The Secret Lake by Karen Inglis
Author Showcase
By Karen Inglis, for The Children’s Book Review Published: October 29, 2011
The Secret Lake is a ‘time-slip’ mystery adventure, set in one of London’s Notting Hill communal garden squares, in which Stella and Tom, when trying to find their elderly neighbour’s missing dog, discover a tunnel that leads to a secret lake. Who is the boy rowing towards them who looks so terrified? And whose are those children’s voices carried on the wind from beyond the trees? Stella and Tom soon discover that they have travelled back in time to their home and its shared gardens 100 years in the past where they meet the children living there. As the story unravels the children make both friends and enemies and become embroiled in a daring rescue plan. They also uncover some startling connections between the past and present….
The Secret Lake has a strong mix of contemporary and historical characters and settings, all vividly – and often humorously – portrayed, and enough twists, turns and secrets-to-be-uncovered to keep young readers hooked right until the end. It’s exactly the type of adventure we all liked to curl up with as children, but with modern twists. You can order it from Amazon.com ($7.99) or in Kindle format ($2.01).
5-Star Reviews at home and abroad
The Secret Lake has received 5 Stars from Louise Jordan, ex Head Reader at Puffin and co-founder of The Writers’ Advice Centre for Children’s Books, a respected children’s books UK literary consultancy. It has also received 5 stars from an Amazon.com Top 10 Reviewer in the USA. The children’s reviews on Amazon and the book’s website speak for themselves!
Find out more at The Secret Lake website www.thesecretlake.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Karen Inglis lives in south-west London, UK. She started writing children’s stories 12 years ago when her two boys (now rugby-mad teenagers!) were knee-high. The Secret Lake was one of the first stories she wrote and, until January 2011, it sat in a virtual drawer while Karen got on with her day job as a professional copywriter and web content strategist consulting to government.
Fast forward 10 years and, currently on a sabbatical from the day job since January, Karen has been busy polishing and editing her favourites from the stories she wrote back then. After The Secret Lake comes ‘Eeek!’ about a soccer-mad alien who runs away to Earth from space – look out for it soon!
Karen Inglis: +44 2088563 2224 / +44 7958 060 748 or kareninglis[at]wellsaidpress[dot]com
The Author Showcase is a place for authors and illustrators to gain visibility for their works. This article was provided by the author. Learn more …
What to Read Next:
- Karen Inglis Talks About Her New Book Ferdinand Fox’s Big Sleep
- Ferdinand Fox’s Big Sleep by Karen Inglis
- Author Showcase: BUG’S TRIP TO THE STORE
- Author Showcase: The Man Who Could Be Santa
- X (Twitter)
Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.
Dear Karen,
Hi, I’m Jessica Tedone, 8 years old and Ijust read your book. I really enjoyed The Secret Lake. I loved the hysterical adjectives you used in some of the pages. It was kind of funny where they meet the Emma in the time-tunnel and Emma in the time where tom and Stella where living. Love Jessica❤️❤️ 🐳🐳💖💖💕💕😊😊
Dear Karen, I really enjoyed The Secret Lake. I loved the hysterical adjectives you used in some of the pages. It was kind of funny where they meet the Emma in the time-tunnel and Emma in the time where tom and Stella where living. Love Jessica❤️❤️ 🐳🐳💖💖💕💕😊😊
Dear Jessica — I am *so* sorry not to have replied to you sooner. Another children’s author (Jemma Hatt – do look her up!) has very kindly just told me about your comment, which somehow I didn’t get a notification about. Thank you so much for letting me know how much you enjoyed The Secret Lake! I spent so many days, weeks and months working on this story and it such a joy and so special that so many children in the UK/US and beyond are now enjoying it! Keep reading, and I hope you find more adventures to enjoy 😊 Karen
Dear Karen, I really enjoyed your book The Secret Lake. I loved how you used descriptive words and adjectives in your sentences! It was funny and a good book, I would recommend this to my friends! 😀 Please keep writing! .💖😊💖
I don’t know if you will see this message, but I have only just (18 months too late!) seen your very kind words about The Secret Lake. I’m so glad you enjoyed it and that you enjoyed the humour and the descriptions! 😊 Just so you know, there will be a sequel coming out in the first part of 2022 and I’ve had great fun meeting with Stella and Tom and the other characters again — as well as a few new ones. If you’d like to know when the sequel is out visit my website kareninglisauthor.com to find out more. I hope you have found many more adventures to get lost in since you wrote to me last year! With very best wishes, Karen 📚 😊 ❤️
This was a very good book, one of the best that I have ever read and I would recommend all ages to read your novels. You are a amazing author.
Arunveer Grewal
Hello, Arunveer
I have only just come across your message about how much you enjoyed The Secret Lake. I am so sorry for not seeing it sooner!! Thank you so much for your very kind words and I’m really glad you enjoyed Stella and Tom’s adventure. Just so you know, there is a sequel coming out in early 2022 😊. I will be announcing the date in my newsletter if you’d like to keep up to date 🙂 An adult can sign up over on my website kareninglisauthor.com I hope you have found many more adventures to get lost in since last March! Keep on reading! With best wishes, Karen Inglis
Hi Karen, I’m 13 and I know I’m a little old for this book but I and my book group read this, very easy to understand and had great unexpected plot twists. I really enjoyed it!
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .
Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.
Book reviews, novel progress, and other writing related musings.
Book Review – The Secret Lake
Karen inglis’s the secret lake.
Description
Discovering a rowboat’s buried hull in a garden, two siblings embark on an adventure they still hardly believe.
Recently moved from Japan to London, Stella and Tom haven’t quite settled in comfortably – Stella misses her best friend, and Tom keeps getting into trouble with the Gardener. In the communal garden behind their new home, Tom digs for moles, and the gardener angrily chastises him. But when they follow the neighbor’s runaway dog to a different part of the garden, Tom’s digging turns up a whole rowboat, and they stumble upon a tunnel that takes them back in time to the very same garden.
They are quickly thrown headlong into a journey of discovery rife with excitement, mystery, and surprise.
I acquired this book for free, through a library box that provides free books to anyone for personal use (essentially a Little Free Library). There was no agreement with the author, publisher, or any third party that I would publish a review. The following review is unsolicited, unbiased, and all opinions are my own.
Review – Spoiler Free
I had heard a podcast interview with Inglis some time ago and was interested in how she had built a following by leveraging the book’s back matter to encourage young readers to submit reviews on her website. I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon the very book in a Little Free Library style book box, and I brought it home to read with our kids.
It is a good read that – despite having to explain a few British terms – the kids and I were able to easily follow, and enjoy through to the end. Inglis writes in a relaxed style that helps the story flow easily, chapters are short with endings that have just enough suspense to keep you reading, while not leaving you devastated and hanging.
There is a mystery that Stella and Tom drop into when they go back in time, and it is explained well within the story, not pausing for an info drop. Characters are fun and relatable, but also not heavily fleshed out.
I came across a few parts that needed a side bar explanation with our kids – situations where a character we are meant to trust lies, or when someone is blindly trusting of a stranger. These can easily be glossed over or brushed by, but they definitely caused us to pause.
Overall, The Secret Lake was a good read, we all enjoyed the story, and I will be happy to keep the copy we have to read again.
Tom had made his mind up, and there would be no stopping him. The Secret Lake , Karen Inglis
- Quality of Writing – 4
- World Building – 3
- Characters – 3
- Ease of Reading – 4
- Appropriate for Intended Age (Middle Grade, ages 6-12; could be read to Kindergarten age) – 5
- Overall Enjoyment – 3
- Final Rating – 4 (Actual: 3.7) – Really Liked It
Want to learn more about the numbers I use for rating, and the qualities I’m thinking about when writing a book review? Check out my post How I Rate and Review .
Brought to you by The Reading Agency
Home / Find a book / The Secret Lake
The Secret Lake
By Karen Inglis
A lost dog, a hidden time tunnel and a secret lake take Stella and Tom to their home and the children living there 100 years in the past. A page-turning time travel adventure for children aged 8-11. Now enjoyed by over 250,000 young readers! When Stella and her younger brother, Tom, move to their new London home, they become mystified by the disappearances of Harry, their elderly neighbour’s dog. Where does he go? And why does he keep reappearing wet-through? Their quest to solve the riddle over the summer holidays soon leads to a boat buried under a grassy mound – and a tunnel that takes them to a secret lake. Who is the boy rowing towards them? Why is he so terrified? And whose are those children’s voices carried on the wind from beyond the woods? Stella and Tom soon discover that they have travelled back in time to their home and its gardens almost 100 years earlier. Here they make both friends and enemies and uncover startling connections between the past and present. The Secret Lake has been described by readers as a modern Tom’s Midnight Garden and compared in atmosphere with The Secret Garden and the Enid Blyton and Nancy Drew mystery adventure stories. Its page-turning plot, with its many twists and turns, makes it a firm favourite with both boys and girls.
Karen Inglis describes it as: ""a time travel mystery adventure with modern twists – the kind of story that I loved to read as a child, but brought right up to date"".
It is good for people who like short stories or people who like mystery stories
This book is a really enjoyable portal story. There is a mixture of mystery and fantasy and readers quickly become intrigued by the different puzzles and mysteries along the way: the disappearance of Harry, the mystery boy, the tunnel itself. I think children will really relate to the main characters Stella and Tom and enjoy both the mystery and the heart-warming moments of this story.
Creepy, entertaining and suitable for Year 6
The book was amazing. It was sad when Mrs Moon died. My favourite character was Stella. I would recommend this book for someone else.I wish I could go though the time tunnel.
This Was The Best Book
Enjoyed this fiction book. A great adventure with some danger as well as right and wrong dilemmas. The sibling protagonists are brave and true. Nicely rounded ending.
A lovely short story. Would recommend to ages 7-9 years.
