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No One Keeps a Secret
“Fans of Holly Jackson, Faridah Abike-Iyimide, Kathleen Glasgow, and Kit Frick, will love this new YA murder mystery set in Scotland, from the brilliant Denise Brown.”
When three teens track down a missing chihuahua to an abandoned theme park, they stumble upon a chilling discovery: a corpse, strangled by his own camera strap. The victim was meant to be 400 miles away in London, where he'd promised a lot of people a lot of money. But every one of them has a solid alibi. As Haigh, Cherry, and Sunrise get pulled into the murder investigation, they uncover mafia connections, a still-operating ghost train, and gossiping grannies, revealing their quiet village is far more dangerous than they ever imagined.
“Full of secrecy and suspicion – intense and immediate.” – Barbara Henderson
When three teens track down a missing chihuahua to an abandoned theme park, they stumble upon a chilling discovery: a corpse, strangled by his own camera strap. The victim was meant to be 400 miles away in London, where he'd promised a lot of people a lot of money. But every one of them has a solid alibi. As Haigh, Cherry, and Sunrise get pulled into the murder investigation, they uncover mafia connections, a still-operating ghost train, and gossiping grannies, revealing their quiet village is far more dangerous than they ever imagined.
“Full of secrecy and suspicion – intense and immediate.” – Barbara Henderson
288 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2025
3 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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July 7, 2025
No One Keeps A Secret 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
by @DeniseBrownauthor
Pub Date: Aug 01, 2025
Hashtag Press
Mystery & Thrillers | Teens & YA
#NoOneKeepsASecret #NetGalley
Description:
“Fans of Holly Jackson, Faridah Abike-Iyimide, Kathleen Glasgow, and Kit Frick, will love this new YA murder mystery set in Scotland, from the brilliant Denise Brown.”
When three teens track down a missing chihuahua to an abandoned theme park, they stumble upon a chilling discovery: a corpse, strangled by his own camera strap. The victim was meant to be 400 miles away in London, where he'd promised a lot of people a lot of money. But every one of them has a solid alibi. As Haigh, Cherry, and Sunrise get pulled into the murder investigation, they uncover mafia connections, a still-operating ghost train, and gossiping grannies, revealing their quiet village is far more dangerous than they ever imagined.
“Full of secrecy and suspicion – intense and immediate.” – Barbara Henderson
Thank you NetGalley and @hashtagpress.co.uk 💖
My thoughts :
Guess what? My first book of July is an absolute blast! No One Keeps A Secret had me hooked word for word—this murder mystery is brilliantly written and captivating from start to finish. Denise Brown nailed it!
The eerie atmosphere of an abandoned theme park, a murderer on the loose, and three brave teens taking matters into their own hands it’s intense, suspenseful, and unforgettable. Cherry, Haigh, Sunrise… and of course, Wolfie! Every character is so well developed, but these four absolutely stole my heart. Their bond, their bravery, and the way they pushed through fear made me love them even more.
I suspected every single character but still couldn’t guess the real villain. It gave me serious Agatha Christie vibes! The twists, the turns, the secrets… everything unraveled at the perfect pace.
Haigh’s story especially broke my heart. That poor boy went through so much because of the adults around him. His pain, his silence, his courage I'm really sad for him. And Sunrise and Cherry? Easily two of the bravest girls I've ever read. Smart, fierce, and unstoppable.
The town, the gossiping grannies, the cakes, the ghost train… I fell in love with their world. These little detectives risked it all almost got murdered and still didn’t stop. And that ending?? I’m still in shock. My eyes are wide, my jaw's dropped, and all I can say is author, whyyyyy?! 😭
I need a sequel. I need justice. Please, don’t leave us with that ending!
This is a must-read, and I highly, highly recommend it. I loved every bit of it.
by @DeniseBrownauthor
Pub Date: Aug 01, 2025
Hashtag Press
Mystery & Thrillers | Teens & YA
#NoOneKeepsASecret #NetGalley
Description:
“Fans of Holly Jackson, Faridah Abike-Iyimide, Kathleen Glasgow, and Kit Frick, will love this new YA murder mystery set in Scotland, from the brilliant Denise Brown.”
When three teens track down a missing chihuahua to an abandoned theme park, they stumble upon a chilling discovery: a corpse, strangled by his own camera strap. The victim was meant to be 400 miles away in London, where he'd promised a lot of people a lot of money. But every one of them has a solid alibi. As Haigh, Cherry, and Sunrise get pulled into the murder investigation, they uncover mafia connections, a still-operating ghost train, and gossiping grannies, revealing their quiet village is far more dangerous than they ever imagined.
“Full of secrecy and suspicion – intense and immediate.” – Barbara Henderson
Thank you NetGalley and @hashtagpress.co.uk 💖
My thoughts :
Guess what? My first book of July is an absolute blast! No One Keeps A Secret had me hooked word for word—this murder mystery is brilliantly written and captivating from start to finish. Denise Brown nailed it!
The eerie atmosphere of an abandoned theme park, a murderer on the loose, and three brave teens taking matters into their own hands it’s intense, suspenseful, and unforgettable. Cherry, Haigh, Sunrise… and of course, Wolfie! Every character is so well developed, but these four absolutely stole my heart. Their bond, their bravery, and the way they pushed through fear made me love them even more.
I suspected every single character but still couldn’t guess the real villain. It gave me serious Agatha Christie vibes! The twists, the turns, the secrets… everything unraveled at the perfect pace.
Haigh’s story especially broke my heart. That poor boy went through so much because of the adults around him. His pain, his silence, his courage I'm really sad for him. And Sunrise and Cherry? Easily two of the bravest girls I've ever read. Smart, fierce, and unstoppable.
