Wow - what a messed up family!! I can't say I really liked any of the characters. Each family member had their own selfish secrets. I guess it's not surprising the 'kids' would turn out like they did. The parents sounded absolutely horrible - especially the father (I think the mother just sort of went along with whatever her husband wanted)

The book is well-written and moves along at a steady pace. There are plenty of twists to keep the reader guessing until the very end.

Three words: OH. MY. GOD! I couldn’t put this book down! I ended up finishing it in one sitting! This book was filled with twists and turns; I was kept guessing the entire time! The author writes in multiple POVs and each character has secrets that are brought to the surface that results in the whole story surrounding a friend’s death being unraveled. If you love a good thriller, you need to read this one!

If you are into domestic mysteries then look no further! This book focuses on a mystery involving a girl named Amanda from 20 years earlier. Their dad left a will and they have to determine whether or not one of the brothers committed the act. Needless to say, all of the siblings are hiding secrets and you see it all unravel in the book. The character development in this book is what makes it so special. I also could not put it down because I really wanted to find out what happened to Amanda! HIGHLY recommend!

Initially, an intriguing plot and setting drew me to <i>I’ll Never Tell</i> which was also my introduction to author Catherine McKenzie. The plot is two-fold; a family drama and a murder mystery. The MacAllister siblings gather, at their family owned summer camp on the shore of a small Canadian lake, for the reading of their father’s will. The will has an unusual stipulation which, before determining the future of the property, is tied to the death of a young counselor twenty years ago.

The story unfolds slowly through short chapters which are told from the perspective of the four siblings and alternating between the present and the past. I was immediately drawn into the suspense as well as life at summer camp. But it was the family conflict and character development that eventually slowed the plot to the extent that I felt a bit confused by the switches between characters and timeframes. The pieces eventually come together to resolve a story which is more chilling than thrilling.

Some of the generational memories intertwined with current state of mind is a bit interesting but I wasn’t caught up in the characters’ dilemma. A good premise though

Many years ago Amanda Holmes was murdered at Camp Macaw. Her murderer was never found. Now, the owners have passed away and left the real estate to their children. They must first solve the mystery of the murder before anything can be done. Each of these siblings knows something. But past aggressions and the usual family squabbles may tear them apart.

What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive! That what came to mind as I was reading this book. So many secrets, so many lies! I swear! I had no idea who was involved with Amanda’s death. I was kept changing my mind, then changing it back again.

No one writes a twisted piece of fiction like Catherine McKenzie! This story kept me intrigued and captivated till the end. I was hooked from the get go! Don’t miss this one!

I received a copy of this book from the author for a honest review.

This story was really good. I felt like it was more Agatha Christie type mystery story. Summer camp, 5 siblings, dead father and his crazy will. Who was guilty of the events from 20 years ago, who did it? I couldn’t put this book down until I knew. Good writing done by Catherine McKenzie.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

The MacAllister family has owned Camp Macaw for generations. A number of horrific events over the years have the MacAllister siblings contemplating the sale of this land. The mystery must be solved before the strange terms of their father’s will can be carried out. Secrets which have been buried about what happened to Amanda Holmes begin to unravel.

This book is written from the point of view of each of the siblings and the maintenance man, Sean. While that may seem confusing, Ms. McKenzie makes it work. By understanding the thoughts and actions of each, we are provided with pieces of the puzzle that may not have been shared with others.

The author has written characters that all have good points and flaws. None of the characters are particularly likeable, nor are they inherently evil. Yet, all are interesting and complicated.

The story line twists and has a number of intricate issues that are peeled away slowly. The answer does not become apparent until the very end. It is an easy read and one which the reader will not want to put down.

I recommend this book. Like Catherine McKenzie’s other books, it is a well-written, exciting book that has strong characters and a compelling mystery.


I received an ARC from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book.

Three simple words. Her family’s motto. I’ll never tell.