This might sound weird but the book is so secret
I love chapter 4 page 76-77-78-79-80
It was not the best book I've read but it was ok. I love it most when Stella and Tom discover the tunnel to the secret lake. My favourite character is Stella because she is a kind, caring, loving girl. I might recommend this book to someone who likes a little adventure.
I found it harder to get into this book but when I did I really enjoyed it
I liked this book and I think that is was a good book but not all the chapters got me stuck into the book because they were not as exciting as the rest. My favourite character was Jack. I would definitely recommend this book to other people as it is an fun, exciting read.
I really liked the book because I like adventure stories.
The Secret Lake is a mix of fantasy and adventure and is focused around 2 children who travel back in time through. mole holes. Suitable for readers aged 8+. Inglis keeps the momentum of the story going through twists and turns through out the story and interweaving characters through both the present day and the past that they children travel back to. Inglis drops clues throughout the text that more confident readers will be able to draw on to start to make the connections and make informed predictions about what will happen. The story follows two children who have recently moved back to the UK and are living in environment very different to their previous hime, where they have a communal garden and most of their neighbours are elderly. One neighbour has a dog, Harry, who regularly goes missing. Harry is key character in the story as is his owner as the children soon discover when they start entering the tunnel! The children are very wary of the hardener who appears grumpy and to dislike them playing in the garden. However, they soon understand why this is so ! I would recommenced this to those who enjoy adventure with a time-travelling experience via a portal with a slice of history thrown in for good measure. !
I thought it was a great book but one thing i disliked about it is that it was a very short story and i would off liked story to be a little bit longer because it had room for the author to add more detail and more characters. The book was a great fiction book and my favorite character was tom because he was eager to find out more.I would recommend this book to some who likes adventure and mystery books.
It is absolutely amazing and it’s so thrilling! My favourite character in this book is Emma because of her kind nature even though she is posh. I would highly recommend this book to everyone who loves adventure and magical books. Its not really long but it has a good amount of thrill in the book.
Lovely book that reminded me of Tom’s Midnight Garden. The story was well written and the characters engaging.
Fiction, exciting and full of mystery
I liked this book a lot, it was really fun to read and really enjoyable. This was about a girl and boy who discover this tunnel and spend a whole day and night there. Inside the tunnel is a different period of time and the children find out who lives in their house. They nearly always get caught by this man but eventually find out he and the elderly woman nextdoor know that there's a secret hidden tunnel and see the boy and girl going down. My favourite character was Stella because she was very brave and was one of the main characters in the book. I would definitely recommend this to other children aged 8+ and children who love mysteries and just general fun!
I loved this book just because …it was amazing I would recommend this book to my best friend.
Excellent read! It keeps the reader excited throughout the adventure of the children who go back in time. I loved Mrs Moon's character she keeps a secret until the very end and then all is revealed. This is a must read for 8+
It was good because a brother and sister went on an adventure back in time. I couldn't put the book down as I wanted to know what happens next. I loved Mrs Moon because she was the little girl when they went back in time. I would recommend this book to 8+ years
It was an amazing book! It had lots of events and surprising events. It has to be one of my top the books that I've ever read. I really recommend this book to people who like adventure storys. The ending was surprising but really good.
Tom and Stella find a hole in their back garden that leads into the past. Down there, they meet Sophie and Emma , who are sisters . Tom and Stella help a boy called jack (who is accused of being a thief) and find out that mrs moon (their neighbour ) is actually Emma ! I really recommend this book if you like time travel and adventure.
A magical adventure I would recommend this book to others.
I didnt really like the book. it is not my style. There were 2 children that went back in time, which was the good part, but then the book got boring. I wouldnt recommend this because i found it boring.
I would definitely recommend it to others.My favourite character was Tom for being brave and going back down the hole to save jack.It was very good and it kept me interested all the way through.It was absolutely brilliant
A mini mystery that leaves you wanting to read more about the lives of the characters you discover. Set in the Victorian age and the present day follow the adventures of two young children who discover how to move between the two ages.
This was a great book. There was so much mystery and it was a very warm-hearted book. I would recommend this book to people who love predicting what is going to happen next. There are lots of cliff hangers!
i liked that the book went back in time and made friends in the past and found them in there
Latest offers
WIN proof copie...
Win 10 copies o...
Win copies of o...
The Wartime Boo...
Read Jodi Taylo...
View our other programmes
- Chatterbooks reading groups
- Quick Reads
- Reading Ahead
- Reading Hack
- Reading Well
- Reading Friends
- Summer Reading Challenge
- World Book Night
The Secret Lake
By Karen Inglis (author)
Paperback Not Available
View All Editions
- LoveReading Says
Press Reviews
Lovereading4kids says.
A 'time-slip' mystery adventure in which Stella (11) and Tom (8), when trying to find their elderly neighbour's missing dog, discover a tunnel and lake that take them back in time to their home 100 years in the past.
Author Karen Inglis on what inspired The Secret Lake :
"The Secret Lake was partly inspired by an apartment some friends moved to in Notting Hill many years ago when my children were younger. It backed on to the most fantastic communal garden that the little ones could get lost in safely – they had mini woods to play in and rhododendron bushes to hide inside.
"I was really struck by the magical atmosphere for the children and began to wonder what it had been like for the children who had lived there 100 years earlier…. and then began to wonder what it would be like for the present-day children to meet the children from the past.
"The secret lake element was inspired by ‘Still Pond’ up at Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park which is surrounded by the most beautiful Azaleas every May which all reflect in the water there. Isabella - once described by the FT as 'London's best kept secret park' - is a wonderful oasis that children love running around in and hiding behind bushes and inside tree trunks - it's a bit like the Notting Hill gardens… very special…and free to visit! We used to take our boys there when they were younger."
Click here to visit the Secret Lake website , which includes games, a competition giveaway and lots more information about the book and the author.
If you've enjoyed The Secret Lake, then check out the author's other story for 7+ year olds called Eeek .
LoveReading4Kids
Find This Book In
The Secret Lake Synopsis
A lost dog, a hidden time tunnel and a secret lake. A page-turning time travel adventure for children aged 8-11. Now enjoyed by thousands of young readers!
When Stella and her younger brother, Tom, move to their new London home, they become mystified by the disappearances of Harry, their elderly neighbour’s small dog. Where does he go? And why does he keep reappearing wet-through?
Their quest to solve the riddle over the summer holidays leads to a boat buried under a grassy mound, and a tunnel that takes them to a secret lake.
Who is the boy rowing towards them who looks so terrified? And whose are those children’s voices carried on the wind from beyond the woods?
Stella and Tom soon discover that they have travelled back in time to their home and its gardens almost 100 years earlier. Here they make both friends and enemies, and uncover startling connections between the past and present.
A modern children's classic.
The Secret Lake has been described by readers as a modern Tom's Midnight Garden and compared in atmosphere with The Secret Garden and the Enid Blyton and Nancy Drew mystery adventure stories. Its page-turning plot, with its many twists and turns, makes it a firm favourite with both boys and girls.
Karen Inglis describes it as, a time travel mystery adventure with modern twists - the kind of story that I loved to read as a child, but brought right up to date.
About This Edition
| 9780956932303 | |
| 4th August 2011 | |
| Well Said Press | |
| Paperback | |
| 109 pages | |
Karen Inglis Press Reviews
5 Stars - The Writers’ Advice Centre for Children’s Books, London.
'I think the secret lake was very good, interesting and surprising. I really loved it!' - Lily G (Age 7)
'I am 8 (nearly 9!!) and I love reading but not too girly books! .. I really loved ‘The Secret Lake’ because it was really cool .. I wish I could have adventures like in this story.' Honor M
'..I really liked it because it is about friendship.' Mathieu (age 9)
'It was a very exciting book with many things going on, lots of adventures and many surprises. The nasty people (aka the bad guy) were very mean and scary.. I was very happy to read this story. I’m going to buy one to share with my friends and tell them to read it..you are a great author Karen Inglis!' Declan (age 8, USA)
'I found this book really enjoyable and literally un-put-down-able! You will be engulfed in this magical tale and as the plot thickens you’ll be with the characters every step of the way…I was enticed by the mystery and twist in the story. I also found Stella and Tom surprisingly familiar and easy to relate to. I recommend this book to any avid reader between ages 8 – 12 who loves a good adventure.' Charlotte (age 11) in Families South West Magazine
About Karen Inglis
Karen Inglis lives in Barnes, southwest London. She’s been writing ever since she was little and still has a box of her daily diaries hidden in a cupboard somewhere. She also had many pen friends in far-flung places as a child. Of course that was back in the day of handwriting and posting letters – so it often took months to get a reply!
As well as writing for children Karen writes for business, but she far prefers making up stories. Her time travel adventure, The Secret Lake, sat in a box in her office for over 10 years – she’s very glad she got it out as it’s now been enjoyed by over 300,000 readers and has been translated around the world.
Karen has two grown-up boys, George and Nick, and it was reading to them that inspired her to start writing for children.
You Might Also Like...
Time Travel Twins: The Stone Age Clash
£7.19 £7.99
-130x200.jpg "book review the secret lake")
The Time Travellers: Adventure Calling
Sufiya Ahmed
Mysteries at Sea: Peril on the Atlantic
A.M. Howell
Leif the Unlucky Viking: Saga of the Shooting Star
Gary Northfield
The Thames and Tide Club and the Secret City
Katya Balen
£6.29 £6.99
The Rage of the Sea Witch
Roland Chambers
©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
- Story Seekers
- Write a Review
- Search Our Reviews
- Action & Adventure
- School Family & Friends
- Stuff To Do For Easter
- Stuff To Do
- More Stuff To Do
- Series Suggestions
- Series For Age 5+
- Series For Age 7 +
- Series For Age 9+
- Kickstarter Books
- One More Chapter Please
- Parents Testimonials
- Suggest A Book
- Robert Piggott Primary Wargrave
- Waltham St Lawrence Primary
The Secret Lake
By karen inglis.
