My Secret Lies With You

Cait is on holiday in Wales and feeling miserable as her mum has brought along her new boyfriend who Cait is still getting used to after her dad died. Introduced to a group of three friends, she tries to uncover the mystery that seems to haunt them from the previous summer. From the beginning this book kept me entranced and I finished it almost in one sitting. It is written in a very easy, readable style whilst maintaining enough mystery and suspense to keep the reader entertained and turning the page. From the outset, Cait's feelings are exposed and many readers will empathise and understand how she is nervous meeting new people, especially with their reactions to her and the underlying tensions. It is also easy to feel her hurt and anger when the new boyfriend is thrust so quickly into an intimate setting such as a holiday. The book uses sections to revert to the previous summer and the other characters' interpretations of a particular event. This is cleverly done and to great effect, allowing the reader to understand certain recent actions and behaviour without giving the main mystery away. Recommended. 247 pages / Ages 12+ / Reviewed by Lorraine Ansell, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 11+