What do you think?
Rate this book
Promises and Other Lies
A gripping middle-grade mystery from Australian author Sue Whiting, in which a small coastal town is torn apart by more than just a bushfire
One year on from a devastating bushfire, the small coastal town of Wangaroo Bay is still reeling. Fletch’s family lost their home, and his best friend Immie lost her beloved dad, a volunteer firefighter. Throughout it all, Fletch and Immie have had each other …
Immie’s grandparents push for the Bayfire investigation to be reopened, but Fletch’s mum, dad and elder brother Cooper want to put the past behind them. And when a local, one of their own, is charged with arson, emotions flare, sides are taken, and promises – and secrets – are at stake.
The fire has already destroyed Wangaroo Bay, now its aftermath threatens to destroy Fletch and Immie and their families too.
One year on from a devastating bushfire, the small coastal town of Wangaroo Bay is still reeling. Fletch’s family lost their home, and his best friend Immie lost her beloved dad, a volunteer firefighter. Throughout it all, Fletch and Immie have had each other …
Immie’s grandparents push for the Bayfire investigation to be reopened, but Fletch’s mum, dad and elder brother Cooper want to put the past behind them. And when a local, one of their own, is charged with arson, emotions flare, sides are taken, and promises – and secrets – are at stake.
The fire has already destroyed Wangaroo Bay, now its aftermath threatens to destroy Fletch and Immie and their families too.
- GenresMysteryFriendshipCrime
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2025
4 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 11, 2025
“Lies have a way of catching up with you.”
I loved Sue’s previous MG mystery, ‘The Book of Chance’, so eagerly awaited the release of this one. I just knew it was going to be brilliant & it did not disappoint.
Best friends, Immie & Fletch, live in Wangaroo Bay, a town that was decimated by fires 1 year ago & claimed the life of Immie’s dad. Fletch’s dad & brother were part of the RFS crew that fought the fires that day, but could do nothing against the nightmare conditions. Investigators determined the fire was lit on purpose but nothing has come of this investigation. Immie’s grandparents are pushing for answers while Fletch’s family want to move on & keep the past in the past, until an anonymous tip comes forward with new information. Fueled by a small town Facebook community page, a locally produced podcast & an on edge community, rumours spread like wildfire, and soon a local community member is charged with arson. The already fractured town is rocked by the news, as Fletch & Immie struggle to comprehend its impact. With Fletch’s parents becoming more & more secretive, and Immie’s grandparents determined for justice, will their families & the town of Wangaroo Bay be torn apart for good or will the long awaited justice bring peace & new beginnings to a close knit community?
Wow, holy moly poly, this one left me speechless. It pulls you in from the first chapter with a 1-2 punch of vivid descriptions of the fires that tore apart Wangaroo Bay & then absolute mystery as Fletch uncovers angered whispers between his parents & older brother. From then on the alternating POVs, timeline flashbacks, excerpts from the podcast, and continuous secrets & lies provide the ultimate tension for a storyline that will hold you tight & not let go. I was transfixed by the last 50 pages as my heart raced & I couldn’t take my eyes away from the gripping, pulsating ending.
This book has it all & I’m calling it now, it is my best read for 2025. Sue Whiting has written a gem!
I loved Sue’s previous MG mystery, ‘The Book of Chance’, so eagerly awaited the release of this one. I just knew it was going to be brilliant & it did not disappoint.
Best friends, Immie & Fletch, live in Wangaroo Bay, a town that was decimated by fires 1 year ago & claimed the life of Immie’s dad. Fletch’s dad & brother were part of the RFS crew that fought the fires that day, but could do nothing against the nightmare conditions. Investigators determined the fire was lit on purpose but nothing has come of this investigation. Immie’s grandparents are pushing for answers while Fletch’s family want to move on & keep the past in the past, until an anonymous tip comes forward with new information. Fueled by a small town Facebook community page, a locally produced podcast & an on edge community, rumours spread like wildfire, and soon a local community member is charged with arson. The already fractured town is rocked by the news, as Fletch & Immie struggle to comprehend its impact. With Fletch’s parents becoming more & more secretive, and Immie’s grandparents determined for justice, will their families & the town of Wangaroo Bay be torn apart for good or will the long awaited justice bring peace & new beginnings to a close knit community?