When Stella and her younger brother, Tom, move to their new London home, they become mystified by the disappearances of Harry, their elderly neighbour’s small dog. Where does he go? And why does he keep reappearing wet-through? Who is the boy rowing towards them who looks so terrified? And whose are those children’s voices carried on the wind from beyond the woods? Stella and Tom soon discover that they have travelled back in time to their home and its gardens almost 100 years earlier.
Karen Inglis The Secret Lake
| 122 pages | |
| 978-0956932303 |
Mrs Moon dog keeps going missing, 2 children find where he is going but how come their at there house but someone different lives there.
This book made me feel Happy, Excited, Curious, Intrigued, Amused, Moved, pondering
Have you read this book…
Let us know what you think, click the link to the right and write a quick review and you could become this months BOOKSHELF BUSTER winner and win a fantastic prize!
KickStarter Books
Awesome books to inspire young readers.
One More Chapter!
Great books for parents to read with their children.
- For Parents
- Privacy Policy
- Terms & Conditions
- Cookies Policy
- Children’s Privacy Policy
- Schools Privacy Policy
Our Reading Den
Our Reading Den is a place for you and your child to discover and share books, find new authors and explore stories. Here is a library of books created by a community of parents and children where you can browse books that others have enjoyed and recommended.
Once your child has discovered a new book we invite them to create their own online Reading Den and fill a bookshelf of their own. You and your child can review the books they have enjoyed and help others choose their next read.
Get Social With Us
/OurReadingDen
@OurReadingDen
Our Reading Den Ltd.
Company No. 12011478. Registered address: 11 Braybrooke Road, Wargrave, RG10 8DU.
© 2024 Our Reading Den.
- Login to My Reading Den
- Register My Own Reading Den
Select your cookie preferences
We use cookies and similar tools that are necessary to enable you to make purchases, to enhance your shopping experiences and to provide our services, as detailed in our Cookie notice . We also use these cookies to understand how customers use our services (for example, by measuring site visits) so we can make improvements.
If you agree, we'll also use cookies to complement your shopping experience across the Amazon stores as described in our Cookie notice . Your choice applies to using first-party and third-party advertising cookies on this service. Cookies store or access standard device information such as a unique identifier. The 96 third parties who use cookies on this service do so for their purposes of displaying and measuring personalized ads, generating audience insights, and developing and improving products. Click "Decline" to reject, or "Customise" to make more detailed advertising choices, or learn more. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences , as described in the Cookie notice. To learn more about how and for what purposes Amazon uses personal information (such as Amazon Store order history), please visit our Privacy notice .
- Children's Books
- Literature & Fiction
- Chapter Books & Readers
Sorry, there was a problem.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required .
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Image Unavailable
- To view this video download Flash Player
Follow the author
The Secret Lake: A children's mystery adventure (Secret Lake Mystery Adventures) Paperback – 4 Aug. 2011
A lost dog, a hidden time tunnel and a secret lake. A page-turning time travel adventure for children aged 8-11. Now enjoyed by over half a million young readers! Book 2 now available! (The Secret Lake 3 coming early 2024!)
When Stella and her younger brother, Tom, move to their new London home, they become mystified by the disappearances of Harry, their elderly neighbour’s small dog. Where does he go? And why does he keep reappearing wet-through?
Their quest to solve the riddle over the summer holidays leads to a boat buried under a grassy mound, and a tunnel that takes them to a secret lake.
Who is the boy rowing towards them who looks so terrified? And whose are those children’s voices carried on the wind from beyond the woods?
Stella and Tom soon discover that they have travelled back in time to their home and its gardens almost 100 years earlier. Here they make both friends and enemies, and uncover startling connections between the past and present.
A modern children's classic
The Secret Lake has been described by readers as a modern Tom's Midnight Garden and compared in atmosphere with The Secret Garden and the Enid Blyton and Nancy Drew mystery adventure stories. Its page-turning plot, with its many twists and turns, makes it a firm favourite with both boys and girls.
Karen Inglis describes it as, a time travel mystery adventure with modern twists - the kind of story that I loved to read as a child, but brought right up to date.
The adventure starts here! Order today with one click, in print or for kindle
- Book 1 of 3 Secret Lake Mystery Adventures
- Print length 122 pages
- Language English
- Dimensions 13.34 x 0.79 x 20.32 cm
- Publication date 4 Aug. 2011
- ISBN-10 0956932304
- ISBN-13 978-0956932303
- See all details
 Product descriptionAbout the author, product details.
About the authorKaren inglis. Karen Inglis is an Amazon bestselling children's author living in London in the UK. She writes picture books, chapter books and middle grade novels. Her international bestselling time travel adventure 'The Secret Lake' for ages 8-12 has now been enjoyed by over half a million children in the English language and is in translation in nine languages. The long-awaited sequel 'Return to the Secret Lake' (published March 2022) is proving equally popular... don't miss! Karen is a big dreamer and thinker and loves taking young readers into worlds where literally anything can happen... like magical time tunnels that take you to meet children in the past, or soccer-mad aliens zooming down from space to hide in your bedroom and watch the World Cup, or library books that suck you down into the story, or magic hats and talking cats! Her latest picture book 'The Tell-Me Tree' (for ages 4-8), which invites children to share how they're feeling — whether happy, sad or anywhere in between — with friends, family or trusted grown-ups, has received praise from teachers and parents and is being used widely in UK classrooms. Karen loves going into schools and meeting her fans, and offers virtual school visits all around the world. For more details and to sign up for news and special offers, visit her website > kareninglisauthor.com Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings, help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness. Customers sayCustomers find the storyline enticing, exciting, and full of twists and turns. They also describe the content as a time travel story for children 8 and above with contrast details. Readers also mention the book is not too long yet full of exciting twists. Opinions are mixed on readability, comprehensibility, and heartwarming. Some find the book easy to read and interesting, while others say it's poorly written and confusing. AI-generated from the text of customer reviews Customers find the storyline exciting, fun, and suspenseful. They also say the book is amazing, with a nice twist at the end. Readers also describe it as a real page turner and a plot that leaves them thinking. "A book that a young girl could not put down. Really enthusiastic about the story ." Read more "...It's a great, attention-grabbing story with a really novel and intriguing central idea and a great twist at the end and the only reservation we have..." Read more " Suspenseful and easy to read" Read more "Oh my goshhhh this was Such a good story . I was hooked from the first chapter. The way its worded really draws you in.10/10 recommend!!!" Read more Customers find the content enticing, imaginative, neat, and fascinating. They also say the book makes them think carefully about the situations. Customers also mention that the book has amazing scenery and characters that make them smile. "...readers, the time travel/mystery plot is exciting and I like the contrast of details between modern day life and that of a hundred years ago...." Read more "...The storyline is incredibly fascinating and made us think carefully about the situations they were in...." Read more "My 6 year old son and I read this book together, made us laugh and smile , with a small tear at the end, thankyou" Read more "This is a neat , simple story about two children who travel back in time...." Read more Customers are mixed about the comprehensibility of the book. Some mention that it's lovely for children 8 and above, captivating for boys or girls, and heartwarming. Others say that the plot doesn't explain itself very well and the idea is actually quite complicated. " Great for young readers " Read more "... A satisfying ending .I haven’t given 5 stars because some of the language could have been improved (quite a few cliches!)..." Read more "...at the end and the only reservation we have is that that idea is actually quite complicated and even our bright 9-year-old..." Read more "... Good for most ages , I guess from about 4 up to about 11 I guess" Read more Customers find the book to be one of the best time travel stories for 8+, with a real heartwarming story. They also say the girls enjoyed the story and had ideas of how the story would develop. "A great introduction to time travel for younger readers, explaining it at their level with an engaging storyline and characters." Read more " I liked the time traveling and that in the book there were dancing molesMy favourite character is Jack because he had a different accent" Read more "...The time-travel aspect was handled well , but I felt that the author didn't really explore all the story's potential in that regard...." Read more "...The girls enjoyed the story and had ideas of how the story would develop. Good description too and lovely characters...." Read more Customers find the book not too long, yet full of exciting twists and turns. They also say the chapters are perfect for younger readers or older reluctant readers. "This story has many strengths - its short chapters and length will attract even reluctant readers, the time travel/mystery plot is exciting and I..." Read more "... Perfect length chapters for younger readers (7-10) or older reluctant readers. A satisfying ending...." Read more "My son enjoyed this story however what I didn’t see is that the book is just 100 pages , maybe not even a centimetre thick...." Read more "This a lovely book for children 8 and above, the chapters are short ...." Read more Customers find the characters in the book amazing. "...younger readers, explaining it at their level with an engaging storyline and characters ." Read more "...Children can compare life today with the victorian era. The characters are endearing ." Read more "...Good description too and lovely characters . Definitely recommend this book." Read more "...Beautifully written, you engage with the characters from the start and are with them all the way...." Read more Customers have mixed opinions about the readability of the book. Some find it easy to read and interesting, with new vocabulary at a reasonable level. Others say it's poorly written, confusing, and makes no sense. They also mention that the printing quality of the pages is disappointing. "Suspenseful and easy to read " Read more "...I haven’t given 5 stars because some of the language could have been improved (quite a few cliches!)..." Read more "This book was easy to read . I did think some of the language odd i.e. nodule was used alot to describe parts of the tree...." Read more "...would be very interested in but they actually found it to be quite a difficult read in terms of their level of reading, maybe a bit more wordy than..." Read more Reviews with images Great Time travel book
Top reviews from United KingdomThere was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..  Top reviews from other countries
  The Secret LakeBuy from other retailers, what's .css-1msjh1x{font-style:italic;} the secret lake about. A lost dog, a hidden time tunnel and a secret lake… A page-turning time travel adventure for ages 8-11. Now enjoyed by thousands of young readers!When Stella and her younger brother, Tom, move to their new London home, they become mystified by the disappearances of Harry, their elderly neighbour’s dog. Where does he go? And why does he keep reappearing wet-through? Their quest to solve the riddle over the summer holidays leads to a boat buried under a grassy mound - and a tunnel that takes them to a secret lake. Who is the boy rowing towards them? Why is he so terrified? And whose are those children’s voices carried on the wind from beyond the woods? Stella and Tom soon discover that they have travelled back in time to their home and its gardens almost 100 years earlier. Here they make both friends and enemies and uncover startling connections between the past and present.’A modern classic for children’ The Secret Lake has been described by readers as a “modern Tom’s Midnight Garden” and compared in atmosphere with The Secret Garden and the Nancy Drew mysteries. Karen Inglis describes it as, “a time travel mystery adventure with modern twists - the kind of adventure that I loved to read as a child, but brought right up to date!” What Kind of Book is The Secret LakeBook lists that include the secret lake.  The Creative Behind the BookWhat has karen inglis said about this book. Nothing yet! Let Karen Inglis know that you want to hear from them about their book. Other Books You Might Enjoy If You Liked The Secret Lake Book DetailsContribute to this page. This page is starting to look fantastic! Just the barebones.
