Review of 'The Secrets of Willow Bay' by Phillipa Nefri Clark
Release date: January 21, 2025
Publisher: Storm Publishing
🌊
REVIEW
I have enjoyed the Temple River series and book four is no exception. The Secrets of Willow Bay by Phillipa Nefri Clark is a captivating mystery well executed that kept me turning the pages. It is a story that focuses on friendship, forgiveness, love and second chances but it is also about misunderstanding, naivety, fear and trauma.
The novel’s Prologue set in the past, is gripping as it begins on an ominous note. It clearly depicts the fear and distress experienced by the main character. You can almost feel the ‘shock of cold water,’ hit your body. The desperate attempt to escape a dark and shadowy danger. A sky streaked with lightning, gasps for oxygen, in the murky depths. Then the pounding heartbeat of one racing to safety in a struggle for survival. All caused by the sudden realisation and exposure of a secret.
Joanna Johnson is a troubled woman who flees her hometown in River’s End after she is traumatised by an unexpected event. On top of this, she is heartbroken by betrayal. She loses her two favourite people: her boyfriend and best friend through something she sees. But is everything as it appears? Not only has she lost her greatest friendship with Roslyn but also their plans of working together after taking a fashion design degree. The two young women had big dreams and loved designing and sewing clothes and wanted to start their own brand. Full of smiles and hopes they were heading into a happy direction but then everything changes. When Joanna’s world comes crashing down, she runs away to the Gold Coast to a new job and life—leaving her old world behind. For twenty-five years she is separated from her past until one day she gets a letter from Roslyn, telling her about a yacht that has surfaced. ‘Parts of an old boat washed up on the beach…investigation…certain it is Trent’s yacht…you need to come home.’ Her old friend pleads with her to return and see for herself. She is hesitant, of course, to go back. But the pull is strong and so she does…Then the whole story behind this letter starts to unfold. We are taken back and forth in timelines of 2000 and Now where the truth is unveiled…
There are a number of twists and turns in the plot that give the reader plenty of surprises. The mystery of a wreck that turns up after twenty five years has the town hopping trying to put clues together. As valuable items of evidence wash up on the beach and are found, the pieces of the puzzle slowly come together. But this mystery turns out to be far more than anyone expected and it has Joanna in a state of panic for she wonders if she has unintentionally played a part in the boat and owner’s demise.
Joanna must face many aspects of her past: her old friendship, her past love, her home-setting: the people and coast she loved and lost. And to discover what is real and imagined. The author delivers the truth carefully and cleverly at an excellent pace. There’s lots of danger and pulse racing moments!
I truly enjoyed the full journey with each of the characters and was very happy with the ending that offers wise choices, restoration and justice. It’s another winner in the Temple River series that I certainly recommend. And I love that gorgeous atmospheric cover! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.