Wow, holy moly poly, this one left me speechless. It pulls you in from the first chapter with a 1-2 punch of vivid descriptions of the fires that tore apart Wangaroo Bay & then absolute mystery as Fletch uncovers angered whispers between his parents & older brother. From then on the alternating POVs, timeline flashbacks, excerpts from the podcast, and continuous secrets & lies provide the ultimate tension for a storyline that will hold you tight & not let go. I was transfixed by the last 50 pages as my heart raced & I couldn’t take my eyes away from the gripping, pulsating ending.
This book has it all & I’m calling it now, it is my best read for 2025. Sue Whiting has written a gem!
January 29, 2026
The aftermath of a bushfire is at the heart of a new novel, Promises and Other Lives by award winning author Sue Whiting.
Fletch and his Mum, Dad and big brother and firefighter hero Cooper struggle to rebuild their lives after the bushfire at Wangaroo Bay, a fictional coastal town on the New South Wales south coast.
Fletch’s best friend Immie has lost her Dad to the bushfire. She is fed up with being seen by the coastal community as ‘the sad girl’.
Fletch suspects his parents are keeping secrets from him. Brother Cooper is facing criminal charges of arson.
Fletch struggles with witnessing his brother when the bushfire starts.
‘Fletch replays the memory in his mind.
Cooper on the beach, hiding up under the cliffs. I am with the truck, he says firmly. Okay? I am with the truck. You didn’t see me. Promise me, Fletch. Promise me you won’t tell anyone you saw me.’
Judgments without evidence are made, families are divided, and trust, friendships and the impact of the bushfire haunts the small community long after the flames are extinguished.
Together, Fletch and Immie seek to uncover the truth. Like the devastation of the bushfire, their search for the truth risks their own lives.
Whiting’s exceptional novels Missing and The Book of Chance and this novel are ostensibly ‘middle grade’– aimed at young people around 12 to 14.
But Promises and Other Lies is a thrilling read to anyone who enjoys an engaging and topical story that reflects the power of friendship, resilience and hope. It would make a great TV series.
Fletch and his Mum, Dad and big brother and firefighter hero Cooper struggle to rebuild their lives after the bushfire at Wangaroo Bay, a fictional coastal town on the New South Wales south coast.
Fletch’s best friend Immie has lost her Dad to the bushfire. She is fed up with being seen by the coastal community as ‘the sad girl’.
Fletch suspects his parents are keeping secrets from him. Brother Cooper is facing criminal charges of arson.
Fletch struggles with witnessing his brother when the bushfire starts.
‘Fletch replays the memory in his mind.
Cooper on the beach, hiding up under the cliffs. I am with the truck, he says firmly. Okay? I am with the truck. You didn’t see me. Promise me, Fletch. Promise me you won’t tell anyone you saw me.’
Judgments without evidence are made, families are divided, and trust, friendships and the impact of the bushfire haunts the small community long after the flames are extinguished.
Together, Fletch and Immie seek to uncover the truth. Like the devastation of the bushfire, their search for the truth risks their own lives.
Whiting’s exceptional novels Missing and The Book of Chance and this novel are ostensibly ‘middle grade’– aimed at young people around 12 to 14.
But Promises and Other Lies is a thrilling read to anyone who enjoys an engaging and topical story that reflects the power of friendship, resilience and hope. It would make a great TV series.
September 27, 2025
Another excellent Australian middle grade mystery full of tension, small town secrets, and a well plotted mystery. I loved the two characters and their friendship and the struggles they went through. I loved everything about this book. I could not stop reading and had to force myself to put it down in order to sleep.
September 16, 2025
Love Sue Whiting's novels but found this one slightly harder to get hooked on with the flashbacks and alternating characters. Storyline definitly gained momentum in the second half and kept me guessing. 3.5 - Perfect crime/mystery for year 5 and up.
July 2, 2025
Excellent mystery novel for middle grade readers. Lots of topical issues explored with strong brave protagonists.
November 23, 2025
This was a clever, well-written, engaging environmental story with well-developed characters and deep, small community issues. Highly recommended.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
January 20, 2026
This book was really intense especially getting to the end. I was quite confused by how the story was laid out but overall I think it was definitely worth reading it and I would recommend it!
October 2, 2025
This book is a beautifully written story about how two young teens deal with the grief and effects from a bush fire in their town. The story is told through a mystery and is full of colourful characters. The writing style is very engaging and descriptive.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews