Written by Tim Wynne-Jones, this is the story of 14-year-old Jim. Ruth Rose Fisher is probably the last person Jim would choose as a friend. Lately, ever since his father disappeared, Jim hasn't been much interested in friendship anyway. The police found Jim's dad's car in a clearing in the woods, with no sign of him. That was two years ago, and Jim is still devastated. But now Ruth Rose Fisher, the stepdaughter of the local pastor, Father Fisher, keeps trying to talk to him. Ruth Rose gives him the creeps. Especially when she starts talking about how her stepdad, Father Fisher, is a murderer.