I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Catherine McKenzie has written a book that will keep you on pins and needles until the very end. Enjoy!📚

I've long been a fan of Catherine McKenzie. She has a way of adding twists and turns that keep me guessing until the end! I'll Never Tell is a fast paced whodunit!

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for my review. Catherine McKenzie is a must-read author for me. I have read all of her books so I was thrilled to be given an ARC copy of her latest novel, "I'll Never Tell." Of all the books Catherine has written I would say this is my least favorite. She is a fabulous author so her worst-is still really good, but this one was slow to get moving, the characters were hard to tell apart, and the end for me was a bit anti-climactic. This is the story of the MacAllister family who has run Camp Maccaw for years. When the parents and owners pass away and the will is read, the MacAllister siblings and the camp caretaker Sean are all heirs-IF they can solve a murder that happened at camp years ago. All of the heirs were there the night Amanda Holmes was killed but they will all have to take a step back in time to reveal who was the killer. Four stars for me.

I’ve been of fan of the author for the past few years and I’m beginning to realize that she is one of those rare writers who gets better with each new book. There’s an assuredness to her writing style, that combined with her ability to come up with fresh and unique storylines always hooks me.

This is told via multiple perspectives, all the members of the MacAllister family and over the course of one weekend as they reunite at their families camp to hear what their parents will states. You also get several flashback chapters from Amanda from twenty years ago that slowly reveal what happened to her. Past and present timelines usually work well for me and CMK is especially skilled at slowly leading the reader down one path only to throw you off course several times before the end.

This family is pretty damn dysfunctional and I can’t say that I truly liked any of them but damn were they interesting! They all had tons of secrets and none were very close to each other making it very hard to guess where loyalties lied. Since the whole book is set at Camp it had a really cool locked room vibe, really atmospheric, not necessarily super creepy, but definitely a strong sense of place that added to the tension of the plot. The end was super solid with lots of surprises and I was super satisfied!

I’ll Never Tell in three words: Clever, Atmospheric and Complex

20 years ago Amanda was found beaten at the MacAllister family camp. Nobody was ever charged with the crime, but after their parents deaths, the 5 siblings are back for the reading of the will. The will isn’t what any of them expected and leads to them trying to finally figure out-what happened to Amanda?

While I enjoyed this book, some parts felt a bit far fetched. I didn’t understand why the dad what he did and I don’t feel like there was ever really an explanation for a couple different things relating to him. Overall I really enjoyed the story and read it pretty quickly but wish more of the questions had been answered.

Wow! The ending. Didn’t see that coming! Once again Catherine McKenzie has written another riveting novel. A "who-done-it" family drama that's going to keep you guessing until the very end. What a great cast of characters but quite the dysfunctional family. I thought I had it figured out but even with my guess changing several times, I still got it all wrong. Ms. McKenzie's books just keep getting better and better. This is a must read for the start of your summer reading.

I received a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

I don't know how she did it, but Catherine McKenzie managed to take 7 different viewpoints and make them all clear and unique in the engrossing novel I'll Never Tell.

What it's about: The MacAllister children are all grown up and back at Camp Macaw after the sudden death of their parents in a train accident. Now the 5 of them - Ryan the oldest, the twins Kate and Liddie, Mary, and Margaux - all need to hear their parent's will being read and decide what to do with the camp. Out of all of them, Ryan is the one that most wants to sell, while the other 4 would rather hold on to their parent's legacy. The groundskeeper Sean who has been at the camp since he was little, just doesn't want to have to leave. But when the will is read, they find out they are going to have to do more than make a quick decision. In order to decide what to do with the camp, they must first figure out who committed a long-ago crime when they were younger. Margaux's friend Amanda washed up in a rowboat at the camp with a blow to the head, but no one was ever charged with a crime. The siblings are all hiding secrets from that time, and any of them could have done it. . .

I have to say that I have really enjoyed every McKenzie book that I have read so far. She really knows how to craft a story, and she is adept at giving characters unique voices, even a bunch of them, while not confusing the reader. There is a grand total of 7 viewpoints in this book so you would think it would be confusing, but they all felt very clear to me and I was able to picture each character individually.

I love the route that McKenzie takes with exploring family dynamics in I'll Never Tell. I found it really interesting to read about a family of 5 siblings, especially when they all have things to hide from each other. She really brought their stories to life in this book as well as the setting at the camp. I think this would make an excellent beach read with the camp setting, plus the mystery and family dynamics make for very beach-appropriate reading.