Book Platform
Authors & Illustrators
Follow Bookroo Server BusyOur servers are getting hit pretty hard right now. To continue shopping, enter the characters as they are shown in the image below. Type the characters you see in this image: 
 Buy new: .savingPriceOverride { color:#CC0C39!important; font-weight: 300!important; } .reinventMobileHeaderPrice { font-weight: 400; } #apex_offerDisplay_mobile_feature_div .reinventPriceSavingsPercentageMargin, #apex_offerDisplay_mobile_feature_div .reinventPricePriceToPayMargin { margin-right: 4px; } $10.55 $ 10 . 55 FREE delivery Tuesday, September 10 on your first order Ships from: Amazon.ca Sold by: Amazon.caSave with used - very good .savingpriceoverride { color:#cc0c39important; font-weight: 300important; } .reinventmobileheaderprice { font-weight: 400; } #apex_offerdisplay_mobile_feature_div .reinventpricesavingspercentagemargin, #apex_offerdisplay_mobile_feature_div .reinventpricepricetopaymargin { margin-right: 4px; } $2.96 $ 2 . 96 $6.49 delivery september 27 - october 22 ships from: momox_shop sold by: momox_shop, sorry, there was a problem..  Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required . Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web. Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.  Image Unavailable
Follow the authorThe Secret Lake: A children's mystery adventure Paperback – Aug. 4 2011Purchase options and add-ons. A lost dog, a hidden time tunnel and a secret lake. A page-turning time travel adventure for children aged 8-11. Now enjoyed by over half a million young readers! Book 2 now available! (The Secret Lake 3 coming early 2024!) When Stella and her younger brother, Tom, move to their new London home, they become mystified by the disappearances of Harry, their elderly neighbour’s small dog. Where does he go? And why does he keep reappearing wet-through? Their quest to solve the riddle over the summer holidays leads to a boat buried under a grassy mound, and a tunnel that takes them to a secret lake. Who is the boy rowing towards them who looks so terrified? And whose are those children’s voices carried on the wind from beyond the woods? Stella and Tom soon discover that they have travelled back in time to their home and its gardens almost 100 years earlier. Here they make both friends and enemies, and uncover startling connections between the past and present. A modern children's classic The Secret Lake has been described by readers as a modern Tom's Midnight Garden and compared in atmosphere with The Secret Garden and the Enid Blyton and Nancy Drew mystery adventure stories. Its page-turning plot, with its many twists and turns, makes it a firm favourite with both boys and girls. Karen Inglis describes it as, a time travel mystery adventure with modern twists - the kind of story that I loved to read as a child, but brought right up to date. The adventure starts here! Order today with one click, in print or for kindle
Frequently bought together Popular titles by this author Product descriptionAbout the author, product details.
About the authorKaren inglis. Karen Inglis is an Amazon bestselling children's author living in London in the UK. She writes picture books, chapter books and middle grade novels. Her international bestselling time travel adventure 'The Secret Lake' for ages 8-12 has now been enjoyed by over half a million children in the English language and is in translation in nine languages. The long-awaited sequel 'Return to the Secret Lake' (published March 2022) is proving equally popular... don't miss! Karen is a big dreamer and thinker and loves taking young readers into worlds where literally anything can happen... like magical time tunnels that take you to meet children in the past, or soccer-mad aliens zooming down from space to hide in your bedroom and watch the World Cup, or library books that suck you down into the story, or magic hats and talking cats! Her latest picture book 'The Tell-Me Tree' (for ages 4-8), which invites children to share how they're feeling — whether happy, sad or anywhere in between — with friends, family or trusted grown-ups, has received praise from teachers and parents and is being used widely in UK classrooms. Karen loves going into schools and meeting her fans, and offers virtual school visits all around the world. For more details and to sign up for news and special offers, visit her website > kareninglisauthor.com Customer reviews
Reviews with images My daughter love this book very much
Top reviews from CanadaThere was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..  Top reviews from other countries
 Karen Inglis ~ Children's Books Well Said Press The Secret Lake 2 – Cover Reveal (and more!) Update 8th March 2022 😊 Return to the Secret Lake launched on 8th March! You can order it in print or for eBook from Amazon here . The print book is also available to order from other online stores and high street bookshops, with a slightly longer lead time in the first few weeks. Click or tap here to read more about the book and hear early reviews over on its main page.  (The rest of the text below is from the pre-launch blog post back in February.) Hello from a blustery London! This is a quick update to say that I signed off the final cover for the sequel to The Secret Lake on Friday, and the book is having final checks. (There are no real surprises in its title! — Return to the Secret Lake .) I shall be sharing the full cover and blurb seen below more widely in the coming week, but wanted my newsletter and blog subscribers to see it first. Please do comment below or email me to let me know what you think? — and feel free to share with friends, family or pupils. You’ll also find a couple of ‘sneak peeks’ inside the book further down. 😊 I hope you’ll agree that my cover designer, Stuart Bache, has done a brilliant job — in the many years I have been mulling over a sequel, I always knew that the story would involve a young child from the past coming to find Stella and Tom at night. This image is exactly as I had hoped it would be, and more…  Return to the Secret Lak e comes in at just over twice the length of The Secret Lake , and in terms of plot complexity is suitable for girls and boys aged 8-12, or to read aloud to those aged 7 and up. I think/hope children will find the setting between modern-day and 1900s London intriguing; we spend more time in both eras in this follow-on book. Click or tap the image below to enlarge and read the blurb.  Early feedback so far on the story from a small team of advance readers has been fantastic, so if your child or class has read and enjoyed The Secret Lake this is definitely for them! (If they haven’t, you can download the first three chapters of The Secret Lake here for free to see if they might enjoy it; the sample is available both for eReaders and in PDF format.) A sneak peek inside…Launch dateThe book is now having its final print copy proofread and I aim to make it available for pre-order in the next week or so, with a likely release date not very long after that in early March once the final files are uploaded to all printing platforms. Look out for another post in the next couple of weeks with links to pre-order pages. In the meantime, below is a quick look at the opening page of Chapter 1. 😊  Lesson plansTeachers/home schoolers — As previously mentioned, I shall be creating some interesting lesson plans to go with the book. More on this in a later blog post, or sign up to my email list. That’s it for now. Do let me know what you/your children/pupils think of the cover if you get a moment? And I’ll post again once the book is available to order. Sign up to my occasional newsletter to be notified… If you’re not on my mailing list but would like to be notified when Return to the Secret Lake is available to order, please sign up to my occasional newsletter here . I don’t email often, and you can unsubsribe at any time. Share this:
5 thoughts on “ The Secret Lake 2 – Cover Reveal (and more!) ”I love the cover! It completely draws me in and now I want to read your books! Thank you for your feedback! ❤️ I’m so glad you like it — I do agree it really draws you in, which is exactly what I wanted! When will this book be released please? I have a very excited 9 year old itching to get stuck in, she has read your first book multiple times! Many thanks 🙂 Hi Candice — oh, bless her! It will be released next Tuesday 8th March in print on Amazon, and should become available to order in print from other stores a couple of weeks later due a slight delay at the other printer. It should also be on Kindle in the next couple of days (even tomorrow — the file is currently processing). If she’d like to make a head start, then follow the new link in the top menu here on this website that says ‘Return to the Secret Lake’ and scroll to the bottom where there’s a link to the opening 3 chapters in a flip magazine style on desktop, tablet or phone 🙂 That page has just gone live in the last 48 hours ready for the launch so I’ve not yet actively publicised it! All true fans are told though 🙂 You can download that excerpt as a PDF from the flip book too if preferred. Please note that whereas the print book and flip book contain the moles and tree image on the first page of each chapter the kindle / eBook that goes live on Amazon doesn’t have these images, due to the reflow-able format not accommodating images like this. I do hope she enjoys the sequel, and please do take a moment to leave a short review online if she does. Early feedback from a very small team of advance readers has been lovely and the more the merrier when the book comes out! 😊 And, of course, feel free to share that link above with any friends. Thanks again for getting in touch and please say hi to your daughter from me! Karen 📚 ❤️ 😊 Hi Candice — you probably know this already but the book is now out and available to order. I hope your 9-year-old enjoys! Karen x Leave a Reply Cancel replyFollow blog via email. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Email Address Follow my Facebook page! Please note that I use Amazon affiliate links so may receive a commission for sales through them: this has no effect on the price for you. Powered by WordPress.com . Discover more from Karen Inglis ~ Children's BooksSubscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive. Type your email… Continue reading The Secret Lake
*5 Stars on Amazon UK /USA, Goodreads and Waterstones* *5 Stars from book loving 8-11 yr-old children :) See the reviews page of this website * *5 Stars from The Writers’ Advice Centre for Children’s Books, London, UK* 😊 The Secret Lake books 1-3 📚 📚 I am delighted to confirm that both Return to the Secret Lake (March 2022) and Beyond the Secret Lake (January 2024) are now out! 📚 For both books, it was such a joy to reconnect with the original characters (who had been waiting very patiently for me!) and meet a few new ones… ❤️ 😊 Read Book 2 reviews on Amazon 😊 ❤️ 😊 Read early reviews of Book 3 reviews on Amazon 😊 😊 Over half a million copies sold of Book 1 in the English language. 😊 📚 Now in translation in 13 other languages.📚 📚 Join my occasional newsletter to be the first to know when my next book is out. 😊 When Stella and her younger brother, Tom, move to their new London home, they become mystified by the disappearances of Harry, their elderly neighbour’s small dog. Where does he go? And why does he keep reappearing wet-through? Their quest to solve the riddle over the summer holidays leads to a boat buried under a grassy mound – and a tunnel that takes them to a secret lake. Who is the boy rowing towards them who looks so terrified? And whose are those children’s voices carried on the wind from beyond the woods? Stella and Tom soon discover that they have travelled back in time to their home and its gardens almost 100 years earlier. Here they make both friends and enemies, and uncover startling connections between the past and present…  Go to Chapter 1 Visit Karen Inglis’s Author Facebook page Follow Karen Inglis on Instagram Follow Karen Inglis on Twitter Share this:
Please note that I use Amazon affiliate links so may receive a commission for sales through them: this has no effect on the price for you. 
