Elizabeth Chandler (1) (1954–)

Well, I liked this book better than book 5, however it left me a bit unsettled. If I were smart I'd probably wait a bit to write my review and give myself time to digest, but the details become fuzzier for me when I move onto another book. So here goes...
I love that Beth is ok in this one, I didn't like viewing her as a villain in the last book. I also love the feelings blooming for her here. It felt right. I also like that we talk to Phillip a little more in this book than in the last one, show more I love that kid. And combining the two villains was a good move I think. I was less than satisfied at the ending, I understand that it came full circle and what was meant to be is finally achieved but I couldn't help but hope for a more "happy ever after" ending for Tristan and Ivy. All in all, it did wrap up the series quite well. show less

I really do love these books. There is always so much going on with the way Ms. Chandler writes, that is just keeps you entertain and hooked. The reader is first introduce to Anna who comes along after her uncle's death to help her aunt. Anna, is the type of girl who when a tragic incident strikes she will drop everything and help you. I adored her willingness and strength to help put her aunt.

What I like most about this book or rather this series, is how the past comes back to haunt them. I show more like how well Ms. Chandler uses a past incident that still haunts them today. Either it be accidental death, revenge, or just plain ol' jealousy, I love that it is the base of this series. Ms. Chandler connects the past with the future generation that a secret that they must solve in order for the family to be a peace.

The love interest in this book has me angry. Zack at first was a real jerk. I am glad that Anna called him out on it and made him look like a fool. I like that Zack even though was wrong, he fought for Anna. He decided to find out what the real truth was and did his own investigation. After he did that, I decided that he wasn't as bad as he seems. Though he did put on being jerk real good.

The Dark secrets series has once again captured me. I love reading this series for it never lets me down! show less

The Back Door of Midnight is the long awaited newest instalment in the Dark Secrets series. This instalment came out six years after the previous books. As someone who read the earlier books when they came out, the long wait made for a bit of a let down when I actually read the book, as I am no longer an age appropriate reader. The book follows the same format as the previous books, girl with some sort of paranormal ability ends up in some sort of mystery, and with help of boy solves it. show more Other than the long wait, the book was very good. Anna O'Neill Kirkpatrick goes to stay with her aunt and uncle for the summer before college. Upon arriving, Anna learns that her uncle was killed in a fire the week before, something that she dreamt about the night it happened. Determined to solve the mystery of what happened to her uncle, Anna begins looking for answers, and along the way she discovers the truth about her family and what really happened to her birth mother when she was a baby. Anna accomplishes this with the help of Zack, the boy next door, who she just can't help but have feelings for. show less

The book I have is a three- in - one. The original trilogy, released in 1995, was combined into one big book. At first thought, I would read the first book and then just put the book away for a while. Yeah. That didn't happen. The story wasn't close to being over at the end of the first book, it wasn't even close to having closure. And then there was the end of the second book. Wow. Talk about a cliff hanger! There was no possible way I could have just put the book back on the shelf without show more finishing all three stories.

The stories are good. They are young adult books and are a very easy read. The story caught my attention and kept me going. The books revolve around Ivy, a new girl in school, who falls for the star swimmer, Tristan. Besides her crush, she is trying to make friends, and deal with her mother's new marriage, her young brother, and her step-brother Gregory. After a horrible car accident kills Tristan, he becomes an angel watching over Ivy. She needs a lot of watching out for. The car crash wasn't an accident and strange things keep happening. Slowly she begins to put the pieces of Tristan's murder together and she wonders if she was the intended victim.

While not everyone will enjoy the simplicity of this young adult novel, I do recommend it to those who like a little mystery, a little fantasy, and a little romance. It has all three. show less