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The Secret Lake #3
Beyond the Secret Lake
When Tom and Stella find a 100-year-old letter from their Edwardian friend Jack, his plea for help leads them and their friend Hannah back down the time tunnel to 1913. There, the adventurers reunite with friends Lucy, Emma and Sophie at the grand Penworth Estate – unaware of the danger that awaits. Young heir Sebastian has fallen mysteriously ill, and tensions are running high in the household. With secrets lurking in every shadowy corner, it's up to the friends to unravel a dangerous mystery that threatens Sebastian's life. Can the time-traveling detectives expose the truth behind Sebastian's illness before it's too late? Will the villain at Penworth succeed with their deadly plans?
334 pages, Paperback
Published January 12, 2024
192 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Karen Inglis
23 books87 followersKaren Inglis is a bestselling children’s author based in London, UK, writing for ages 3–12.
She is best known for her time travel mystery The Secret Lake, which has sold over 600,000 print copies worldwide and is in translation in 12 languages. Set in London, it follows siblings Stella (11) and Tom (8), who discover a time tunnel while searching for a neighbour’s missing dog. The tunnel leads them to their own home and the children living there 100 years in the past. First published in 2011, the book hit bestseller lists in 2018–19 (and continues to rank highly on Amazon), proving that children still love a good old-fashioned adventure!
Two long-awaited sequels followed: Return to the Secret Lake (2022) and Beyond the Secret Lake (2024). The latter won the UK Selfies Children’s Book Award, announced at London Book Fair in 2025.
Karen explains:
“There was a long gap after book one as I was busy with other projects — but the best things come to those who wait! Reconnecting with Stella, Tom and friends was such a joy, and the response to the sequels has been wonderful. The Secret Lake was always going to be a hard act to follow!”
Karen’s other books include:
Eeek! The Runaway Alien (ages 7–10): a soccer-mad alien runs away to Earth for the World Cup. Illustrated, fast-paced and funny — a hit with reluctant readers!
Walter Brown and the Magician’s Hat (ages 7–10): magical mayhem ensues when Walter inherits his great-grandpa’s enchanted hat — and discovers his cat Sixpence isn’t quite what he seems...
Henry Haynes and the Great Escape (ages 6–8): Henry falls inside his library book after complaining it’s boring — and meets a smelly gorilla and a bossy boa with a zoo escape plan!
For younger readers:
The Tell-Me Tree (ages 4–8): a gentle, rhyming picture book that helps children talk about feelings through drawing, writing or conversation. Praised by parents, teachers, and charities, it's widely used in UK homes and classrooms. Includes links to free activity sheets.
Ferdinand Fox rhyming stories (ages 3–5):
Ferdinand Fox’s Big Sleep – inspired by a real fox who slept in Karen’s garden!
Ferdinand Fox and the Hedgehog – introduces Hatty and her son Ed, plus facts about how to help hedgehogs.
Ferdinand Fox and the Lost Boy – Ferdinand comes to the rescue in his bravest story yet.
A collected edition of all six rhyming stories is currently in the works for readers aged 6–7, or for parents who enjoy reading rhyme to younger children.
How it all began…
Karen’s writing journey began in 2010 when she took a sabbatical from her career in business writing to revisit story ideas drafted a decade earlier, when her sons George and Nick were small. One was The Secret Lake, which had been tucked away in a drawer after early rejections. This time, she self-published — and never looked back. In fact, she has turned down three traditional publishing deals in the last few years, preferring (for now at least) to retain creative control of her IP.
She eventually left business writing to focus fully on children’s books. Today, she regularly visits schools in person and via Zoom, and has signed books in Waterstones branches across London.
Visit her author website to find out more or to enquire about a school visit.
She is best known for her time travel mystery The Secret Lake, which has sold over 600,000 print copies worldwide and is in translation in 12 languages. Set in London, it follows siblings Stella (11) and Tom (8), who discover a time tunnel while searching for a neighbour’s missing dog. The tunnel leads them to their own home and the children living there 100 years in the past. First published in 2011, the book hit bestseller lists in 2018–19 (and continues to rank highly on Amazon), proving that children still love a good old-fashioned adventure!
