Title: Promise Not To Tell
Author: Jennifer McMahon
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
Publication Date: April 10, 2007
Paperback: 250 pages
ISBN: 978-0061143311
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
Forty-one-year-old school nurse Kate Cypher has returned home to rural Vermont to care for her mother who’s afflicted with Alzheimer’s. On the night she arrives, a young girl is murdered—a horrific crime that eerily mirrors another from Kate’s childhood. Three decades earlier, her dirt-poor friend Del—shunned and derided by classmates as “Potato Girl”—was brutally slain. Del’s killer was never found, while the victim has since achieved immortality in local legends and ghost stories. Now, as this new murder investigation draws Kate irresistibly in, her past and present collide in terrifying, unexpected ways. Because nothing is quite what it seems . . . and the grim specters of her youth are far from forgotten.
More than just a murder mystery, Jennifer McMahon’s extraordinary debut novel, Promise Not to Tell, is a story of friendship and family, devotion and betrayal—tautly written, deeply insightful, beautifully evocative, and utterly unforgettable.
My Review:
Promise Not to Tell by Jennifer McMahon is an exquisitely written, deeply emotional book filled with mystery, murder, and complex family issues as well as secrets. The book opens up with a group of friends sitting around a campfire telling ghost stories of the Potato Girl then shortly afterward, Tori Miller is discovered dead, which corresponds with the day Kate Cypher returns to town at the request of Raven and Gabriel, who can no longer care for Kate’s mom in New Hope. Through Kate’s narrative, the reader immediately learns that Kate murdered someone, a definite way to grab this reader’s attention. For Kate to explain what she means, it is necessary for her to go back to the beginning, 31 years ago when Del Griswold, the “Potato Girl”, was murdered. Promise Not to Tell is a brilliant debut novel and I was quickly drawn into the stories, as there are several threads meticulously interconnecting and weaving throughout the book. McMahon seamlessly weaves the past and the present together and deftly constructs an intricate and elaborate murder mystery along with the story of a daughter now needing to care for her aging mother and of a small town frightened of the past and of the present. McMahon’s characters are extremely realistic, endearing, and make the reader care about their lives from the beginning. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of Promise Not to Tell and it is with great delight that I will soon be reviewing another book of McMahon’s, Island of Lost Girls. I highly recommend Promise Not to Tell to all readers.
Jennifer McMahon is the author of Dismantled, the New York Times bestseller Island of Lost Girls, and the breakout debut novel Promise Not to Tell. She grew up in suburban Connecticut, and graduated from Goddard College. Over the years, she has been a house painter, farm worker, paste-up artist, pizza delivery person, homeless shelter staff member, and has worked with mentally ill adults and children in a few different capacities. Currently, she lives in Vermont with her partner, Drea, and their daughter, Zella.
Further information about author Jennifer McMahon may be found on her website or Twitter.
For more reviews of the book, please follow the book tour.
I received a copy of Promise Not To Tell by Jennifer McMahon from TLC Book Tours to be a part of this tour and offer my honest review of the book. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned book.
I’ve been seeing this book all over. After reading your review, I’ve got to read it!
It was so very, very good and I am looking forward to reading her other books. I was unable to set this one down.
I recently read and reviewed Jennifer McMahon’s new book, DON’T BREATHE A WORD. It was quite a story. I determined that I would go back and read all her books. This one is next for me and I’m taking it on vacation. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to hearing what you think about the next one.
The next book by McMahon on my schedule is Island of Lost Girls, then and only then can I read Don’t Beathe A Word. I am thrilled to have been introduced to such a very talented author.
Great review! And for those interested, Promise Not To Tell is available for a limited time as a low-priced ebook – only $1.99 at the e-retailer of your choice!
Thank you for the heads up about the fantastic e-book price. Since I do not read e-books, I tend to be out of the loop.
I have been seeing this book all over the place. I am super excited to read it!
It was so very good, I cannot wait to read her other books.
Finding out the main character murdered someone is definitely a good way for an author to capture my full attention! Combine that with gorgeous writing and it sounds like this is a fantastic book.
Thanks so much for being on the tour.
It was brilliant and I look forward to reading her other books.
Oooh, I love a book with secrets!!
Then this is the book for you. It is fabulous Kathy.
Yes…this one is a must read for me!! Great review!
Thank you Staci. It is definitely a must-read.
Great review. I have had this one for awhile and just haven’t chose it, everyone is enjoying it, I must take it off the shelf this year for sure.
Oh do, it is an extremely wonderful book.
I so want to read this one. Great review!
Thank you. It was a terrific read.
Thanks for this review! I have been eyeing that book off and on for a year now. You have given me the push I need to get it soon. Are her three books stand-alone or do you need to read in sequence? Thanks again, Rae
I really enjoyed the book. To my knowledge her books may be read in any order.
I just reviewed this book for TLC book tours (with reviews of The Island of Lost Girls and her newest one Don’t Breathe a Word coming up)! I think that she is a great writer and can’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve next!
I too am looking for Don’t Breathe a Word.