Review: The Secrets Act by Alison Weatherby

It is wartime in England, and at Bletchley Park two girls, Pearl and Ellen, have separate but equally important jobs. Ellen is a code breaker. During the war, code breakers served a number of roles, including operators of the complex code-breaking computers known as the Bombe machines, which deciphered the German Enigma intercepts. Ellen is reserved, analytical, systematic and beautiful. Pearl, on the other end, is a messenger, and at sixteen she is also the youngest. She’s energetic, untidy, bright and bubbly. She’s half in love with the wrong guy, Richard, who couriers the secrets that Bletchley deciphers.

After a tragic incident, the world they helped build is overturned as they are caught up in a spy plot that could destroy the whole war effort. Can Pearl and Ellen really find out who the traitor behind the conspiracy is?

This book is a page-turner and a fast read. It is filled with everything: love, drama, friendship, action and a twisting mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page. The writing is simple, easy to understand and coherent. Something very enjoyable about the book is that historical accuracies and details are included throughout the story.

Overall it was a very enjoyable read and I would definitely recommend it especially for fans of Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens.

Maya Silasi, 16