Only We Know

The memory of a tragic event in 1982 haunts the 3 children involved who have never told the truth of that day and, 30 years later, feel that someone, who knows what happened, is threatening them.

 In 1982 some children play a game that ends with death. The children are Luke, aged 10, his brother Nick, aged 8 and their mother's friend's daughter Katie, also 8. They are in Kenya, in the Masai Mara playing with some other children in the river. Fearful of what might have happened, their mother, Sally, takes her boys back to Ireland as her friend has already taken Katie.

 The story moves on to 2013 with the telling of chapters alternating between various characters and with occasional forays made back into the original events of 1982. Gradually what really happened starts to appear from these references; memories often disagree so a clear picture is not yet possible. Other people enter the story of the adult individuals but none of the three is really happy. The lives of the 3 do seem to have been blighted by the terrible past which they can hardly acknowledge. It all involves relationships both past and present, and the secrets that are gradually being revealed.

 This is a novel about a crime but not really a crime novel. It shows the stunting of the development of the 3 protagonists by their terrible memories (which may or may not be accurate) and the effect of the original event on those around them then and on those close to them in 2013. When Luke vanishes and threatening messages begin Katie has the feeling of a belt tightening round her neck. She realises that someone else knows what was done and wants justice. The contrasting worlds of Ireland and Kenya are very well shown and the interweaving of the chapters by different characters and references back to 1982 really builds up a fascinating picture. There are some bombshells exploded as the events develop into a thrilling climax.