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Stone Cold: book by Robert Swindells



 This book , described by Amazon as "an exciting, disturbing....perceptive and harrowing portrait of life on the street as a serial killer preys on the young and vulnerable homeless"  follows the story of "Link", a teenager who runs away from an abusive home situation and finds himself living on the streets, at the mercy of a callous landlord, sexual predators, an undercover reporter who pretends to be his friend in order to get a scoop, a friend who goes missing, and ultimately, the serial killer himself. In the book, the serial killer outlines potential methods of disposing of his vctims such as acid baths, dismemberment and filling a victim's shoes with cement before dumping the body in the river. This book contains a good deal of profane, offensive language.

Verdict: We at IrishParents do not feel that the subject matter, or the tone of this book are edifying or helpful in the classroom setting. Not suitable to be read at Junior level.


I am worried about some of my students getting a hold of this book -they are disturbed enough already as it is! Why fill their heads of plans to kidnap, kill and dispose of bodies?!

John P. Co.Dublin

This book should NOT be on the official school curriculum! Are we TRYING to raise killers? I'm sure there are lots of books out there dealing with homelessness, if that's the justification for studying" this book. 

Mary L. Concerned Parent, Co.Galway