BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, Firefly Press.

Josie and Tasha, both fifteen, are near-neighbours. But when their families let them down, they find themselves unlikely allies in a battle for survival.

Josie is the daughter of an obsessive-compulsive hoarder whose house is no longer safe. Tasha, though materially cared for, feels threatened by her mother's new boyfriend, who her mother chooses over her daughter. They are girls on the margins of adulthood, who find themselves also on the margins of society.

"We stare at each other and in that moment everything between us changes. Tasha with the mum who doesn't protect her and me with the mum in prison, neither of us with a proper home."

Behind Closed Doors explores what teenagers are up against when there is no security at home.

REVIEWS

As someone who actually works in the field of Hoarding Disorder I read this book with interest. So often children who live in these conditions never have a chance to talk about their side of the story , as Miriam shows, they suffer in silence. Sometimes they do not realise that not everyone lives like this. I work with the adults usually but  children ... are part of the story too, and they need to feel they have some say in their own room at least. Miriam showed great sensitivity and understanding around these issues  ... It is hard for adults to know how to ask for help ... imagine how hard it is for the young who have no idea even where to start.

Heather Matuozzo, Director of Hoarding Disorder charity, Clouds End CIC :

This novel moves at a breathless pace showing the two girls coping in impossible circumstances. Each of them have secrets and are struggling to keep up a public face. Miriam Halahmy successfully uses a light touch with this dark material. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Author, Anne Cassidy.