SuitabookWartime family separation
Clara is sent to Suffolk while her father recovers from a war-related lung injury; her brother is away fighting.
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Book details
A.M. Howell - Author
This is a historical mystery about a child navigating wartime separation, an unwelcoming household and unanswered questions. Gardens, hothouses and a Suffolk estate provide a vivid setting for secrets, suspicion and friendship.
Book Brief
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Sign in for personalised guidanceThis is a historical mystery about a child navigating wartime separation, an unwelcoming household and unanswered questions. Gardens, hothouses and a Suffolk estate provide a vivid setting for secrets, suspicion and friendship.
Clara is sent to Suffolk while her father recovers from a war-related lung injury; her brother is away fighting.
Clara wonders whether letters are being withheld, encounters a locked room and investigates suspicious activity.
Clara tries to solve the mysteries and clear Will’s name, although her actions often lead to trouble.
Some scenes may merit preparation: Clara receives a sharp slap, her father has lung problems after mustard-gas exposure, and the story includes fear about a possible death, secrecy, suspicion and bereavement.
This is a grounded book brief while Suitabook strengthens the analysis: some draft conclusions still depend on unresolved evidence.
The Garden of Lost Secrets by A.M. Howell – My Shelves Are Full
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Checked: 21 September 2026.
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