The town, the gossiping grannies, the cakes, the ghost train… I fell in love with their world. These little detectives risked it all almost got murdered and still didn’t stop. And that ending?? I’m still in shock. My eyes are wide, my jaw's dropped, and all I can say is author, whyyyyy?! 😭
I need a sequel. I need justice. Please, don’t leave us with that ending!
This is a must-read, and I highly, highly recommend it. I loved every bit of it.
September 6, 2025
‘No one keeps a secret’ is a cosy YA murder mystery.
The premise of this book was honestly really cool. A murder at a theme park, followed by Scottish summer days trying to figure out who the killer was (featuring some insane plot twists).
Haigh is openly identified as ADHD which I absolutely loved, it’s SO nice reading books for the younger generations and seeing neurodivergent/disabled representation. I love how much this story just normalises his ADHD, as well as taking a good look at how emotions can be hard when you’re ADHD! As someone with ADHD, I think it’s often shoved into books as a weakness or character flaw, and that wasn’t the case here which was honestly refreshing.
Although this is YA, it felt a bit more pre-teen at times, but I’m not sure if that’s just because characters are often ‘aged up’ in a way that makes reading kids and teens acting like kids and teens feel younger than it is.
I actually really enjoyed the ending, for once I wasn’t expecting what happened though!!
The premise of this book was honestly really cool. A murder at a theme park, followed by Scottish summer days trying to figure out who the killer was (featuring some insane plot twists).
Haigh is openly identified as ADHD which I absolutely loved, it’s SO nice reading books for the younger generations and seeing neurodivergent/disabled representation. I love how much this story just normalises his ADHD, as well as taking a good look at how emotions can be hard when you’re ADHD! As someone with ADHD, I think it’s often shoved into books as a weakness or character flaw, and that wasn’t the case here which was honestly refreshing.
Although this is YA, it felt a bit more pre-teen at times, but I’m not sure if that’s just because characters are often ‘aged up’ in a way that makes reading kids and teens acting like kids and teens feel younger than it is.
I actually really enjoyed the ending, for once I wasn’t expecting what happened though!!
July 2, 2025
Went into this one so intrigued, the idea of a walk near an abandoned theme park turning into a full-blown murder mystery? Yes please. Throw in a missing poppy, small town secrets, Scottish summer vibes, baked goods, and forests? I was sold.
But... yeah, this one just didn’t work for me.
The premise is super solid, and I can totally see what it was going for, but the execution felt off. It reminded me a bit of We Were Liars (if ykyk, that book gave me a headache and a stomachache). fast-paced in a way that felt rushed rather than gripping. So many potentially important moments or details were skimmed over, and it left the whole thing feeling kind of surface-level.
I did appreciate the ADHD rep, and maybe there was some autism representation in there too? (Though it wasn’t really made clear, which was a bit frustrating.)
Overall: cool concept, but it just didn’t land for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hashtag Press for the ARC.
But... yeah, this one just didn’t work for me.
The premise is super solid, and I can totally see what it was going for, but the execution felt off. It reminded me a bit of We Were Liars (if ykyk, that book gave me a headache and a stomachache). fast-paced in a way that felt rushed rather than gripping. So many potentially important moments or details were skimmed over, and it left the whole thing feeling kind of surface-level.
I did appreciate the ADHD rep, and maybe there was some autism representation in there too? (Though it wasn’t really made clear, which was a bit frustrating.)
Overall: cool concept, but it just didn’t land for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hashtag Press for the ARC.
August 11, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Hashtag Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Set against the eerie backdrop of an abandoned theme park, “No One Keeps a Secret” is a YA murder mystery packed with small-town secrets, gossiping grannies, and enough red herrings to keep even seasoned whodunnit fans guessing. Denise Brown’s tale kicks off with Haigh and Cherry—two lifelong friends—chasing a chihuahua, only to stumble across a dead body: Oz, Haigh’s stepdad and an all-around unpleasant man. The duo quickly becomes a trio when they befriend Sunrise, and together they plunge headfirst into solving the crime.
The premise is delicious: Scottish summer days, dense forests, missing poppies, homemade cakes, and a shady victim who seems to have made enemies everywhere. The “everyone’s a suspect” energy runs high, with twists and fake-outs at every turn. I suspected nearly every character and still got blindsided by the ending. There’s a definite Agatha Christie meets Scooby-Doo vibe here, with a dash of coming-of-age awkwardness and found-family warmth.
The heart of the book lies in its characters, especially Haigh, whose ADHD is woven into his narration and perspective. There are hints of autism representation as well, though they’re left ambiguous. While the representation could have been explored more deeply, it’s refreshing to see neurodivergent teens front and center in a mystery. Cherry and Sunrise are equally memorable: fierce, smart, and unwilling to back down, even when their sleuthing puts them in real danger.
That said, the pacing can be a double-edged sword. The fast, almost breathless tempo made it feel like the story sometimes skims over moments that deserved more emotional weight or detail. The protagonists are written as sixteen-year-olds but often come across younger, which may pull older YA readers out of the story. And while the fake-outs keep the suspense alive, a few twists feel abrupt or underdeveloped, leaving questions about motives or missing backstory.
Still, for all its rough edges, “No One Keeps a Secret” is compulsively readable. The setting crackles with atmosphere with the ghost train, the empty rides, the claustrophobic small-town gossip mill, and the central friendship is both heartfelt and funny. The ending is a jaw-dropper that will leave you begging for a sequel.
Overall, this is a story that is atmospheric, twisty whodunnit that’s messy in places but undeniably fun. Perfect for readers who love small-town murder mysteries, imperfect but lovable teen sleuths, and stories where danger lurks behind the cotton-candy sweetness of summer.
