My Life Before Me

Secrets #5

by Norah McClintock

Nothing worth fighting for comes easy.

Cady has always wanted to be a reporter, like her hero Nellie Bly, so after a fire burns down the orphanage she lives in, she’s ready to leave small-town Ontario and make her mark as a newspaperwoman. A crumbling newspaper clipping leads her to Orrenstown, Indiana, where her investigation into a long-ago murder earns her a hard lesson in race relations. Smart and determined, and more than a little headstrong, Cady pokes a stick into a wasp’s nest of lies, dirty politics, corrupt law enforcement and racial tension—and ends up fearing for her life as she closes in on something she’s never cared about before—the truth about her own origins.

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Canada, Teen, Audiobook

264 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2015

About the author

Norah McClintock’s fascinating mysteries are hard to put down. Her Chloe & Levesque series, Mike & Riel series, and Robyn Hunter series, all published by Scholastic Canada, have been popular with readers in many countries. Norah has also written several crime novels for reluctant readers in the Orca Soundings series from Orca Book Publishers,

Norah is a five-time winner of the Crime Writers of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award for Best Juvenile Crime Novel. Read Mistaken Identity, The Body in the Basement, Sins of the Father, Scared to Death, and Break and Enter to find out why! Norah's books have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and she has won numerous awards.

Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award - Juvenile
o 1996 – Mistaken Identity – Winner
o 1998 – The Body in the Basement – Winner
o 1999 – Sins of the Father – Winner
o 2002 – Scared to Death – Winner
o 2003 – Break and Enter – Winner

Red Maple Award
o 2004 – Hit and Run – Winner

Reviews

[Short Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cady is my favourite character out of the Seven so far, aside from Malou. They're the only two characters that are actually interesting people.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Life Before Me after all of the other six books in the Seven Secrets series has given me an interesting perspective on both it and the rest of the series as a whole. Her unique perspective as someone who doesn't have a personal interest in the outcome of solving the mystery, but rather a professional one, made the social changes and tension of the 1960s, this novel, and the entire series, seem clearer to me.

It's not that it wasn't apparent to me before that this series was about turbulent times in the lives of each of the seven main characters and the new lives they begin exploring in their books. It's not that I didn't see instances of larger changes in society happening in the other novels. However, Cady's impartiality, her journalistic interest in the getting to the bottom of the mystery, at least at first, made the larger societal issues pop and helped me see them, more fully, in the other books as well in hindsight.

At times, I could see where the story was heading, such as whenever Cady was still questioning whether something might be true, I could tell that it was true already. Nevertheless, there were a lot of twists and turns, and I couldn't predict them from a great distance in the novel, so if anything, my ability to guess was more rewarding than it might otherwise be when I realized within a few pages or so of the prediction that I was, indeed, correct.

While Cady presented herself impartially, for the most part, it was also great to see that her experiences in Orrenstown, Indiana impacted her understanding of what life might be like for her roommate from the orphanage, Malou as the novel progressed, and she became more invested in the characters she met.

[Kayla K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Life Before Me is the last of the 7 books in the Secrets series that I decided to read. My friend had told me that it wasn't the best book in the series, so I saved it for last with relatively low expectations.

It turned out to be that I am in agreement with my friend- in my opinion, it was the worst book in the series. I lost interest in it rather quickly and I did not find myself relating to the protagonist.

First, I am going to tell you guys all about the series in case you haven't read my reviews for any of the other books yet. Basically, they each follow a different teenage girl and their journeys after their orphanage burns down in 1964. You may choose to read only one book in the series or all of them- it ultimately doesn't matter how many of them you read and in what order. They are all written by different authors with different storylines, so there is at least one of them for suited for any reader to enjoy.

This book in particular revolves around Cady. Since her orphanage has just burned down, she decides to pursue her dream of being a reporter by moving to Indiana and investigating a murder. Unlike all of the other girls, she isn't really interested in where she'd come from, but will that information still approach her?

Cady was an average, mediocre character. Just an ordinary Joe, to put it that way. She was quite brave and very determined to help out with the murder mystery, but I found her to be a bit aloof and cold. All characters do have flaws, but Cady's closed personality did not allow me to relate to her very easily.

