Book Review: Promise Not to Tell by Jennifer McMahon

By Carlotta G. Holton

When it comes to murder, does history repeat itself?  It seems that way in this tautly written mystery that revolves around the decades-old murder of fifth grader Del Griswold, a pariah dubbed, “Potato Girl.”  When divorced school nurse Kate Cypher returns to her childhood home in Vermont in 2002, she is confronted not only with a mother who suffers from Alzheimer’s, but also with a new murder involving another young girl. 

It does not go unnoticed amongst the townspeople that Kate’s arrival comes around the same time that a young girl is killed. This girl had been with three friends in the woods, sitting around a fire telling the story of “Potato Girl,” who supposedly haunts the woods.  Shortly after, she left the group, only to be found dead minutes later. The similarities to Del’s murder are astounding and echoes of Kate’s past come to haunt her. Memories of her relationship with Del and her older brother, Nick, surface as Del’s ghost makes her presence known.  Is she out to exact revenge upon those who betrayed her or to point the finger at her killer? Does Kate know more about the cold case than she’s let on?  Is she right to feel guilt and responsibility over her friend’s murder?

The author weaves her darkly compelling tale between 1971 and 2002 as she aptly explores various themes of child abuse, coming-of-age difficulties and bullying. The latter theme is made more relevant to the reader as the daily news across the country details stories of young adults who are verbally tortured by their classmates. Such scenes are difficult to read, yet most of us have either been subjected to or witnessed such incidents during our own school years.

Kate, who grew up on the hippie commune of New Hope, VT., always related to Del.   Both were considered “outsiders” by their classmates, but they found a commonality of purpose in their secretive relationship.  So close were the two that Del, who treasured her silver sheriff badge, made Kate her deputy.  When Del shows Kate her tattoo, she makes her promise, “Not to tell.”
 
As Kate’s mother, Jean, worsens, she is drawn to painting strange images.  Her speech changes and at times her giggling voice is reminiscent of Del’s.  Is she possessed by the child or is she further sinking into the abyss of Alzheimer’s? By introducing the possible supernatural elements to the story through the eyes of skeptic Kate, the plausibility of such a phenomenon is more acceptable.  This is especially the case when considering Nick, Kate’s newly reconnected love interest from childhood, is almost too eager to put his trust in ghostly intervention.

Kate’s flaw is her constant lying, which begins when she is a child. She plays two sides when she befriends Del only to reveal her secrets to the popular girls to be liked. At 41, however, she is still engaged in telling lies. It is also somewhat unbelievable that she falls for Nick, her childhood sweetheart.

Like the shiny silver sheriff’s badge she proudly wore, Del stands out as a touching characterization of an abused, secretive child who seeks only to be loved. Her torment is heart-wrenching and one genuinely feels for her tragic, short life. She is not an easily forgotten character, and for this McMahon deserves praise. Promise not to Tell is a short, entertaining read that raises awareness of the very real perils of childhood.

Carlotta Holton is the author of Salem Pact, Touching The Dead and Vampire Resurrection, and is a member of the National Federation of Press Women and an affiliate member of the Horror Writers Association.