The element of surprise worked until the end for the majority of our members and that was what made the story so enjoyable. Most of us agreed the book improved as it continued, one member did not make it very far into the book at all. Others who have seen the Bruce Willis film ‘The Sixth Sense’ anticipated the ending early on.

We wondered about the most suitable age group for this book. The book sleeves differ and there appear to be at least three versions. The original from 2005 shows two boys playing with a rope swing. The 2010 version features a pose from the film with Zac Efron (of High School Musical fame) and Amanda Crew. We agreed that the new cover might have appealed to early or mid teens, but it would have discouraged us to buy the book and not encouraged any of us to read it or to borrow that edition from the library. We felt that the book is neither twee nor tacky and does not merit being cheapened with a cheesy cover.

We discussed the loss of a loved one and wondered if someone who was recently bereaved would be offended or comforted by the plot. Charlie St Cloud has cultivated an existence that revolves around working in a graveyard and chatting to the graveside mourners who are not what they first appear to be. His meeting up with his younger brother every day after work excludes him from intimacy with anyone else. His obsession is based on guilt because he feels responsible for killing his brother. They meet year after year and whilst Charlie finds it impossible to move on, his brother remains a ghost.

The majority vote was that this was an easy, quick and cosy ‘fireside’ read.