When Secrets Set Sail Paperback – July 9, 2024

This is a wonderful, delicately written story of discovery and connection that continues Sita Bramachari’s pearl necklace of novels for young people and for us all. This time she delves into a totally forgotten episode in British Indian history when ayahs – nursemaids – were brought over to London to look after their ‘children’ on the long voyage. It is a truly beautiful tale of how two young girls delve into a particular history of an individual and through their determination and empathy bring a story of loss, abandonment and grief full circle to resolution. This is a book for anyone wanting to understand how the actions of the british empire caused powerless individuals to suffer and how others – in every sense of the word – stepped up to help and care.

I loved this book.I would recommend this to all who love mystery book.And hope you will like it like I did.

I knew absolutely nothing about the "ayahs" or nursemaids marooned in this country so this was truly a journey of discovery for me. I loved the relationship between the two girls, Imtiaz and Usha and how it developed as they followed the clues shown them by the ghostly Kali Ma.The descriptions of the house and furnishings, East London and the colourful and sympathetic adult characters was beautifully done.Of all Sita Brahmachari's books, I love this one the most - (till the next one comes along ....) and I am looking forward to encouraging young readers to enjoy it too.

This is a fascinating story which weaves together the story of a girl moving into her new adopting family, the family (in particular their daughter who is grieving for her grandmother) and the history of the house they are living in. There are ghosts, mysteries, cycle rides and canal boat journeys - beautiful, poignant and a window on a truly interesting slice of history.

This is a well written and easy to follow book despite its more fantastical elements, concerning the two girls who are both grieving in different ways.The blurb is a little misleading as the ghost has already appeared long before Imtiaz (Immy) has arrived at Ushas home where the initial mutual dislike and distrust becomes a meeting of the two strong willed minds as they strive to solve a puzzle left by Ushas grandmother Kali Ma, I like how the book is set in London but focuses on another culture I personally knew nothing about until picking up the book.I thoroughly enjoyed the easy to read book and although it is not in my age range I can still appreciate a well written story with perfectly formed characters you feel you know within paragraphs of meeting them.I personally believe that younger girls will like this book a lot and easily identify with one girl or the other, maybe even Kali Ma?