This story boasted a smooth-sailing plot, but I wasn't too intrigued by the mystery that it offered. As I said before, this book couldn't capture too much of my interest and I got bored of it quickly. I wasn't bored enough to not finish it, but bored enough to not focus as much while reading it, if you get what I'm saying.

Overall, My Life Before Me was a satisfactory read. It may not have been my cup of tea, but I can still see myself recommending it to other readers with different interests. Are you interested in historical murder mysteries? If so, then I think that you will get the most out of this book.

[Cecily Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this investigative style story and I am sure there are a lot of people who can trace back their history to something similar and sad happening in their past. The story was a quick read and good writing.
Good Read!

[Cadence McCulloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Im about to cry

[Amev1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting reading some of the reviews, I'm not sure why there is such dislike of the main character.

So, let's start with the timeline. This is set in 1960's middle America. Umm, yeah, if you were of color you did not have a voice. Being upset that a white girl was able to "break the case" just seems like there is a lack of understanding of time and place. I thought that the author did a good job showing how much change Mrs Jefferson invoked. That she made people feel guilty for what they had done. That her power was in staying and and being run off due to the violence.

The author did a good job with the one issue I would have had of a small town, sheltered girl being able to do investigative journalism by giving her both motivation (how are these people related to me?) and a role model to help her over come her fears.

Now, the Dr knowing who she was but not telling her was a bad plot point. It would have been better for him to have figured it out at the end. But overall, I think this was a well written book that helps show a period in American history. And is age appropriate, since there isn't a lot of details on the hanging or the hate. Yet, detailed enough for a teen to learn that it is a problem and the historical roots of racism.

Honestly, it might be a good book to read now with the race issues that are becoming the focus point in the states. Trump, police profiling, etc --- it's a sad statement that we aren't so far removed from the past.

[Lisa Findley · Rating 1 out of 5]

My Life Before Me introduces young readers to a white savior so they know what to expect from mainstream media going forward, oh great. It centers around the lynching of one black man and the brutal set-up and shooting of another, and yet denies most of the black characters any agency or much dialogue. With Cady as the protagonist, of course we're going to focus on her, but McClintock takes Cady's desire to be a reporter too far to make a good story: Cady's investigating two horrible crimes, not building her own life after the orphanage. What made A Big Dose of Lucky and Shattered Glass so good was that their protagonists were able to investigate their past while building a future. Cady swoops in, makes no personal relationships at all, brings the truth to the poor black folks in a wretched small town, and leaves again. It may be a realistic portrayal of what her life will be as a reporter, but it's not much of a novel.

[Kier Scrivener · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the content that dealt with racism and the civil rights movement. I enjoyed that she was trying to find her parents (though I guessed it pretty quickly though). Also she was Canadian and from a real town that is an hour from me :)

Things I liked:
-A girl finding her parents story line
-Dealing with racism head on
-He fought for them and deserved better
-no romance in YA
-Girl trailblazing
-Journalism

Things I didn't like:
-The chapter titles gave story away
-She did not seem very sharp
-If she had of been opened and communicated. Life would be easier.
-If they don't think anything was wrong with TJ's murder. Why do they care?
-More telling and little showing
-I don't like resentful narrators
-I figured out the mystery very quickly but it took her most of the time to even realize TJ wasn't murdered
-There was no character development or depth


All in all My Life Before You wasn't good but had good intentions.
2 Stars

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooo good. One of my favourites in the series. Though I wasn't a big fan of wannabe reporter pursuing the story no matter how many people's feelings get in the way. But otherwise, solid mystery. Solid characters. Solid morals and fixing of the world, and solid conclusion. All in all, quite satisfying.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a painfully slow pace. It has a theme that isn't new and few characters that are well drawn. After a while, I didn't care what the outcome held.

[amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Carol Jones-Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just found out that this book I read is part of a series. Huh! Notorious for doing this! As is often the case this is Book #5 of 7. Oh well, have to find others.

