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Burning Secrets
An intense and thrilling teen mystery set on a tranquil island where all seems perfect…Daniel has dark secrets and a troubled past. So when his family move to the island of Wragge, a gentle backwater where local life remains undisturbed he feels he’s escaped.But outsiders aren’t always welcome and the more Daniel tries to conceal, the more he reveals about sinister goings on. Does this picture perfect community have something even greater to hide?An explosive thriller that tingles with brooding menace and ignites as the clues fall into place…
- GenresYoung Adult
352 pages, ebook
First published February 24, 2011
15 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Clare Chambers
23 books985 followersClare Chambers was born on 1966 in in Croydon, Surrey, England, UK, daughter of English teachers. She attended a school in Croydon. At 16, she met Peter, her future husband, a teacher 14 years old than her. She read English at Oxford. The marriage moved to New Zealand, where she wrote her first novel. She now lives in Kent with her husband and young family. In 1999, her novel Learning to Swim won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 16, 2014
You know it's a good book when you tell yourself "i'll go to bed after this chapter" but it never happens.
April 12, 2022
Claire Chambers - Burning Secrets R 28 of 38 - 4 4 22
I think I like Claire's more sophisticated novels best. This was readable enough but compared to Small Pleasures it felt a bit simple. And now I look at Goodreads it is identified as being aimed at teens which explains a lot! Anyhow I galloped through it regardless because I will read whatever she writes. Daniel, his mother and sister Louie move to the island of Wragg after their mother's divorce and coming from London it's a bit of a culture shock. All the teenagers are happy and docile. And the story starts to unpick why this might be. A tidy little whodunnit that stretched my believability sensor just a bit too far. Loved the slapdash parenting!
I think I like Claire's more sophisticated novels best. This was readable enough but compared to Small Pleasures it felt a bit simple. And now I look at Goodreads it is identified as being aimed at teens which explains a lot! Anyhow I galloped through it regardless because I will read whatever she writes. Daniel, his mother and sister Louie move to the island of Wragg after their mother's divorce and coming from London it's a bit of a culture shock. All the teenagers are happy and docile. And the story starts to unpick why this might be. A tidy little whodunnit that stretched my believability sensor just a bit too far. Loved the slapdash parenting!
December 21, 2016
Good teen book. Having moved to a remote Island where everyone knows everyone, a mystery begins to unfold. What is the 'leaf' which all the kids and teens seem to be eating and why does everyone seem so content? Throw in a new family who have a few past secrets of their own and a journalist masquerading as a music teacher at the fabulous school where all the kids love to spend additional time and you have a Stepford community. Post driven but with fairly convincing characters to draw out a number of teen focused issues for discussion. I got tot he book before my teen but am confident she'll enjoy it as much as I did!
June 27, 2025
I'm a big Clare Chambers fan, and I picked this up without realising it was for teenage/YA readers.
Anyway, it turned out to be not a bad book, although I'm very far from the target audience!
It was well written and explored interesting concepts.
Anyway, it turned out to be not a bad book, although I'm very far from the target audience!
It was well written and explored interesting concepts.
October 7, 2023
A cracking good read!
March 10, 2011
Burning Secrets begins with Daniel and his family moving to the island of Wragge. Wragge is nothing like London, or anything that Daniel and his sister are used to; all the neighbours are friendly and happy, gossip travels faster than a bullet and the strangest of all – everything seems perfect. There’s no crime, no fighting, no arguments. Everyone gets along with one another, and everyone knows everything about everyone else. As outsiders, Daniel and his family find the island quite hard to take in. But after witnessing several strange events, Daniel begins to question whether all is as perfect as it seems.
