A Town called Immaculate by Peter Anthony (Pan MacMillan £7.99).

IMMACULATE is a small, rural, town in America. It is home to Ray, his beautiful wife and their two sons and it's the last Christmas they'll be spending on their farm since being declared bankrupt.

After having done his time in Vietnam Ray is doing his best to put his past behind him until a deadly snowstorm hits the town.

Ray saves the life of his friend and neighbour, Josh, but his own son goes missing. Josh is the first to offer help to find Jacob but it soon becomes evident that Josh's interest goes further then just 'being neighbourly'.

I found this novel a very gripping debut with the odd comedy moment that anyone from a small town will appreciate.