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Dark Secrets #1-2
Dark Secrets 1
Two girls haunted by the past...and destined to relive it
In Legacy of Lies , Megan has to stay with the uptight grandmother she wants nothing to do with. She's determined to get through the visit without any drama, but when she falls into a twisted love triangle with potentially fatal consequences, Megan may be caught up in her family's legacy in more ways than she realizes.
In Don't Tell , Lauren knows that by returning to the town where her mother drowned seven years ago, she'll be reliving one of her most haunting memories. When she arrives, she is propelled into a series of mysterious events that mimic the days leading up to her mother's death. Maybe her mother's drowning wasn't an accident after all...and maybe Lauren is next.
In Legacy of Lies , Megan has to stay with the uptight grandmother she wants nothing to do with. She's determined to get through the visit without any drama, but when she falls into a twisted love triangle with potentially fatal consequences, Megan may be caught up in her family's legacy in more ways than she realizes.
In Don't Tell , Lauren knows that by returning to the town where her mother drowned seven years ago, she'll be reliving one of her most haunting memories. When she arrives, she is propelled into a series of mysterious events that mimic the days leading up to her mother's death. Maybe her mother's drowning wasn't an accident after all...and maybe Lauren is next.
431 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2009
199 people are currently reading
10151 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Chandler
71 books2,323 followersElizabeth Chandler is a pseudonym for Mary-Claire Helldorfer. She currently lives in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 610 reviews
December 23, 2018
3.5
Dark Secrets is a collection of two paranormal stories - the first one being Legacy of Lies, and the second one being Don't Tell. While I really enjoyed the first story, and read it quite quickly, I did not like the second story that much, and I found it to be really boring at times (it took me two months to finish it).
If you want a quick read with an interesting mystery element and quite an unexpected ending, I would suggest checking out Legacy of Lies. However, you can skip the second story, unless you want to get into a reading slump, like I did.
Dark Secrets is a collection of two paranormal stories - the first one being Legacy of Lies, and the second one being Don't Tell. While I really enjoyed the first story, and read it quite quickly, I did not like the second story that much, and I found it to be really boring at times (it took me two months to finish it).
If you want a quick read with an interesting mystery element and quite an unexpected ending, I would suggest checking out Legacy of Lies. However, you can skip the second story, unless you want to get into a reading slump, like I did.
July 11, 2015
The Dark secrets 1 contains two stories. I find this book interesting and it is one good book to read for those who love mystery. I just bought this on sale (Powerbooks, thank you for the sale books!) I never expected this book would be so good mystery. You should try this. I'm like trying to guess who is the murderer in every story.. I'm going to look for the next book. This review may contain a little spoiler. This is a GOOD BOOK, and I mean it ;)I finished this last night.
In Legacy of Lies
"If there's one thing I've learned about guys, it's that they don't remember sentimental things."
It is about Megan, she was invited to stay on her grandmother's house for 2 weeks, but doesn't want anything to do with her. Megan was an adopted child, she met her cousin Matt. She sort of like him secretly but she tries to hide her feelings because they were cousins, sort of cousins.
Megan's dreams are related to Avril Scarborough (her Grandmother Helen's sister)as she discovers the past on what really happened to Avril before she died . I'm not going to tell any further on what happened to the story. I don't want to spoil anything, but Thumbs up for this story! I Recommended this book to everyone. Plus I love the cover itself ;) I can't wait to buy more of Elizabeth Chandler's novels.
Don't Tell
Lauren Brandt went back to Wisteria for a summer vacation, after 7 years her mother died. She would never forget that summer. She visited her godmother, Aunt Jule and her daughters Holly and Nora.
Lauren's life is in danger, someone wants to kill her. All the things happened to her before her mother died. Nora acts strange she was traumatized too because she is the one who saw Lauren's mother die of drowning, she has Recurrent Spontaneous Psychokinesis or the Poltergeist activity.. She is the key to the secret, Lauren have to do something before it's too late, and believed that her mother didn't die of an accident, someone killed her mother.
In Legacy of Lies
"If there's one thing I've learned about guys, it's that they don't remember sentimental things."
It is about Megan, she was invited to stay on her grandmother's house for 2 weeks, but doesn't want anything to do with her. Megan was an adopted child, she met her cousin Matt. She sort of like him secretly but she tries to hide her feelings because they were cousins, sort of cousins.
Megan's dreams are related to Avril Scarborough (her Grandmother Helen's sister)as she discovers the past on what really happened to Avril before she died . I'm not going to tell any further on what happened to the story. I don't want to spoil anything, but Thumbs up for this story! I Recommended this book to everyone. Plus I love the cover itself ;) I can't wait to buy more of Elizabeth Chandler's novels.
Don't Tell
Lauren Brandt went back to Wisteria for a summer vacation, after 7 years her mother died. She would never forget that summer. She visited her godmother, Aunt Jule and her daughters Holly and Nora.
Lauren's life is in danger, someone wants to kill her. All the things happened to her before her mother died. Nora acts strange she was traumatized too because she is the one who saw Lauren's mother die of drowning, she has Recurrent Spontaneous Psychokinesis or the Poltergeist activity.. She is the key to the secret, Lauren have to do something before it's too late, and believed that her mother didn't die of an accident, someone killed her mother.
February 3, 2015
I usually don't write reviews, but this one totally deserves it!! It was an absoulute masterpiece! I couldn't rest till i finished the whole book! Both the books "Legacy of Lies" and "Don't Tell" were amazing! Packed with mystery, suspense, supernatural and romance by no account did it ever become unexicting to read! To sum it up it was a short, fast paced novel that keeps you guessing till the end!!!! :D Can't wait to read the next one!
September 3, 2011
the two seperate books in this one were better reading them the first time around.
the second time i realized they were boring and dry and that the characters weren't all that likeable.
especially in the first book, the main character(megan) was downright rude and i don't see how anyone could like her.
and matt was apparently 'thomas' reincarnated..which was matt's and megan's grandmother's old boyfriend...which was a little creepy.doesn't that mean matt and his grandma would have romantic feelings toward eachother?! GROSS!
&since megan was her grandmother's sister reincarnated and that she had stolen thomas ages ago from the grandma,then that meant that megan and matt liked eachother.&they were cousins in the book!
i admit,they aren't cousins by blood,but it's still nasty! you're FAMILY for goodness sakes!
& two other people were reincarnated in the book.i was starting to think the whole dang town was reincarnated!
in the second book,the main character didn't really show the right emotions at the right times.like people would say completely rude/bizarre things and she'd be like 'i couldn't believe they were saying this'.except she thought it,she never said it out loud or confronted anyone or yelled or anything like a normal person would do.
maybe elizabeth chandler has the same problem that lauren kate does.the characters never show the right emotions because they're not sure how they should act.so 'i don't understand why they were saying this' is all the emotion they can show..or emotion they could think,i should say.
and i felt like the story wasn't developed enough or that elizabeth chandler really thought it through enough.
like,they never really explained why the girl in the story(i think her name was nora)was making knots in everything...or why she was so deranged.and let me tell you,the girl was CRAZY! i would have checked her into the nearest psyche ward.and both times i read it,i kept thinkin of her as a young kid when in fact,she was like sixteen.
also,towards the end of the book when holly is sitting in the chair, something reaches for her hair,like a cord,or maybe it was her hair tying into a knot.yeah,i think that's it.it wasn't really clear to understand,and i still don't get the book.anyway,we never found out what was making her hair tie into a knot.was it a ghost??
