“It was the summer of 1947, and the world was just beginning to breathe again after the war.”
— Opening line, setting the historical scene for the story.
Archivist's Choice
What I Saw and How I Lied
Judy Blundell (2008)
Genre
Historical Fiction / Mystery / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
350 min
Key Themes
See below
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In 1940s postwar America, a naive Evie is caught in her veteran father's war secrets and a charming ex-GI's lies, leading to a tragedy that unravels her family and innocence.
Synopsis
In post-World War II Florida, sixteen-year-old Evie Spooner's life changes when her father, Joe, returns from the war. Her world shifts again with Peter Coleridge's arrival, a charismatic ex-GI who served under Joe in Austria. Evie is drawn to Peter, falling into a romance that blinds her to the secrets around him and her father. As their relationship deepens, Evie notices inconsistencies and tensions within her family and with Peter.
The calm breaks with a tragic event. Evie confronts the lies and betrayals. She discovers the truth behind her father's war experiences, Peter's identity, and the secrets that connect them. Evie must then choose: protect her family's reputation and her mother from more pain by participating in a cover-up, or expose the truth, no matter the consequences. The story ends with Evie's testimony, revealing the deceit and the emotional cost as she deals with guilt, betrayal, and moving on.
Reading time
350 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Atmospheric, Suspenseful, Melancholy, Romantic, Reflective
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy atmospheric historical mysteries with a strong coming-of-age element, complex family dynamics, and a touch of forbidden romance set against a post-WWII backdrop.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer fast-paced thrillers with clear-cut heroes and villains, or dislike stories involving significant deception and moral ambiguity.
Plot Summary
A New Beginning in Florida
In 1947, seventeen-year-old Evie Spooner, her father Joe, and her mother Kay, move from Long Island to Palm Beach, Florida. Joe Spooner, a World War II veteran, bought a small apartment building, the Casa Bella, with his war savings. He hopes to start a new life for his family away from the war's lingering effects. Evie first resists the move, missing her old life and friends. She tries to adapt to the humid climate and new surroundings. Her father seems more relaxed, but tension remains in the family, especially about Joe's war experiences, which he rarely discusses. Evie's mother, Kay, wants the change, believing it will bring stability and happiness.
The Arrival of Peter Coleridge
Soon after they arrive, Peter Coleridge, a handsome young ex-GI who served in Joe Spooner’s company in Austria, appears at the Casa Bella. He claims to be passing through Palm Beach and looks up Joe, surprising Joe. Peter is charming, sophisticated, and mysterious, immediately catching Evie's eye. He quickly becomes friendly with the Spooner family, helping Joe with repairs and charming Kay. Evie is instantly smitten with Peter, finding him different from the boys she knew back home. His presence adds excitement and a subtle intrigue to the Spooners' new life.
A Developing Romance and Hidden Tensions
Evie and Peter spend more time together, their flirtation quickly becoming a romance. Peter takes Evie on drives, to the beach, and to local dance halls, introducing her to a more adult world. Evie is deeply infatuated, convinced she is falling in love. She overlooks inconsistencies in Peter's stories and his evasiveness about his past. Meanwhile, Joe Spooner becomes more agitated by Peter's long stay and his growing closeness with Evie. Joe and Kay have quiet conversations, and Joe's temper flares more often. Evie senses tension between her father and Peter but dismisses it, blaming her father's overprotective nature and lingering war trauma.
Signs of Deception
As Evie's relationship with Peter deepens, she notices unsettling details. Peter has a lot of cash, seems to expect phone calls that never come, and avoids discussing his family or future plans. He also shows intense interest in Joe’s old war souvenirs, especially a specific German Luger pistol Joe brought back. Evie overhears parts of conversations between Peter and her father that hint at a shared, darker past in Europe, beyond typical war stories. Her mother, Kay, also seems wary of Peter, though she tries to act pleasant. Evie's initial infatuation slowly gives way to a creeping unease, a feeling that something is wrong.
The Confession of Lies
One night, after a particularly intense argument with Joe, Peter confesses part of his secret to Evie. He reveals his real name is not Peter Coleridge, and he is on the run from authorities. He explains he was involved in a black market scheme in post-war Austria, where he and Joe, along with other GIs, smuggled valuable German artifacts and currency. Peter claims he was framed for theft and murder, and Joe was also involved, though the extent is unclear. He paints himself as a victim, manipulating Evie's affections and convincing her he needs her help to escape. Evie is devastated by the revelation but, blinded by love, she believes Peter's story and pledges her loyalty.
The Plan to Escape
Peter reveals his plan to escape to Cuba and asks Evie to help him. He needs money and a specific German Luger pistol Joe Spooner brought back from the war. Peter claims it is evidence that could clear his name or connect him to the black market. Evie is torn between her loyalty to her family and her love for Peter. She struggles with the ethics of stealing from her father but agrees, convinced she is helping the man she loves. The tension in the Casa Bella becomes almost unbearable. Joe grows more suspicious and protective, and Kay becomes more distressed. Evie feels caught in a web of deceit, her innocent world broken by dark war secrets.
