The Soul Taker — Celia Rees

Lewis James is unhappy. Overweight and unpopular, his dad despises him, the girl he likes won't look at him -- he has no friends, no life. Desperate to change, anxious to know all about his future, he tries a fortune-teller with a difference: a beguiling and seemingly caring toyshop owner, Mr Jardine. Jardine suggests Lewis somehow get a lock of Lisa's hair -- then Jardine will use his "psychic gifts" to influence her. But what Lewis doesn't know is that Jardine has no intention of helping him -- or Lisa. Jardine is a spirit thief -- a Soul Taker. He wants human souls to bring his "children" to life and now he has Lewis right where he wants him. Ater all, a deal's a deal. A life for a life, a soul for a soul.