Two mysterious elements in Holly Starcross's life create immediate suspense in this novel set in England. First, Holly is deeply involved in a cyber‑correspondence with someone called Zed, on whose advice she has come to rely. Secondly, an oddly painted car is seen lurking near her school, and the driver has been asking about Holly Starcross. Holly feels alienated from her younger siblings, her beautiful but cold mother, who is wrapped up in her television career, and her kind but ineffective stepfather. When Holly meets the car's driver, she is flooded with memories of her life as a young child, and recognizes that the man is her father. Rashly she drives off with him, and together they begin to rebuild the strong bond they shared in the years before Holly's mother spirited her away without warning. Questions that have haunted Holly since childhood are finally answered, and she resonates with her father's simple rural lifestyle in the few days they have together before Holly’s mother arrives to reclaim her. Holly’s mother forces Holly to choose, Solomon‑like, between the two parents. Holly’s father withdraws—literally -- and she thinks he doesn’t want her. She eventually understands that he was sparing her the pain of making such a momentous decision, a realization that makes her decision suddenly clear. Although there are a few issues of credibility, such as how Zed (actually Holly's paternal grandmother) conveniently stumbled across Holly on‑line, and why Holly and her father aren't discovered more quickly in their time together , Holly's story is absorbing and poignant, with many lyrical references to stars and astronomy for readers to discover and enjoy. (Ages 12‑15)

Holly Starcross feels alone in the world. Years ago she'd been wrenched from her familiar, comforting home to a new one with her cold, TV-star mother, friendly, producer stepfather, and, eventually, rambunctious half-siblings. Ever since, she's been haunted by sadness, by dreams, by vague memories of her father and of belonging.

Recently she's developed a new friend on the Internet -- someone named Zed, who knows how to speak to Holly's secret, inner self. And a mysterious stranger in an old, battered car is stalking her. Everyone at school is frightened by this prowler. A special meeting is called, the police have been informed, escorts to the buses have been arranged.

Holly is both fascinated by the stranger and scared. She wants to meet him. She doesn't want to. Are he and Zed somehow connected? Could he -- dare she think it -- be her father? And if she meets him, talks to him, will she find herself or lose herself?