Review of A Beautiful Family by Jennifer Trevelyan

Alix and her family go on holiday to a coastal town in New Zealand at her mother’s instance, a town where a young girl has gone missing, and over the length of the summer a dark mystery unfolds as Alix and her new friend Kahu unearth clues to discover the truth. Alix is only ten years old and struggles to understand everything her older sister does, how she lies and sneaks out at night to see her friends. There’s lots Alix doesn’t understand: the book her mother is writing which is kept secret, the neighbour who looks out upon their garden who never says hello, why there is an engraving of the name ‘Charlotte’ down the side of her bed.

But Alix has Kahu, a Māori kid she first sees by the lagoon, and their friendship is so precious to her. She also loves her Walkman and swimming in the waves. There’s so much fun to be had at ten years old, but there’s also so much hurt and confusion when nothing seems to add up and she’s left alone in the dark.

A suspenseful and all-consuming summer thriller full of secrets and family drama!

Reviewed by Victoria

Published on 19/06/25 by Mantle

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