&i think the main character did't even have holly arrested after she found out she killed her mom when they were younger.i understand she was a child then...but she tried to kill you/harm you multiple times and yet you don't want her punished.or maybe she was punished..i don't remember.
so many things didn't make sense in here and they were never explained.
these books definitely lose their charm after the first time reading them...if they had any charm to begin with.
the second time i realized they were boring and dry and that the characters weren't all that likeable.
especially in the first book, the main character(megan) was downright rude and i don't see how anyone could like her.
and matt was apparently 'thomas' reincarnated..which was matt's and megan's grandmother's old boyfriend...which was a little creepy.doesn't that mean matt and his grandma would have romantic feelings toward eachother?! GROSS!
&since megan was her grandmother's sister reincarnated and that she had stolen thomas ages ago from the grandma,then that meant that megan and matt liked eachother.&they were cousins in the book!
i admit,they aren't cousins by blood,but it's still nasty! you're FAMILY for goodness sakes!
& two other people were reincarnated in the book.i was starting to think the whole dang town was reincarnated!
in the second book,the main character didn't really show the right emotions at the right times.like people would say completely rude/bizarre things and she'd be like 'i couldn't believe they were saying this'.except she thought it,she never said it out loud or confronted anyone or yelled or anything like a normal person would do.
maybe elizabeth chandler has the same problem that lauren kate does.the characters never show the right emotions because they're not sure how they should act.so 'i don't understand why they were saying this' is all the emotion they can show..or emotion they could think,i should say.
and i felt like the story wasn't developed enough or that elizabeth chandler really thought it through enough.
like,they never really explained why the girl in the story(i think her name was nora)was making knots in everything...or why she was so deranged.and let me tell you,the girl was CRAZY! i would have checked her into the nearest psyche ward.and both times i read it,i kept thinkin of her as a young kid when in fact,she was like sixteen.
also,towards the end of the book when holly is sitting in the chair, something reaches for her hair,like a cord,or maybe it was her hair tying into a knot.yeah,i think that's it.it wasn't really clear to understand,and i still don't get the book.anyway,we never found out what was making her hair tie into a knot.was it a ghost??
&i think the main character did't even have holly arrested after she found out she killed her mom when they were younger.i understand she was a child then...but she tried to kill you/harm you multiple times and yet you don't want her punished.or maybe she was punished..i don't remember.
so many things didn't make sense in here and they were never explained.
these books definitely lose their charm after the first time reading them...if they had any charm to begin with.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2017
Update 01/02/2017 (New Years Day)
I finally got round to finishing the second novel in this two-book collection! Enjoyed it as much as the other times I've read these two :D.
---------------Original June 26-28 2011-------------------
THIS WAS AMMMMAAAAAZZINNGG!!!!
Like with any books that I picked up first based on the cover I was a little hesitant. That's why this double was at the very bottom of my TBR pile that was currently piling up in my room.
Weelllll I can say I am genuinely surprised. This was brilliant, absolutely brilliant.
Okay so there are two stories in this double edition, the first one Legacy of Lies is the story of Megan Tilby, who goes to visit her grandmother in Wisteria. She wants absolutely nothing to do with the grandmother as she hasn't spoken properly to her mother for years. When she arrives though strange things happen, and they become even more stranger as family histories start to unravel. A twisted love triangle and fatal consequences are all part of her 2 week stay.
Don't Tell The second story follows Lauren and her past. She returns to her home town seven years after her mother died there to stay with her aunt. Like the first story, not all is as it seems. Nora who had seen Lauren's mother last alive is neurotic and water phobic. Holly acts as though she is Lauren's best friend. Before she knows it, Lauren is wrapped up in a series of events that might leave her dead.
Mystery and romance and a little bit of the supernatural. Creepy and twisted, and very entertaining, Legacy of Lies and Don't Tell are certain to leave you wanting for more!
I couldn't stop flipping the pages of Legacy of Lies and the same with Don't Tell. Chandler has written two beautifully electrifying novels in these two, that are more thriller orientated than romantically. SHe weaves the stories with ease and grace. The characters are interesting. And it's something you don't see this sort of novel anymore.
Personally Legacy of Lies was my favourite of the two, but I can't wait until I read the other Dark Secrets novels before I judge.
So overall You'll life this book definitely if you loved Wake by Lisa McMann, Sleepless by Thomas Fahy, and J. C. Burke's The Red Cardigan and Nine Letters Long
I finally got round to finishing the second novel in this two-book collection! Enjoyed it as much as the other times I've read these two :D.
---------------Original June 26-28 2011-------------------
THIS WAS AMMMMAAAAAZZINNGG!!!!
Like with any books that I picked up first based on the cover I was a little hesitant. That's why this double was at the very bottom of my TBR pile that was currently piling up in my room.
Weelllll I can say I am genuinely surprised. This was brilliant, absolutely brilliant.
Okay so there are two stories in this double edition, the first one Legacy of Lies is the story of Megan Tilby, who goes to visit her grandmother in Wisteria. She wants absolutely nothing to do with the grandmother as she hasn't spoken properly to her mother for years. When she arrives though strange things happen, and they become even more stranger as family histories start to unravel. A twisted love triangle and fatal consequences are all part of her 2 week stay.
Don't Tell The second story follows Lauren and her past. She returns to her home town seven years after her mother died there to stay with her aunt. Like the first story, not all is as it seems. Nora who had seen Lauren's mother last alive is neurotic and water phobic. Holly acts as though she is Lauren's best friend. Before she knows it, Lauren is wrapped up in a series of events that might leave her dead.
Mystery and romance and a little bit of the supernatural. Creepy and twisted, and very entertaining, Legacy of Lies and Don't Tell are certain to leave you wanting for more!
I couldn't stop flipping the pages of Legacy of Lies and the same with Don't Tell. Chandler has written two beautifully electrifying novels in these two, that are more thriller orientated than romantically. SHe weaves the stories with ease and grace. The characters are interesting. And it's something you don't see this sort of novel anymore.
Personally Legacy of Lies was my favourite of the two, but I can't wait until I read the other Dark Secrets novels before I judge.
So overall You'll life this book definitely if you loved Wake by Lisa McMann, Sleepless by Thomas Fahy, and J. C. Burke's The Red Cardigan and Nine Letters Long
March 11, 2010
OMG i brought this book the other day and started to read it at 4 in the evening and finished at 10 it was that good the first one legacy of lies in my opion is the best its about a girl named megan who as been invited to her 'grandmothers' house but doesnt want any thing to do with her and then she meets her cousin but megan was adopted so she feels an attraction to matt but he doesnt feel one for her then megan starts to see avrils ghost her grandmothers sister.
