Promises and Other Lies (Sue Whiting, Walker Books)

Set one year after a devastating bushfire, Sue Whiting’s Promises and Other Lies is a compelling middle-grade novel that explores the lingering impact of disaster on a close-knit coastal community. The story alternates between the immediate aftermath of the fire and the present day, gradually revealing how past events and long-held secrets collide. Thirteen-year-old Fletch is still reeling from the fire that destroyed his home and claimed the life of his best friend Immie’s father. At home, tensions are high, especially between Fletch and his older brother, Cooper, who Fletch saw somewhere suspicious on the night the fire started. When an anonymous tip-off to police implicates Cooper, Fletch and Immie launch their own investigation to uncover the truth. Meanwhile, their neighbour Marie’s podcast becomes an unexpected catalyst in Fletch and Immie’s search for answers as the anniversary of the fire approaches. Whiting (Pearly and Pig and the Great Hairy Beast, Missing) draws on themes of climate change, grief and community recovery, weaving in a respectful nod to First Nations cultural burning practices. While the mystery maintains intrigue and the emotional stakes are well developed, aspects of the final twist may feel less convincing to some readers. Nonetheless, Promises and Other Lies is an engaging read for children aged 10+ who are navigating a world shaped by crisis and resilience. 

Books+Publishing reviewer: Katie Haydon is a library officer in Geelong and a former assistant editor of Books+Publishing. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

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