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    Nobody's Secret
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    Nobody's Secret
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    Nobody's Secret
    Ebook231 pages2 hours

    Nobody's Secret

    By Michaela Maccoll

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    One day, fifteen-year-old Emily Dickinson meets a mysterious, handsome young man. Surprisingly, he doesn't seem to know who she or her family is. And even more surprisingly, he playfully refuses to divulge his name. Emily enjoys her secret flirtation with Mr. "Nobody" until he turns up dead in her family's pond. She's stricken with guilt. Only Emily can discover who this enigmatic stranger was before he's condemned to be buried in an anonymous grave. Her investigation takes her deep into town secrets, blossoming romance, and deadly danger. Exquisitely written and meticulously researched, this novel celebrates Emily Dickinson's intellect and spunk in a page-turner of a book that will excite fans of mystery, romance, and poetry alike.

    Includes bonus material!
    - Book Club Discussion Guide
    - Sneak peek chapter from Always Emily by Michaela MacColl
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherChronicle Books Digital
    Release dateApr 30, 2013
    ISBN9781452124384
    Unavailable
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    Reviews for Nobody's Secret

    3.5/5

    44 ratings18 reviews

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 3/5
      To be fair to this book, I feel like I need to mention two possible prejudices on my part. One is that I read very little realistic YA -- that is, non fantasy/dystopian. So it's obviously not my wheelhouse. The other is that while I do read a lot of historical fiction, including historical crime fiction, I really don't like novels where the protagonist is 1) a real historical figure of note and 2) solves crimes. It just seems like Queen Elizabeth or Jane Austen ... or in this case, Emily Dickinson, were interesting enough people in their own right that turning them into detectives seems a bit silly. I don't mind real historical figures showing up in historical fiction. But I'd prefer they do things that they plausibly would have done.So this book was not really my thing. But I don't think it's a bad book and I might have liked it quite a bit when I was 12 or so. I do worry about impressionable youngsters forming their image of Emily Dickinson based on this story .... But then, I suppose I should be glad any impressionable youngsters would be exposed to Dickinson at all. And just maybe some of them would be interested enough to read more of her poetry and find out more about her real life, which is plenty interesting without the need for her to solve crimes.
    • 4/5
      A great mix of historical fiction and mystery in this story featuring a teenage Emily Dickinson as the protagonist and her poetry central to the story. A clever, engaging novel.
    • 4/5
      A very interesting book. I would say it was appropriate for middle school and up. I enjoyed the mystery although I would have also enjoyed a little more of the love story before the main death occurred.
    • 5/5
      A loving and fascinating tribute to young Emily Dickinson, featuring lines from her poems for each chapter heading and an imaginative, but realistic plot. MacColl's novel inspired me to learn more about Dickinson.
    • 4/5
      Frankly, I though I was going to hate the idea of Emily Dickinson playing amateur detective, but this worked.
    • 4/5
      I liked this book more than I expected. I loved the character's. The first chapter pulled me in and I hated when I had to put the book down. I would recommend this novel to someone who would enjoy a relaxing read that will draw you in.
    • 5/5
      This book is a well written, young adult novel. It gives the young reader a glimpse into what life was like when Emily Dickinson was alive. At the same time, it provides a clever mystery for the reader to try to solve. I would recommend this book for middle and high schooler as well as any adult who enjoys the simplicity and innocence of young adult literature.
    • 4/5
      Who knew Emily Dickinson could be a super sleuth? When a body shows up in her family’s pond, Emily sets out to find out who is behind the murder of Mr. Nobody. I absolutely loved this book! The author does an excellent job of crafting Emily’s character – she is sweet, curious, courageous, witty, and highly intelligent. The family dynamic of the Dickinson's is wonderful too – Mrs. Dickinson's constant worrying is hilarious and I really enjoyed the bond between Emily and her sister Vinnie. The mystery was intriguing and though there weren’t many twists or surprises, there is a big one at the end. Overall this was a short but delightful read.
    • 5/5
      Short and Sweet:Nobody's Secret was sweet and wonderful for a murder mystery. I loved the imagination of the author concerning Emily Dickinson and the poetry mixed through out. I felt like I was reading a historical Veronica Mars episode and I want to kiss Michaela MacColl's face for writing this wonderful book. :)To Elaborate....The story begins with Emily laying in a field of wildflowers hoping a bee will land on her nose.... just to experience something different. After a few moments she hears footsteps approaching and thinking it is her mother or sister coming to bring her back to her chores she closes her eyes and wills herself to be invisible. However, when she opens her eyes she meets the curious Mr. Nobody who engages in (extremely adorable) conversation with her. He appreciates her quirkiness where everyone else tries to shape her into a 'proper' young lady. Sadly, after a few days he is found, presumably drowned, in her family's pond. Since Emily had never learned his name, she becomes determined to solve the mystery of who "Mr. Nobody" was. However, along the way she discovers that someone doesn't want Mr. Nobody to be identified. More determined than ever, Emily slowly discovers the many secrets of Mr. Nobody including his identity. Just a cool, cool book through and through. LOVE.
    • 4/5
      *This is an ARC copy I received via library thing*4 StarsIn 1845 Emily Dickinson is just fifteen and already feels the monotony of a domesticated lifestyle. While waiting for some kind of excitement to enter her life she meets a handsome young man who knows nothing about her or her family for a change. He’s a mystery that she finds surprising and she wants to keep their new friendship a secret. The mystery of his identity, however, turns Emily’s life upside down when his body is found in her pond and she has to race the clock to not only find out who is he but also how he died.As far as a mystery goes this one was pretty predictable, which would be my one complaint. This being a book for young adults’ I would expect more to the mystery and this reads more like a mystery for a middle readers’ (which I am also a fan of). Otherwise I really enjoyed this. There’s a tad bit of everything a good story needs plus a tad bit of Emily Dickinson’s poetry. I could absolutely envision the author’s Emily as the real life Ms. Dickinson that I have read about in the past. This novel seems well researched and the author provides the reader with titles for further reading if they are so inclined. The characters, along with the plot, make this a quick and enjoyable read. Even though there is a little bit of dark mixed in it’s ultimately a feel good story. This one will definitely generate some interest into an amazing writer and poet.