But megan soon finds out that she is avril reincarinated and they look alike and megan has come back to kill the person who killed her in her past life ... and it was lynda the ending was soo sweet with matt and megan and how they end up together but i do have to say dont tell was good as well wich is about lauren moving back to her god mothers house (aunt) then she runs into her old friend nick who is dating her cousin holly but nora is out of control and seeing laurens moms ghost or she thinks she is then lauren goes to a school prom with a boy named jason but it doesnt end to good then after what happened nick drives lauren home and they end up kissing then after that jason and his friends throw lauren into a river after that lauren gets locked into a boat house nad its about to be set on fire and noras in there and she has a nudge againts lauren because of what holly said to her after that they find out that holly her cousin killed her mum sonya and tryed to kill her but thats when the twist came in
sonya wasnt laurens mother she was her auntie and her godmother (auntie) was her mother and that means that holly and nora are her sister then after that nick and lauren start dating and it was such a sweet ending and if u liked this book i suggest u read kissed by an angel which was also a very good book and i also suggest u read vampire academy and nightworld books which were fantastic but were written by different authours
But megan soon finds out that she is avril reincarinated and they look alike and megan has come back to kill the person who killed her in her past life ... and it was lynda the ending was soo sweet with matt and megan and how they end up together but i do have to say dont tell was good as well wich is about lauren moving back to her god mothers house (aunt) then she runs into her old friend nick who is dating her cousin holly but nora is out of control and seeing laurens moms ghost or she thinks she is then lauren goes to a school prom with a boy named jason but it doesnt end to good then after what happened nick drives lauren home and they end up kissing then after that jason and his friends throw lauren into a river after that lauren gets locked into a boat house nad its about to be set on fire and noras in there and she has a nudge againts lauren because of what holly said to her after that they find out that holly her cousin killed her mum sonya and tryed to kill her but thats when the twist came in
sonya wasnt laurens mother she was her auntie and her godmother (auntie) was her mother and that means that holly and nora are her sister then after that nick and lauren start dating and it was such a sweet ending and if u liked this book i suggest u read kissed by an angel which was also a very good book and i also suggest u read vampire academy and nightworld books which were fantastic but were written by different authours
March 14, 2011
I bought this book this weekend and i gotta say i loved these stories i dont really care for Mysterys much but i just could not stop reading this book i had to find out what happends or else i would be thinking about it all night! The first story is about Megan and she is staying with her Grandma and shes a total drag shes mean and doesnt talk very much and when she does she snotty. Megan is trying to stay out of trouble but she relized that her grandmother doesnt like her too much because things around the mansion are missing and no one knows why not even Megan and she is getting blammed for all of this crap but later in the story megan figures out what is bothering her gandmother so much and its a huge mess and Megan needs to investagte the past and figure out how she can fix all of this. The second story i did not like as much as the first becuase the ending wasnt very good it left me with me wanting more its about Laauren going back to visit the town(the town is the same from the first story and also some of the same charaters) where her mom died she drowned but threw out this story she kinda descovers more about he rself and about her family and even uncovers some thing about her mother and her mothers death that she didnt relize.
February 28, 2010
In Legacy of Lies, Megan is invited to stay with her uptight and judgmental grandmother. It’s bad enough that Megan doesn’t want to be there in the first place, but it’s also clear that she isn’t entirely welcome there either. When strange nightmares that seem more like memories start to coincide with rumors of a family secret, Megan wants to dig deeper and find out the truth. Unfortunately, the truth may have deadly consequences. In Don’t Tell, Lauren finally revisits her godmother in the town where her mother drowned seven years earlier. The place is plagued by memories, including the most unpleasant one, as well as something more. But as soon as Lauren settles in, she is the object of strange events—the same ones that occurred before her mother’s death. It turns out, that drowning seven years ago may not have been an accident—and Lauren may be next.
Dark Secrets contains two separate but very similar stories about the past, supernatural events in the present, and the lies running through all of this. In a nutshell, these stories are paranormal mysteries with a hint of romance. The first part of this equation, the paranormal mystery, works well for both stories. Chandler’s skillful writing draws readers quickly into all the unusual situations she creates. What I didn’t like as much was the romance. In both of the stories, the heroine predictably ends up falling in love with a guy, but for me, this deep love was a little hard to believe as it was always so sudden and more abstract than concrete. The attraction was obvious, but it doesn’t translate that quickly into something so profound. Nevertheless, the stories in Dark Secrets are highly interesting and enjoyable for their supernatural elements.
Dark Secrets will be enjoyed by fans of Kissed by an Angel, also by Chandler, Dark Visions by L.J. Smith, and Possessed by Kate Cann. Personally, I liked Kissed by an Angel better, maybe because I bought into that romance, but Dark Secrets is still a great read.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
Dark Secrets contains two separate but very similar stories about the past, supernatural events in the present, and the lies running through all of this. In a nutshell, these stories are paranormal mysteries with a hint of romance. The first part of this equation, the paranormal mystery, works well for both stories. Chandler’s skillful writing draws readers quickly into all the unusual situations she creates. What I didn’t like as much was the romance. In both of the stories, the heroine predictably ends up falling in love with a guy, but for me, this deep love was a little hard to believe as it was always so sudden and more abstract than concrete. The attraction was obvious, but it doesn’t translate that quickly into something so profound. Nevertheless, the stories in Dark Secrets are highly interesting and enjoyable for their supernatural elements.
Dark Secrets will be enjoyed by fans of Kissed by an Angel, also by Chandler, Dark Visions by L.J. Smith, and Possessed by Kate Cann. Personally, I liked Kissed by an Angel better, maybe because I bought into that romance, but Dark Secrets is still a great read.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
February 22, 2013
So so so many suprises. I love the story. People will love this if they're interested with mysteries and suspense. Thumbs up!
May 14, 2011
1.5 stars
Legacy of Lies started out slow, the descriptions throughout were too much for me. I really didn't care how many chimneys a house had or which way the trees blew. It just dragged for me. This was a very short story and I felt it could have been cut in half again. I felt the mystery was given away too early and I was just waiting (it felt like forever) for the characters to catch up. At the end the little twist which was thrown in just totally came out of no where - it was annoying. The change in attitude & personality in the characters before and after the event was just more annoying! As soon as the reveal happened I skimmed the last pages and was glad it was over. I didn't continue with Don't Tell.
Legacy of Lies started out slow, the descriptions throughout were too much for me. I really didn't care how many chimneys a house had or which way the trees blew. It just dragged for me. This was a very short story and I felt it could have been cut in half again. I felt the mystery was given away too early and I was just waiting (it felt like forever) for the characters to catch up. At the end the little twist which was thrown in just totally came out of no where - it was annoying. The change in attitude & personality in the characters before and after the event was just more annoying! As soon as the reveal happened I skimmed the last pages and was glad it was over. I didn't continue with Don't Tell.
November 19, 2019
3.5 stars
November 26, 2010
Reading these books reminds me of how teen books were written when I was younger (these stories were originally written in 2000 & 2001). Many of the general teen books back then didn't contain as much mature reading material as the ones now seem to have. There were books that discussed sex, drugs & such but many took an after school special approach to them. (Christopher Pike seemed to be one of the rare exceptions to this & posted many books that were surprisingly mature for books that were mass marketed alongside stuff like Fear Street & Vampire Diaries.) That doesn't mean that the books then were bad or that the books now are bad, but it does remind me of how writing styles have changed over the years. (If you don't believe me, read this book & then pick up one of the modern teen horror series like Twilight or the Wicked Lovely stuff. BIG difference.) Anywho, on to the synopses of the books.
The first story (Legacy of Lies) concerns a young teen named Megan who is sent to her grandmothers for a few weeks. Megan figures that despite her mother's descriptions of her grandmother, she should be able to get along well enough with everyone. Almost immediately Megan finds that she seems to be universally disliked by both her grandmother as well as her cute cousin (FYI, not blood related cousins). As Megan spends more time there she discovers that there seems to be a ghost haunting her grandmother's house that's tied into a potential murder from the past.
The second story (Don't Tell) is about another teen named Lauren who gets invited to her aunt's house on the river- the same river Lauren's mother drowned in seven years ago. Once there Lauren discovers that things aren't all great in her aunt's house- there are mountains of unpaid bills as well as her cousin Nora who keeps telling Lauren that her dead mother lives in the boathouse & wants her child back...
