Deeply buried secrets make for a disturbing family reunion in bestselling author Catherine McKenzie’s tantalizing novel of psychological suspense, named one of the Hottest Books of Summer by Goodreads.What happened to Amanda Holmes?Twenty years ago, she was found bludgeoned in a rowboat at the MacAllister family’s Camp Macaw. No one was ever charged with the crime.Now, after their parents’ sudden … crime.
Now, after their parents’ sudden deaths, the MacAllister siblings return to camp to read the will and decide what to do with the prime real estate the camp occupies. Ryan needs to sell. Margaux hasn’t made up her mind. Mary believes in leaving well enough alone. Kate and Liddie—the twins—have opposing views. And Sean Booth, the groundskeeper, just hopes he still has a home when all is said and done.
But it’s more complicated than a simple vote. The will stipulates that until they unravel the mystery of what happened to Amanda, they can’t settle the estate. Any one of them could have done it, and each one is holding a piece of the puzzle. Will they work together to finally discover the truth, or will their secrets finally tear the family apart?
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The MacAllister family’s camp had been rocked when Amanda Holmes was bludgeoned and found in a rowboat. No one has ever been brought to justice.
Twenty years later, it’s all comes out again. Five siblings are all that remain of the family. When the father’s will is read, it comes as quite a shock to them all.
The will states that all 5 siblings will have to decide unanimously what to do with the camp. But it’s more than just a will …. they have to find the one who attacked Amanda .. and he is sure it is one of his children.
Ryan, the only son, is the first suspect. Then come Margaux, Kate, Mary and Liddie. Also thrown in the mix is Sean Booth .. the caretaker of the camp for many years.
This seems to have always been a dysfunctional family … can they, for once, work together to solve the mystery?
One by one, the reader gets to hear about their childhood … the coldness of the father, the mother who didn’t seem to care, and the sibling rivalry among them all. The reader also gets a glimpse into the minds of Amanda and Sean. They all have secrets of one kind or another.
Many people simultaneously love and hate their families. The interaction between family members is at the core of family dynamics… and this well-written story. With so many suspects at hand, there was no easy way to see “who done it”. The ending was so unexpected, it sort of took my breath away.
Many thanks to the author / Lake Union Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of this Psychological Suspense. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Many years ago Amanda Holmes was murdered at Camp Macaw. Her murderer was never found. Now, the owners have passed away and left the real estate to their children. They must first solve the mystery of the murder before anything can be done. Each of these siblings knows something. But past aggressions and the usual family squabbles may tear them apart.
What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive! That what came to mind as I was reading this book. So many secrets, so many lies! I swear! I had no idea who was involved with Amanda’s death. I was kept changing my mind, then changing it back again.
No one writes a twisted piece of fiction like Catherine McKenzie! This story kept me intrigued and captivated till the end. I was hooked from the get go! Don’t miss this one!
I received a copy of this book from the author for a honest review.
This book is full of twisty suspense! I love such a fabulous who done it where when I think I have it all figured out it takes a sharp twist turn! And at the end, totally surprised! A great must read!
Wow! The ending. Didn’t see that coming! Once again Catherine McKenzie has written another riveting novel. A “who-done-it” family drama that’s going to keep you guessing until the very end. What a great cast of characters but quite the dysfunctional family. I thought I had it figured out but even with my guess changing several times, I still got it all wrong. Ms. McKenzie’s books just keep getting better and better. This is a must read for the start of your summer reading.
I received a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Twenty years after a tragedy occurred at their family’s summer camp, four sisters and their brother reunite to commemorate the lives of their parents. What unfolds, however, is much more sinister—a taut whodunnit which reveals long-buried family secrets, jealousy, guilt, and fear. The story is told from multiple points of view, including Amanda, the victim from twenty years ago. Each chapter is a revelation as the author slowly reveals the truth of that night, as well as all of the other things the siblings keep hidden from each other. This book kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end, completely engrossed by the story and the relationships in this riveting novel.
I’ll Never Tell is an intriguing story about summer camp, family dynamics, and secrets—lots and lots of secrets. Everyone in the family has a secret and they all come out when the family gathers to determine what to do with the family camp, Camp Macaw—a summer camp that holds special memories for a lot of people. But after the tragedy that happened 20 years ago, some of those memories aren’t so happy.
As the family secrets start to unravel, the reader is left trying to figure out who the guilty ones are. As I read I’ll Never Tell, I was constantly going back and forth, sure I knew who-done-it. Then another secret was revealed and I had to change my thinking. The guessing and second guessing drove me to devour this book and I was still surprised at the ending. And more secrets.
Catherine has created another wonderful, page-turning, exciting story that will keep you engrossed until the end. It’s full of interesting characters, with plenty of twists and turns, and like I said before, lots and lots of secrets. Once you start it, you’re not going to want to put it down.
