Scarlet and Ivy is a beloved series by UK author Sophie Cleverly. The sixth and final book came out a few months back. The U.S. versions are a bit behind with the release of book #4. It’s a new adventure for the twins and not necessary to have read the previous three. References to the other stories will for sure have you going back to read them anyway.
Scarlet is the more impulsive of the two, while Ivy tends to be cautious and thinks things through. Set in a time before cell phones and other modern distractions, the Grey twins live at a boarding school known as Rookwood. When the headmistress announces a week long trip to a lakeside hotel, the girls are all in. After a little finagling to get permission, they’re off for a week away from the boredom of daily lessons.
The hotel is not what they expected. The owners aren’t too friendly and the whole place is rather creepy. A pair of older classmates are bossy and accuse Scarlet and Ivy’s friend, Rose, anytime something bad happens. A mystery unfolds and the tension mounts with rooms ransacked, disappearances, and a few not so trustful adults. And just what is the source of those lights under the lake?
Told in alternating chapters by Scarlet and Ivy, they take it upon themselves to figure out what is going on. Readers will do the same and be surprised at the answers coming forth in the climatic ending scenes. I guessed wrong as to who was the guilty party, but that’s a nod to the excellent plotting. Boys might avoid this title with an all girls cast, but doing so will rob them of enjoying a fun mystery.
PUBLICATION DATE: 2017 (UK edition) December 31, 2018 (US Edition)
PAGE COUNT: 303
FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT:
THE LIGHTS UNDER THE LAKE
- The mystery is well crafted with hints thrown in along the way, providing a page turning climax.
- The twins are supportive and caring, just the type of characters you’ll enjoy tagging along for the ride.
- Having to develop film from a camera brought back some youthful memories. Thank goodness for modern day digital.
- Activities like horseback riding, bird watching, and orienteering were perfect ways to bring out the personalities of each of the characters.
- The author does a marvelous job with the endings of each chapter. Questions are asked or a creepy scene unfolds.
THE OFFICIAL BLURB (From AMAZON)
Scarlet and Ivy’s school trip takes a turn for the worse as another mystery begins to unfold…
It’s summer and as a special treat after the horrors of last term Mrs Knight announces a school trip to Shady Pines Hotel on the shores of Lake Seren. Scarlet and Ivy are thrilled to get away from Rookwood for a break!
But the old hotel and the waters of the lake reservoir are covering up dark secrets. And when mysterious things start happening to hotel guests it seems that a malicious new threat is haunting the girls.
Locals say that at night you can hear the ringing of the church bells and see lights under the lake, that troubled souls buried in the flooded graveyard no longer rest…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sophie Cleverly was born in Bath in 1989. She studied for a BA in Creative Writing and an MA in Writing For Young People.
Aside from writing, she can often be found blogging about symphonic metal, watching fantastical TV and struggling to find her way out of her ever-increasing pile of books.
(For more visit Sophie’s web site)
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(I was provided with a copy for my honest review.)
Please comment below!
Always in the Middle... 
Ah. Who doesn’t love a mystery. This one sounds really well-crafted. Thanks for telling me about it. I will be looking for this one.
I love these type of books and this sounds like a really good one. I love the cover, too. Thanks for telling us about it.
I am not familiar with this series. But, it does sound like a really good mystery — my favorite genre as a teen. I enjoyed your points. Will have to check out the book and series.
I’ve never heard of this series! It sounds like something my son and I would like. Thanks for the review!
I love cliffhangers at the end of chapters. I also hate them! Especially when I really need to go to sleep 🙂
Glad to know that you don’t have to read the rest of the series first. And I remember those days before digital photos too and have albums filled with pictures. I like mysteries and this sounds like a good one. Thanks.