Fran Varady

I've read most of Ann Grangers books about her homeless detective Fran Varady. One of my favourites is Watching Out. Fran has had some good luck. Her mother, whom she hardly knew, seeks her out - because she is dying. Eva, her mother wants to try and find her other daughter Miranda, whom she gave up for adoption about 15 years ago. Fran is saddened to find her mother, only to lose her again.. After Eva dies, the charity where she has been nursed offers Fran a home. They have a sister charity which owns some houses which are turned into flats and rented out at a low rent to homeless people. Fran is really pleased to have a little home of her own at last. She also get a job in a pizza restaurant, owned by a Scotsman, Jimmy. Jimmy is not very bright and Fran sometimes worries that his business will collapse. One night, she meets a young boy who is hanging round the restaurant, asking for someone called Max. She tells him there is no Max there and the staff tell him to get lost. But Fran feels sorry for him. He tells her his brother came to England to work, and has disappeared. He is working too, having spent all the family's money, getting both boys trafficked to the UK. Fran knows that the people who transport workers from Eastern Europe to London are evil and dangerous but she agrees to see if she can find the brother. Ion, the boy, is clearly very scared. Ganesh, her friend, tells her not to get involved. M/F