INVISIBLE Fiends: Mr Mumbles, by Barry Hutchison, is published in paperback by Harper Collins Children’s Books, priced £5.99. Available now.

It’s Christmas Day and 12-year-old Kyle is at home with his mum and grandma. It wasn’t the best of Christmases, as he has an argument with his mum about his father who left years ago, his grandma is losing her mind, and he spends the night running for his life, being chased around the village by his imaginary friend Mr Mumbles.

When Kyle was younger, he invented Mr Mumbles. Over the years, he forgot him, but now Mr Mumbles has returned and wants revenge. He used to be a little man with a friendly face, now he’s a haggard monster with his mouth stitched together, wearing a high collared overcoat and a big hat.

Aided by mysterious friend Ameena, Kyle discovers powers and resources that he never knew he had. He also discovers the horrors of The Darkest Corner, the place where imaginary friends are sent when they are forgotten, and meets a mysterious man who might be his father.

This book is not for the faint-hearted - it’s Freddie Krueger for pre-teens. The non-stop action and tension has you in its grip from the very beginning, and the sense of danger does not leave you for a second.

7/10

Laura Wurzal