    • 4/5
      I found this book very entertaining. I haven't read many historical fiction works but this has turned me on to them. It is an easy read as it is a YA. I enjoyed the adventure that Emily takes us on when she decides it is her duty to solve a murder. The author really did her homework on the life and neighborhood of Emily Dickinson, I enjoyed reading the Author's Notes. Michaela uses facts from Emilys life to fill the pages and uses her poems as inspiration for each chapter. A strong female character in a wonderfully written book, I enjoyed it very much!
    • 3/5
      Emily Dickinson, girl detective! MacColl imagines the elusive poet as a fifteen-year-old girl, who meets an intriguing young man she names Mr. Nobody. Without giving away any spoilers, I'll only say that this meeting leads to a great mystery which Emily makes it her mission to solve. While I enjoy books which take real people and thrust them into decidedly fictional situations, the whole time I was reading this, I kept thinking, "Mamma Mia." You know, the musical that weaves its story from ABBA songs. In this case, the story is woven from themes in Emily Dickinson's poetry: nobody, bees, sister, church, death. Which is fine, as the story does work and unfolds very well. I just couldn't give it more than 3 stars, because it does come across as contrived. This is a YA novel and appropriate for young teen readers and would make a good introduction to a study of the poet.
    • 5/5
      An entertaining YA cozy featuring a teen-aged Emily Dickinson as the sleuth. Emily meets a handsome stranger who later turns up dead in the family fish pond. She feels the authorities aren't giving the case the attention it deserves and sets out to solve the mystery. The author pays great attention to the details; vividly describing the world of Emily's time and the life she led. Each chapter starts with a snippet of Dickinson's poetry that sets the mood for that chapter. I really enjoyed this one and wouldn't mind reading more about the teen-aged Emily.
    • 3/5
      Nice quick light read that will definitely capture the attention of the your adult reader. The determination that young Emily has to uncover the truth keeps you turning pages to see what she will do or think of next. Very simply written but with enough mystery to keep you interested, this a a book that I can see my nieces enjoying.
    • 2/5
      I was a little disappointed with this story. They characters seemed under developed and the story was not very compelling. I honestly wished it has stuck more with some real life Emily Dickinson facts instead of strictly fiction. If it was developed deeper I believe it could have made a great novel for all ages- as it stands I believe it is a good Young Adult novel.
    • 4/5
      Emily Dickinson never really investigated a murder; had she done so, however, I think she would have done it exactly as she does in Nobody's Secret.The book is written clearly, pitch perfect in tone, simply and it is a good mystery aimed at the JF/YA reading crowd. This book will appeal to those readers that enjoy Nancy Springer's Enola Holmes or Angie Frazier's Suzanna Snow.Each chapter begins with one of Dickinson's poems and it is easy to imagine that the book will create interest in Emily and her poetry. Emily comes across as an interesting, honest, determined person - someone you would like to know better. The mystery is complicated enough to be engaging, clues are there - for those who can see - and the guilty party may be a surprise to you.
    • 3/5
      This is an ARC won through a giveaway.Emily Dickinson the next great Sherlock Holmes! Ms. MacColl's second novel centers around famed American poet Emily Dickinson. In this novel, Emily is 15 and has found herself compelled to investigate the murder of a gentleman she briefly met and who calls himself 'Mr. Nobody'.A classic who dunnit, the story flows quickly. The author intertweaves between Emily's 'career' as sleuth and her dutiful 'career' as a young lady of the 1800's. Ms. MacColl does a fair job of helping the reader visualize the stifling life Emily presently leads. The life of a young girl at this time was full of chores and strict do's and don'ts, all leading to the inevitable final prize of marriage.But it's Emily's restlessness also serves a greater good in the story, leading her to do her Christian duty and uncovering the name of the unidentified body of Mr. Nobody.Prose is simple to read and main characters are developed nicely. Perhaps not on a deep level but enough to give the story substance.A well written quick read.
    • 4/5
      This was a really nice book. I've always loved Emily Dickinson's poetry and the days before I read a variety of genres were filled with mysteries like these. Every chapter started with some lines by Emily that really fit the tone of that chapter. The emotions were generally very realistic - the laughing flirtation with Mr. Nobody, the mixed dread and odd curiosity of death, the combination of excitement and fear found in investigating a crime. The mystery itself was very well-written, complete with the proper balance of clues, secrets, suspects, and red herrings.Nobody's Secret, I'd have to say, is really more of a middle grade than a young adult title, although the target audience seems to be right in between the two. The writing style and level of description were in no way lacking, but were younger than those of many books targeted at my age range. However, the historical period this book is set in shines through in the word choices and especially the dialogue, making this a more challenging read for such younger readers.Honestly, I have no reason not to give this book five stars... but I don't feel like it really earned all five, either. It was a great book with great writing, well-developed characters, an awesome mystery - everything it needed, really. But it didn't give me any wow moments. I never found myself doubling over with laughter or gasping with horror or misting up and almost-crying like I do with all my favorite books. So while this book is wonderful, it just didn't pack a big enough punch for five stars.I give this book four stars, and recommend it for young poets and Emily Dickinson fans like myself.I received this book for free from LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program in exchange for this review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.