This stays between us by Margot McGovern

“Four girls share a cabin on their school retreat – in an abandoned town where the ghost of Smiling Jack is known to haunt the isolated campers.”

Set in the 1990s, the story features 3 characters, Mack, Raffi, and Priya who head off to the Year 11 school camp, looking forward to a taste of freedom, time with friends, boys, and time away from families. The inclusion of Shelley, the odd new girl, to their cabin doesn’t fill them with excitement though, especially when she has immediately become the target of some of the boys.

When Raffi insists they all take part in a séance, things begin to get out of hand and the story quickly develops a sense of tension and eeriness. Assumptions are made by the characters about the issues that arise, and the reader is swept along as events unfold, the ghost story becoming intertwined with current day experiences.

Although I love mysteries and thrillers, I’ve never personally been a great fan of horror films or novels. Because I have frequently had middle school students (mainly female) begging me to purchase more of this genre, I was keen to read this. After reading the first couple of chapters, this story had me on the edge of my seat, completely engaged. I powered through the pages, trying to work out how the book would be resolved.

The chapters alternate between the perspectives of the four different characters, gradually revealing the secret thoughts, fears, and prior experiences of each. Despite their differences, a bond is formed, supporting one another becomes paramount and “the sisterhood” reigns supreme.

I’d certainly recommend this title to teenage readers who love the horror genre, but would point out that both violence and sexual assault are part of the story.

Themes: Teen Relationships, Violence, Sexual Assault, Feminism.

Jo Schenkel