Advertisement Supported by A Smart, Sinuous Espionage Thriller Brimming With HeatAlready longlisted for the Booker Prize, Rachel Kushner’s “Creation Lake” — set in rural France — stars a ruthless American secret agent.
 By Dwight Garner
When you purchase an independently reviewed book through our site, we earn an affiliate commission. CREATION LAKE , by Rachel Kushner Rachel Kushner’s new novel, “Creation Lake,” is set in rural France, but not the rural France of guidebooks and Peter Mayle memoirs. No one rhapsodizes over an escargot or a tarte Tatin. We’re in the country’s southwest, where the soil is rocky. More essentially, we are in what Kushner calls the proletarian “real Europe,” with vistas of “highways and nuclear power plants” and “windowless distribution warehouses.” Kushner’s narrator is an American spy-for-hire. She’s 34, a dropout from a Berkeley Ph.D. program in rhetoric. She is working under an assumed name, “Sadie Smith,” that has unnecessary — for this reader — literary undertones. Sadie has come to this region to infiltrate a radical farming commune bent on violence. Sadie is not, in the manner of a John le Carré character, longing to come in from the cold. She is already one of the coldest customers serious American fiction has seen in recent years. The isolation, the danger and the emotional hardships of her work (including unwelcome sex) roll off her shoulders. She likes what she does. She has a knack for it. Biographical details about Sadie are scant, though the reader is made aware of two of her previous assignments. At 24 she infiltrated the Gypsy Jokers motorcycle gang, where she was the “old lady” of an older biker she put in prison. Later she convinced a troubled young man to buy 500 pounds of fertilizer for bomb making. When he was found innocent at trial due to entrapment, she was fired by the F.B.I. and went freelance. I dislike plot description because it’s close to meaningless — everything I’ve said so far could apply to a bland Hulu drama series as well as to a sinuous and powerfully understated novel, which “Creation Lake” is — but here is a necessary bit more. The farming commune is called Le Moulin. Sadie is well-read in the history of radical movements, but as she befriends the group’s key members, she imbibes their philosophies and absorbs the revisionist ideas that have been passed, like batons, down generations. The leader, Pascal, is a womanizer and a self-styled heir to the French Marxist theorist Guy Debord. We are having trouble retrieving the article content. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in . Want all of The Times? Subscribe . Find anything you save across the site in your account Briefly Noted The Secret Life of the Universe , by Nathalie A. Cabrol (Scribner) . This compact and often astonishing overview of the current state of astrobiology, by a director at the SETI Institute, explores the scientific advances of the past few decades, many of which have radically altered our understanding of the universe and, Cabrol argues, brought us close to finding extraterrestrial life. Space telescopes—most notably the Kepler, launched in 2009—have revealed a cosmos “populated by more planets than stars,” and infrared surveys of those planets’ atmospheres will yield vast amounts of data in the coming years. Cabrol, an assured and accessible guide, notes that interpreting that data poses a great challenge: because we still lack a consensus on the definition of life, we may not know it when we see it.  Playing with Reality , by Kelly Clancy (Riverhead) . Games may be a diversion, but, as Clancy, a neuroscientist, writes, they also can provide useful models of the real world. In this comprehensive study, which fuses science, world history, and politics, she documents the role that games have played in medicine, economic thought, moral philosophy, A.I., and more. Although knowledge acquired from gaming has had worthwhile practical applications, from text translation to advances in cancer treatment, games don’t necessarily reflect reality, and players don’t always act rationally. In detailed chapters on topics like modern war-game simulations and the misapplication of game theory in justifying mass privatization, Clancy warns of the societal risks of allowing mathematical models to govern political decisions. What We’re ReadingDiscover notable new fiction and nonfiction.  The Coin , by Yasmin Zaher (Catapult) . In this début novel, a wealthy, fashionable Palestinian middle-school teacher living in Brooklyn wrestles with feelings of alienation. Seeing dirt everywhere, she begins to wash herself compulsively. Her lessons become strange and her relationships with her students blurry. After a dalliance with a man, she gets swept up in a scheme involving reselling luxury handbags. In a moment of winking symbolism, she comes to believe that a coin she swallowed as a child is living in her body, altering her personality. Somewhat surreal, and willing to risk a little provocation, Zaher’s book plays with overlapping ideas of privilege, asking complex questions about what past suffering means in the face of a desire for today’s luxuries.  The Divorce , by Moa Herngren, translated from the Swedish by Alice Menzies (HarperVia) . The collapse of a thirty-two-year marriage is depicted with an even hand in this book, which amounts to two parallel novels: one about a woman “feverish with confusion,” who feels that she was abandoned without warning, and another about a man who has been grappling with the end of his relationship for months. The two-sided account starts at the beginning of the end, when the husband hasn’t come home and isn’t answering his wife’s texts. As Herngren stitches together the couple’s perspectives, she writes with a sharp neutrality, never overplaying the book’s many tense moments of discovery or languishing in the wife’s despair. New Yorker FavoritesThey thought that they’d found the perfect apartment. They weren’t alone . The world’s oldest temple and the dawn of civilization . What happened to the whale from “Free Willy.” It was one of the oldest buildings left downtown. Why not try to save it ? The religious right’s leading ghostwriter . After high-school football stars were accused of rape, online vigilantes demanded that justice be served . A comic strip by Alison Bechdel: the seven-minute semi-sadistic workout . Sign up for our daily newsletter to receive the best stories from The New Yorker .  
