A powerful tale of love, the loss of innocence and the importance of family in difficult times by the acclaimed author of The Death of Bees, winner of the Commonwealth Book Prize 2013.

There are no strangers in Rothesay, Michael. Everyone knows who you are and always will. Its a blessing but its also a curse.

Eleven-year-old Michael Murray is the best at two things: keepy-uppies and keeping secrets. His family think hes too young to hear grown-up stuff, but he listens at doors; its the only way to find out anything. And Michaels heard a secret, one that might explain the bruises on his mothers face.

When the whispers at home and on the street become too loud to ignore, Michael begins to wonder if there is an even bigger secret he doesnt know about. Scared of what might happen if anyone finds out, and desperate for life to return to normal, Michael sets out to piece together the truth. But he also has to prepare for the upcoming talent show, keep an eye out for Dirty Alice, his arch-nemesis from down the street, and avoid eating Grannys watery stew.

Closed Doorsis the startling new novel from the acclaimed author ofThe Death of Bees. It is a vivid evocation of the fears and freedoms of childhood in the 1980s and a powerful tale of love, the loss of innocence and the importance of family in difficult times.