This book will leave you speechless. That ending!! WOW! I did not see that coming at all. Never even got close. Catherine McKenzie did one terrific job of capturing the readers and pulling them in to such a dramatic story of love, loss and uncertainty. There was so much going on that you had many ways of thinking about who did what and who was innocent. This family definitely had lots of secrets. Some to protect themselves and others to protect family. They were definitely a mixed up bunch but also loved each other to the end.

This book will take you to a lake in a campground and you will feel like you are right there. I could picture all the places it described. I could feel the water on my skin. Cold and invigorating. The rocks and trees. The cabins and the MacAllister family.

What happened to Amanda was tragic. She was just a young girl looking for something. You will feel her pain in so many ways. Her fears and loss. Her youthful wanting. She was just a young girl who should have had her whole life ahead of her. This whole story is based on what happened to her and you will not see it coming.

Told from each of the siblings and the family friend’s point it will draw you in like you won’t believe.

A tearful ending to a very emotional story.

Thank you to #NetGalley #Lake Union Publisher’s for this ARC.

Another 5 star book. I highly recommend this book!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Catherine McKenzie for the opportunity to read her latest mystery - loved it! 4.5 stars for a book I couldn't put down and couldn't figure out who did it!

Five siblings get called back to the camp where they grew up for the reading of their parents' will. The main stipulation in the will is that they must figure out what happened 20 years ago to Amanda at summer camp. Each of the siblings, along with the caretaker, Sean, have secrets they are holding back from each other and themselves. As they prepare for their parents' memorial, they try to solve the mystery of what happened that fateful night so that they can all move forward.

The book is told in 7 different viewpoints - Amanda, the 5 siblings, and Sean - and is complete with charts to help everyone figure out who was where on the night that Amanda was hurt. I raced through this one and couldn't wait to find out how the mystery was solved. This is a perfect read heading into summer camp season - it may make you think twice about that supposedly innocent time in many children's lives!

After their parents' deaths, the five MacAllister siblings--Ryan, Margaux, Mary, and twins Liddie and Kate--gather to read the will and decide the fate of the family-owned Camp Macaw. But, first, a 20 year old mystery must be solved. What happened to Margaux's best friend, Amanda, all those years ago? The case was closed, but was one of the siblings responsible for her injury?

"Families are complicated."

Yes, all families definitely are complicated, unique, and dysfunctional in different ways, but the MacAllister family sure takes all of these to a whole new level! This suspenseful mystery follows each of the siblings as they alternately protect or point fingers at each other while trying to figure out who hurt Amanda. Was it Amanda's crush, Ryan? Was it her best friend, Margaux? Or, is the truth even more complex and shocking than anyone could have guessed?

Lastly, I much preferred the author's previous works such as The Good Liar (4 stars), Fractured (4 stars), and Hidden (4 stars)!

Location: Montreal, Canada

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

If you're looking for a good summer thriller, look no further. The plotline unravels as siblings return to their old camp to read their parents' will. A mystery soon unravels that will hook you in immediately.

An unsolved murder from at camp 1998 starts this story. In 2018 five siblings, after their fathers death, they must decide what to do with the camp...thus the rollercoaster ride begins. Haven't read this author before but certainly will check out more of her books. A great summer read!! Thank you Net Galley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I’ll Never Tell by Catherine McKenzie is the thriller I have been Looking to add to my summer reads. Full of family secrets, anger and jealousy - and a night at summer camp that went terribly wrong. After the parents death, the siblings convene at their childhood home which operated as a summer camp to determine its fate. Their father’s will mandated that they make a decision about what happened one night 20 years ago when Amanda, a young camper and close friend, died while on the property. The tragedy has haunted the family for decades and will determine their family’s future yet again. I highly recommend this book! I received an ARC, all opinions are my own.

A family tree can be a wondrous thing with it’s branches spreading out and leaves sprouting up. It also has roots, roots that can get twisted and tangled. Such is the family tree of the MacAllister family. The siblings have reunited at the summer camp their parents owned and ran, on the anniversary of their tragic deaths. The will is being read and a memorial service is being held. When their lawyer lays out the details of the will, the family has to deal with repercussions of an accident that happened years ago at the camp to a friend of Margaux’s, Amanda. Their father believes their brother Ryan was responsible and they have to vote on if they also believe him or not. The truth will be revealed but it might not be what any of them really want to hear.