Set against the eerie backdrop of an abandoned theme park, “No One Keeps a Secret” is a YA murder mystery packed with small-town secrets, gossiping grannies, and enough red herrings to keep even seasoned whodunnit fans guessing. Denise Brown’s tale kicks off with Haigh and Cherry—two lifelong friends—chasing a chihuahua, only to stumble across a dead body: Oz, Haigh’s stepdad and an all-around unpleasant man. The duo quickly becomes a trio when they befriend Sunrise, and together they plunge headfirst into solving the crime.
The premise is delicious: Scottish summer days, dense forests, missing poppies, homemade cakes, and a shady victim who seems to have made enemies everywhere. The “everyone’s a suspect” energy runs high, with twists and fake-outs at every turn. I suspected nearly every character and still got blindsided by the ending. There’s a definite Agatha Christie meets Scooby-Doo vibe here, with a dash of coming-of-age awkwardness and found-family warmth.
The heart of the book lies in its characters, especially Haigh, whose ADHD is woven into his narration and perspective. There are hints of autism representation as well, though they’re left ambiguous. While the representation could have been explored more deeply, it’s refreshing to see neurodivergent teens front and center in a mystery. Cherry and Sunrise are equally memorable: fierce, smart, and unwilling to back down, even when their sleuthing puts them in real danger.
That said, the pacing can be a double-edged sword. The fast, almost breathless tempo made it feel like the story sometimes skims over moments that deserved more emotional weight or detail. The protagonists are written as sixteen-year-olds but often come across younger, which may pull older YA readers out of the story. And while the fake-outs keep the suspense alive, a few twists feel abrupt or underdeveloped, leaving questions about motives or missing backstory.
Still, for all its rough edges, “No One Keeps a Secret” is compulsively readable. The setting crackles with atmosphere with the ghost train, the empty rides, the claustrophobic small-town gossip mill, and the central friendship is both heartfelt and funny. The ending is a jaw-dropper that will leave you begging for a sequel.
Overall, this is a story that is atmospheric, twisty whodunnit that’s messy in places but undeniably fun. Perfect for readers who love small-town murder mysteries, imperfect but lovable teen sleuths, and stories where danger lurks behind the cotton-candy sweetness of summer.
August 25, 2025
Here is my review for No One Keeps A Secret by Denise Brown
I found this to be a truly intriguing story that held my attention and got me invested in three teenagers that went looking for a missing chihuahua only to discover a dead man, near an abandoned theme park. Haigh has ADHD and acts differently to the other kids at times so they take the mickey out of him but a lot of the time, he’s walking around the village smiling and waving at people he knows. Cherry is drawn to Haigh as she is different as well and she stands up for him sometimes. They are friends but she doesn’t get that Haigh doesn’t like touching and what ADHD entails. Sunrise is a different entity as no one knows her but they band together to try and solve the murder as well as forge new friendships. It’s an interesting story which I totally enjoyed reading. The author has written a really good story with an intriguing plot that got a stepdad that Haigh hated out of his life. Was he leading a double life as he spent so much time four hundred miles away during the week? Who would want to kill him? The characters were well described in the story and played their parts well. The writing was very descriptive and everything was described in detail which helped me build a picture in my mind how everything looked and acted out. It was very vivid, I like it when that happens. The story helps with bringing ADHD behaviour out in the open as it seems to be diagnosed more and it’s possible that the author has researched this for the story. It’s written very well and gives some insight into the behaviour which is a lot to cope with. The synopsis for the story helped draw me to read the book and I wasn’t disappointed. I liked the author’s writing style and I found it a very easy style to read. I would like to read more books by this author in the future.
Blurb :
In a town full of whispers, silence speaks volumes…
When three teenagers track down a missing chihuahua to an abandoned theme park, they discover a corpse strangled by his own camera strap and find themselves caught up in a murder investigation. The victim was supposed to be 400 miles away in London. He'd promised a lot of people a lot of money. And every single one of them has an alibi. Haigh, Cherry, and Sunrise soon discover that their rural village isn't quite as dull and predictable as they thought it was.
I found this to be a truly intriguing story that held my attention and got me invested in three teenagers that went looking for a missing chihuahua only to discover a dead man, near an abandoned theme park. Haigh has ADHD and acts differently to the other kids at times so they take the mickey out of him but a lot of the time, he’s walking around the village smiling and waving at people he knows. Cherry is drawn to Haigh as she is different as well and she stands up for him sometimes. They are friends but she doesn’t get that Haigh doesn’t like touching and what ADHD entails. Sunrise is a different entity as no one knows her but they band together to try and solve the murder as well as forge new friendships. It’s an interesting story which I totally enjoyed reading. The author has written a really good story with an intriguing plot that got a stepdad that Haigh hated out of his life. Was he leading a double life as he spent so much time four hundred miles away during the week? Who would want to kill him? The characters were well described in the story and played their parts well. The writing was very descriptive and everything was described in detail which helped me build a picture in my mind how everything looked and acted out. It was very vivid, I like it when that happens. The story helps with bringing ADHD behaviour out in the open as it seems to be diagnosed more and it’s possible that the author has researched this for the story. It’s written very well and gives some insight into the behaviour which is a lot to cope with. The synopsis for the story helped draw me to read the book and I wasn’t disappointed. I liked the author’s writing style and I found it a very easy style to read. I would like to read more books by this author in the future.
