Valley of Secrets by Charmian Hussey (2006, Paperback, Reprint)

The Valley of Secrets has the makings of a promising mystery for young readers. It starts with Stephen, an orphaned adolescent boy who discovers that he indeed has some family roots when an unknown Uncle dies and leaves him his entire estate in Cornwall. When Stephen finally arrives at his new home after a long train journey he is sorely disappointed to find the place completely deserted. After discovering Uncle Theo's old travel journals is when some questions begin to get answered. The book tends to run long on tedious descriptions of the different rooms in the house and different plants that grow around the gardens. I could not help but feel frustrated at Stephen's complete aloneness and isolation. It seemed cruel to find out he had "family" when yet again he is met with emptiness. It is not until you get almost to the end before the story gets interesting and even then it ends very strangely. I came away from the story feeling very unsatisfied. 2 stars**.