From non-fiction to fiction: Return to The Secret Lake book launch…This time last year I had my head down writing How to Self-publish and Market a Children’s Book (Second Edition) . It was a huge undertaking, and one of which I immensely proud. As with the first edition, feedback has been fantastic since its publication in May 2021. There is a LOT to know about children’s self-publishing and this book really does bring everything under one roof in plain English in the form of a practical reference guide. The 130+ reviews on the first edition are also worth checking out (still on Amazon but now out of print with old copies being sold by third parties). The new edition includes the same content but updated where necessary and with many extra sections including audiobooks, foreign rights, translation and more.  Of course, the challenge with any non-fiction book on self-publishing is how quickly the market changes. This was one of the reasons I turned down a traditional publishing deal to write a book on this topic several years ago; the proposal was for a seven-month lead time. The irony of following that route (and royalty rates) were other factors. The main change that has come about since last May is the rise of TikTok , which at that time was only just emerging as a social media platform for authors. Beyond one trial TikTok post, I’ve simply not had time to try it out, but I will try to rectify this at some stage soon and add notes in online resources folder that you can link to from How to Self-publish and Market a Children’s Book . In the meantime, I’m sure that searching online will reveal lots about how well it’s working for children’s (as opposed to YA) authors! Back to the main reason for this post… Last March I had no idea that by now I would also have planned, written and published the sequel to my international bestseller The Secret Lake but I am thrilled to say that has happened. Truth be told, I’m as surprised as the next person after the 10-year gap!  From discovery writing to outlining…Return to the Secret Lake , which published in early March 2022, comes in at 272 pages and 52,000 words — over twice the length of the first book. Despite this, it actually took half as long to write — another surprise! The key difference is that, whereas with The Secret Lake I simply sat down with an idea and started writing (that idea being children discovering a time tunnel that led to their home and the children living there 100 years in the past), with Return to the Secret Lake I prepared an outline before starting. I learned the hard way with The Secret Lake that discovery writing (or ‘pantsing’) time travel stories is fraught with risks, and over the many months I was writing, I found myself going around in circles and having to rewrite huge chunks. Nine months in and it still wasn’t right! It then went into a box for 10 years and was only finally published after several more rounds of editing when I pulled it out again. Timeline issues were definitely part of this. I have a background in business writing and wouldn’t dream of writing non-fiction without a plan — heaven knows what possessed me to try The Secret Lake without one! Where I started with Return to the Secret Lake My outline method for Return to the Secret Lake stemmed from the one thing I knew about the future book, which was that any follow-on story would begin with one of the children coming from the past to the future because of an emergency. This idea had been tumbling around in my mind for years. I also knew that the cover would be of that child standing below Stella’s window in the middle of the night. Just who it was, and why they were there, I wasn’t sure. My starting point was to immerse myself in Edwardian London through research — reading non-fiction around the social and political history of that time, listening to podcasts, viewing vintage footage on YouTube, visiting museums and so on — looking at transport, social etiquette, politics, medical advances, children’s and women’s rights and so on.  I had been able to keep my research quite high level for The Secret Lake because Tom and Stella from the present never ventured beyond the inside of their past-time house, and were only there briefly. In the sequel I knew they would be going out in to London, and so needed to paint an authentic picture for young readers of that time through Tom and Stella’s eyes and ears, and through the detail provided by the narrator. What I loved about this research was diverting off in different directions and discovering little ‘aha’ moments which I knew needed to be in the story in some way, such as the craze of ‘rinking’ in Edwardian time (rollerskating in dedicated rollerskating rinks for those who could afford it), and bylaws being demanded by some to outlaw children rollerskating on pavements. Those children tended to come from poorer backgrounds who couldn’t afford to use the rinks, and I was pleased when reading Hansard reports from 1910-11 to see the young Winston Churchill standing up for them. Beyond this, I read lots of children’s fiction set during the Victorian and Edwardian periods — both more recently published stories set in that time, and classics such as Oliver Twist, which I realised had never read! Having filled my creative well with research, and having had several more tingly ‘aha’ moments, I finally felt ready to begin to shape a page-turning story that would be set against the historical backdrop. After brainstorming ideas freeform on paper over a week or so, I used Word’s outline mode to start to map out a structure. This allowed me to create a bird’s eye view of my story in high level bullet points, which I could edit by moving things around using drag and drop. (In Word, choose View > Outline) I started with key chapters then filled in sub-bullet points for the main scenes within each one. By the time I sat down to write four weeks later there were still some gaps and question marks, but I had a good sense of where the story was going, and knew I had the flexibility still to allow things to change as I wrote. Any major change was reflected by dragging and dropping back in the outline document. In fact, there was one overarching problem in terms of the structure that still needed resolving at the end of my outline phase, but I realised that I needed to get writing to try to sort it out, and that is exactly how I solved it. I drafted the full manuscript in Word. I once tried Srivener but it wasn’t for me, though I know that others swear by it!  By the start of November my first draft was ready — just in time for a Writer’s Retreat I was booked into for five nights at Goddards, an Edwin Lutyens arts and crafts house, built during the Edwardian period. If you look closely you’ll see a box on that long dining table. That contained my manuscript and I did most of my hand edits at that table, though also a little in the main drawing room where you’ll see the papers on the right-hand side of the table. As is always the case, when I started to re-read what I’d written I had a sinking ‘What was I thinking?’ feeling. We’ve all been there…! I got there in the end though, and by the time I handed my final manuscript to my editor in early January I was pretty pleased with what I had. Thankfully, so was she. Why wait so long to write the sequel to The Secret Lake?Many children and teachers have asked me over the years if I was going to write a sequel and I always said, ‘Only when I’m sure it can be as magical as the first story.’ It took exactly 10 years finally to put pen to paper. As well as having so much else on with my other books (which tend to come to me and demand to be written!), I think it was the fear of failing that stopped me trying sooner. In short, I didn’t want to ‘spoil’ the first book by writing a sequel for the sake of it only to find that it didn’t measure up. It so happened that the timing was perfect after How to Self-publish and Market a Children’s Book (Second Edition) was finally out. For the first time in years my desk was suddenly clear — so it was a case of ‘now or never’. Once I started writing everything felt right. It was wonderful to reconnect with my characters who had been waiting so patiently — and to meet a few new ones who popped up unexpectedly… Advance readers and early feedbackOver the years I’ve built up a mailing list over my author website KarenInglisAuthor.com and I used this to recruit a small team of a dozen or so advance readers. This was a mixture of children, teachers and parents. It also included a few children’s authors on my list or whom I know personally. Once the book was as good as I could make it — including taking in all of my editor’s comments —I sent the uncorrected proof copy out offering a month in which to read and hopefully be prepared to review at launch if they enjoyed the story. I also gave children the chance to have ‘review snippets’ appear inside the front cover if they enjoyed the book. Happily the feedback was overwhelmingly positive and I have been able to include those children’s snippets as planned. I was also pleased to receive extremely positive feedback from two primary school teachers who were sharing the book with their Y4 and Y5 classes. These teachers had previously written to me to say how much their classes were enjoying The Secret Lake , so I made a point of emailing them individually to ask if they’d like to join my advance team. I’m sure you’re doing it already, but, in short, make use of your warm contacts and biggest fans for your book launches. Below are a couple of review snippets from my advance team. “Immerses the reader in the early 1900s and is really thought provoking for middle-grade readers. A great fictional adventure and an excellent choice for connecting history with reading for pleasure.” ~ Michelle Gilbert, Primary teacher and Year 4 Book Club lead “This book will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish! Each chapter brings new challenges, which the children face with determination and mastermind ideas. I loved their quick thinking and wittiness. But what stood out most was how much they cared for and looked out for each other.” ~ Méabh ~ Aged 11 bookwork and YouTuber You can follow this link to read more about Return to the Secret Lake’s and its plotline , and to see more early reviews. Watch this spaceI have no idea how well Return to the Secret Lak e will do in relation to Book 1. The Secret Lake is a very hard act to follow in terms of sales, and its sequel is a much longer book, so I’m expecting reviews to come in more slowly and sales to be more gradual. What I do know is that the story more than measures up to its predecessor, so I shan’t lie awake at night worrying about that. From the feedback so far others seem to feel the same way, which is a huge relief! The Secret Lake sales and reviews — a question I’m often askedAs you may know, I first self-published The Secret Lake back in September 2011 and for the first few years hand-sold most of my copies at school events and book signings. Amazon advertising wasn’t an option for self-published authors in those days, so gaining visibility there was impossible. By the end of 2017 I had sold around 7,000 print copies and a few thousand eBooks. However, the moment Amazon advertising opened up I saw the sales start to rise online and the rest is history. Given the feedback the book had received at schools this didn’t surprise me though I never dreamt it would go on to sell in the numbers it has. At the latest count it had sold over 440,000 print copies on Amazon alone and over 25,000 kindle copies. Globally it now has over 12,000 reviews. I also sell to high street bookshops through separate print runs via Clays with Gardners wholesalers acting as distributor. This is all covered in my non-fiction book.  I am often asked how I’ve sold so many, and how I’ve managed to get so many reviews on Amazon. I can honestly say there is no secret sauce. I have never made the eBook free. And I have never (ever ever) paid for a review for The Secret Lake — all I can think is that it’s word of mouth, which in turn means that it’s the story that is resonating with children around the world, and enough for them to want to leave a review and, crucially, tell all their friends. Of course, like all good indie authors I do ask at the end of the book if they will leave a review, as it helps other families find the story. Hopefully you are doing this too! If you aren’t then go and add this to the back of your book. Again, this and much more, with wording examples, is all in my non-fiction book. Beyond this all I can say, is write from the heart and write the very best book you can. Don’t rest until you are sure that all those niggles and plot weaknesses have been ironed out. And, of course, use a professional editor and cover designer. Once your book is out, the marketing starts… This is a whole other topic covered in detail in my non-fiction book! This blog post is already too long so best I leave it at this! That’s it for now — with two major projects out of the way I hope to blog here a bit more often. In the meantime if you or your children buy and enjoy Return to the Secret Lake , please do take a moment to leave a short review on Amazon and/or Goodreads or your other preferred online site. Thank you so much! And if you’re a children’s author just starting out or struggling with marketing, do check How to Self-publish and Market a Children’s Book (Second Edition) . Here’s hoping the world will be a safer place when I next write here. Share this:
 About kareninglisLeave a reply cancel reply. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed . JOIN MY MAILING LIST View on Amazon Amazon AffiliateI earn a small fee for some purchases via my Amazon links, at no cost to you. The Tell-Me Tree (New!)Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Toppsta | UK bookshops | US bookshops  The Christmas Tree Wish (New!) The Secret LakeUK bookshops | US bookshops | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |  Click to buy on Amazon Walter Brown & the Magician’s HatUK bookshops | US bookshops | Amazon – print or Kindle | Barnes & Noble |  Eeek! The Runaway Alien Henry Haynes Ferdinand Fox’s Big SleepUK bookshops | US bookshops | Amazon – print or Kindle | iBooks Store with read aloud |  Buy on Amazon Twitter UpdatesMy rss feed.
 Search this sitePrivacy policy. Read my privacy policy Please note that I use Amazon affiliate links so may receive a commission for sales through them: this has no effect on the price for you. 
