Some people see life differently. Hallam's talent for spying on people...(More)

Some people see life differently. Hallam's talent for spying on people reveals his darkest fears -- and his most peculiar desires. Driven to expose the true cause of his mother's death, he instead finds himself searching the rooftops of the city for love. Hallam Foe is a boy haunted by the enigma of his mother's death. Did she drown herself, or was she pushed? Hallam has evidence which he believes implicates Verity -- his alluring, feline stepmother. Yet his own methods for uncovering secrets are no less devious. From his treetop hideout, or sneaking through his father's decaying Scottish mansion, Hallam spies on people. Most of all, he spies on Verity. And the more he becomes obsessed with her guilt, the more his attraction to her grows. When Verity confronts him, Hallam is helpless to resist her seductive power. His only resort is to flee the family nest. Alone and penniless, Hallam leaves the Scottish Highlands and crashes down into reality. But as he wanders the unforgiving streets of Edinburgh, he discovers another use for his peculiar skill. Catching a glimpse of Kate, a young woman who looks uncannily like his mother, he follows her back to the hotel where she works, and talks his way into a job. Life begins to look up for Hallam. By day he discovers friends among social outcasts, and by night he does what he loves best -- clambering over city roofs, spying on people in all their hilarious strangeness. The city is a realm of glimmering allure, and Hallam is its freaky spiderman. Exploring the high clock-tower of the hotel, he finds a new hideaway from where he can watch Kate at home in her rooftop apartment, gazing through her window with his binoculars. But Hallam's bittersweet visions are shattered when he discovers Kate is embroiled in a seedy liaison with Alasdair, the hotel manager. And what's worse, Alasdair realises they are being watched. It takes a chance encounter with Kate, and another twist of Hallam's cunning, for him to break up the affair; despite having to expose himself in the process. Yet Kate eventually overcomes her initial disgust and begins to fall for her peeping Tom, joining Hallam on his loopy rooftop vigils. It cannot last. Just as Kate seems to accept Hallam for who he is, his old demons float inexorably back to the surface. Verity and his father have tracked him down and they want Hallam to sign away the family inheritance and betray the memory of his mother. This is the final insult for Hallam and the vindication he needs to exact his revenge. But a realisation begins to dawn -- by watching other people, he has avoided looking at himself. The real struggle is against an enemy within. On the brink of making a terrible mistake, Hallam Foe has one last chance to grow up.(Less)