I really enjoyed how the book was told in the different siblings’ voices and also Amanda’s version of what exactly happened that fateful night. There is also a timeline, a schedule of where each person was supposed to be at the time. Your suspicion will go back and forth between all of them until the very end. There were some surprising things uncovered along the way. It is a great whodunit with some family drama mixed in. Having a strained relationship with a few of my siblings, I really understood where they were coming from.

This is another notch in the ladder of Catherine McKenzie’s books. You will not be disappointed in any of them.

Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union for a copy of this book.

I'll Never Tell is a thrilling mystery wrapped up in a family drama. Amanda Holmes washed up on the shore in a rowboat 20 years ago. She had a life-ending gash on her head. No one was every charged with her death.

Now, after the MacAllister parents have tragically dies, the now adult children gather to read the will. However - they must agree if Ryan, the only brother is the one responsible for Amanda's death.

This is a book of secrets and lies and whispers and suspicions. Can they trust each other? Who is hiding what from who? Who killed Amanda?

There are twists in this book that ....I can't even get into. I basically refused to put this down until I finished because I HAD to know.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opport

Catherine McKenzie never disappoints. I’ll Never Tell is a thrilling summer suspense that takes place at a family-run camp. What better place to read this than camping in the mountains? I enjoyed this read among the trees in The Great Smoky Mountains while on vaca and while the location is not the same, the quiet, secluded nights definitely set an eerie ambiance for my reading time.

The story focuses around 4 grown children, gathered back at the camp their parents ran, for a memorial. Their parents passed together and it’s time to read the will. Who will get the camp, is it split equally? What about Sean, the devoted groundskeeper? See, dad made sure it’s not going to be that simple. Something happened to Amanda Holmes that night twenty years ago and the mystery still remains unsolved. In order to figure out what happens with the camp and who inherits, the siblings must decide who among the group is guilty. Mic drop.

While the book follows all four siblings, Sean, and even Amanda, there is not one bit of confusion. The story reads like a movie in your mind and you’ll blow through it fast. Highly recommend for your next summer thriller.

I received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Very good who-dun-it, I’ll Never Tell is a deep, dark mystery ride. Five siblings gather to say goodbye to their parents and decide what to do with the summer camp their parents owned. Sell? Revamp? Each sibling has their own opinion and most, maybe not all, want to know what happened to Amanda 20 years ago.

The point of view switches between the siblings. They decide together that they have to know who hurt Amanda. We also get a look into Amanda’s feelings/thoughts and her life. What we don’t know is who hurt her and why. And what happened to Amanda? It is all shrouded in vague mystery that the reader must sort through.

Great read. I look forward to more books by Catherine McKenzie!

I'll Never Tell started off really intriguing to me--mystery at a summer camp, family drama, and a shocking will stipulation. But as it dragged on, I got really tired of these characters, and by 2/3 of the way through I did not care at all who did it--always a bad sign in a mystery novel. I skimmed the last third, and it never really got more interesting for me. It looks like a lot of other reviewers had a better experience than I did, so give it a try if it sounds interesting--but don't expect summer camp to play a big part in the story (as I was hoping for). While the book takes place at a camp, it's not while camp is in session, so it's not really as camp-centric as it sounds from the description. There are some flashbacks, but they basically all take place on one night on an island, with only a few characters present.

This suspenseful novel kept me guessing until the end which is what I really love in a good mystery. Told in alternating timelines, this whodunit is a great read. The family in this story are a very complicated family with the siblings gathering together to for a memorial for their parents who ran Camp Macaw. The reading of their father's will causes a commotion as he puts a burden on his children to make a decision about the guilt or innocence of one of them. The story changes perspective between the children and Amanda, an outsider to the family who is very intertwined in their lives. Overall this is a fast paced story and I think anyone looking for a good mystery set at a summer camp will enjoy it. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.