Tony Barber finds the body of his best friend, Jimmy, in a river. At the funeral Tony meets Cora, who helps him follow clues, which indicate that Jimmy's death was no accident. Tony suspects that Jimmy's uncle - Tom - holds vital information about the death. But, then Tom is found dead, by Tony and Cora... When Cora leaves for England, these losses - compounded by guilt around Tom's death - send Tony to find solace from the 'Hermit on the Hill', overlooking his village - Barley Cove. A moving story of love and loss set in rural Ireland in the 1970s, by a writer unafraid to take on big issues. A novel of family secrets and lies for both young adult and adult readers.