Blurb :
In a town full of whispers, silence speaks volumes…
When three teenagers track down a missing chihuahua to an abandoned theme park, they discover a corpse strangled by his own camera strap and find themselves caught up in a murder investigation. The victim was supposed to be 400 miles away in London. He'd promised a lot of people a lot of money. And every single one of them has an alibi. Haigh, Cherry, and Sunrise soon discover that their rural village isn't quite as dull and predictable as they thought it was.
November 15, 2025
★★☆☆☆ (and honestly, that second star is on life support)
Look, I liked It All Started With a Lie. I was ready for shady teens, gossiping grannies, and a Scottish murder case spicier than a chip-shop curry. Instead, I got a literary crime scene so chaotic I wanted to call forensics on the plot itself.
Three POVs… that all sound exactly the same.
If you’re going to juggle narrators, maybe let them have a personality each? A dialect? A single distinct thought? I spent half the book checking chapter headers because everyone blended like Tesco own-brand hummus.
And the plot threads?
Oh, there are threads. Miles of threads. A full Hobbycraft aisle of threads. And yet none of them get tied up. Mafia connections? Abandoned theme park? The missing chihuahua? The ghost train? A man in London owing half the planet money? The book just drops them like it’s late for the last bus home.
Also:
How many times can one community whack people on the back of the head?
Apparently infinite times. It becomes a drinking game. Don’t actually try it - you’ll die.
The final murder?
Completely pointless. Like the book was sprinting to the finish and tripped over its own shoelaces.
The emotional depth?
Imagine a puddle. Now subtract water. That’s the level we’re working with. A lot of “this happened, then that happened, then someone got hit again” energy. Great premise, but the prose reads like someone summarising a way more interesting novel they once heard about.
To be fair, there is ADHD rep and some glimmers of something better, but the execution is so repetitive and rushed I couldn’t even enjoy the potentially important bits.
I wanted Scottish small-town murder vibes, atmospheric and tense. I got We Were Liars meets a malfunctioning ghost train.
Would I recommend it?
Only if you enjoy chaos, plot holes you could park a bus in, and narrators who share one brain cell (and frequently misplace it).
2/5. And yes, I’m being generous. I could have been much meaner.
Look, I liked It All Started With a Lie. I was ready for shady teens, gossiping grannies, and a Scottish murder case spicier than a chip-shop curry. Instead, I got a literary crime scene so chaotic I wanted to call forensics on the plot itself.
Three POVs… that all sound exactly the same.
If you’re going to juggle narrators, maybe let them have a personality each? A dialect? A single distinct thought? I spent half the book checking chapter headers because everyone blended like Tesco own-brand hummus.
And the plot threads?
Oh, there are threads. Miles of threads. A full Hobbycraft aisle of threads. And yet none of them get tied up. Mafia connections? Abandoned theme park? The missing chihuahua? The ghost train? A man in London owing half the planet money? The book just drops them like it’s late for the last bus home.
Also:
How many times can one community whack people on the back of the head?
Apparently infinite times. It becomes a drinking game. Don’t actually try it - you’ll die.
The final murder?
Completely pointless. Like the book was sprinting to the finish and tripped over its own shoelaces.
The emotional depth?
Imagine a puddle. Now subtract water. That’s the level we’re working with. A lot of “this happened, then that happened, then someone got hit again” energy. Great premise, but the prose reads like someone summarising a way more interesting novel they once heard about.
To be fair, there is ADHD rep and some glimmers of something better, but the execution is so repetitive and rushed I couldn’t even enjoy the potentially important bits.
I wanted Scottish small-town murder vibes, atmospheric and tense. I got We Were Liars meets a malfunctioning ghost train.
Would I recommend it?
Only if you enjoy chaos, plot holes you could park a bus in, and narrators who share one brain cell (and frequently misplace it).
2/5. And yes, I’m being generous. I could have been much meaner.
July 26, 2025
No One Keeps a Secret tells the story of 3 teenagers, Haigh, Cherry, and Sunrise, who find a dead body in an abandoned theme park. The victim: Oz, Haigh’s stepdad and an all-around shady guy. In the process of trying to figure out what happened to him, they discover secrets that involve most of the town. The title is correct; no one can truly keep a secret with gossiping old ladies around.
This was a somewhat confusing review to write. At the beginning of the book, I was a bit annoyed at the characters’ narration. It felt as if Haigh and Cherry were pre-teens, and I was very surprised to find out they were supposed to be sixteen.
Afterwards, though, I became invested in the story. There were a lot of plot points, characters, and interpersonal conflicts, and I was very curious to see how it would all come together. While I found some of the plot twists a bit cheap (I’m looking at you, Isaac), I was happy that I ended up being correct after all.
The reason I am not giving this book a higher rating is because of the amount of fake outs. There are multiple dead ends, and the initial pieces of evidence discovered do not particularly contribute to the solution to the mystery, although they do lead to explaining how some of the characters relate to each other. I did however, wish we got to explore the killer’s motive a bit more. While I did guess it, it was more circumstantial than by following specific evidence threads or character behavior.
I know many readers find it difficult to engage with a mystery if they are not sympathetic to the victim. Luckily that is not an issue I share, since Oz is a very unlikeble character. For me, starting off by knowing he was not a good person made it easier to assume the worst from all the rumors going around and did not distract from the story, but I know not all will agree.
Thank you to NetGalley, Denise Brown, and Hashtag Press for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.
This was a somewhat confusing review to write. At the beginning of the book, I was a bit annoyed at the characters’ narration. It felt as if Haigh and Cherry were pre-teens, and I was very surprised to find out they were supposed to be sixteen.
Afterwards, though, I became invested in the story. There were a lot of plot points, characters, and interpersonal conflicts, and I was very curious to see how it would all come together. While I found some of the plot twists a bit cheap (I’m looking at you, Isaac), I was happy that I ended up being correct after all.