Two long-awaited sequels followed: Return to the Secret Lake (2022) and Beyond the Secret Lake (2024). The latter won the UK Selfies Children’s Book Award, announced at London Book Fair in 2025.
Karen explains:
“There was a long gap after book one as I was busy with other projects — but the best things come to those who wait! Reconnecting with Stella, Tom and friends was such a joy, and the response to the sequels has been wonderful. The Secret Lake was always going to be a hard act to follow!”
Karen’s other books include:
Eeek! The Runaway Alien (ages 7–10): a soccer-mad alien runs away to Earth for the World Cup. Illustrated, fast-paced and funny — a hit with reluctant readers!
Walter Brown and the Magician’s Hat (ages 7–10): magical mayhem ensues when Walter inherits his great-grandpa’s enchanted hat — and discovers his cat Sixpence isn’t quite what he seems...
Henry Haynes and the Great Escape (ages 6–8): Henry falls inside his library book after complaining it’s boring — and meets a smelly gorilla and a bossy boa with a zoo escape plan!
For younger readers:
The Tell-Me Tree (ages 4–8): a gentle, rhyming picture book that helps children talk about feelings through drawing, writing or conversation. Praised by parents, teachers, and charities, it's widely used in UK homes and classrooms. Includes links to free activity sheets.
Ferdinand Fox rhyming stories (ages 3–5):
Ferdinand Fox’s Big Sleep – inspired by a real fox who slept in Karen’s garden!
Ferdinand Fox and the Hedgehog – introduces Hatty and her son Ed, plus facts about how to help hedgehogs.
Ferdinand Fox and the Lost Boy – Ferdinand comes to the rescue in his bravest story yet.
A collected edition of all six rhyming stories is currently in the works for readers aged 6–7, or for parents who enjoy reading rhyme to younger children.
How it all began…
Karen’s writing journey began in 2010 when she took a sabbatical from her career in business writing to revisit story ideas drafted a decade earlier, when her sons George and Nick were small. One was The Secret Lake, which had been tucked away in a drawer after early rejections. This time, she self-published — and never looked back. In fact, she has turned down three traditional publishing deals in the last few years, preferring (for now at least) to retain creative control of her IP.
She eventually left business writing to focus fully on children’s books. Today, she regularly visits schools in person and via Zoom, and has signed books in Waterstones branches across London.
Visit her author website to find out more or to enquire about a school visit.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 29, 2024
This series just gets better and better!
Stella and Tom are called back in time to 'help'. They have no clue why they are needed but go through the time tunnel with their friend Hannah.
At first they think it'll be a friendly visit to see old friends but .... they soon discover there are sinister happenings at the estate they are visiting 🙊
With a friends life on the line, the children don't stop hunting for clues or spying on suspects. The book was thrilling, a great mystery!
Loved how clever the kids were and trying to figure out which suspects did it and why. Also loved the snippet at the end when we find out a little more about the characters from the past's future haha
Absolutely love this series and HIGHLY recommend 🤩
Stella and Tom are called back in time to 'help'. They have no clue why they are needed but go through the time tunnel with their friend Hannah.
At first they think it'll be a friendly visit to see old friends but .... they soon discover there are sinister happenings at the estate they are visiting 🙊
With a friends life on the line, the children don't stop hunting for clues or spying on suspects. The book was thrilling, a great mystery!
Loved how clever the kids were and trying to figure out which suspects did it and why. Also loved the snippet at the end when we find out a little more about the characters from the past's future haha
Absolutely love this series and HIGHLY recommend 🤩
June 29, 2024
What a wonderful story!
I've read all three books in this series, and loved them all, but Beyond Secret Lake is really spectacular, keeping you guessing and wondering and, of course, turning pages!
Kudos to Karen Inglis for such a great series! Well worth the read no matter your age.
I've read all three books in this series, and loved them all, but Beyond Secret Lake is really spectacular, keeping you guessing and wondering and, of course, turning pages!
Kudos to Karen Inglis for such a great series! Well worth the read no matter your age.