 What Should You Read Next? Here Are the Best Reviewed Books of the WeekFeaturing rachel kushner, garth greenwell, weimar germany, and more.  Rachel Kushner’s Creation Lake , Garth Greenwell’s Small Rain , and Harald Jähner’s Vertigo: The Rise and Fall of Weimar Germany are among the week’s best reviewed books. Brought to you by Book Marks , Lit Hub’s home for book reviews.  1. Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner (Scribner) 12 Rave • 3 Pan Read an interview with Rachel Kushner here “Bears all the hallmarks of her inquisitive mind and creative daring … The first satisfying surprise is that Kushner has designed this story as a spy thriller laced with a killer dose of deadpan wit … The story, told in short chapters that feel punchy even when they’re highly cerebral, slides around the labyrinth of Sadie’s mind, which is equally deceptive and deceived … Kushner inhabits the spy’s perspective with such eerie finesse that you feel how much fun she’s having … Bore through this noir posing and wry satire of radical politics, and you feel something vital and profound prowling around in the darkness beneath.” –Ron Charles ( The Washington Post ) 2. Colored Television by Danzy Senna (Riverhead) 8 Rave • 4 Positive • 1 Pan Read an excerpt from Colored Television here “Well-oiled, precisely choreographed … Senna has a flair for sketching her characters with a kind of thick minimalism: Snippets of backstory and an array of ticks and quips deliver an unexpectedly fully realized person … Here to tell us that deciding on some tidy new biracial identity to replace the stereotypical tragic mulatto is a farcical, futile exercise.” –Tyler Austin Harper ( The Atlantic )  3. Small Rain by Garth Greenwell (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) 5 Rave • 1 Postive “Greenwell flouts the sumptuary laws of style, favoring run-on, comma-spliced sentences sequined with archaic words and unfashionably long paragraphs that can billow out to several pages without a line break or indentation … Lush with literary references, the novel invites still more.” –Rhoda Feng ( The Boston Globe ) 1. Vertigo: The Rise and Fall of Weimar Germany by Harald Jähner (Basic Books) 3 Rave • 1 Mixed Read an excerpt from Vertigo here “Jähner’s pages are stained with the blood of abortive coups, uprisings and assassinations … Jähner is wonderful on the details of everyday life, from houses and offices to cars, typewriters, dresses and dances … His political coverage is relatively fleeting, probably because German readers are already so familiar with it. And like so many writers he tends to focus on eye-catching extremes … But his book contains so many pleasures.” –Dominic Sandbrook ( The Sunday Times ) 2. Homeland: The War on Terror in American Life by Richard Beck (Crown) 1 Rave • 3 Positive “An in-depth examination and analysis of the forces leading to Trump’s rise to power and many concurrent assaults on our freedoms.” –James Pekoll ( Booklist ) 3. Living on Earth: Forests, Corals, Consciousness, and the Making of the World by Peter Godfrey-Smith (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) 2 Positive • 2 Mixed “Because Godfrey-Smith has devoted so much effort to excavating the origins and cross-species parallels of mental capacities familiar to us, he can afford, without risk of exceptionalism, to point out how we are different … His willingness to look in unexpected directions keeps the discussion surprising.” –Philip Ball ( The Guardian )
 Previous ArticleNext article, support lit hub..  Join our community of readers. to the Lithub DailyPopular posts.  Six Writers on Getting Words on the Page
Literary HubCreated by Grove Atlantic and Electric Literature Sign Up For Our Newsletters How to Pitch Lit Hub Advertisers: Contact Us Privacy Policy Support Lit Hub - Become A Member Become a Lit Hub Supporting Member : Because Books MatterFor the past decade, Literary Hub has brought you the best of the book world for free—no paywall. But our future relies on you. In return for a donation, you’ll get an ad-free reading experience , exclusive editors’ picks, book giveaways, and our coveted Joan Didion Lit Hub tote bag . Most importantly, you’ll keep independent book coverage alive and thriving on the internet.  Become a member for as low as $5/month
 The Best Reviewed Books of the WeekFeaturing rachel kushner, garth greenwell, weimar germany, and more.
Rachel Kushner’s Creation Lake , Garth Greenwell’s Small Rain , and Harald Jähner’s Vertigo: The Rise and Fall of Weimar Germany are among the best reviewed books of the week. 1. Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner (Scribner) 12 Rave • 3 Pan Read an interview with Rachel Kushner here “Bears all the hallmarks of her inquisitive mind and creative daring … The first satisfying surprise is that Kushner has designed this story as a spy thriller laced with a killer dose of deadpan wit … The story, told in short chapters that feel punchy even when they’re highly cerebral, slides around the labyrinth of Sadie’s mind, which is equally deceptive and deceived … Kushner inhabits the spy’s perspective with such eerie finesse that you feel how much fun she’s having … Bore through this noir posing and wry satire of radical politics, and you feel something vital and profound prowling around in the darkness beneath.” –Ron Charles ( The Washington Post ) 2. Colored Television by Danzy Senna (Riverhead) 8 Rave • 4 Positive • 1 Pan Read an excerpt from Colored Television here “Well-oiled, precisely choreographed … Senna has a flair for sketching her characters with a kind of thick minimalism: Snippets of backstory and an array of ticks and quips deliver an unexpectedly fully realized person … Here to tell us that deciding on some tidy new biracial identity to replace the stereotypical tragic mulatto is a farcical, futile exercise.” –Tyler Austin Harper ( The Atlantic ) 3. Small Rain by Garth Greenwell (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) 5 Rave • 1 Postive “Greenwell flouts the sumptuary laws of style, favoring run-on, comma-spliced sentences sequined with archaic words and unfashionably long paragraphs that can billow out to several pages without a line break or indentation … Lush with literary references, the novel invites still more.” –Rhoda Feng ( The Boston Globe ) 1. Vertigo: The Rise and Fall of Weimar Germany by Harald Jähner (Basic Books) 3 Rave • 1 Mixed Read an excerpt from Vertigo here “Jähner’s pages are stained with the blood of abortive coups, uprisings and assassinations … Jähner is wonderful on the details of everyday life, from houses and offices to cars, typewriters, dresses and dances … His political coverage is relatively fleeting, probably because German readers are already so familiar with it. And like so many writers he tends to focus on eye-catching extremes … But his book contains so many pleasures.” –Dominic Sandbrook ( The Sunday Times ) 2. Homeland: The War on Terror in American Life by Richard Beck (Crown) 1 Rave • 3 Positive “An in-depth examination and analysis of the forces leading to Trump’s rise to power and many concurrent assaults on our freedoms.” –James Pekoll ( Booklist ) 3. Living on Earth: Forests, Corals, Consciousness, and the Making of the World by Peter Godfrey-Smith (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) 2 Positive • 2 Mixed “Because Godfrey-Smith has devoted so much effort to excavating the origins and cross-species parallels of mental capacities familiar to us, he can afford, without risk of exceptionalism, to point out how we are different … His willingness to look in unexpected directions keeps the discussion surprising.” –Philip Ball ( The Guardian ) Share this:
 Get the Book Marks BulletinEmail address:
September 6, 2024
Review: Why Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Should Be Your Next Reality TV ObsessionBy Jennifer O'Brien  If you haven’t guessed it, I love reality TV. And if a series has a scandalous group of Mormon mom influencers, I’m hooked. Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is Hulu’s newest hit series. The new eight-episode installment will show the group of #momtalk influencers imploding when they are revealed to be in the midst of a swinging sex scandal that makes worldwide headlines. The book of belonging on The Secret Lives of Mormon WivesI know a little bit about the Mormon culture thanks to my dabbling in Sister Wives , but I really wasn’t ready for every one of these young women to be relatively so young. I was introduced to the cast: Taylor Frankie Paul, Demi Engemann, Jennifer Affleck, Jessi Ngatikaura, Layla Taylor, Mayci Neeley, Mikayla Mathews, and Whitney Leavitt, and immediately, I knew there was trouble in paradise. Between divorces, strict Mormon rules, and fighting from within, I kept thinking these ladies were trying to figure life out while still being babies. They say they want to be the movement of change and to break stereotypes, but all they do is the silly TikTok, plastic surgery, and tons of make, so it’s hard not to judge a book by its cover. But I can agree that the underlying theme is a bunch of Mormon women fighting the patriarchy. Each mom had her own social media but banded together to promote mom talk (honestly, I kept hearing Montauk). I learned the niche was a content creative house. The more they posted together, the more brand deals and revenue generated. I’ll admit I tuned in to watch swingers, but in all reality, only one cast member, Taylor, was the admitted swinger. Taylor is the first villain of the series as she is the black sheep of her family, thanks to her lack of belief in monogamy and her divorce. But as we learn, none of the wives have perfect lives. Whitney’s husband had a porn addiction which led to Tinder flirting, but they seem fine now… or in denial. The book of saints and sinners@maycineeley The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives coming to @hulu 9/6 ??@secretlivesonhulu ♬ The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. 9.6 on Hulu. – secretlivesonhulu The first episode was slow, but the last five minutes changed the entire outlook. Taylor’s arrest for domestic violence was caught on a police dashcam and aired. The mother of three was having a hard time with life and took her anger out on her new man, Dakota, whom you meet later. Episode 2 starts 11 months after her arrest, and the ladies are divided. It gave me a real Heather’s feel. Fans learn quickly that it’s Team Taylor or Team Whitney. Both feel they have a claim to the queendom, but in reality, both are kind of annoying. However, Whitney feels the meanest out of the two. Even though Episode 2 is a vast difference from the premiere episode, it’s interesting to learn that the women are the breadwinners in their house. It’s actually humorous that they will swing, but think twice about pushing vibrators. I found myself yelling at the TV when Whitney was debating about posting a photo holding the sex toy for $20K; like, do it, girl! The book of Jen@jenniferaffleckk All my laaadiiiesss ?? #momsoftiktok #momtok #youngmom #momlife #utahmom #utah #pregnancy ♬ Like This – Kelly Rowland If you ask me, the real story within the series revolves around Jen. She is 24 and controlled by her husband, Zac. She is a mother and the sole provider. Zac is on his ten-year journey to becoming a doctor and doesn’t appreciate how much his wife does for him. He also has a gambling addiction, which is definitely a no-no within the church. Jen is pretty down to earth and won me over after she shared that her mom is the cleaning lady at the same hospital where her father-in-law is a surgeon. Zac is a real piece of work and tags along on the girls’ trip to Las Vegas. As the girls head to Chippendales, Jen is bombarded with texts from her husband threatening divorce. She breaks down, leaves the show, and ends up having a long talk with her husband. But her friends have already seen the abusive text messages, telling Jen she has no morals. Sadly, by the end of Season 1, Jen has agreed to give up mom talk and move to New York City to pursue Zac’s dreams. The book of truth@taylorfrankiepaul thankful for these moms #momtok ♬ original sound – Kinross uwu The foundation of the friend group has cracked. Since episode 2, Whitney has steered clear of the ladies, and no one but Mayci likes her. Whitney reminds me a bit of Regina George, as she is super manipulative. One example is her choice to make a TikTok while her infant son is in the ICU on oxygen. She cried for half an episode about how trolls called her out and didn’t even acknowledge it was probably the wrong time and place to make a viral video. But the ladies knew her plan; she wanted followers and attention. The series ends with Mayci, who is the most put-together, launching her brand, Babymama. Everyone shows up in hues of rose, and it has me thinking on launch day, we wear pink. As Mayci counts down to her site going live, all the women decide to unfriend Whitney on social media. It’s a bold statement since these women make their bread and butter from these sites. Whitney is unphased and instead tells her parents she’s pregnant by baking her actual pee stick into a cake. I’ll be honest: when I first started watching, I wasn’t sure this show was going to be for me, especially when it turned out to have little to do with swinging. But by the end, with the birth of Taylor’s new baby, the post-Whitney era, and Jen caving to Zac, I wanted to see more. So here’s hoping Hulu drops a Season 2. TELL US — HAVE YOU WATCHED THE SECRET LIVES OF MORMON WIVES? WHAT DID YOU THINK?  Jennifer O'Brien has been a fan of reality TV ever since Jessica Simpson asked, "Is this chicken or fish?" Jennifer's favorite shows consist of everything Bravo, including the 'Real Housewives' franchises, 'Below Deck' franchises, and 'Southern Charm.' Without a doubt, Jennifer's passion for reality TV shines through as she often tries to get to the bottom of major plot lines like Vanderpump Rules' "Scandoval." Share article  |
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Published: October 29, 2011. "…a book that can be appreciated by both boys and girls alike… short, gripping chapters that lead you swiftly on through an absorbing tale of mystery and suspense.". Louise Jordan: London-based children's books literary consultant and ex Head Reader at Puffin UK. The Secret Lake is a 'time-slip ...