The reason I am not giving this book a higher rating is because of the amount of fake outs. There are multiple dead ends, and the initial pieces of evidence discovered do not particularly contribute to the solution to the mystery, although they do lead to explaining how some of the characters relate to each other. I did however, wish we got to explore the killer’s motive a bit more. While I did guess it, it was more circumstantial than by following specific evidence threads or character behavior.
I know many readers find it difficult to engage with a mystery if they are not sympathetic to the victim. Luckily that is not an issue I share, since Oz is a very unlikeble character. For me, starting off by knowing he was not a good person made it easier to assume the worst from all the rumors going around and did not distract from the story, but I know not all will agree.
Thank you to NetGalley, Denise Brown, and Hashtag Press for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.
July 19, 2025
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love a YA Mystery & Thriller. Usually. This did not work at all for me. The characters read like middle grade characters instead of young adults. They felt so young, and that completely took me out. The plot was also quite messy and the pace felt off. I found it hard to care about who murdered the victim cause he sucked. Actually, I didn't really like any of the characters, except, maybe, Sunrise and Cherry. I just found it hard to care about any of it and so much felt far fetched. I was excited about the Scotland setting but even that let me down. It could have been set anywhere.
The plot was so out there to me. From the main characters fucking up the crime scene to them hiding evidence and never even questioning that. I just didn't believe it or got into it at all.
I also want to talk about the rhetoric of the main boy character, who read like he was 13, and kept saying he was now the man of the house. The man of the house. In 2025. He had to take care of his grown ass mother for some reason. That drove me mad. This rhetoric was also approved by the grandfather. Everyone acted like women couldn't take care of themselves. It annoyed me.
So yeah, this one really didn't work for me and I was very happy when it ended (despite the end being even more ??? than the rest of the book).
I love a YA Mystery & Thriller. Usually. This did not work at all for me. The characters read like middle grade characters instead of young adults. They felt so young, and that completely took me out. The plot was also quite messy and the pace felt off. I found it hard to care about who murdered the victim cause he sucked. Actually, I didn't really like any of the characters, except, maybe, Sunrise and Cherry. I just found it hard to care about any of it and so much felt far fetched. I was excited about the Scotland setting but even that let me down. It could have been set anywhere.
The plot was so out there to me. From the main characters fucking up the crime scene to them hiding evidence and never even questioning that. I just didn't believe it or got into it at all.
I also want to talk about the rhetoric of the main boy character, who read like he was 13, and kept saying he was now the man of the house. The man of the house. In 2025. He had to take care of his grown ass mother for some reason. That drove me mad. This rhetoric was also approved by the grandfather. Everyone acted like women couldn't take care of themselves. It annoyed me.
So yeah, this one really didn't work for me and I was very happy when it ended (despite the end being even more ??? than the rest of the book).
June 29, 2025
When two friends start summer break the last thing, they would expect is to make a new friend and find a dead body. Well, make a new friend? Maybe, but find a dead body? Definitely not.
Haigh, Cherry and new friend Sunrise set out to solve a murder on their own and boy was this not cut and dry. I was kept guessing and speculating throughout the whole story even until the very end. This was a true “who done it” story and I found myself reading this in one sitting because I needed to know just who done it. With twists and turns and “everyone is a suspect” to me, how could I put it down?
I found the characters to be quite intriguing, especially Haigh. He is described as having ADHD; however, I had considered the possibility that he might exhibit traits associated with autism. Nevertheless, I found him to be enjoyable and fascinating along with Cherry and Sunrise.
I would say No One Keeps a Secret wrapped up nicely, but I was left with questions or more like one question. Overall, a pleasant mysterious read.
*Thank you Denise Brown, Hashtag Press and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review*
Haigh, Cherry and new friend Sunrise set out to solve a murder on their own and boy was this not cut and dry. I was kept guessing and speculating throughout the whole story even until the very end. This was a true “who done it” story and I found myself reading this in one sitting because I needed to know just who done it. With twists and turns and “everyone is a suspect” to me, how could I put it down?
I found the characters to be quite intriguing, especially Haigh. He is described as having ADHD; however, I had considered the possibility that he might exhibit traits associated with autism. Nevertheless, I found him to be enjoyable and fascinating along with Cherry and Sunrise.
I would say No One Keeps a Secret wrapped up nicely, but I was left with questions or more like one question. Overall, a pleasant mysterious read.
*Thank you Denise Brown, Hashtag Press and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review*
September 16, 2025
When chasing an angry Chihuahua leafs to the discovery of a body, Haigh, Cherry and Sunrise are drawn into a murder mystery. Because the body is Haigh's stepfather, and too many people in their small Scottish town are keeping secrets.
I enjoyed this YA murder mystery a lot. I really enjoyed that I didn't figure it out - my suspicions were way off the mark. I love that the author managed to craft a narrative with enough clues to keep you guessing, and where the outcome still made enough sense that I didn't feel cheated.
I liked the characters and their relationship with each other. They very much felt like teens navigating growing up, and were so easy to believe in.
Set in the summer holidays in a small Scottish town, this book highlighted community - both the pros and cons. Everyone liked a gossip, and there were plenty of big personalities around town. I liked the description of the town and summer festivities - the day to day made the setting so easy to visualise.
This is the perfect YA to get lost in over the summer.
I enjoyed this YA murder mystery a lot. I really enjoyed that I didn't figure it out - my suspicions were way off the mark. I love that the author managed to craft a narrative with enough clues to keep you guessing, and where the outcome still made enough sense that I didn't feel cheated.
I liked the characters and their relationship with each other. They very much felt like teens navigating growing up, and were so easy to believe in.