I really liked this book however. A fire occurred in 1964, at the Benevolent Home for Necessitous Girls located in Hope, Ontario and the orphanage that Cady Anderson (protagonist) has to move as the home burned down. They are kicked literally into the world as an envelope with some cash in it, and some information about their birth parents is given to them. Well Cady had received an envelope, but didn't open it for quite a while.

Cady is an extremely bright girl, aspiring to become a journalist. She is looking for "that" story that will boost her career. The envelope she received, only had a newspaper clipping about a murder that occured about 17-18 years prior. So, headstrong girl she is, heads off for Orrenstown, Indiana, where to her huge surprise, she starts finding clues, clues and more clues, and opening up secrets, secrets, and more secrets. This area is hugely racial, and that too complicates her research.
She starts with a double murder that occured to two World War II veterans (one black, one white) that took place 17 years prior.

She has the most pleasure when she is able to board with a woman named Maggie that lets her have her board and room for free if she would help with cleaning. Perfect solution for both of them, as Cady was a pro at such while at the orphanage. Maggie's cooking is the best she had ever had. It seems the whole town is involved in one way or another to these murders. Put Cady on it, and soon the whole town is nervous that a 17 year old girl is turning up such information that has been buried for a LONG TIME.

Along with the bad, she also is able to find out who her parents were. That wasn't entirely good, but she now knows who they are. This was a very well written story

It was written by Norah McClintock, and narrated by Karen Roule. The narration was a perfect way to tell the story. I highly recommend.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have enjoyed other books in this series, and wanted to enjoy this one, but instead I am rounding up from somewhere between one and two stars. The rounding up is more because I enjoyed other books in this series (written by different authors) than any merits this book might have.

The book drags and has repetitive scenes - mostly protagonist Cady moaning and groaning about how hard done by she is. And yeah, she got bad breaks in life. But 1) I could have done without having to read about it every other page; 2) it was especially tiresome and disingenuous coming from the little, blond-haired, blue-eyed white girl in the midst of the racism of 1960s US, and where that context was important to the story; 3) I actively disliked Cady and so did not really care about her or her problems.

For me, my low rating and dislike of the book centres mostly on protagonist/narrator Cady Andrews. Cady was an unlikeable character. She is really self-involved and callous. I mean, the book starts, as do all of the books in this series, with the orphanage burning down. Even though this is the only home she has ever known, Cady's whole response is 'oh well. Who cares? Get out of my way, I have better things to do.' The seemed to be her entire emotional range and depth, and lack thereof. Cady is shallow, callous, self-serving, self-involved, and unsympathetic. She read like a borderline sociopath. Oh, and she is the narrator, so I was stuck with reading about all of her tedious thoughts.

I will read others in this series. I am glad, however, that they are by different authors.

[Melissa Helton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't know this was part of a series. It works well enough as a stand alone. I know YA and middle grade books often have the over the top, quick, and unrealistic plot, so I'll let that slide as an expectation of the genre. I can't help but sit back as a white reader, reading a book by an author who appears white, about a white savior character who swoops in and saves the day in a story that centers Black trauma and has Black characters who only exhibit passivity, cooking, and anger, and wonder if this book is doing more harm than good. Yes, young readers can learn that racism, white supremacy, and racial violence have never been confined to just southern states. They can learn the particulars of that terrorism - from voter suppression to lynchings. They can learn that America has never yet been the land of freedom and justice for all. But there are most definitely better books to learn that. Books that aren't centering Black trauma and a white savior. I'm glad the audiobook reader didn't attempt much differentiation for the Black and white characters because that probably wouldn't have worked well. And at the same time, all the voices sounded the same so I got lost at times. Not sure what the solution to that coulda been.