I really enjoyed Burning Secrets; I was literally hooked from the first page. The book was like trying to piece together a puzzle – you found bits of information all over the place and then had to fit them together correctly. I liked the mystery of this; we were told certain things but didn’t find out why or how they were relevant until later. There were pages in italics which were flashbacks, and I found these the most interesting part of the book, because they were describing things that had happened which we hadn’t actually been told about. I thought this withholding of information really helped increase the tension and suspense, and I also felt there was a very eerie kind of tone from the beginning; I knew there was something not quite right about Wragge but I couldn’t place my finger on it. For example, there was this scene I loved where Daniel and Louie went to a cafe and ordered some Coke, and the waitress said they didn’t have any. They thought she was joking...but they really didn’t have any Coke, 7UP or Pepsi. I didn’t know whether to laugh or be seriously creeped out!
I really liked Daniel as a character; I felt like he had been through so much and that all he deserved was to settle down and have a bit of peace and quiet. But he just seemed to attract trouble and soon enough he was pulled into some very dodgy business. I think the author did a great job of making his character seem realistic too; like the way he was protective of his sister and how he felt about Ramsay. Everything seemed real in my head and I had no trouble imagining the situations. Ramsay was another character I liked; at first I didn’t know what to make of her because she seemed so strange (when we were first introduced to her, her teeth were green) but as the book progressed she grew on me, and I really liked the way she questioned herself and the way she over-analysed things. It made her seem more intelligent, as if she knew something was wrong but wasn’t sure exactly what. I also liked Louie; she was constantly struggling with her emotions and had experienced tough times, and though she complained a lot and was prone to outbursts, I couldn’t help but feel for her. She thought she was “weak and scared” but I actually felt that she was a lot stronger than she gave herself credit for. Mrs Ivory was another character I couldn’t help but pity despite all that had happened.
Overall, Burning Secrets was a compelling, page-turning read that kept me guessing until the end. I would definitely read a sequel, if one were to be released and I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys mysteries and an unlikely ominous setting.
*received for review from Chicklish, review can also be seen here.
I really enjoyed Burning Secrets; I was literally hooked from the first page. The book was like trying to piece together a puzzle – you found bits of information all over the place and then had to fit them together correctly. I liked the mystery of this; we were told certain things but didn’t find out why or how they were relevant until later. There were pages in italics which were flashbacks, and I found these the most interesting part of the book, because they were describing things that had happened which we hadn’t actually been told about. I thought this withholding of information really helped increase the tension and suspense, and I also felt there was a very eerie kind of tone from the beginning; I knew there was something not quite right about Wragge but I couldn’t place my finger on it. For example, there was this scene I loved where Daniel and Louie went to a cafe and ordered some Coke, and the waitress said they didn’t have any. They thought she was joking...but they really didn’t have any Coke, 7UP or Pepsi. I didn’t know whether to laugh or be seriously creeped out!
I really liked Daniel as a character; I felt like he had been through so much and that all he deserved was to settle down and have a bit of peace and quiet. But he just seemed to attract trouble and soon enough he was pulled into some very dodgy business. I think the author did a great job of making his character seem realistic too; like the way he was protective of his sister and how he felt about Ramsay. Everything seemed real in my head and I had no trouble imagining the situations. Ramsay was another character I liked; at first I didn’t know what to make of her because she seemed so strange (when we were first introduced to her, her teeth were green) but as the book progressed she grew on me, and I really liked the way she questioned herself and the way she over-analysed things. It made her seem more intelligent, as if she knew something was wrong but wasn’t sure exactly what. I also liked Louie; she was constantly struggling with her emotions and had experienced tough times, and though she complained a lot and was prone to outbursts, I couldn’t help but feel for her. She thought she was “weak and scared” but I actually felt that she was a lot stronger than she gave herself credit for. Mrs Ivory was another character I couldn’t help but pity despite all that had happened.
Overall, Burning Secrets was a compelling, page-turning read that kept me guessing until the end. I would definitely read a sequel, if one were to be released and I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys mysteries and an unlikely ominous setting.
*received for review from Chicklish, review can also be seen here.
April 13, 2011
From reading the description of Burning Secrets I expected it to be good, but I didn’t expect it to be as good as it was, it’s a mystery story which centres on the island of Wragge – for all intents and purposes the island is a little piece of paradise. There’s no crime on the island, all the children are well behaved – oh, yes and everyone knows everyone else's business, but aside from that it seems like quite a heavenly place to live!