Set in the summer holidays in a small Scottish town, this book highlighted community - both the pros and cons. Everyone liked a gossip, and there were plenty of big personalities around town. I liked the description of the town and summer festivities - the day to day made the setting so easy to visualise.
This is the perfect YA to get lost in over the summer.
June 30, 2025
Thank you Hashtag Press and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. A thrilling read! Haigh, Cherry, and there new friend Sunrise are on the hunt for a missing dog this leads them to an abandoned theme park where they stumble upon a dead body. The victim wasn’t supposed to be there but was supposed to be far away in London. The thing is a lot of people would have wanted him dead but they all seem to have solid alibis. Soon Haigh, Cherry, and Sunrise are pulled into the murder investigation. What will the three of them find? And will looking just lead them into more danger? One thing is for certain they’re about to find that the place they call home is a lot more dangerous then they ever could have imagined. A fast paced whodunnit that kept me guessing! I was enthralled until the very end with all the twists! An intriguing mystery that is unputdownable and will have you on the edge of your seat till the very end!
August 18, 2025
Time taken to read - 4 days
Pages - 288
Publisher - Hashtag Press
Source - ARC
Blurb from Goodreads
When three teens track down a missing chihuahua to an abandoned theme park, they stumble upon a chilling discovery: a corpse, strangled by his own camera strap. The victim was meant to be 400 miles away in London, where he'd promised a lot of people a lot of money. But every one of them has a solid alibi. As Haigh, Cherry, and Sunrise get pulled into the murder investigation, they uncover mafia connections, a still-operating ghost train, and gossiping grannies, revealing their quiet village is far more dangerous than they ever imagined.
My Review
Young adult, mystery, the main characters are Haigh and Cherry, teens, told in first person point of view. Haigh's mum is dating Oz, a not very nice guy at all, the duo Haigh and Cherry become a trio when they meet Sunrise. The three end up meeting whilst chasing down a temperamental bitey chihuahua and bond over the trauma of finding a dead body, that of Oz and things go from there. Haigh has ADHD so we see snippets of that in different situations whilst trying to investigate what happened and be "the man of the house".
So there is a fair bit to unpeel in this, friendship, teen attraction, murder, investigation like the kids are on the case a bit like maybe the secret seven or something. It is super busy and sometimes, some of the elements like the ADHD could have been much more in depth. I think people will be happy to see more representation absolutely but whilst we get glimpses and moments of how Haigh lives with it they are fleeting. Also the characters are sixteen but come across so much younger at times as teens can be. So it was a bit mixed for me with the younger characters and a lot of questionable small town folk but we do love dark/shady characters.
The adults/secrets part I did like and wanted to know all of what Oz's chat was, I feel so much was touched on or hinted at but then didn't give us as much as I would have liked. If they book was chunkier and we got more backstory and depth I think I would have liked it a lot more. They do say a good author leaves you wanting more. I do feel some things came a bit left of field and I love when an author shocks you and or pulls the rug but, I don't know instead of ooooh I was a bit more oh, wait hang on, gasp. If that makes sense? I liked it, I liked I was questioning what was coming, who is a dodgy biscuit, are they just dodgy or actually bad/involved. Small village, secrets, murder, teen protagonists, kid working through some big developments/shocks with his friends and living with ADHD. It was different, 3.5/5, this was my first time reading her, I would read her again.
Pages - 288
Publisher - Hashtag Press
Source - ARC
Blurb from Goodreads
When three teens track down a missing chihuahua to an abandoned theme park, they stumble upon a chilling discovery: a corpse, strangled by his own camera strap. The victim was meant to be 400 miles away in London, where he'd promised a lot of people a lot of money. But every one of them has a solid alibi. As Haigh, Cherry, and Sunrise get pulled into the murder investigation, they uncover mafia connections, a still-operating ghost train, and gossiping grannies, revealing their quiet village is far more dangerous than they ever imagined.
My Review
Young adult, mystery, the main characters are Haigh and Cherry, teens, told in first person point of view. Haigh's mum is dating Oz, a not very nice guy at all, the duo Haigh and Cherry become a trio when they meet Sunrise. The three end up meeting whilst chasing down a temperamental bitey chihuahua and bond over the trauma of finding a dead body, that of Oz and things go from there. Haigh has ADHD so we see snippets of that in different situations whilst trying to investigate what happened and be "the man of the house".
So there is a fair bit to unpeel in this, friendship, teen attraction, murder, investigation like the kids are on the case a bit like maybe the secret seven or something. It is super busy and sometimes, some of the elements like the ADHD could have been much more in depth. I think people will be happy to see more representation absolutely but whilst we get glimpses and moments of how Haigh lives with it they are fleeting. Also the characters are sixteen but come across so much younger at times as teens can be. So it was a bit mixed for me with the younger characters and a lot of questionable small town folk but we do love dark/shady characters.
The adults/secrets part I did like and wanted to know all of what Oz's chat was, I feel so much was touched on or hinted at but then didn't give us as much as I would have liked. If they book was chunkier and we got more backstory and depth I think I would have liked it a lot more. They do say a good author leaves you wanting more. I do feel some things came a bit left of field and I love when an author shocks you and or pulls the rug but, I don't know instead of ooooh I was a bit more oh, wait hang on, gasp. If that makes sense? I liked it, I liked I was questioning what was coming, who is a dodgy biscuit, are they just dodgy or actually bad/involved. Small village, secrets, murder, teen protagonists, kid working through some big developments/shocks with his friends and living with ADHD. It was different, 3.5/5, this was my first time reading her, I would read her again.
