Working in a funeral home does not seem to be a quite enjoyable job to many people, but Alice England loves it. By touching a memento or one of the dead themselves, Alice can obtain a brief glimpse of their lives, whether whole or a small period of them. Working with her father, the 12 year old's life is peaceful - until one of her companion's uncle is seemingly murdered on the pier. Now Alice must work around a recently formed relationship with the dead's niece, Violet, to try and solve the mysterious case. She may have other prospects of friends, such as a boy named Cal, but attempting to balance the needs of the case with the constant demands of friends may prove to be too much to handle.
The Deadly Daylight seamlessly balances suspense and the other qualities of a murder mystery in language that is suitable for middle-grade readers, taking in the best of both worlds. The book never has a dull chapter, and although some of them may seem slightly slow in progression, the climax of the novel fits them all together and gives every single one meaning. This book is not overly scary, which makes it perfect for readers who just want a comfortable read, yet still intriguing and one that makes them guess along with the main character.