Song/s the book brought to mind: Let You Down by NF

Final Thought: If you are looking for a fast read, I'll Never Tell is going to be a good one. Even though it has over 350 pages I was able to read it in about 4 hours and 15 minutes. It has taken me much longer to read shorter books so I think that is a testament to how great the flow is in this book. The 7 perspectives made everything go quicker as well, and there was a fun table that I hope makes it into the finished copy. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and as always, I am looking forward to reading many more books from McKenzie!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

I'll Never Tell will put you on the edge of your seat as the mystery of Amanda Holme's life-altering injuries unfolds during a weekend that the MacAllister children reunite to plan a memorial for their parents. The setting is their family's home and camp for hundreds, Camp Macaw, twenty years later. Although no one was charged for her accident, there are plenty of theories going around within the family. So many secrets within this family that you don't know who will be the person responsible.

The best mysteries are the ones that you can't figure out, and this novel stumped me. Another great book written by Catherine McKenzie!

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Twenty years after a tragedy occurred at their family’s summer camp, four sisters and their brother reunite to commemorate the lives of their parents. What unfolds, however, is much more sinister—a taut whodunnit which reveals long-buried family secrets, jealousy, guilt, and fear. The story is told from multiple points of view, including Amanda, the victim from twenty years ago. Each chapter is a revelation as the author slowly reveals the truth of that night, as well as all of the other things the siblings keep hidden from each other. This book kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end, completely engrossed by the story and the relationships in this riveting novel.

I'll Never Tell is an intriguing story about summer camp, family dynamics, and secrets—lots and lots of secrets. Everyone in the family has a secret and they all come out when the family gathers to determine what to do with the family camp, Camp Macaw—a summer camp that holds special memories for a lot of people. But after the tragedy that happened 20 years ago, some of those memories aren't so happy.

As the family secrets start to unravel, the reader is left trying to figure out who the guilty ones are. As I read I'll Never Tell, I was constantly going back and forth, sure I knew who-done-it. Then another secret was revealed and I had to change my thinking. The guessing and second guessing drove me to devour this book and I was still surprised at the ending. And more secrets.

Catherine has created another wonderful, page-turning, exciting story that will keep you engrossed until the end. It's full of interesting characters, with plenty of twists and turns, and like I said before, lots and lots of secrets. Once you start it, you're not going to want to put it down.

What happened to Amanda twenty years ago at Camp Macaw?
The narrative being told through the MacAllister siblings, Amanda and Seans alternating points of view definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat as you weave through the past and present, uncovering lies, deceptions, and unforseen surprises from start to finish. This is a clever storyline and a fast pace thriller with exceptional characters which was expertly written. I could not put this book down. Catherine McKenzie is at her finest here. Guess all you want, this is an ending that will completely surprise you!!!
I want to thank netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. The slew of characters kept you guessing on who did what. It would have been easy to chose the obvious suspect. The finale was not what I expected. Made me want to go back to camp to share in the camaraderie.

Although I have 2 other Catherine McKenzie novels in my Kindle library, this is the first I've actually read. Clearly, her plots appeal to me.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure the plot in I'll Never Tell lived up to its intriguing synopsis. Picture this--five estranged siblings meet up at the family campground, beside a Canadian lake, following the death of their parents. The will is read and untold conflict and chaos ensues, as they all journey back to a tragic summer night 2o years prior. The entire premise is contrived, but I was willing to overlook that for the promise of an excellent mystery.

Unfortunately, this isn't an excellent mystery...I had the "twist" and the "whodunit" figured out about a quarter of the way through the book (I only wish I was joking). And although the character development is top-notch, none of the characters were remotely likable. I wasn't able to connect, or root for, any of them. This is one severely dysfunctional family, y'all. Even Amanda, the victim, whose first person account comes in short bursts throughout the book, came across as a less-than-pleasant human.

I did enjoy the alternating points of view...it kept the story moving and didn't allow it to get bogged down in excessive detail. Case in point, I read this story in one day.

Recommended for those who enjoy simple, Agatha Christie type mysteries.

**I would like to thank NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Catherine McKenzie for the digital ARC I received in exchange for a candid review.

Loved this book!!! Huge fan of Catherine McKenzie. I have read and loved all of her books. The Good Liar has been my favorite, but after reading this one, I might have a new favorite. I love books that switch between characters. This book is a mystery with so many twists and turns. I just needed to find out what happened to Amanda. The inheritance of a summer camp depended on who killed her. I kept going through all the MacAllister siblings and Sean and trying to figure out who could have done it. Their parents, mainly their father, was definitely on the crazy side. Who comes up with a will like that??? Yes, Ryan is very unlikable pretty much from from the moment he shows up blasting AC/DC from his mid-life crisis car. He looks like the person most likely to have killed Amanda. All his siblings need to vote whether he was guilty or not guilty. The only problem is there are still so many secrets surrounding the mystery of Amanda's death. The book goes back and forth between the present and twenty years ago. I was a little shocked when the truth was finally revealed. From the start I thought that person was a slight possibility, but I was convinced it was someone else. I loved the ending (and the whole book). I was hooked from the moment I started reading it and didn't want to put it down. The characters were perfect. I loved the story and writing style. There were so many surprises through out the book.