I can’t believe this is the first book I’ve read by this author. I have another 3 on my Kindle that I’ll be moving up!
A mystery that had me guessing until the end and I was wrong! Five siblings get together to hear their parents will and hold a memorial service. They think it should be a fairly straight forward weekend, until the Will is read and their Dad throws a twist in the will. Secrets have been kept and need to be uncovered! Soo many secrets….
There are a lot of characters in this, so I found it a little hard to keep them straight at first. Then add in the significant others, and all the secrets! Told in different voices, which adds to the growing mystery. A fast-paced book perfect for the beach or a weekend of reading. Have another book handy, cause you’ll fly thru this!
I received an ARC of this book. Opinion is mine alone.
After the death of their parents, the five MacAllister siblings learn that the fate of the family’s summer camp, Camp Macaw, will not be as simple as they assumed. The kids’ father wants them to vote on the suitability of eldest child Ryan, who is also the only son. Is he capable of deciding the fate of Camp Macaw? The answer to that isn’t debatable due to any corporate mismanagement but rather to one simple question: is Ryan at fault for what happened to Amanda Holmes twenty years ago?
Catherine McKenzie‘s mysteries always center around a fairly simple question, yet the characters she draws are immensely complex. In this case, she takes the five MacAllisters plus Sean, the camp caretaker, puts them back at the camp, and unleashes their conflicts and personalities. You learn what each thinks, why they think it, what’s true, and what is myth. You will be convinced that you know who hurt Amanda, only to have that assumption proven wrong as Catherine McKenzie sends you from one suspect to the next, from this motivation to that.
The dynamics between the MacAllister clan are great fun to read, packed with the sort of details that immerse you in this story. Ryan takes his role as eldest seriously, if not as seriously as he takes himself. His sisters captivated me endlessly with their own wheeling and dealing amidst family politics. As each sibling reveals his or her secrets, you begin to realize that any of them could be guilty. Sean, too, proves fascinating. McKenzie gives him an interesting back story that makes you wonder about this guy even as you dearly hope he is innocent. His outsider status made me a fan, although I tried to remain vigilant in observing his behavior. Could he be the one? Is he culpable?
I love the way Catherine McKenzie writes her mysteries. I love how she keeps me guessing, and I love how she makes me care about these people, flaws and all. Sometimes I want to grab them by the shoulders and shout at them, sometimes I want to hug them, and sometimes I want to sit with them at a bar, taking shots and trading stories.
The title, by the way, is perfect. This family may not always like each other, they may not always think the best of each other, but they hold their secrets. Regardless of how much they like each other or can’t stand one another, they will never tell.
I’ll Never Tell is a book that will get you hooked in the first few pages.
There are families, then there are the McAllister’s: they have it all, secrets, murder, intrigue, sibling rivalry , a tragic accident.
The book takes place at a summer camp site that the family have run for years and the siblings have gathered after the sudden death of their parents for the reading of the will.
Which is not simple , will make them choose and it will either unite them or tear them apart.
The pages will fly by, you will think what would I do ?.
A great read that holds your attention all the way to the last word.
Family secrets.
We all have them. Dirty little tidbits that we may never tell anyone about.
This book took a moment for me to get into it. At first it flipped around viewpoints a lot, and didn’t really get me anywhere solid to start drawing a picture. But about halfway through it picked up and I wanted to know who really did this to Amanda.
In the end, you do find out the whole truth, though justice is not gratifying. I thought the ending was a little rushed compared to the rest of the story.
Still as a whole I liked it. Just didn’t love it like I expected to.
This was a very compelling read! I really liked how each chapter alternated between each of the main characters (who also happen to be suspects) and also included chapters dedicated to that fateful night twenty years ago (and told from Amanda’s perspective as the night/early morning unfolded). One of my favorite parts of the book was the timeline chart outlining everyone’s whereabouts which slowly fills in as the story unfolds. The MacAllisters are definitely a family filled with secrets and assumptions. When the siblings are forced to dig deeper into what happened to Amanda after the death of their parents, they discover a lot about one another – including where each of them were on that July night…
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.
5 stars
Mr. Swift is the the lawyer. Amanda Holmes was the girl who was killed twenty years earlier at Camp Macaw. There are cameos inserted in the story told from Amanda’s point of view. The MacAllister siblings are Ryan who is the eldest and has a very bad temper, Margaux is the eldest daughter and sometimes more of a mother to the other girls, Kate and Liddie are twins and Mary who loves horses and has built her life around them in the home she lives just four miles away from the camp their father owned and where they all spent their youth. Sean Booth is the groundskeeper and has been with the family for many, many years. He is almost like one of the family.
