What is I Know What You’re Hiding about?
A podcaster is asked by her brother to investigate a mystery note and find its sender. The note has been sent to a friend of his, who he is trying to help. She has lost her twin and home to a devastating arson.
Plot summary of I Know What You’re Hiding (No Spoilers)
Zoe and her friend Niamh are crime podcasters. They don’t have a large following (less than 100), but they are passionate about what they do. Zoe is an excellent investigator, using quick thinking, intensive research and a desire to uncover the truth in her work. Niamh is a skilled cyber sleuth, using technology to aid their investigations.
When Zoe is asked by her older brother to investigate something for him, she’s intrigued. It involves a friend of his who has lost a twin and gained terrible scars in a house fire. She also has a secret.
When she receives a note that looks like it’s been written in blood, she’s scared. Someone claims to know her secret and it’s the last thing she wants known to the world. They have demanded $10,ooo to keep quiet. Can Zoe figure out who is sending the notes?
What follows is an investigation that begins with a note that could be blood, or could be tomato sauce? Zoe relishes a challenge and with Niamh’s help just a call away, they get to work.
My thoughts
Jack Heath novels are always so readable. By which I mean – so easy to immerse yourself in from very early in the story. I Know What You’re Hiding has an intriguing prologue (which unfortunately for me, gave too much away), but not enough for me to put the book down.
A key thing for me in this YA Mystery Thriller was main character Zoe. An old saying goes, she has the hide of an elephant. This is Zoe through and through. She can just about talk her way out of anything, find ways to extract information from possible suspects or witnesses with cunning wee plans, and keep her cool while doing it. Even with this kind of personality, I still felt her relief or thumping heart after each stunt.
There is action, mystery, and fear for the characters as truths are revealed and villains appear in full colour.
I know What You’re Hiding is a clever, thrilling ride.
Writing Style
Begins with a prologue sharing an event that is the catalyst for a mystery to unravel.
The rest of the novel continues three years after the event with chapter headings showing an ever decreasing time limit to solve the blackmail attempt in.
FAQS
What age is it for?
Age – 12+
Where & When is it set?
University Mid Term Break – Present Day / Mostly in a fictional University town – Australia
What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?
Third Person / Present tense
Is there Violence?
Yes
Is there any Sex?
No
What genre is I Know What You’re Hiding?
Real Life / Contemporary Mystery Young Adult Fiction
Themes
Mystery / Secrets / Family / Blackmail
Is it part of a series?
No
If you liked this, you might like…
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series
Author
Jack Heath
Publisher
Scholastic Australia
(2026, Scholastic Aust, Action, Crime, Murder, Family, Humour, Mystery, Secret, Twins, Arson, Fire, Scars, Investigation, Podcasters, Cyber sleuth, Blackmail, Siblings, University)