Otto’s new life in a small Australian coastal town is a little different to California where he grew up. It was a turbulent childhood with an unreliable father who then took their mother’s savings and never looked back. The one thing that’s the same however, is the surf. Making friends within the local Surf lifesaving club is essential to Otto’s desire to fit in to his new home.

The reason he left the US races back to him as he smells smoke when out with his new friends. As they flee an Aussie scrub fire, his heart is pounding and his mind can’t believe it’s happening again. Fire!

When more blazes are reported, this time obviously deliberate, fingers are pointed at him as the new kid in town and the uncanny coincidence that he is nearby each one. While he avoids the local cop and tries to piece together the clues he gathers, he makes a friend in Milly. She’s an accomplished lifeguard and competitor and the daughter of the man behind the Life Guard Club.

Both Otto and Milly want to win in the upcoming competition, but know they have to find out who is responsible for the devastating arson attacks on the town first.

Who is lighting the fires and why?

Written in two viewpoints, the reader meets Otto (the new kid in town), and Milly who is desperate to prove herself to her father, as he always favours her twin brother. Frustrated at his over-protection, she is keen to win the upcoming Ironwoman competition, and also prove the town wrong about blaming Otto for the arson attacks.

The clues are unravelled between each viewpoint chapter, letting the reader piece together the mystery along with them. Along the way, Otto and Milly get closer, and respect each other’s determination to get the truth out in the open. But how do you do that without hurting the ones you love?

Perfect for those who love a real life, contemporary story, with no fantasy in sight. Authentic relationships and characters shine, along with interesting back stories that hold all the answers.

We Saw What You Started is also a celebration of Surf Life Saving in Australia, and a nod to the thousands of volunteers that save lives on Australian beaches every year. In the rear of the book are quotes from young life savers about why they love Surf Life Saving and a glossary of Surf Life Saving Competitions.

Author – Carla Salmon

Age – 11+

(2025, Pan Macmillan, Friendship, Bullies, Conflict, Crime, Family, Mystery, Prejudice, Real Life, Secret, Surfing, Beach life, Surf Life Saving, New kid in town, Romance, Arson, Fires, Blame, Ironman, Ironwoman, Competition, Twins, Proving Yourself, Revenge, Sport, Loyalty)