The year following their parents’ deaths, they all gather at the camp to hear Mr. Swift read the will. Ryan hopes to convince the girls to sell the property as his business is in trouble after his business partner was convicted of fraud. The girls are pretty much undecided about whether to sell of not, except for Mary who wants to keep the camp in the family.
When “Swifty” as Liddie calls him, reads a letter from their father to the siblings, he drops a bombshell. Almost immediately a fight breaks out. They have until Sunday to make a very important decision.
The siblings go about trying to sort out their individual feelings about their father’s letter. They dredge up not quite forgotten memories, and some they wished they had forgotten. They begin to see their relationships with one another and with Sean anew; things about their siblings they thought they knew, but didn’t. They discover explosive and unbelievable secrets about each other, about their father and mother.
Then the truth begins to trickle out.
There are plenty of surprises and twists in this story right through to the end. Just when you think that you have it figured out, another turn occurs. I wasn’t too sure about the family to begin with, but over time, they grew on me. I didn’t care for Ryan’s temper and wondered just how he developed such a handicap. I kept trying to decide what the truth was, and who was being the most enigmatic.
The book is extremely well written and plotted. The transitions are smooth and almost unnoticeable. It was a joy to read. I HAD to keep reading!! Ms. McKenzie is a very talented writer who can turn a phrase with precision. This is my first Catherine McKenzie book, and I immediately went to Amazon to look for others of her novels.
I want to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for forwarding to me a copy of this absolutely wonderful book for me to read, enjoy and review.
A book of secrets that all center around a family and a dead friend. You find yourself trying to figure it out all the way till the end and then surprise!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the Author for an ARC of this book. This review is in my own words.
Secrets and more secrets. A family full of secrets. Another great mystery to unravel by CM. Interesting and exciting plot twist at the end. Thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC of this great read.
This book grabs you from the beginning and doesn’t let go until the very end. So many twists and turns keeps you guessing! Just when you think you have it figured out another twist! The characters are complex with a ton of secrets and the setting was amazing- you can smell the trees! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and Catherine McKenzie has written another amazing book!!! I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing. All opinions are my own.
I’ll Never Tell is a story about the five MacCallister siblings who grew up at the family’s Camp McCaw and the 20 year old mystery of who killed Amanda Holmes. The story had me turning pages late into the night as I tried to figure out the mystery. I thought I had it figured our until I reached the OMG ending. The story is told from different points of view including Amanda’s. It also goes back and forth in time. The story was well written and the characters interesting. I highly recommend this book. Thank you Catherine McKenzie, Netgalley, and the publisher for an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
Hmmm…how many secrets can one family conceal? You’ll be surprised with Catherine McKenzie’s new novel, I’ll Never Tell. This story follows the MacAllister family as they return to their family’s summer camp for a memorial and a reading of their father’s will. A lot of secrets and admissions bubble their way to the surface, but who can you believe?
Told through seven different viewpoints, this story keeps the pages turning long into the night. There are plenty of twists and turns in this plot as new information is discovered. Each character is very much his/her own self and their personalities shine through.
I wish I had a little more backstory on Ryan’s family and his parents’ (especially dad’s) upbringing. But, that all adds to the mystery. So. Many. Secrets.
I accepted an ARC for an honest review. I’ve read all of her books and still have yet to be disappointed. Go! Read!
If you like twist and turn suspense, you’ll love this novel. Catherine McKenzie, develops strong, complicated characters and in this case, just about everyone has a secret or is suspicious of a sibling.
Although growing up close in their large family, a tragedy 20 years ago, left the family fractured and distant. After their parents die in an accident, they come together for the memorial and reading of the will, and it’s terms cause more suspicion and turmoil.
It’s a page turner and you won’t guess the ending. My thanks to the author, Lake Union Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC.
I’ll Never Tell is a haunting tale of family secrets. Catherine McKenzie weaves a rich tapestry of flawed, untrustworthy characters, challenging the reader to solve the crime…a not-so-easy but spell-binding task.
Secretive, pacey, and compulsive!
I’ll Never Tell is a riveting, intricately woven, character-driven whodunit that takes us to the rugged wilderness of Camp Macaw and into the lives of the MacAllister family where tensions are high, fingers are being pointed, and a twenty-year-old tragedy will finally be solved.
The writing is seamless and precise. The characterization is spot on with a cast of characters that are secretive, driven, selfish and flawed. And the plot, told from differing points-of-view, keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish as it whips you through well-timed twists, unforeseen surprises, deception, abuse, guilt, jealousy, violence, and murder.
Once again, I’ll Never Tell has proven that when it comes to writing exceptionally clever, deftly plotted, fast-paced, domestic thrillers with exquisite character development and deliciously sinister storylines McKenzie is definitely one of the best.