February 3, 2025
Exciting time travel adventures once again
I have really enjoyed reading this series to a patient. The author has done a lot of research into the history of the places.
I have really enjoyed reading this series to a patient. The author has done a lot of research into the history of the places.
January 13, 2024
This third installment in the Secret Lake series is possibly the best yet. Both my 9 year old daughter and I loved the first two books and we were delighted to join Stella, Tom and their friends for another adventure. Packed with historical details, this book is a delight for any fans of books such as the famous five.
May 18, 2024
The best kid friendly book series ever!!
Ive been suckered into this series from the first book. It's so beautifully written and everything about it is just exciting and worthy of reading. Every time I finish, I just want to read more. I'm absolutely so invested in the time tunnel.
Ive been suckered into this series from the first book. It's so beautifully written and everything about it is just exciting and worthy of reading. Every time I finish, I just want to read more. I'm absolutely so invested in the time tunnel.
June 27, 2025
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Beyond the Secret Lake
Author: Karen Inglis
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 5/5
Of the 15 readers:
13 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
14 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
14 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
13 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I think Enid Blyton fan will enjoy this the most. It’s sort of like The Secret Seven but with a bit of time travelling too! Cool mix.” Boy, aged 12
“The first book is the best, but this if brill too. I liked the characters (kids), the mystery (which I didn’t work out till the end), and the way it’s written (not difficult to follow). Karen Inglis is a good writer – I think so anyway.” Girl, aged 11 – wit a little help from her TA
“I liked how it’s set so long ago. Also, I like time travelling books, so this was good for me. The best character is Jack, and the old house is cool too. This is good for 9, 10 and 11 year olds who like adventure and mystery.” Boy, aged 11
“The Secret Lake is sooooooooo good. But I think the third book is the best. Big on mystery, big on suspense.” Girl, aged 10 – with a little help from mum
“An excellent mix of history and adventure, perfect for restless 9 – 12 year olds. The writing style is very accessible, and the author is talented at suspense. My advice: read all three books; that way you won’t miss out on any of the adventure. Fab for a school library!” Literacy coordinator, aged 58
To Sum It Up:
‘A top-notch mystery novel for 9 – 12 year olds, perfect for restless young readers looking for excitement and suspense. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Beyond the Secret Lake
Author: Karen Inglis
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 5/5
Of the 15 readers:
13 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
14 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
14 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
13 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I think Enid Blyton fan will enjoy this the most. It’s sort of like The Secret Seven but with a bit of time travelling too! Cool mix.” Boy, aged 12
“The first book is the best, but this if brill too. I liked the characters (kids), the mystery (which I didn’t work out till the end), and the way it’s written (not difficult to follow). Karen Inglis is a good writer – I think so anyway.” Girl, aged 11 – wit a little help from her TA
“I liked how it’s set so long ago. Also, I like time travelling books, so this was good for me. The best character is Jack, and the old house is cool too. This is good for 9, 10 and 11 year olds who like adventure and mystery.” Boy, aged 11
“The Secret Lake is sooooooooo good. But I think the third book is the best. Big on mystery, big on suspense.” Girl, aged 10 – with a little help from mum
“An excellent mix of history and adventure, perfect for restless 9 – 12 year olds. The writing style is very accessible, and the author is talented at suspense. My advice: read all three books; that way you won’t miss out on any of the adventure. Fab for a school library!” Literacy coordinator, aged 58
To Sum It Up:
‘A top-notch mystery novel for 9 – 12 year olds, perfect for restless young readers looking for excitement and suspense. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ Wishing Shelf Book Awards
April 18, 2025
If you have read The Secret Lake and Return to the Secret Lake, then you also have to read this book. Stella and Tom yet again go on many adventures. Lucy invites Stella, Tom, Jack, Emma, Sophie, and Hannah to her aunt's mansion. When they get there they find out that her cousin Seb is very sick. Jack and Tom start to notice some weird things going on. Read this book to find out what happens.
August 21, 2025
This book was so good!!!! Loved the mystery! I will be re reading this whole series with my son.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews