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Set in 1954 - 55, The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets, by Eva Rice, follows the fortunes of Penelope Wallace, 18 years old and looking to find her place in the world. A chance meeting with Charlotte Ferris in London diverts Penelope from her mundane life and opens up the possibility of finding some much desired romance and excitement.

Penelope is introduced to Charlotte’s family - Aunt Clare, writing her memoirs and her cousin Harry, an aspiring magician. Agreeing to take part in a plot to win back Marina, Harry’s lost love, Penelope is drawn into the glamorous and fashionable world of London society.

Events follow an idealistic but predictable route. The plot moves slowly along, presumably to underline the difference between the 1950s and the present. Afternoons are spent taking cream teas in London, evenings at parties attended by famous film stars and royalty, and weekends at Milton Magna, the crumbling ancestral home of the Wallace family.

The characters enjoy listening and dancing to records into the night, talking, telling stories and there is a lot of laughter and giggling but very little of any substance. Comparisons have been made with Enid Blyton and at times the book reads like one of her adventures – iced buns and ginger beer replaced by lavish dinner parties and champagne.

The influence of American culture is strong, with references to the music, art and fashion that was becoming so popular in the 1950s. Penelope and Charlotte share a passion for Johnnie Ray while Inigo, Penelope’s younger brother, becomes obsessed with Elvis Presley who is just becoming successful in America.Μύ Anyone with an interest in this era will enjoy this aspect of the book.

The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets is an easy read but we felt it was too fanciful and unimaginative. The book relies on a number of unconvincing co-incidences to connect stereotypical characters and develop the plot.

The character of Rocky, in particular, appears to be very useful in this respect. Twists and turns in the narrative were promptly untangled and any remaining loose ends, for example, the problem of Magna, were conveniently but dubiously resolved.

As it had already been established that there was a connection between the two families at the first meeting over tea at Aunt Clare’s, the secrets, when revealed, were not particularly surprising or interesting.

Belonging to a book group offers the opportunity to read books you would not normally choose and invariably this results in finding some unexpected delights, surprising discoveries and occasionally, disappointment. The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets was not a book we would have chosen either independently or to read with the group and was, unfortunately, disappointing.Μύ