[Kate Stericker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this novel is classified as young adult, it reads more like middle grade--the mystery moves quickly and has some interesting twists, but the characters are flat and the plot advances in a style that could be characterized as 'this happened then this happened then this happened.' At the beginning, Cady's moody, resentful nature suggested that she would be a more complex character than Dot, the star of Small Bones, but these distinctive traits became muted by the time she arrived in Indiana. Additionally, her initial neutrality on the racial issues at the heart of the Thomas Jefferson case made it hard to warm up to her, and, although the book is dedicated to communicating the message that racism is bad, she never became fully incensed by the injustices being perpetrated in the way I expected she would--all of her reactions are directed towards the details of the specific case at hand rather than the larger problems they represent. On the whole, My Life Before Me wasn't a bad book, but the story had too much wasted potential for it to be truly satisfying.

[Midge ☠ ★ 99% poison ★ ☠]

This book deals with some very serious themes of racism and injustice, but I never became fully engaged with the plot or characters. Mostly this is because the main character, Cady, is a white teenager digging into a crime to discover how a black man was framed for murder, incarcerated, and was then himself shot and killed. Since Cady has no personal stake in the story, as a complete outsider, these horrifying events don't have any real emotional immediacy for her... maybe that's actually a good thing for the book's young teen audience because it would allow them to engage with the history and ideas and themes without turning them away in shock?? Idk but yeah despite these events obviously being super heartbreaking the book itself reads very bland and factual which doesn't work for me.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little wary to read this one. I have found that I usually do not like young adult novels, but I very much enjoyed this one. It does not seem to be of the young adult genre, except for the fact that the main character, whose point of view tells the story is in her late teens. This book I noticed is also part of a series, but each book is by a different author, so it seems that these books, although a part of a series are also stand-alones. I will probably be looking into others books by her as well as others in this series.

[Blaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi! I started reading this book and I'm sure I'm on page 149 now, it's interesting so far and I really enjoy it. I'm so excited when I hear I can read this book, I can only read it in school so whenever get the chance to read it I'm positive after reading it, but anyhow. This is first book I've read out of the seven others, I think theirs that much. But I've been looking a place to find and rate this book.

[Shona · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is for the younger side of young adult but doesn't flinch from race relations in the way it could. The writing is serviceable and the plot isn't too simple or unbelievable, just a little. The characters are a bit flat in the way they are for younger readers where they can only be one or two things.

[South Brunswick High School Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cady knows little about her past, but focuses on her future as an aspiring reporter. When challenged to uncover a story of significance, Cady begins with a tattered newspaper clipping that may lead her to the heart of her own past. Will she have the courage to ask the kinds of questions needed to find the truth? An engaging mystery in the Secrets series.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I’ve really enjoyed most of the books in the secrets series (Stone Graves is the exception) this is definitely the best book of the series. It seems more mature, though it may just be because Katie is the oldest of the seven. She is less idealistic than the other girls. And more independent.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would be a good starter book for youth interested in mysteries. As an adult it was pretty easy to see the twists and resolution coming but was still mildly enjoyable. I’m going to see if either of the pre-teen or young teen wants to read it. The historical race relations part is the most interesting part and will be a great conversation to have with my kids.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young orphan goes out into the world to make her fortune, and detours to find her origins. I really liked the narrator, although I was a bit distracted by the casual country hopping. Didn't Canadians in the 1960's think of the US as a separate country?

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

This was a good story, but I definitely would have loved it a lot more if I had read it when I was younger.

This book deals with police corruption, racism, and sexism in a way that is appropriate for the intended audience. I would recommend this read based on that alone.

[Petra Willemse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting take on pre-Civil Rights movement American South. You get a good sense of the time period and the tensions that were lurking, but in an entertaining mystery with an engaging protagonist.

[BluMoon Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a YA novel this was good. The ending was rushed a bit and the names of the chapters are atrocious, but overall the plot is good. I just wish the names of the chapters weren't "I find the files" and "I get followed by a mob." Thank you for ruining the mystery of the chapter for me...

[Genesis O · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book hard to read, thought the message is good, I found myself skipping pages and not wanting to solely focus on it. From the start I already knew what was gonna happen, though this isn't a mystery.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story kept my interest, but really, it's a bit of a stretch to believe all the coincidences.

[CraftyChara · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Ally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can anyone tell me who could’ve put the newspaper clipping there to begin with? I’m having trouble figuring out who left it with her as a baby? That’s not explained if I remember correctly?