July 8, 2025
A search for a lost dog leads three teenagers to an abandoned Scottish theme park where they find not only the missing dog but also the body of someone who should have been far away working in London. Haigh and Cherry join forces with visitor Sunrise to investigate this brutal murder in an otherwise quiet tourist town.
I liked the mystery element of the story. Small town secrets are uncovered and as often happens in small towns, everyone is somehow interconnected which leads to multiple suspects for the murder of someone with a shaky reputation. The autism traits shown by Haigh and the complexities of his family add interest to the dynamics between the main characters as their investigation moves at a rapid pace. This book will have appeal for whodunnit-loving teenagers.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC
I liked the mystery element of the story. Small town secrets are uncovered and as often happens in small towns, everyone is somehow interconnected which leads to multiple suspects for the murder of someone with a shaky reputation. The autism traits shown by Haigh and the complexities of his family add interest to the dynamics between the main characters as their investigation moves at a rapid pace. This book will have appeal for whodunnit-loving teenagers.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC
July 14, 2025
This was . . . Okay. I wish I liked it more!
Haigh, along with his best friend Cherry and a new girl they’ve just met, Sunshine, find the murdered body of Haigh’s stepfather at an abandoned theme park in the search for a missing chihuahua. And there the mystery begins. . . Or does it?
It’s not a very good mystery and there’s not a lot of very good solving. Everything sort of unravelled unremarkably…except not a lot unravelled at all, because it’s revealed in the final few beats of the book, that all known ‘truths’ were wrong. Which wasn’t really a surprise when the reveal didn’t make any sense anyways! There’s quite a bit of the timeline of the book that didn’t make sense.
Unfortunately all the characters began to blur together, and I often found myself getting mixed up in the perspectives of our main characters as they felt similar. If it wasn’t for the subheadings I would’ve been extra lost. I also really struggled because the kids seemed different ages, at first I thought Cherry was way older than Haigh, and for a lot of the book she seems it too.
I did respect Brown treating the kids as kids in this though, which is why their investigating wasn’t very good, but when the whole point of the book is for them to investigate and we have no perspective from an adult investigator it all felt a little boring.
All in all, this is why their book was just okay. There were some good moments of drama and I think the book had a lot of potential, it just fell flat on it.
Thank you to Hashtag Press for the e-arc
Haigh, along with his best friend Cherry and a new girl they’ve just met, Sunshine, find the murdered body of Haigh’s stepfather at an abandoned theme park in the search for a missing chihuahua. And there the mystery begins. . . Or does it?
It’s not a very good mystery and there’s not a lot of very good solving. Everything sort of unravelled unremarkably…except not a lot unravelled at all, because it’s revealed in the final few beats of the book, that all known ‘truths’ were wrong. Which wasn’t really a surprise when the reveal didn’t make any sense anyways! There’s quite a bit of the timeline of the book that didn’t make sense.
Unfortunately all the characters began to blur together, and I often found myself getting mixed up in the perspectives of our main characters as they felt similar. If it wasn’t for the subheadings I would’ve been extra lost. I also really struggled because the kids seemed different ages, at first I thought Cherry was way older than Haigh, and for a lot of the book she seems it too.
I did respect Brown treating the kids as kids in this though, which is why their investigating wasn’t very good, but when the whole point of the book is for them to investigate and we have no perspective from an adult investigator it all felt a little boring.
All in all, this is why their book was just okay. There were some good moments of drama and I think the book had a lot of potential, it just fell flat on it.
Thank you to Hashtag Press for the e-arc
August 21, 2025
Friendship, secrets, and an abandoned theme park… 🎡🎢
I was hooked from the start at what begins as three kids looking for a missing dog quickly turning into them coming across a body in an abandoned theme park!! The whole setting is so eerie and atmospheric – honestly the perfect backdrop for a small Scottish-village mystery.
I really liked Haigh’s character – his quirks, the way he sees the world, and how much heart he brought to the story. His character was very well written & great representation. The mix of friendships, quirky characters, and all the secrets waiting to spill out made a really refreshing YA mystery read. It’s fast-paced, fun, and kept me guessing right to the end – a proper whodunnit with a modern YA twist.
I was hooked from the start at what begins as three kids looking for a missing dog quickly turning into them coming across a body in an abandoned theme park!! The whole setting is so eerie and atmospheric – honestly the perfect backdrop for a small Scottish-village mystery.
I really liked Haigh’s character – his quirks, the way he sees the world, and how much heart he brought to the story. His character was very well written & great representation. The mix of friendships, quirky characters, and all the secrets waiting to spill out made a really refreshing YA mystery read. It’s fast-paced, fun, and kept me guessing right to the end – a proper whodunnit with a modern YA twist.
Read
July 7, 2025No One Keeps a Secret is like Nancy Drew meets Stranger Things. I felt like the book's atmosphere worked really well with its misty forests and half-crumbling fairgrounds. However, the story itself occasionally stumbles, and for me personally, I felt like it came at the expense of depth. Key plot points flicker by, leaving emotional beats a bit undercooked. That said, it was nice to see some neurodiverse characters, but some aspects of that could have been explored with more clarity and care.
Overall, No One Keeps a Secret is a compelling mystery if you're willing to overlook a few narrative shortcuts.
Overall, No One Keeps a Secret is a compelling mystery if you're willing to overlook a few narrative shortcuts.
September 10, 2025
i typically love YA mystery/thrillers (holly jackson is a favorite of mine) but i just couldn’t connect with or really get into this one. it started off really strong but it just felt oddly paced and once it hooked me, it lost me. i think it would’ve been more enjoyable for me had i been younger. i gave it until the 50% mark to reel me back in, but at that point i just didn’t really care about the characters or what happened to them, and the murder victim is incredibly dislikable, which made me just not care who killed him.
thank you netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review💖
thank you netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review💖
August 20, 2025
I love the premise of this story. The idea of a theme park becoming the scene for a murder mystery was intriguing to me, so I really did dive into this read head first, and it certainly did not disappoint.
