Finn is 16, lives in Te Awanga with his mum, has a sort-of girlfriend (Alison) and some good mates. He’s feeling uncomfortable about an offer his grandmother has made for him to go to boarding school in Auckland. But when his father Duggie (‘Druggie’ as the locals call him), is suddenly in trouble with the police after a local hit and run, Finn rethinks the offer. With coaxing form Alison and his family, he takes the chance to escape Te Awanga. But he doesn’t escape entirely – taking a secret with him.

The new school is hard to get used to with its high standards, rich kids and a student with a grudge. He makes new mates and Andy and Hobsie help him settle in. Finn (although a bit rusty), plays the clarinet and he soon meets the lovely Mia in a symphonic orchestra.

His friends warn him about her – she’s rich and gets what she wants and although feeling a bit guilty about Alison, Finn is just happy she likes him. Underlying his new school life is Eddie, a bully who’s taken a dislike to Finn and who begins to blackmail him with the knowledge about Duggie. Finn gives in for a while, not wanting Mia and his new mates to know his background.

When Mia invites him to the school ball, Finn thinks he’s made, until he realises it’s going to cost over $700. Finn goes home for the school holidays, apple picking to make the money, but Mia ends up helping with some costs. Finn understands his friend’s warnings now. Mia likes to have things exactly her way.

Ball night arrives and Finn finally reveals what Eddie has been blackmailing him with. Is his night with Mia ruined? But that is the least of his problems when an illegal after ball party goes terribly wrong. In his shock, Finn makes a decision that will change his life and the life of his father.

Originally titles Snakes & Ladders in 2012, Blackmail & Lies is an updated version of this down-to-earth authentic young adult Kiwi read.

I enjoyed reading Blackmail & Lies just as much as the award winning Snakes & Ladders 10 years ago, as I followed main character Finn (named after the famous kiwi musician Neil Finn) from his home in tiny Te Awanga to New Zealand’s largest city.

He bravely slots into boarding school life with his laid back persona and natural good looks, capturing the eye of rich girl Mia. His growth within the story is powerfully written.

Finn arrives with secrets, little respect for his parents and a she’ll be right attitude, but Mia’s controlling personality, embarrassment of his parents and ultimately loss of a close friend help mold Finn into someone different by the end of the novel.

The authenticity of Finn’s relationships with those close to him comes naturally from this author with four sons of her own.

A stand out slice of NZ Young Adult Realism relatable to teen readers around the world.

Author – Mary-anne Scott

Age – 14+

(2023, Scholastic NZ, Drugs, Alcohol, Music, Orchestra, Clarinet, Private school, Boarding School, Secrets, Family, Drowning, Death, Grief, Loss, School Ball, Mates, Friendship, Bullying, Blackmail, Sevens, Rugby, Persona, Controlling, Country to City)