Overall, I did like these stories. They reminded me of when I was a teen & read stuff by LJ Smith & RL Stine almost constantly. The books both took place in the same town, so I'm guessing that this series is a bit of a Fear Street clone, one of many that came out around that time period. The stories are a bit simplistic, but like I said earlier- that's how they were predominantly written around that era. I am a bit surprised by the ending to the second book when you take some things into consideration. (I'd say more, but it's a spoiler issue.) I ended up liking the first story more so than the second one, although I will admit that I didn't really feel like I connected with the characters in either story. They just weren't that well fleshed out overall. Still, many teens will like this series for an easy & entertaining read. Older readers may not get into these as easily, but some of the ones who read 90's & early 2000's teen horror may relish taking a trip down memory lane & flipping through these books.
(ARC provided by amazon vine)
The first story (Legacy of Lies) concerns a young teen named Megan who is sent to her grandmothers for a few weeks. Megan figures that despite her mother's descriptions of her grandmother, she should be able to get along well enough with everyone. Almost immediately Megan finds that she seems to be universally disliked by both her grandmother as well as her cute cousin (FYI, not blood related cousins). As Megan spends more time there she discovers that there seems to be a ghost haunting her grandmother's house that's tied into a potential murder from the past.
The second story (Don't Tell) is about another teen named Lauren who gets invited to her aunt's house on the river- the same river Lauren's mother drowned in seven years ago. Once there Lauren discovers that things aren't all great in her aunt's house- there are mountains of unpaid bills as well as her cousin Nora who keeps telling Lauren that her dead mother lives in the boathouse & wants her child back...
Overall, I did like these stories. They reminded me of when I was a teen & read stuff by LJ Smith & RL Stine almost constantly. The books both took place in the same town, so I'm guessing that this series is a bit of a Fear Street clone, one of many that came out around that time period. The stories are a bit simplistic, but like I said earlier- that's how they were predominantly written around that era. I am a bit surprised by the ending to the second book when you take some things into consideration. (I'd say more, but it's a spoiler issue.) I ended up liking the first story more so than the second one, although I will admit that I didn't really feel like I connected with the characters in either story. They just weren't that well fleshed out overall. Still, many teens will like this series for an easy & entertaining read. Older readers may not get into these as easily, but some of the ones who read 90's & early 2000's teen horror may relish taking a trip down memory lane & flipping through these books.
(ARC provided by amazon vine)
February 8, 2010
Wow...I really mean Wow!
The first story in Dark Secrets 1 is about Megan; who was adopted by her mother and comes to live with her "grandmother" who wants absoultley nothing to do with her. There she meets her cousin Matt and feels attracted to him, but he dones't feel the same for her. Everything is going fine until some things are suddenly being misplaced; moved without anybody moving them. Megan is hearing things, seeing things. And now she finds herself in a fatal love triangle...
5 STARS for Legacy Of Lies; It was so unexpected and had such an adorable ending. I loved Megan's character, she was so friendly and willing, I just loved it! I bought these books at 8 pm so when I came home I start reading and I finsihed the book at 1 am....how could anyone put it down? It was good...but not nearly as good as Don't Tell;
Lauren's mother drowned seven years ago, and now Lauren is going back to visit her Godmother & godmother's daughters; Holly and Nora. When Lauren arrives Holly is as friendly as ever and Nora is strange, she keeps talking to herself and needs help. She their reunites with Nick her childhood friend and of course, she she's how gorgeous he has become and gets a crush on him...but Holly is already dating him...so Lauren continues on and soon weird thinsg start happening, weird "knotty" things, Nora keeps getting stranger and stranger and Lauren finds herself walking into traps without realizing. WHen she realizes that the days of her mothers death are mimicking, she suspects that she could be next to die...but in the end everyone is shocked.
5 STARS...OMG THIS WAS WAY BETTER. I mean teh first book was good...but it wasn't amazing...this was amazing, not only was the romance for intense the story was so frightening. Like almost horror. My jaw was too the floor at the end of this book, amazing!
Totally a must-read, Elizabeth Chandler is SO AWESOME!
~Rae
The first story in Dark Secrets 1 is about Megan; who was adopted by her mother and comes to live with her "grandmother" who wants absoultley nothing to do with her. There she meets her cousin Matt and feels attracted to him, but he dones't feel the same for her. Everything is going fine until some things are suddenly being misplaced; moved without anybody moving them. Megan is hearing things, seeing things. And now she finds herself in a fatal love triangle...
5 STARS for Legacy Of Lies; It was so unexpected and had such an adorable ending. I loved Megan's character, she was so friendly and willing, I just loved it! I bought these books at 8 pm so when I came home I start reading and I finsihed the book at 1 am....how could anyone put it down? It was good...but not nearly as good as Don't Tell;
Lauren's mother drowned seven years ago, and now Lauren is going back to visit her Godmother & godmother's daughters; Holly and Nora. When Lauren arrives Holly is as friendly as ever and Nora is strange, she keeps talking to herself and needs help. She their reunites with Nick her childhood friend and of course, she she's how gorgeous he has become and gets a crush on him...but Holly is already dating him...so Lauren continues on and soon weird thinsg start happening, weird "knotty" things, Nora keeps getting stranger and stranger and Lauren finds herself walking into traps without realizing. WHen she realizes that the days of her mothers death are mimicking, she suspects that she could be next to die...but in the end everyone is shocked.
5 STARS...OMG THIS WAS WAY BETTER. I mean teh first book was good...but it wasn't amazing...this was amazing, not only was the romance for intense the story was so frightening. Like almost horror. My jaw was too the floor at the end of this book, amazing!
Totally a must-read, Elizabeth Chandler is SO AWESOME!
~Rae
May 29, 2010
My actual rating for this is 4.5 stars. I would have given it 5 stars, but the ending of the second story left me wanting for more. Anyway, here's my review:
Seasoned writer Elizabeth Chandler published a series of five books in the early 2000 called Dark Secrets. Simon and Pulse publishing company has taken it upon themselves to republish these novels in a series of three more books. Now on to the review!
After going through a recent dry spell with my reading,where nothing seemed to catch my interest, I was thirsty for a good long book. Something I knew I wouldn't be able to finish in just a couple of hours. So it was only natural, that on my next excursion to Borders, I would be attracted to the largest book on the shelf. Ironically it was a compilation of two novels.
Dark Secrets was a great read, and has quickly wormed its way in to my list of top books. It left me wanting for more, and angry with the fact I would have to wait so many months for the next installment. Neverthless, I was happy with each plot line and somewhat satisfied with the endings. The stories revolve around a fictional town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and all of them contain some type of supernatural element.
My Consensus: Elizabeth Chandler is a great writer. The writing was simple and concise, and the novels were incredibly hard to put down. Though Dark Secrets is not the most in depth or heartfelt novel I've read, it was still a nice read. With endearing romances and some scary moments along the way, Legacy of Lies and Don't Tell will be the stories you miss once all has been said and done.
To view my full review, please visit:
http://www.yapageturners.blogspot.com
Seasoned writer Elizabeth Chandler published a series of five books in the early 2000 called Dark Secrets. Simon and Pulse publishing company has taken it upon themselves to republish these novels in a series of three more books. Now on to the review!
After going through a recent dry spell with my reading,where nothing seemed to catch my interest, I was thirsty for a good long book. Something I knew I wouldn't be able to finish in just a couple of hours. So it was only natural, that on my next excursion to Borders, I would be attracted to the largest book on the shelf. Ironically it was a compilation of two novels.
Dark Secrets was a great read, and has quickly wormed its way in to my list of top books. It left me wanting for more, and angry with the fact I would have to wait so many months for the next installment. Neverthless, I was happy with each plot line and somewhat satisfied with the endings. The stories revolve around a fictional town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and all of them contain some type of supernatural element.
My Consensus: Elizabeth Chandler is a great writer. The writing was simple and concise, and the novels were incredibly hard to put down. Though Dark Secrets is not the most in depth or heartfelt novel I've read, it was still a nice read. With endearing romances and some scary moments along the way, Legacy of Lies and Don't Tell will be the stories you miss once all has been said and done.
To view my full review, please visit:
http://www.yapageturners.blogspot.com
May 3, 2016
Okay I read this years ago (and I'm sure a couple of times) in high school. I absolutely loved it back then, I even recommended it to a friend and she loved it as well. I was never able to figure out who was behind it, which I have been pretty good at with books. After years away from the book and rereading once again (I read the entire thing on the plane), I was able to remember why I loved it so much but also being able to see the flaws in the stories. While I couldn't remember who was behind everything, I was able to figure out while reading the stories, which I haven't been able to do when I was younger. But I still love the stories and can't wait to reread the next two stories.
4.5/5 (it was a 5/5 when I was younger but I'm putting 4.5/5 now)
4.5/5 (it was a 5/5 when I was younger but I'm putting 4.5/5 now)
March 22, 2015
«Il karma è giustizia. Secondo questo principio, la vittima di una morte innaturale si reincarnerà per trovare il suo assassino»
Storia carina e coinvolgente, che ti lascia con il fiato sospeso fino alla fine. Io almeno non avevo capito praticamente niente della storia di Avril e Thomas fino alla scena del mulino, e dato che di solito le trame dei libri sono talmente banali che capisco tutto al volo questo è solo un altro punto a favore di questo libro.
Non ho capito però come questo karma possa essere la giustizia, dato che Avril è morta a sedici anni mentre la sua assassina ha vissuto fino alla vecchiaia. Certo, non ha avuto l'uomo che amava e che voleva togliere ad Avril, ma comunque non è la stessa cosa.
Storia carina e coinvolgente, che ti lascia con il fiato sospeso fino alla fine. Io almeno non avevo capito praticamente niente della storia di Avril e Thomas fino alla scena del mulino, e dato che di solito le trame dei libri sono talmente banali che capisco tutto al volo questo è solo un altro punto a favore di questo libro.
Non ho capito però come questo karma possa essere la giustizia, dato che Avril è morta a sedici anni mentre la sua assassina ha vissuto fino alla vecchiaia. Certo, non ha avuto l'uomo che amava e che voleva togliere ad Avril, ma comunque non è la stessa cosa.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2018
3.5 stars
This review can also be found at http://fortheloveofbooksreviews.blogs...
In this bind-up, two suspenseful stories are told. In Legacy of Lies, Megan is being haunted while staying at her grandmother's house. She is adopted, and along with dealing with her grandmother's cold attitude towards her, she has to deal with Matt, her "almost-cousin"'s aloofness as well. The story of her late great aunt comes to light, with many mysteries surrounding her death. How did she really die? And how does her death connect to the present, to Megan and Matt? Megan may not live to find out the truth.
In Don't Tell, Lauren has returned to Wisteria for the first time after her mother drowned there years ago. With her cousin Nora seemingly unhinged, and her cousin Holly and old friend Nick welcoming her with open arms, Lauren isn't sure if she's ready to face the dock where her mother died. Her aunt Jule doesn't have much empathy towards Lauren's remaining sadness, but more is at stake than Lauren's feelings. Nora claims to hear Lauren's mother asking for her child, and mysterious knots begin to appear, things tying up themselves. Is Lauren going to survive this trip? Or will she face the same fate that her mother did?
I gave Legacy of Lies four stars, and Don't Tell three, with this averaging out at 3.5 stars. As you can see, I enjoyed the first book a bit more than the second.
Both stories had characters with very sinister pasts, pasts that threatened to affect their present lives. I liked this connection between the past and the present, this idea that the characters couldn't outrun the past. Both stories contained suspicious deaths, deaths that may or may not have turned out to really be murders....the mystery behind what happened to Megan's great aunt and Lauren's mother were the main issue behind both stories, the events that started it all.
Legacy of Lies took place in a creepy mansion-like home, with a grandmother that I hated and an interesting paranormal component. I have to say, I did not see the twist coming at all. I was very surprised by the ending and I think it wrapped up the story very nicely. Megan was a great narrator, and I enjoyed reading about the creepy events she was experiencing, through her own eyes.
Don't Tell also had a very interesting twist that I wasn't able to guess. There was also a possible paranormal component throughout the story: I often found myself debating whether it was paranormal or simply a living person mundanely messing with Lauren. I won't give away the truth, but I think the explanation was fitting for the story. I liked this story less because I think some of the explanations were a bit hazy....most were fine, but at times I was really confused as to why people were acting the way they were. On the one hand, it made me keep reading. Yet on the other, it made some events a bit unclear. However, the story was enjoyable overall.
I recommend this bind-up to people looking for short, creepy stories. If you're a fan of Elizabeth Chandler or you want to read books about secrets affecting peoples' lives, this is a great pick for you.
This review can also be found at http://fortheloveofbooksreviews.blogs...
In this bind-up, two suspenseful stories are told. In Legacy of Lies, Megan is being haunted while staying at her grandmother's house. She is adopted, and along with dealing with her grandmother's cold attitude towards her, she has to deal with Matt, her "almost-cousin"'s aloofness as well. The story of her late great aunt comes to light, with many mysteries surrounding her death. How did she really die? And how does her death connect to the present, to Megan and Matt? Megan may not live to find out the truth.
In Don't Tell, Lauren has returned to Wisteria for the first time after her mother drowned there years ago. With her cousin Nora seemingly unhinged, and her cousin Holly and old friend Nick welcoming her with open arms, Lauren isn't sure if she's ready to face the dock where her mother died. Her aunt Jule doesn't have much empathy towards Lauren's remaining sadness, but more is at stake than Lauren's feelings. Nora claims to hear Lauren's mother asking for her child, and mysterious knots begin to appear, things tying up themselves. Is Lauren going to survive this trip? Or will she face the same fate that her mother did?
I gave Legacy of Lies four stars, and Don't Tell three, with this averaging out at 3.5 stars. As you can see, I enjoyed the first book a bit more than the second.
Both stories had characters with very sinister pasts, pasts that threatened to affect their present lives. I liked this connection between the past and the present, this idea that the characters couldn't outrun the past. Both stories contained suspicious deaths, deaths that may or may not have turned out to really be murders....the mystery behind what happened to Megan's great aunt and Lauren's mother were the main issue behind both stories, the events that started it all.
Legacy of Lies took place in a creepy mansion-like home, with a grandmother that I hated and an interesting paranormal component. I have to say, I did not see the twist coming at all. I was very surprised by the ending and I think it wrapped up the story very nicely. Megan was a great narrator, and I enjoyed reading about the creepy events she was experiencing, through her own eyes.
Don't Tell also had a very interesting twist that I wasn't able to guess. There was also a possible paranormal component throughout the story: I often found myself debating whether it was paranormal or simply a living person mundanely messing with Lauren. I won't give away the truth, but I think the explanation was fitting for the story. I liked this story less because I think some of the explanations were a bit hazy....most were fine, but at times I was really confused as to why people were acting the way they were. On the one hand, it made me keep reading. Yet on the other, it made some events a bit unclear. However, the story was enjoyable overall.
I recommend this bind-up to people looking for short, creepy stories. If you're a fan of Elizabeth Chandler or you want to read books about secrets affecting peoples' lives, this is a great pick for you.
March 11, 2023
Have you ever had that one book that you read when you were younger and absolutely loved, but now that you’re older you just get random flashbacks of the plot but can’t remember the name? This was that book for me! I was so excited when I found it for sale on a shelf in a coffee shop last week and had to re-read it.
Definitely would have rated it 5 stars back then, now I give it a solid 4.5 stars, but only because I just wish the stories were longer!
Definitely would have rated it 5 stars back then, now I give it a solid 4.5 stars, but only because I just wish the stories were longer!
August 21, 2024
This book still hasn’t gotten old even after the 500th reread :) the characters feel like old friends and I love how even though it’s the same town you still get to explore different parts of it.
This is one of my reset books: those kinds of books that you read when you’re in a book slump and getting tired of reading. It always gets me out of a slump :p
⭐️5
💧all (mostly nostalgic)
This is one of my reset books: those kinds of books that you read when you’re in a book slump and getting tired of reading. It always gets me out of a slump :p
⭐️5
💧all (mostly nostalgic)
December 22, 2010
Both of these short stories are awesome! The only problem I had with this book is that I wished the stories were longer! After reading about both characters and their stories I wanted to know more about them. I wanted to see more of who they are and how their relationships with the other characters progressed.
When I finished both of these books it made me wish for one thing. I wish that I had family that lived overseas (or somewhere cool) that way I could go and visit them over the Summer. To be given the freedom of exploring a new town and meeting new people would be awesome. It reminded me of Sarah Dessen’s book Along for the Ride. I just wish I had that opportunity. To go somewhere where no one knows who you are and have a month or so to form friendships and be whoever you want to be. When the characters meet guys on their holidays it all just seems so romantic and cute. I have this desire to travel to a new place, to meet a guy and fall head over heels for him and skip off into the sunset. (I know it sounds silly and in reality it probably most likely doesn’t work out that way, but you got to have a dream right?)
Legacy of Lies:
The first story in the Dark Secrets novel ‘Legacy of Lies’ soon had me wondering and anticipating what was going to happen next. I really liked Megan and her cousin Matt. I eagerly kept reading, wanting to know how everything was going to end. The tension between Matt and Megan was great, their banter made me smile more than once. I respect Megan in a lot of ways. Number one being that she doesn’t blow off her friends to go out with a guy, she has morals and doesn’t ditch Sophie and their plans even though she would like to go to the party. I loved how she said she would as Sophie, too often friends ditch each other for better offers, I like the feeling of loyalty Megan has to people. Alex also made me smile. Although he asks Megan out and seems into her then (split second) later he is all into Sophie. A girl he used to be best friends with. Did anyone else find that weird or is it just me>? I do admit the whole time I wanted Matt and Megan to be together. (I have only just realised that I mentioned they were cousins and what I just wrote sounds bad.) **They are not really cousins, she is adopted.** I was not encouraging incest :) I didn’t like the grandmother. She is cold and unfriendly, although I could see just how much her sister’s death hurt her. After all she did blame herself. I’m glad in the end that it wasn’t her fault. I felt really sorry for her, especially knowing that the last words she said to her sister were horrible and hurtful. She didn’t mean them but if that happened to me I know it would tear me up inside. To know that you will never be able to take it back, to know that you can’t change it and make it okay would be one of the most horrible feelings I can imagine. I felt connected to this story and felt myself liking the characters. Overall a great short story that was fun and enjoyable to read!
Don’t Tell:
The second story in the Dark Secrets book ‘Don’t Tell’ I think would have to be my favourite. It just seemed to have an older feel to it. The characters seemed a lot more mature and I could feel myself relating to them better. I loved Lauren as a character and her determination to be a strong individual who didn’t need a guy to distract her and define who she is. I like a girl who doesn’t feel the need to have a boyfriend all the time or at all. (Of course when we were introduced to Nick I immediately wanted them together, a tad contradictory to my opinion I know) Nick was such an interesting character. From his witty lines to his dog Rocky he managed to make me smile. I had high regards for him when we first met him but when Lauren saw him kissing Hollie (Very little time ago he kissed Lauren) I really wanted to punch him in the face. I couldn’t help but think wow what an actual jerk. Of course he redeems himself in the end though. I have found it in me to forgive him especially since it was out of falling for Lauren and the fact that he wanted to protect her that he was with Hollie. (Confusing I know.) Still a guy who puts aside his own wants to protect the girl he is falling for tends to score high in my mind. I love how he tells her near the end that he could see the pain and hurt he was causing her and how it hurt him to do that to her. Another cute moment was when they admitted what they were really thinking when they stared at each other when Lauren watched Nick make out with Hollie. Again this book is based on a death, Lauren’s mother drowned seven years before hand and only now is Lauren finally returning to her home town and the life she once believed she had left in the past. I have decided that this is my favourite story of the two. Her Mum to me seemed like a bit of a fruit loop, to me her godmother was a better Mum to her. (Weird right? Considering that is her real Mum). Although I still know and understand that Lauren loved her mother. (Well who she thought was her Mum anyway.) The story line fit together well and had been guessing right up until the end. Throwing in twists that I didn’t see coming. I look forward to reading the next Dark Secrets book.
When I finished both of these books it made me wish for one thing. I wish that I had family that lived overseas (or somewhere cool) that way I could go and visit them over the Summer. To be given the freedom of exploring a new town and meeting new people would be awesome. It reminded me of Sarah Dessen’s book Along for the Ride. I just wish I had that opportunity. To go somewhere where no one knows who you are and have a month or so to form friendships and be whoever you want to be. When the characters meet guys on their holidays it all just seems so romantic and cute. I have this desire to travel to a new place, to meet a guy and fall head over heels for him and skip off into the sunset. (I know it sounds silly and in reality it probably most likely doesn’t work out that way, but you got to have a dream right?)
Legacy of Lies:
The first story in the Dark Secrets novel ‘Legacy of Lies’ soon had me wondering and anticipating what was going to happen next. I really liked Megan and her cousin Matt. I eagerly kept reading, wanting to know how everything was going to end. The tension between Matt and Megan was great, their banter made me smile more than once. I respect Megan in a lot of ways. Number one being that she doesn’t blow off her friends to go out with a guy, she has morals and doesn’t ditch Sophie and their plans even though she would like to go to the party. I loved how she said she would as Sophie, too often friends ditch each other for better offers, I like the feeling of loyalty Megan has to people. Alex also made me smile. Although he asks Megan out and seems into her then (split second) later he is all into Sophie. A girl he used to be best friends with. Did anyone else find that weird or is it just me>? I do admit the whole time I wanted Matt and Megan to be together. (I have only just realised that I mentioned they were cousins and what I just wrote sounds bad.) **They are not really cousins, she is adopted.** I was not encouraging incest :) I didn’t like the grandmother. She is cold and unfriendly, although I could see just how much her sister’s death hurt her. After all she did blame herself. I’m glad in the end that it wasn’t her fault. I felt really sorry for her, especially knowing that the last words she said to her sister were horrible and hurtful. She didn’t mean them but if that happened to me I know it would tear me up inside. To know that you will never be able to take it back, to know that you can’t change it and make it okay would be one of the most horrible feelings I can imagine. I felt connected to this story and felt myself liking the characters. Overall a great short story that was fun and enjoyable to read!
Don’t Tell:
The second story in the Dark Secrets book ‘Don’t Tell’ I think would have to be my favourite. It just seemed to have an older feel to it. The characters seemed a lot more mature and I could feel myself relating to them better. I loved Lauren as a character and her determination to be a strong individual who didn’t need a guy to distract her and define who she is. I like a girl who doesn’t feel the need to have a boyfriend all the time or at all. (Of course when we were introduced to Nick I immediately wanted them together, a tad contradictory to my opinion I know) Nick was such an interesting character. From his witty lines to his dog Rocky he managed to make me smile. I had high regards for him when we first met him but when Lauren saw him kissing Hollie (Very little time ago he kissed Lauren) I really wanted to punch him in the face. I couldn’t help but think wow what an actual jerk. Of course he redeems himself in the end though. I have found it in me to forgive him especially since it was out of falling for Lauren and the fact that he wanted to protect her that he was with Hollie. (Confusing I know.) Still a guy who puts aside his own wants to protect the girl he is falling for tends to score high in my mind. I love how he tells her near the end that he could see the pain and hurt he was causing her and how it hurt him to do that to her. Another cute moment was when they admitted what they were really thinking when they stared at each other when Lauren watched Nick make out with Hollie. Again this book is based on a death, Lauren’s mother drowned seven years before hand and only now is Lauren finally returning to her home town and the life she once believed she had left in the past. I have decided that this is my favourite story of the two. Her Mum to me seemed like a bit of a fruit loop, to me her godmother was a better Mum to her. (Weird right? Considering that is her real Mum). Although I still know and understand that Lauren loved her mother. (Well who she thought was her Mum anyway.) The story line fit together well and had been guessing right up until the end. Throwing in twists that I didn’t see coming. I look forward to reading the next Dark Secrets book.
March 11, 2020
Quick and easy read. Mystery with paranormal thrown into it. Problem is - there are so many holes and unanswered explanations! Kind of made the whole entire thing feeling pointless because you never will understand the whole story. Kind of disappointing. Wouldn’t recommend for experienced mystery readers.
May 29, 2019
This is a book that will always keep you on the edge of your seat. Sit back and enjoy. :)
November 4, 2021
did read this when i was like 13 but from what i remember from it it was amazing
November 14, 2025
Took me out of a reading slump at 16. Haven't stopped since.
December 11, 2022
it was good
February 5, 2011
I had no idea that these two stories would turn out the way they did! They left me gripping the book until no end, and always desperate to find out what happens next in the haunting mystery. I loved both of the stories, they were great! The characters were very likable, and the way the mystery came together in the end left you speechless. I loved how freaky, and suspenseful the mysteries were, I literally couldn't put this book down! The second story was defiantly freakier than the first, but I loved them both for different reasons. I just can't believe I didn't read this sooner!
The first book; Legacy of Lies, follows Meghan. The second book; Don't Tell, follows Lauren. Two girls, both haunted by their families past, intertwined with a unpredictable romance...
Legacy of Lies..
Megan is going to stay with her grandmother in Wisteria for the summer, which she is dreading. She isn't your usual grandmother who bakes you cookies and knits you sweaters, she's harsh and cold. Megan is adopted, and her mother married an African American, which her Grandmother has yet to accept. Not only is her Grandmother not welcoming, she finds out that her cousin, Matt, is staying with them as well, who doesn't give her the time of day. Technically, they are not cousins, but he treats her as if she's nothing. Meghan struggles to get along with Matt, but she meets new people who take interest in her. Matt's best friend, Alex, and a girl she meets, Sophie, spend time with her, she makes friends, but she starts to change her mind about Matt. He starts to open up to her and things start to turn in the right direction...Until things start to go missing. Her Grandmother's bible goes missing, but reappears later on in a different spot. Everyone points the finger at Meghan, but she is innocent. Something else goes missing, and her Grandmother starts to go crazy, and Meghan sees a ghost. She could have sworn she saw something in the mirror, the ghost looked like mist. Then, she starts to have dreams that reveal things in the mystery. The romance deepens, the mystery unravels, and Meghan has to figure out secrets from the past...
Don't Tell..
When Lauren was ten years old, her mother was found dead in the river by the dock. Since then, she has never been back to that house in Wisteria, now seven years later, she has gained enough courage to go back to the house where her mother died. She sees old faces, including her godmother and her godmother's daughters. She used to live with them, and seeing them again, in the same house, brings back sad and happy memories. Things have changed, one of her godmother's daughters, Nora, has gone crazy. She speaks of things that spook you, she's quiet and very strange. Nora's sister, Holly is welcoming and makes Meghan feel at home. She also sees Nick, one of her old friends. He isn't the round faced, little boy that he used to be, but he's dating Holly. Days pass and things get stranger, Nora says things that freak Meghan out. She finds things tied in knots, and sees things moving by themselves. When Lauren asks Nora about the knots and what's going on she always responds; "It's a secret", "don't tell..." When they find knots or things that have fallen to the ground, Nora immediately says that she didn't do it, but who is then? Things get stranger and it looks as if someone is out to get Lauren. Nick starts to pull away from her, and no one believes what Lauren has to say...Suddenly the past is haunting her, she thought Nora was crazy, but to Lauren, she's making perfect sense...
I loved these stories!! Don't Tell is longer than Legacy of Lies, which made it a little bit better, but they were both great! Each book had awesome characters and a chilling mystery. Chandler is a great author, I loved her book, Kissed by an Angel, and this was no disappointment! Overall, a great read!!!
The first book; Legacy of Lies, follows Meghan. The second book; Don't Tell, follows Lauren. Two girls, both haunted by their families past, intertwined with a unpredictable romance...
Legacy of Lies..
Megan is going to stay with her grandmother in Wisteria for the summer, which she is dreading. She isn't your usual grandmother who bakes you cookies and knits you sweaters, she's harsh and cold. Megan is adopted, and her mother married an African American, which her Grandmother has yet to accept. Not only is her Grandmother not welcoming, she finds out that her cousin, Matt, is staying with them as well, who doesn't give her the time of day. Technically, they are not cousins, but he treats her as if she's nothing. Meghan struggles to get along with Matt, but she meets new people who take interest in her. Matt's best friend, Alex, and a girl she meets, Sophie, spend time with her, she makes friends, but she starts to change her mind about Matt. He starts to open up to her and things start to turn in the right direction...Until things start to go missing. Her Grandmother's bible goes missing, but reappears later on in a different spot. Everyone points the finger at Meghan, but she is innocent. Something else goes missing, and her Grandmother starts to go crazy, and Meghan sees a ghost. She could have sworn she saw something in the mirror, the ghost looked like mist. Then, she starts to have dreams that reveal things in the mystery. The romance deepens, the mystery unravels, and Meghan has to figure out secrets from the past...
Don't Tell..
When Lauren was ten years old, her mother was found dead in the river by the dock. Since then, she has never been back to that house in Wisteria, now seven years later, she has gained enough courage to go back to the house where her mother died. She sees old faces, including her godmother and her godmother's daughters. She used to live with them, and seeing them again, in the same house, brings back sad and happy memories. Things have changed, one of her godmother's daughters, Nora, has gone crazy. She speaks of things that spook you, she's quiet and very strange. Nora's sister, Holly is welcoming and makes Meghan feel at home. She also sees Nick, one of her old friends. He isn't the round faced, little boy that he used to be, but he's dating Holly. Days pass and things get stranger, Nora says things that freak Meghan out. She finds things tied in knots, and sees things moving by themselves. When Lauren asks Nora about the knots and what's going on she always responds; "It's a secret", "don't tell..." When they find knots or things that have fallen to the ground, Nora immediately says that she didn't do it, but who is then? Things get stranger and it looks as if someone is out to get Lauren. Nick starts to pull away from her, and no one believes what Lauren has to say...Suddenly the past is haunting her, she thought Nora was crazy, but to Lauren, she's making perfect sense...
I loved these stories!! Don't Tell is longer than Legacy of Lies, which made it a little bit better, but they were both great! Each book had awesome characters and a chilling mystery. Chandler is a great author, I loved her book, Kissed by an Angel, and this was no disappointment! Overall, a great read!!!
November 24, 2011
This book consists of two stories taking place in the same town, Wisteria.
Legacy of Lies
Megan visits her grandmother on Wisteria for the first time. The old woman seems really annoyed to have her there and always tries to make Megan and her step-cousin fight. Megan realizes that the house her grandmother lives is the one she had dreamed many times in the past. When she starts waking in other rooms without knowing how she got there and things start changing place, Megan discovers the cruel history of the Scarborough family and finds herself in the middle of it. Past and present are linked together and it's true what they say: Karma is a b*tch!
Don't Tell
After the mysterious death of her mother, Lauren had never visited Wisteria again. Now, after seven years, she finally accepted an invitation from her godmother and returned to the place her worst nightmare came to life. Some weird things start happening and Lauren is reminded of her mother's last days. Now she is afraid that maybe her mother's death wasn't an accident and maybe the same person is after her.
Both of the stories were full of mystery and anespected twists and turns. I especially loved the second story, I even figured out the murderer. All through the book I was wondering "Who did it?". It was really exciting thinking over what happened and trying to fit the pieces in my own mind.
A must-read for anyone looking for a mystery or a story that may keep you awake at night. Both creepy and sweet. I need the next ones!!!
Legacy of Lies
Megan visits her grandmother on Wisteria for the first time. The old woman seems really annoyed to have her there and always tries to make Megan and her step-cousin fight. Megan realizes that the house her grandmother lives is the one she had dreamed many times in the past. When she starts waking in other rooms without knowing how she got there and things start changing place, Megan discovers the cruel history of the Scarborough family and finds herself in the middle of it. Past and present are linked together and it's true what they say: Karma is a b*tch!
Don't Tell
After the mysterious death of her mother, Lauren had never visited Wisteria again. Now, after seven years, she finally accepted an invitation from her godmother and returned to the place her worst nightmare came to life. Some weird things start happening and Lauren is reminded of her mother's last days. Now she is afraid that maybe her mother's death wasn't an accident and maybe the same person is after her.
Both of the stories were full of mystery and anespected twists and turns. I especially loved the second story, I even figured out the murderer. All through the book I was wondering "Who did it?". It was really exciting thinking over what happened and trying to fit the pieces in my own mind.
A must-read for anyone looking for a mystery or a story that may keep you awake at night. Both creepy and sweet. I need the next ones!!!
September 6, 2016
The ending killed me! Both left me on a cliff hanger and I fell in love with both stories! Such a great read!
****SPOILER ALERTS GO BACK BEFORE YOU RUIN IT ON YOURSELF!!!!******
*****DONT DO IT!!!!******
****LAST CHANCE!*****
Legacy of lies is great because it starts off with Megan just going to visit her grandmother then her slowly falling for her legal cousin. (If you read the book you'll understand). Megan starts to have dreams that actually are happening in life. From seeing a dollhouse she's never seen before to seeing Thomas and Avril in front of the clock. At the end everything finally ties together and we see Megan and Matt are just both reincarnations of Avril and Thomas and what Megan was seeing in her dreams was Avril trying to show her everything. (My review may not make much sense but if you read the book you understand).
Don't tell is such a twisted book. It starts off with Lauren explaining how her mother passed away 8 years prior to the story taking place at her god mothers house. It then introduces us to Lauren, Nick, Aunt Jule, Holly, and Nora. From random knots shaping up to the boat house burning down this book will keep you reading right up until Nick and Lauren finally get together (I'll leave the biggest spoiler alert out for the people like me who like to read spoiler alerts to get a feel for the book lol).
**I told you to turn back ;) Happy Reading!**
****SPOILER ALERTS GO BACK BEFORE YOU RUIN IT ON YOURSELF!!!!******
*****DONT DO IT!!!!******
****LAST CHANCE!*****
Legacy of lies is great because it starts off with Megan just going to visit her grandmother then her slowly falling for her legal cousin. (If you read the book you'll understand). Megan starts to have dreams that actually are happening in life. From seeing a dollhouse she's never seen before to seeing Thomas and Avril in front of the clock. At the end everything finally ties together and we see Megan and Matt are just both reincarnations of Avril and Thomas and what Megan was seeing in her dreams was Avril trying to show her everything. (My review may not make much sense but if you read the book you understand).
Don't tell is such a twisted book. It starts off with Lauren explaining how her mother passed away 8 years prior to the story taking place at her god mothers house. It then introduces us to Lauren, Nick, Aunt Jule, Holly, and Nora. From random knots shaping up to the boat house burning down this book will keep you reading right up until Nick and Lauren finally get together (I'll leave the biggest spoiler alert out for the people like me who like to read spoiler alerts to get a feel for the book lol).
**I told you to turn back ;) Happy Reading!**
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2020
Legacy of Lies was some weird incestual BS. An adopted girl falling for her cousin is borderline creepy, but throw in the weird reincarnation aspect that involves her and her cousin discovering they were their great aunt and grandfather (who cheated on their grandmother with their great aunt when they were teens) in another life was... weird. Especially because their grandmother was still alive and had this weird possessiveness over her grandson and seemed jealous of her adopted granddaughter. I...???? Why did they have to be related at all? Why couldn't it be, like, this old rich lady's (not underage) caretaker and personal chef falling for each other and wondering why she seemed bent on keeping them apart???? Was this some weird kink on the writer's part? I'm not one for kink shaming usually, but I draw the line at incest and pedophilia.
Don't Tell was too similar to Legacy of Lies plot-wise--girl returns to town, falls in love, discovers family secrets, and some weird supernatural stuff. Except the plot was ludicrous and poorly written. The wrap-up at the end felt rushed and Holly's motives seemed weak. Even though it was a longer book, somehow the characters were even less fleshed out than the ones in the first book.
1/5 stars. I was hoping it would be fun, because I love ghost stories and murder mysteries, but it was just... blah.
Don't Tell was too similar to Legacy of Lies plot-wise--girl returns to town, falls in love, discovers family secrets, and some weird supernatural stuff. Except the plot was ludicrous and poorly written. The wrap-up at the end felt rushed and Holly's motives seemed weak. Even though it was a longer book, somehow the characters were even less fleshed out than the ones in the first book.
1/5 stars. I was hoping it would be fun, because I love ghost stories and murder mysteries, but it was just... blah.
May 13, 2010
I loved this story, I havent really read one like this before. The best story was the first one Legacy of lies. I would of gave that one a five out five. The second wasnt as good, but was still a mystery to read but I would of gave that a 3 out of 5. If your into romance/mystery a gothic romance, I recommend.
In a Legacy of lies, I love Megans personality, because she comes across as someone who's not afraid of anything and likes to live things on the edge and is a rebel.
Also I loved Matt, the silent, brooding cousin who ignored her half the time, but there was a reason behind this and at the end, it all comes together why? and you should total read it because I loved the ending, I was gobsmaked.
In Don't tell, Lauren the main girl in it had lost her mother from seven years ago, and finally comes back to the place she died. The romance in this is with a guy called Nick, who is funny, and the main love interest for Lauren, obiously with the exception of her cousin Holly going out with him. This is a much more into depth story I personally think and alot more confusing, but I recommend this to.
In a Legacy of lies, I love Megans personality, because she comes across as someone who's not afraid of anything and likes to live things on the edge and is a rebel.
Also I loved Matt, the silent, brooding cousin who ignored her half the time, but there was a reason behind this and at the end, it all comes together why? and you should total read it because I loved the ending, I was gobsmaked.
In Don't tell, Lauren the main girl in it had lost her mother from seven years ago, and finally comes back to the place she died. The romance in this is with a guy called Nick, who is funny, and the main love interest for Lauren, obiously with the exception of her cousin Holly going out with him. This is a much more into depth story I personally think and alot more confusing, but I recommend this to.
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