Definitely recommend the book (and the author's previous books)!!! I can't wait to read more books by the author!!! Loved the cover.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I can’t believe this is the first book I’ve read by this author. I have another 3 on my Kindle that I’ll be moving up!

A mystery that had me guessing until the end and I was wrong! Five siblings get together to hear their parents will and hold a memorial service. They think it should be a fairly straight forward weekend, until the Will is read and their Dad throws a twist in the will. Secrets have been kept and need to be uncovered! Soo many secrets....

There are a lot of characters in this, so I found it a little hard to keep them straight at first. Then add in the significant others, and all the secrets! Told in different voices, which adds to the growing mystery. A fast-paced book perfect for the beach or a weekend of reading. Have another book handy, cause you’ll fly thru this!

I received an ARC of this book. Opinion is mine alone.

The MacAllister family owns a summer camp and the five children inherit the camp upon the untimely death of their parents, but the inheritance isn't without conditions. Twenty years ago, something terrible happened at the camp to one of the counselors, Amanda, and Mr. MacAllister believes one of his children knows exactly what happened and could even be responsible for it.

What follows, is the twisty story, where everyone is a suspect, that ultimately leads to the truth about what happened to Amanda that fateful night with an even bigger twist at the end. This is a solid mystery/thriller with unexpected twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

If you haven't read The Good Liar, McKenzie's 2018 release, I highly recommend it, as well!

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy; all opinions are my own.

Happy pub day to Catherine McKenzie for I'll Never Tell. This book delves into true family dysfunction within a family of grown siblings who have no real relationships with one another after growing up together in their family owned summer camp. Their parents were not the typical loving parents that all children hope for and that has left long lasting scars. I felt like the middle of this story dragged a bit, it's a mystery who killed poor 17 year old Amanda back when the kids were camp counsellors and in order to clean up their deceased parents estate the siblings must decide who among them is the guilty party.

This author is quickly becoming one of my favorites! This book was no exception. What a great who done it story in the vein of Agatha Christie. A quick read that captivates. It doesn’t get any better than that! I am up way late because I just read the final page. Tons of coffee tomorrow but WORTH it. A big thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

20 years ago, Amanda was hit over the head with a paddle and washed ashore in a canoe at camp. The case was never resolved for what happened to her.

Present day - the couple who owned the camp recently died and their 5 adult children and the camp caretaker are reunited at the camp. Due to a very convoluted (and frankly, unbelievable) will left by the father - the six will have to figure out what happened on that night long ago before they can decide what to do with the property.

Every person has secrets that are revealed but none were particularly interesting or shocking. This wasn’t a mystery that worked for me.

Thank you very much to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest review.

After the death of their parents, the five MacAllister siblings learn that the fate of the family’s summer camp, Camp Macaw, will not be as simple as they assumed. The kids’ father wants them to vote on the suitability of eldest child Ryan, who is also the only son. Is he capable of deciding the fate of Camp Macaw? The answer to that isn’t debatable due to any corporate mismanagement but rather to one simple question: is Ryan at fault for what happened to Amanda Holmes twenty years ago?

Catherine McKenzie‘s mysteries always center around a fairly simple question, yet the characters she draws are immensely complex. In this case, she takes the five MacAllisters plus Sean, the camp caretaker, puts them back at the camp, and unleashes their conflicts and personalities. You learn what each thinks, why they think it, what’s true, and what is myth. You will be convinced that you know who hurt Amanda, only to have that assumption proven wrong as Catherine McKenzie sends you from one suspect to the next, from this motivation to that.

The dynamics between the MacAllister clan are great fun to read, packed with the sort of details that immerse you in this story. Ryan takes his role as eldest seriously, if not as seriously as he takes himself. His sisters captivated me endlessly with their own wheeling and dealing amidst family politics. As each sibling reveals his or her secrets, you begin to realize that any of them could be guilty. Sean, too, proves fascinating. McKenzie gives him an interesting back story that makes you wonder about this guy even as you dearly hope he is innocent. His outsider status made me a fan, although I tried to remain vigilant in observing his behavior. Could he be the one? Is he culpable?

I love the way Catherine McKenzie writes her mysteries. I love how she keeps me guessing, and I love how she makes me care about these people, flaws and all. Sometimes I want to grab them by the shoulders and shout at them, sometimes I want to hug them, and sometimes I want to sit with them at a bar, taking shots and trading stories.

The title, by the way, is perfect. This family may not always like each other, they may not always think the best of each other, but they hold their secrets. Regardless of how much they like each other or can’t stand one another, they will never tell.