The Lost Art Of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice

The Lost Art Of Keeping Secrets

By Eva Rice 

10^th Anniversary Edition

This anniversary edition, with a foreword from Miranda Hart and a bonus short story, is a delight and I was really pleased to be sent a copy by the publishers.

‘The Lost Art Of Keeping Secrets’ is the story of Penelope Wallace, growing up in the 1950s with her widowed mother and her Elvis-obsessed brother, in their old wreck of a house – Milton Magna.

The story starts when Penelope first meets Charlotte and is drawn into the intrigues of the other girl’s family. What does Charlotte’s cousin Harry want from Penelope, and what is the link between Aunt Clare and Penelope’s own mother?

As the title suggests these secrets and many others run through the book. It’s also full of delightfully memorable moments - a kiss from Johnnie Ray, a guinea pig in a box, a dream dress appearing magically in a wardrobe.

The feel of the fifties is created beautifully; from the music to the café culture and from the cars to the society parties. It is full of rich detail that makes each page sing and gives a wonderful authentic feel to the book.

I loved the quirky characters as well. Penelope’s brother Inigo, her employer Christopher, the mysterious Rocky Dakota and Mary the gloomy cook, all jumped off the page and made for a magical story.

This novel is a beautiful read, enchanting and captivating and I highly recommend it.

Thanks very much to the publishers for a review copy of this book.

You can find out more here.