Based in Scotland ( a country I adore after spending many holidays in various areas ), it's atmospheric, it's suspenseful and there's suspicion by the bucket load ( and I was kept guessing all the way through ).
The story bobbed along nicely and ended in a brilliant crescendo that will leave you wanting more.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
Based in Scotland ( a country I adore after spending many holidays in various areas ), it's atmospheric, it's suspenseful and there's suspicion by the bucket load ( and I was kept guessing all the way through ).
The story bobbed along nicely and ended in a brilliant crescendo that will leave you wanting more.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
November 10, 2025
When teenagers, Haigh, Cherry, and Sunrise, chase a runaway chihuahua into an abandoned theme park they discover a body. The victim owed lots of people money but it seems like they all have an alibi. The three teenagers investigate their main suspects, but in the process put themselves in danger.
'No One Keeps a Secret' is a gritty, atmospheric, small-town mystery with all sorts of rumours and resentments simmering below the surface. I enjoyed the final twist although I was still confused about many of the other threads that weren't resolved.
'No One Keeps a Secret' is a gritty, atmospheric, small-town mystery with all sorts of rumours and resentments simmering below the surface. I enjoyed the final twist although I was still confused about many of the other threads that weren't resolved.
July 18, 2025
The characters were interesting and the storyline kept me guessing along the way. The setting of an abandoned theme park adds to the creep factor and helped to separate this book from other YA novels. I enjoyed the different point of views in this book and how you get the whole story through the different points of view while the characters don't. Haigh's character was quirky and inquisitive, an honest representation of a child with a disability.
#NoOneKeepsASecret #NetGalley
#NoOneKeepsASecret #NetGalley
August 27, 2025
Rating: 3.25 stars
Read the book; immediately forgot about the book. It felt like it was the starting point for Holly Jackson book. Im summary: Kids see a crime scene, immediately think they can solve it, run around town trying to accomplish something way outside of their league, end of story. It wasn't a bad book by any means. But things felt really simple and really impossible.
Thank you NetGalley and Hashtag Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Read the book; immediately forgot about the book. It felt like it was the starting point for Holly Jackson book. Im summary: Kids see a crime scene, immediately think they can solve it, run around town trying to accomplish something way outside of their league, end of story. It wasn't a bad book by any means. But things felt really simple and really impossible.
Thank you NetGalley and Hashtag Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
September 1, 2025
A story set in a Scottish town where three kids stumble across a dead body- this leads to them investigating the murder themselves. As more murders unfold, they seem to get confused with who the killer could be. The ending to this will leave you 😲😲 ! It was a fun ride following the mystery through the eyes of teenagers who definitely seem to think they are detectives 🤣.
If you like YA thrillers then definitely give this one a go!
If you like YA thrillers then definitely give this one a go!
October 8, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
This was very fast paced. I wasn’t a huge fan of the plot, but there was nothing wrong with it. It just wasn’t as intense as some other mysteries that I have read. Overall, I think this is a good book, and I recommend it to people who want a lighter version of a Holly Jackson book.
This was very fast paced. I wasn’t a huge fan of the plot, but there was nothing wrong with it. It just wasn’t as intense as some other mysteries that I have read. Overall, I think this is a good book, and I recommend it to people who want a lighter version of a Holly Jackson book.
August 17, 2025
Kept me entertained but did feel a bit like Enid Blyton meets cozy crime. Each chapter confused me a bit as to who was talking about themselves. Ending a bit silly and the very ending massively rushed.
August 21, 2025
No One Keeps a Secret 🤫
Kindly gifted by Literally PR 📚
***When three teenagers track down a missing chihuahua to an abandoned theme park, they discover a corpse strangled by his own camera strap and find themselves caught up in a murder investigation. The victim was supposed to be 400 miles away in London. He’d promised a lot of people a lot of money. And every single one of them has an alibi. Haigh, Cherry, and Sunrise soon discover that their rural village isn’t quite as dull and predictable as they thought it was.***
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
A camera, a creepy abandoned theme park and a dead body.. the intrigue was high from the beginning with this one! 👀
I suspected EVERYONE in this book.. and I couldn’t make my mind up.. as soon as I was convinced it was one person, seconds later I’d be convinced it as someone else 😅
This was quite a fast based book and I finished it quite quickly, and sometime did have to skim back as things were covered quite quickly… but… the characters were strong and the storyline was good so it didn’t feel like too much of an issue!
This was a fun whodunit and it’s a great twist so would definitely recommend!!! 📚
Kindly gifted by Literally PR 📚
***When three teenagers track down a missing chihuahua to an abandoned theme park, they discover a corpse strangled by his own camera strap and find themselves caught up in a murder investigation. The victim was supposed to be 400 miles away in London. He’d promised a lot of people a lot of money. And every single one of them has an alibi. Haigh, Cherry, and Sunrise soon discover that their rural village isn’t quite as dull and predictable as they thought it was.***
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
A camera, a creepy abandoned theme park and a dead body.. the intrigue was high from the beginning with this one! 👀
I suspected EVERYONE in this book.. and I couldn’t make my mind up.. as soon as I was convinced it was one person, seconds later I’d be convinced it as someone else 😅
This was quite a fast based book and I finished it quite quickly, and sometime did have to skim back as things were covered quite quickly… but… the characters were strong and the storyline was good so it didn’t feel like too much of an issue!
This was a fun whodunit and it’s a great twist so would definitely recommend!!! 📚
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