BOOK REVIEW: The Devil’s Promise by Veronica Bennett ★★★☆☆

1910. After the death of her father, Catriona goes to stay with her uncle and cousin Jaime at Drumwithie Castle. And when supernatural forces begin to stir it is Cat who has the power to reveal the castle's long hidden truths.

The story consists of flashbacks from 1889 up to the present day in 1910. The story follows a young girl Catriona (Cat) Graham (in first person narrative), who after losing her father in death, now meets an estranged uncle, her father’s cousin Dr Hamish Buchanan. He came to make some amends and the reasons for his estrangement with her father are not clear. So Cat’s mother decides to send her only child to spend the summer in Drumwithie Castle in Scotland. There she meets Dr. Buchannan’s son Jaime and soon a young and innocent romance blossoms. But it’s not long till a ghost of a young girl haunts Cat in her bedroom tower and some deep family secrets which ought to have been remained hidden are now exposed; a secret involving Jaime’s mother and a young girl.

Bennett is a children’s writer with her first book ‘Monkey’ published in 1998 and acclaimed as “an impressively well written and audacious debut”. So it is no surprise that Bennett pursued her career to write for an older audience, the young adult. So far to say she has done a great job.

What I truly like about with story is the remarkable depiction of manners and norms in early 20th century Britain. It adds authenticity and I like reading novels that greatly touch upon how life was like in terms of social norms. How Cat hates wearing a corset and straw hat to her father’s funeral. How Cat is supposed to behave, as her mother states, “dignity, we may weep in private or with friends of our station. But people not of our station will come to pay their respects to your father today, and in front of them we must remain composed.” Even the act of grieving must be in private and put on a brave face amongst others. The climax was a bit predictable but it was a good one. I wasn’t too disappointed.

Although there have been great things said I do have a few matters I have to address. There is no element of surprise and seemed very predictable that Cat and Jaime would fall in love but the journey to that falling in love is so dull. I’m not anti-love at all, but if you are going to make two people fall in love, bring in that element. Cat praises his looks and eccentric charm and he seems to only like her because maybe she’s the first girl he’s met since he’s been homeschooled. When reading this book I couldn’t feel their love connection. Would the story have been better or worse if a romance didn’t occur? I leave that up to you to decide.

Would I recommend this book? Yes to a young adult who maybe wants to read a book about hidden family secrets. I believe that the whole romance element could have been left out because the storyline and secret were sufficient.

Rating 3.5/5
Publishers: Walker Books
Publication date: 2013
Genre: Paranormal/Thriller