Hideout

When Cross Tides was published, Lorraine Orman's first book, it received high praise. Cross Tides won the Best First Book Award in 2005, and several Australian publishers said 'We like this, please let us see her next novel'. Sales have been healthy (over 4 200 copies to date) and Cross Tides is popular with the author's young readership. In Hideout Lorraine Orman tells the contemporary story of an older sister's attempt to rescue her younger sister from their abusive home life. The older sister, Roz, organises for the two of them to run away and hide at a friend's bach at the beach. The eldest of the two takes on a self-elected maternal role which in turn becomes more than she can manage. Roz is a likeable character and the adventure element of these two on the run, and having to fend for themselves, will appeal to young teens. Orman places her characters on the coast not far from Wellington, and transports her readers to this wild and windy place with skill and flair. She writes convincingly of the power of the sea and its attendant mysticism, the beach and the weather. There's plenty of nail-biting suspense in this compelling, well-crafted, psychological drama. The two girls desperately try to keep themselves hidden but practicalities keep getting in the way. And when illness and a violent storm strike, who do they turn to help out?