By Rebecca Barrow (author)
"Buried family secrets are unearthed in gripping style in a thriller that sees a 17-year-old girl discover why she and her mom have spent their lives on the run."
Paperback In Stock £8.99 £8.09
View All Editions (1)
We really rated Rebecca Barrow’s Bad Things Happen Here thriller, and it’s fair to say that in And Don't Look Back she’s crafted another gripping novel that’ll enthral fans of twisting, emotion-laden YA fiction.
With another new school, and another new name, 17-year-old Harlow is playing a part. This time she’s Meredith Bloom, and “Meredith Bloom is definitely not a lesbian. Meredith Bloom is not on the run. Meredith Bloom is a nice, normal girl with a nice, normal family”. Except that couldn’t be further from the truth: “As f*cking if,” Harlow scoffs to herself.
The truth is, Harlow and her mom Cora live on the run. Tragically, on their latest night-time flit, a truck smashes into their car. As she lies dying, Cora tells Harlow how to access a safety deposit box after her death. Once opened, a Pandora’s box of secrets is unleashed when Harlow discovers the deeds to a mystery house, and sees Cora pictured with two people she assumes are her mom’s sisters.
Setting out to find the family she never knew existed, Harlow winds up at a “weird house in the woods”, as locals call it — her mom’s childhood home, which she’s inherited, where she decides to stay. After meeting one of her aunts, she still needs to uncover why her mom upped and left the family home.
The writing style has smoothly addictive beat, with an interspersed “Before” narrative enhancing the mystery, suspicion and paranoia. Add to that a totally unexpected ending, And Don't Look Back amounts to a top-notch thriller.
Harlow and her mum, Cora, have been on the run her entire life. She has no idea why or what they're running from, but in every place they stop, they create new names and stories, and they never stay for long.
Read the full description
Then, one night, while attempting to skip town, Cora is killed, leaving Harlow alone and with a million questions.
But her mum's secrets live on. And when a key to a hidden safety deposit box leads Harlow to Crescent Ridge - Cora's hometown - she discovers a trail of buried secrets and lies.
Harlow was hoping to find something that would help her understand her mum better. But what she finds instead will change everything she knows about her mum - and herself - forever.
From the author of BAD THINGS HAPPEN HERE comes another gripping thriller, perfect for fans of WE WERE LIARS, ONE OF US IS LYING and GIRL IN PIECES.
Rebecca Barrow is the critically acclaimed author of the Interview with The Vixen, This Is What It Feels Like, and You Don't Know Me But I Know You. Bad Things Happen Here is her UK debut.
She is a lover of sunshine, Old Hollywood icons, and all things high femme. She lives and writes in England.
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
If He Had Been With Me
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed And Don't Look Back and determined it is suitable for children aged 15-18 years old
And Don't Look Back features in the following genres: Stories about Family and Friends, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Thrillers, Adventure Stories, Featured Books for Young Adults, Recommendations
Paperback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
And Don't Look Back was written by Rebecca Barrow and published by Hot Key Books
And Don't Look Back has 328 pages
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
©PTC International Ltd T/A LoveReading is registered in England. Company number: 10193437. VAT number: 270 4538 09. Registered address: 157 Shooters Hill, London, SE18 3HP. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
The National Year of Reading starts here. Join thousands of families and schools supporting reading for pleasure across the UK.