But we all know (if nothing else than from watching Midsomer Murders) – quiet villages / islands always seem to hold their secrets or are covering up something a little bit creepy. And all I’m going to say at this point is that Wragge is no exception – but I’ll leave it there as finding out what it is, is part of the fun :D
So moving onto the island to get away from a past are Daniel, Louie and their Mum. Daniel and Louie are not immediate fans of the island (after coming from London I imagine they find it a little too quiet) but they manage to get on with it. I loved this little (but ever so slightly) dysfunctional family – they seemed real and meant that I saw the island through their eyes for the first time. Feeling with them the distraught at what the teens ate (leaf) and drank. I think I would feel the same way (not to mention apprehensive).
The story moves along at quite a pace right from the very first page, getting to know all the characters on the island was a fun experience and I enjoyed the connection between Islander, Ramsay and Daniel. We don’t really get to the point of finding out exactly what the mystery of the book is until about half way through but there’s enough intriguing stuff in the first half to keep it interesting and lay down some important bits about island life for later on.
The climax of this book though took me by a huge surprise, I had been led down a path by the story and jumped (intentionally) to the wrong conclusion and as soon as it’s revealed all the little bit's laid down at the start suddenly snap into place and I had that 'ahhhh' moment. But even after the main reveal the story has something a little bit extra to throw at us at the end!
I loved it!
But we all know (if nothing else than from watching Midsomer Murders) – quiet villages / islands always seem to hold their secrets or are covering up something a little bit creepy. And all I’m going to say at this point is that Wragge is no exception – but I’ll leave it there as finding out what it is, is part of the fun :D
So moving onto the island to get away from a past are Daniel, Louie and their Mum. Daniel and Louie are not immediate fans of the island (after coming from London I imagine they find it a little too quiet) but they manage to get on with it. I loved this little (but ever so slightly) dysfunctional family – they seemed real and meant that I saw the island through their eyes for the first time. Feeling with them the distraught at what the teens ate (leaf) and drank. I think I would feel the same way (not to mention apprehensive).
The story moves along at quite a pace right from the very first page, getting to know all the characters on the island was a fun experience and I enjoyed the connection between Islander, Ramsay and Daniel. We don’t really get to the point of finding out exactly what the mystery of the book is until about half way through but there’s enough intriguing stuff in the first half to keep it interesting and lay down some important bits about island life for later on.
The climax of this book though took me by a huge surprise, I had been led down a path by the story and jumped (intentionally) to the wrong conclusion and as soon as it’s revealed all the little bit's laid down at the start suddenly snap into place and I had that 'ahhhh' moment. But even after the main reveal the story has something a little bit extra to throw at us at the end!
I loved it!
March 13, 2013
This review was originially posted on ThirstforFiction.com
Moving from London to the remote island of Wragge, Daniel, Louie, and their mum expect a little break from the hustle bustle and stress of city life. Wragge is a beautiful little island filled with friendly neighbours and rugged landscapes. But in places like Wragge secrets are hard to keep, and Daniel isn't the only one with something he needs to hide...
Few covers have ever less suited their book than the cover of Clare Chamber's Burning Secrets. Anyone even so much as glimpsing the green tinged cover would expect to find a supernatural romance novel hidden within its pages, but the truth is so very different. Burning Secrets is so much more than just an overdone cliche, and it's a real shame that the cover doesn't accurately convey the enjoyable novel bound within.
Anyone that has ever read any of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple or Poirot novels will know that thinks in tight-knit, rural exclusive communites are hardly ever what they seem- and the island of Wragge is no different. Although from the outside it seems perfect- a place where everyone is aquainted, where the school is exemplary and everyone is happy- there are secrets to be had. And again, to anyone with any experience of mysteries, the secrets of Wragge in Burning Secrets is neither groundbreaking or particularly well hidden. I had guessed within about 100 to 150 pages what was going on an how. Regardless, Burning Secrets was still a fun read and I really enjoyed uncovering all the clues confirming my suspicions and deepening the story. read more...
