowan have no idea why they crave red meat, find garlic so disgusting and have to wear factor 60 sunscreen on even the cloudiest day - that is, until Clara unexpectedly uncovers their true identities, with dramatic consequences for the whole family.

Cleverly balancing light and dark notes, this coming-of-age story with a difference is a refreshing alternative to the vampire theme.