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What July Knew
What July Knew: A Moving Mystery about Family Secrets, Grief and Growing Up | Emily Koch
3 posts | 3 read
A moving mystery about family secrets, grief and growing up. July knows 18 things about her mother. But not the truth. Summer, 1995. On her tenth birthday, July's teacher sets the class a project to find out about a relation they don't know. It's easy for July to choose her subject. She doesn't remember her mother, who died when she was small, and her father refuses to talk about her. Ever. The only memories she has of her are flashbacks from the accident that claimed her mother's life. But then she receives the note- 'She didn't die in a car accident.' Determined to discover what really happened, July begins to investigate, cycling around the street where her family used to live and questioning the neighbours. When she is caught snooping round a crumbling house at the end of the road, she learns that the man living there was the last person to see July's mother alive. In his version of the story, he is a hero. In everyone else's, he is anything but... A compelling and moving mystery about family, community and the secrets people keep to protect those they love. Perfect for fans of Joanna Cannon, Janice Hallett and Elizabeth is Missing. Praise for Emily Koch- 'Really well-written, deeply moving and psychologically affecting... Highly recommended' Alex Michaelides, author of The Silent Patient 'A debut to be reckoned with' Guardian 'Packs a real emotional punch.' Cara Hunter, author of Close to Home
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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
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I love an adult novel told via a child protagonist - here we have 10 year old July who has her life turned upside down & inside out when she finds an anonymous note in her school bag that implies her mother didn‘t die in a car crash when she was a baby. I felt so nervous for July in this book, she craves the love and approval of her violent father - she goes through so much (including using microfiche because it‘s set in 1995) to find the truth.

Chrys I have not even thought of microfiche in years, does it still exist? 12mo
thegirlwiththelibrarybag @Chrys, yes it still exists. I‘ve never used it - it‘s more of a historical thing now. 12mo
Chrys Okay, my original degree was history-and I got it in the 90s, which explains why I have used it :) 12mo
thegirlwiththelibrarybag @Chrys, the library I work at still has a machine - but it‘s really only used for local history stuff. I think as soon as computer digitalisation was viable, it would have been abandoned? 12mo
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kezzlou85
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Well what a read this was. it focuses on the impact domestic violence can have on a family especially children. its an interesting premise having the story told from a child but it gives greater depth to her own emotions. The plot is interesting though i figured out a few things along the way. The ending was well written and I liked how it all came together especially the final part as it explained the events well. #Netgalley 4*

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Birdsong28
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Good. Enjoyed how it kept me guessing right to the end. Shows how much secrets families keep and the repercussions when they are revealed. Thank you #Penquin for inviting me to read this via #Netgalley.

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