Moving from London to the remote island of Wragge, Daniel, Louie, and their mum expect a little break from the hustle bustle and stress of city life. Wragge is a beautiful little island filled with friendly neighbours and rugged landscapes. But in places like Wragge secrets are hard to keep, and Daniel isn't the only one with something he needs to hide...
Few covers have ever less suited their book than the cover of Clare Chamber's Burning Secrets. Anyone even so much as glimpsing the green tinged cover would expect to find a supernatural romance novel hidden within its pages, but the truth is so very different. Burning Secrets is so much more than just an overdone cliche, and it's a real shame that the cover doesn't accurately convey the enjoyable novel bound within.
Anyone that has ever read any of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple or Poirot novels will know that thinks in tight-knit, rural exclusive communites are hardly ever what they seem- and the island of Wragge is no different. Although from the outside it seems perfect- a place where everyone is aquainted, where the school is exemplary and everyone is happy- there are secrets to be had. And again, to anyone with any experience of mysteries, the secrets of Wragge in Burning Secrets is neither groundbreaking or particularly well hidden. I had guessed within about 100 to 150 pages what was going on an how. Regardless, Burning Secrets was still a fun read and I really enjoyed uncovering all the clues confirming my suspicions and deepening the story. read more...
May 15, 2015
This book was better than I thought it was gonna be, so it was a pleasant surprise! I was kinda angry with myself because when I was looking back on the book today all I could think was how obvious everything was in the end and for starting the book thinking 'I don't think I'm going to this Daniel' coz he turned out to be quite entertaining. I'm not sure if I like Ramsey, I don't really see the point in her apart from liking Daniel and taking Leaf.
When I was finishing the book all I could think was: 'For God's sake we get the point I worked it all out ages ago! Please, just say good bye and LEAVE! Eat the pizza when you get home to London, not now!' I always felt that they wrapped it up at the end of one chapter but when I turned the page yet another one was waiting to be read but when it was the end I was a little disappointed. I'm not sure why and I don't know what I was expecting but I thought it felt kind... empty.
I think it's going to be one of the better ones for the Book Awards this year but not one of the best.
When I was finishing the book all I could think was: 'For God's sake we get the point I worked it all out ages ago! Please, just say good bye and LEAVE! Eat the pizza when you get home to London, not now!' I always felt that they wrapped it up at the end of one chapter but when I turned the page yet another one was waiting to be read but when it was the end I was a little disappointed. I'm not sure why and I don't know what I was expecting but I thought it felt kind... empty.
I think it's going to be one of the better ones for the Book Awards this year but not one of the best.
April 9, 2012
Although it took a while for the story to get going properly, once it did I was hooked. This was a book I couldn’t put down; as the mystery deepened I had to keep reading until the last page. Although I did guess the twist at the end I still found it a very enjoyable book and would definitely recommend it.
April 7, 2011
This book I can't say is a good book because I don't think it is, but it kept me reading all the way through. She was brilliant at keeping the reader interested in the story and wanting to read on. And the twist at the end had me amazed. Really good, well done for that.
February 16, 2012
Great book, and whilst the mystery/crime element was extremely well woven, I couldn't help thinking that it reminded my of Iron Heads by Susan Gates! Would like to know if anyone else felt the same? V
Want to read
June 27, 2012pending .. buku ini tentang apaan si?
April 19, 2012
Really good book, starts off a bit boring but I would really reccomend sticking to it as it was a really exciting, thrilling book and everything will make perfect sense by the end.
May 10, 2012
It was an interesting book with a good story line.
November 9, 2012
This book was a book that I couldn't put down. However for me the ending seems unfinished- what happens to miss ivory for example. There needed to be more to tie up all the loose ends
June 22, 2014
Not bad but the story could have been developed further and the ending was rushed
January 30, 2015
Not a bad book to be honest, Was kind of predictable but still had me reading through~ a good start to my 2015 year of reading.
September 27, 2015
Great book. My 10 yr old (and I) really enjoyed this one!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews