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The Shell Secret
Product Code:z1v0440
weight:250.0g
Product Condition:New
£8.99 inc. tax
Description
THE SHELL SECRET - EXCLUSIVE ADVANCE EDITION
For eleven-year-old budding detective Alice Clark, summers in Trevellen used to mean roaming the beaches and rockpools, collecting shells with her sister, Poppy.
But this year is different. A year after Poppy’s death, Alice returns alone – determined to build a shell memorial in her honour, and desperate to ensure her sister is never, ever forgotten.
Forbidden from visiting the beach by herself, Alice reluctantly strikes a deal with Jasper – the annoying boy who’s just moved in next door.
But the arrangement quickly becomes more complicated than she expects.
Drawn into the heart of a sinister World War II mystery, Alice and Jasper find themselves in real danger, unearth a shocking family secret, and risk losing the one thing Alice came back to Trevellen to protect.
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Reviews
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Author Visit
27 January 2026
Our school was incredibly lucky to get a visit from Sue Palmer. It was a real treat for the children, and adults too. Very engaging and the kids loved the shells. I would totally recommend booking your kids school in for a visit.
Esther
Perfect holiday read
01 September 2025
A perfect combination of a gripping story and lovely gentle insight into how grief might be for children and handling friendships. A great holiday escape.
Nicki LT
Gripping mystery!
12 June 2025
I read this book whilst on holiday in Cornwall where it was set. Really engaging story with lots of twists and turns and I enjoyed getting to know the characters. A must read for any young detectives! Hopefully this will be the first of a series of stories about Alice and Jasper and their mystery solving adventures!
Ruth L
Gripping yet sensitive
05 September 2025
A gripping read whilst sensitively and subtly handling the impact of losing someone close. A valuable read for many children to feel a little less alone. Perfect for a holiday !
Nicki Lecky-Thompson
A children's story with surprising depth and irresistible charm
03 March 2026
The Shell Secret is an absolute gem. Although it s written for children, I found myself completely drawn in as an adult. The coastal setting is described with such gentle beauty that you can almost feel the sea breeze and hear the waves. The mystery at the heart of the story is engaging without ever becoming too complex, striking the perfect balance for young readers while still offering enough depth to keep adults turning the pages. I also loved the historical references woven throughout they add richness and a wonderful sense of place without ever overwhelming the story. The characters are another highlight independent, interesting, and full of personality. They feel authentic and relatable, making the story even more enjoyable. A charming, thoughtful, and wonderfully written book.
Liz P
Heartfelt, pacey, and full of personality
23 March 2026
A beautifully written mystery that swept me straight back to my childhood here in Cornwall. The Shell Secret may be written for young readers, but I was completely hooked. Alice and Jasper feel wonderfully real, the Cornish setting is just perfectly portrayed, and the 50-year-old secret at the heart of the story gives it just the right amount of intrigue. It s heartfelt, pacey, and full of personality. A book I genuinely didn t want to put down. Perfect for 7 12s, and a quiet delight for the adults also. Well done Sue Palmer, another brilliantly researched and written book.
Jax Lees
An exciting adventure.
17 March 2026
I was very lucky to be gifted this book in my capacity as a School Librarian. Having read and enjoyed the book, I have now purchased two class sets for our year 7. The Story will grip you from the start. Following a dual time line with the present day and an event that took place during the Second World War. The two main character Alice and Jasper form a friendship through necessity, each having a personal story of their own. Their friendship builds as they investigate an unsolved mystery, at times putting themselves in great danger. Sue Palmers descriptive and colourful writing made this book a joy to read.
Chris Gardner
Fast paced mystery
25 October 2025
Set on a family holiday in Cornwall, eleven-year-old Alice and the new neighbour, Jasper, are drawn into a 50-year-old secret that still haunts the village. It s a gripping novel for children who love mysteries, adventure and compelling characters. It left me wanting to discover what Alice and Jasper get up to next.
Kate
Amazing story!
02 October 2025
This is a great book. Full of suspense and riddles. I really enjoyed all the plot twists and acting a detective, trying to work out what was going to happen next. Once I picked it up, I struggled to put it down and looked forward to reading it again each day! It would be amazing if there was a sequel. Dills, age 11
Dills
Fast paced and surprising detective mystery
09 August 2025
If you love seaside adventures, hidden clues and a deadly mystery, then The Shell Secret is perfect for you. Set in the beautiful Cornish coast, the story follows Alice and Jasper, new friends, as they uncover mysterious and dangerous clues to trying to discover what happened on that coast during WWII, while also getting embroiled in traps and even kidnapping! Alice's determination and detective skills are a highlight in the adventure, and as the story of the loss of her sister is sensitively developed, I could fully empathise with her need to finish her Shell Secret. All in all, a wonderful detective story with beautiful descriptions of the Cornish coastline and rockpool treasures, which reminded me of wonderful holidays in the sun. I would recommend this book to any readers who enjoy a good mystery.
Ali F
