Brilliant story, a tale of cold weather and life in a strictly controlled society. The freezing temperatures pervade throughout the book, getting into your mind and sending shivers. It's a great reminder that life was very formal and hierarchy prevalent not so many decades ago. Restrictions on movement and the availability and access to resources are detailed. Joy was found in small things. An important time in European history seen through the eyes of a worker/parent/colleague and the decisions made daily had repercussions for others. A good, solid story that didn't falter at the end, keeping my interest whilst following the characters, of which there are a few. I look forward to reading other books in the series by the author David Young.