Overall, The Secret Lake was a good read, we all enjoyed the story, and I will be happy to keep the copy we have to read again. Quote. Tom had made his mind up, and there would be no stopping him. The Secret Lake, Karen Inglis. Ratings. Quality of Writing - 4; Plot - 4; World Building - 3; Characters - 3; Ease of Reading - 4
"The Secret Lake" is an exciting adventure that involves time travel. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot's twists and turns as it developed. This book is perfect for any middle-grade reader who likes a good mystery combined with fantasy. As a child, I know I would have been captivated by this fast-paced story, which now has a sequel available.
The Secret Lake is a time travel mystery adventure in which Stella (11) and Tom (8), when trying to find their elderly neighbour's missing dog, discover a tunnel and lake that take them to their home and the children living there 100 years in the past. Here they take part in a daring rescue plan to help a young boy, Jack, who's in trouble ...
Hello Bookmonsters! Thanks for stopping by for my next review. This one is on The Secret Lake by Karen Inglis. A small book, but a great story ... for those ...
24 Aug 2021. The Secret Lake is a mix of fantasy and adventure and is focused around 2 children who travel back in time through. mole holes. Suitable for readers aged 8+. Inglis keeps the momentum of the story going through twists and turns through out the story and interweaving characters through both the present day and the past that they ...
The Secret Lake Synopsis. A lost dog, a hidden time tunnel and a secret lake. A page-turning time travel adventure for children aged 8-11. Now enjoyed by thousands of young readers! When Stella and her younger brother, Tom, move to their new London home, they become mystified by the disappearances of Harry, their elderly neighbour's small dog.
(The print book is ranked at just over 300 in the whole of the Amazon UK Store as I write - though this changes by the hour and the bestseller badge comes and goes as a result.) ... The Secret Lake had 45 reviews, gradually built up over the years. These undoubtedly helped encourage sales once the book became visible, and the review numbers ...
Length: 122 pages. Publisher: Well Said Press. ISBN: 978-0956932303. Mrs Moon dog keeps going missing, 2 children find where he is going but how come their at there house but someone different lives there. This book made me feel Happy, Excited, Curious, Intrigued, Amused, Moved, pondering. NiamhM ( age 9 )
The Secret Lake: A children's mystery adventure (Secret Lake Mystery Adventures) : Inglis, Karen: Amazon.co.uk: Books ... There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. Mrs Pauline A Underhill. 5.0 out of 5 stars Appeals to 10+ yr old girls. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 July 2024.
Publisher Summary. A lost dog, a hidden time tunnel and a secret lake…. A page-turning time travel adventure for ages 8-11. Now enjoyed by thousands of young readers!When Stella and her younger brother, Tom, move to their new London home, they become mystified by the disappearances of Harry, their elderly neighbour's dog.
Here they make both friends and enemies and uncover startling connections between the past and present. 'A modern classic for children' The Secret Lake has been described by readers as a "modern Tom's Midnight Garden" and compared in atmosphere with The Secret Garden and the Nancy Drew mysteries. Karen Inglis describes it as, "a time travel ...
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for The Secret Lake at Amazon.com. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. ... volume of reviews and the fact that it was referred to as a "modern day classic" in the description built this book up more than was warranted. As a writer myself, I hate leaving less than five ...
The Secret Lake by Karen Inglis is a captivating children's book that follows siblings Stella and Tom as they stumble upon a hidden time portal in their new neighborhood. Transported to the past, they uncover a family mystery and race against time to set things right. Filled with adventure, friendship, and a touch of magic, this enchanting tale will keep young readers hooked from beginning to end.
by Karen Inglis (Author) 4.6 17,989 ratings. Book 1 of 3: Secret Lake Mystery Adventures. #1 Most Gifted in Intermediate Readers for Children. See all formats and editions. A lost dog, a hidden time tunnel and a secret lake. A page-turning time travel adventure for children aged 8-11. Now enjoyed by over half a million young readers!
Embark on an unforgettable journey Beyond the Secret Lake in this new page-turning time travel adventure for ages 8-12 and above! Book 3 in the international bestselling Secret Lake mystery adventure series. When Tom and Stella find a 100-year-old letter from their Edwardian friend Jack, his plea for help leads them and their friend Hannah back ...
by Karen Inglis (Author) 4.5 17,980 ratings. Book 1 of 3: Secret Lake Mystery Adventures. #1 Best Seller in Time Travel Fiction for Children. See all formats and editions. A lost dog, a hidden time tunnel and a secret lake. A page-turning time travel adventure for children aged 8-11. Now enjoyed by over half a million young readers!
My Book Review of The Secret Lake by Karen Ingles. This story is about a brother and sister who find a hole which has a ladder which leads on to a tree and into the past. They meet a boy called Jack who is suspected to be a kidnapper. They meet Emma and her sister Sophie, they are quite posh. They have lots of adventures.
The print book is also available to order from other online stores and high street bookshops, with a slightly longer lead time in the first few weeks. Click or tap here to read more about the book and hear early reviews over on its main page. Return to the Secret Lake — suitable for ages 8-12 or to read aloud to age 7+
*5 Stars on Amazon UK /USA, Goodreads and Waterstones* *5 Stars from book loving 8-11 yr-old children :) See the reviews page of this website * *5 Stars from The Writers' Advice Centre for Children's Books, London, UK*. 😊 The Secret Lake books 1-3 📚. 📚 I am delighted to confirm that both Return to the Secret Lake (March 2022) and Beyond the Secret Lake (January 2024) are now out! 📚
Customers find the tone of the book exciting, filled with adventure, sadness, happiness, puzzles, and great things. They also say it captivates their interest and engages their imagination with good thematic material. Readers describe the book as a great sibling adventure through a secret passage to the past. They feel sad, happy, and shocked.
The long-awaited sequel to the international bestseller The Secret Lake. (Book 3 coming early 2024!) Almost a year has passed since Stella and Tom discovered a time tunnel and travelled to early 1900s London, where they befriended Emma, Lucy and Jack. The magical moles that made the tunnel and secret lake appear have since vanished, but the ...
The Secret Lake has been described by readers as a modern Tom's Midnight Garden and compared in atmosphere with The Secret Garden and the Enid Blyton and Nancy Drew mystery adventure stories. Its page-turning plot, with its many twists and turns, makes it a firm favourite with both boys and girls. Karen Inglis describes it as: "a time travel ...
Already longlisted for the Booker Prize, Rachel Kushner's "Creation Lake" — set in rural France — stars a ruthless American secret agent.
The Secret Life of the Universe, by Nathalie A. Cabrol (Scribner). This compact and often astonishing overview of the current state of astrobiology, by a director at the SETI Institute, explores ...
The Secret Lake sales and reviews — a question I'm often asked. As you may know, I first self-published The Secret Lake back in September 2011 and for the first few years hand-sold most of my copies at school events and book signings. Amazon advertising wasn't an option for self-published authors in those days, so gaining visibility there ...
Article continues after advertisementRemove Ads Rachel Kushner's Creation Lake, Garth Greenwell's Small Rain, and Harald Jähner's Vertigo: The Rise and Fall of Weimar Germany are among the week's best reviewed books. Brought to you by Book Marks, Lit Hub's home for book reviews. * FictionArticle continues after advertisementRemove Ads 1.
Rachel Kushner's Creation Lake, Garth Greenwell's Small Rain, and Harald Jähner's Vertigo: The Rise and Fall of Weimar Germany are among the best reviewed books of the week.Article continues after advertisement Fiction Article continues after advertisement 1. Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner (Scribner) 12 Rave • 3 Pan Read an interview with Rachel Kushner […]
If you haven't guessed it, I love reality TV. And if a series has a scandalous group of Mormon mom influencers, I'm hooked. Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is Hulu's newest hit series. The new ...
STARRED REVIEW. September 2024. Creation Lake. By Rachel Kushner. ... Creation Lake is no Emily in Paris: Sadie's corner of France is stale baguettes, superhighways, cheap wine and Guns N' Roses cover bands. Sadie herself is no less acerbic; her only weakness seems to be a reliance on booze and vanity over her surgically enhanced (but ...