Twenty years ago, Benjamin Harper’s brother, Nick, and his friend, Simon, were brutally murdered by two teenage girls, Abigail and Josie, who served 11 years and then were released and given new identities. Ten years ago, Ben’s mother, Clare, was found on train tracks, apparently a suicide. Ben still lives in his hometown, Haddley, and writes for a website that covers local news. With the anniversary of Clare’s death approaching, Ben’s editor, Madeline Wilson, wants him to write a tribute to his mother, knowing that the story will increase the site’s traffic. Ben is trying to move on and refuses the assignment. But he knows that Madeline will keep pushing.
The past, however, won’t stay buried. Neither will the many secrets. Detective Sergeant Lesley Barnsdale and PC Danielle Cash show up at Ben’s home to tell him that one of the girls, Abigail, has been found murdered. Even more shocking is that Clare had somehow discovered Abigail’s new identity and the two had been exchanging letters. Clare couldn’t have killed Abigail and Ben has a solid alibi. But it’s possible Clare had learned something before she died that might help to identify Abigail’s killer. The news sets Ben’s head spinning. He never thought his mother took her own life. Is it possible that someone connected to Nick’s death pushed her onto the train tracks?
Ben knows he has to dig and reveal the truth. Expecting Madeline to be excited that he has changed his mind about the story, he’s perplexed when she demands that he write a tribute and not investigate any of the murders. Does Madeline know more than she’s willing to reveal?
Simon’s father, Peter, was headmaster at Haddley Grammar where all the boys were students and all played on the school’s rugby teams. After Simon’s death, Peter had a breakdown, began to live “rough,” until he was found dead. Peter’s wife, Elizabeth, moved to nearby St. Marnham, to be near her daughter’s family. Ben arranges to meet with Elizabeth and learns that Peter received a disturbing phone call before the two boys were killed. Did he know something that might have prevented Nick’s and Simon’s deaths?
In a small town like Haddley, there are others who have some connection to Ben’s family and may know something about the murders. The two people who serve as surrogate parents for Ben are his next door neighbors, Mr. And Mrs. Cranfield. They are able to fill in some of the blanks about Ben’s family. Holly Richardson, one of Ben’s best friends, is married to Jake, whose father, Francis, is wealthy and not afraid to use his money to intimidate others. In a photo, Francis has his arms around Abigail and Josie. What was his connection with the teenage girls? Did he manipulate them to murder Nick and Simon? While Jake’s mother, Katherine, has always seemed cool to Holly, the two women soon come together over their animosity for Francis. It’s that woman-to-woman bond that gives Holly hope to leave Haddley with her daughter, Alice.
Robert Gold
Another one of Ben’s friends, Sarah Wright, is divorced from James, and they share custody of their son, Max. James was on the senior rugby team, while Nick and Simon were on the junior one. Were there conflicts between the boys on these two teams, something that may have led to murder. Sarah has started dating Nathan Beavin, a recent arrival to Haddley who works in the local pub. But even for a bartender, Nathan asks Ben too many questions. Is he in Haddley for a reason? Another person with an agenda is added to Ben’s list.
Another character in this mystery is Corrine Parsons who works at the Sunny Sea Care Home. She’s obviously Josie and when she learns about Abigail’s death she’s worried that she may be in danger. She heads to Haddley to find the only person who may be able to help her. But she may be walking into a trap.
Twelve Secrets is Robert Gold’s first novel and he’s off to a strong start. He’s constructed an intriguing premise: how much do we really know about the people who seem to care about us? The murders of Nick and Simon are cold cases. But recent killings show the perpetrator is getting careless. If Ben can put the pieces together in time, he can prevent more violence.
There are a few characters who could have been left out of the story without damaging the narrative. But perhaps Gold will find a way to use these people in a future mystery.
Twelve Secrets
Robert Gold
Top photo: Shutterstock
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