The Confrontation and its Aftermath
The night Peter plans to leave, Joe Spooner confronts him. The confrontation is fueled by Joe's anger, fear, and their unspoken history. Joe accuses Peter of manipulating Evie and trying to steal from him. Peter, in turn, accuses Joe of being equally involved in the black market dealings and of abandoning him. The argument turns violent. Evie, hidden nearby, sees the horrifying scene. In the struggle, the German Luger pistol Peter sought goes off. Joe Spooner is shot and killed. The aftermath is a blur of panic and chaos. Peter flees, leaving Evie to face the tragedy alone. Her life, and her family, are broken.
Evie's Testimony and the Cover-up
After Joe's death, Evie and Kay are questioned by the police. Desperate to protect Peter and themselves from scandal and more pain, they make up a story. They claim Joe's death was an accident, a self-inflicted wound while cleaning his war souvenir pistol. Evie, still in shock and misguided loyalty to Peter, confirms her mother's story, weaving a web of lies. She feels immense guilt but is caught in a situation where the truth seems too dangerous and painful to reveal. The police, perhaps influenced by the family's grief and lack of other immediate suspects, accept their story, closing the case as an accidental death.
The Weight of Guilt and Discovery
Despite the case's official closure, Evie is consumed by guilt and the weight of her lies. She meticulously pieces together the information she gathered, revisiting conversations and events. She discovers old letters and documents belonging to her father, which reveal the full extent of the black market operation in Austria and Peter's true, more manipulative role. Evie realizes Peter was not the innocent victim he claimed to be, but a ruthless criminal who exploited her father and her. The man she loved was a dangerous deceiver. Her father, though flawed, was ultimately a victim of Peter's actions and his own past mistakes. This discovery shatters her last illusions about Peter.
Confronting Her Mother
Armed with the truth, Evie confronts her mother, Kay, about her part in the cover-up and her possible prior knowledge of Peter's true nature and Joe's involvement in the black market. Kay, at first resistant, eventually breaks down and confesses. She admits she suspected Peter was trouble from the beginning and had also known about Joe's past dealings in Austria, having urged him to leave it behind. Her reason for lying to the police was to protect Evie and to preserve what dignity and stability remained for their family after Joe's tragic death. The confrontation is painful but necessary, as it allows both mother and daughter to finally acknowledge the truth and begin to heal and rebuild their fractured trust.
The Aftermath and Moving Forward
Afterward, Evie deals with the implications of her lies and the truths she found. She understands her father was a flawed man who made mistakes, but also a victim of circumstance and Peter's manipulation. She recognizes the complexity of human nature and the destructive power of secrets. The experience makes her grow up quickly, losing her youthful innocence. While the pain of her father's death and Peter's betrayal remains, Evie begins to heal. She and her mother, having shared their burdens, start to rebuild their relationship on honesty. Evie is left with a deeper understanding of love, loss, and the deceit that can entangle lives.
Principal Figures
Evie Spooner
The Protagonist
Evie transforms from a naive, infatuated girl into a mature young woman who confronts difficult truths and grapples with the consequences of her choices and the lies she told.
Peter Coleridge
The Antagonist
Peter remains largely static in his manipulative nature, but his true identity and criminal past are gradually revealed, exposing him as the story's central antagonist.
Joe Spooner
The Supporting/Victim
Joe's arc is largely revealed in retrospect, as Evie uncovers the truth about his past involvement in the black market and his ultimately tragic confrontation with Peter.
Kay Spooner
The Supporting
Kay initially tries to maintain a facade of normalcy and protect her family through lies, but eventually breaks down and shares the truth with Evie, fostering a deeper, albeit painful, bond.
Themes & Insights
The Destructive Nature of Secrets and Lies
The novel explores how secrets, both personal and shared, can destroy lives and families. Joe Spooner's hidden past in the black market, Peter Coleridge's deceptive identity, and Evie and Kay's cover-up all create a stifling atmosphere of distrust and tragedy. The initial 'small' lies grow, leading to Joe's death and the deep emotional harm to Evie. The story shows that while lies might offer temporary relief, their cost is much greater, eroding trust and distorting reality. Evie's journey is about uncovering these hidden truths.
“What I saw, and how I lied, is the story of how my family broke in two.”
Loss of Innocence
Evie's change from a naive, infatuated teenager to a disillusioned young woman is central to the story. Her initial romantic view of Peter Coleridge and her innocent view of her family are broken by the realities of crime, betrayal, and death. The post-war setting, with its moral ambiguity and lingering trauma, provides a backdrop for this personal loss of innocence. Evie learns that love can deceive, that adults have dark pasts, and that truth is often complex and painful. This forces her to face the darker aspects of human nature and her own involvement in deceit.
“I was seventeen, and I knew everything, and I knew nothing at all.”
The Lingering Impact of War
World War II, though over, affects the Spooner family. Joe Spooner's involvement in the black market in post-war Austria is a direct result of the moral ambiguities and opportunities for illicit gain that conflict creates. Peter Coleridge, another veteran, embodies the ruthlessness and opportunistic survival instincts forged in wartime. The war's psychological toll is clear in Joe's temper and his desire for a fresh start. The story suggests that even after fighting ends, the war's effects on individuals and their morals can last for years, shaping their decisions and leading to tragedy far from the battlefield.
“The war was over, but some people carried it with them like a ghost.”
Love and Betrayal
The novel explores the complex relationship between love and betrayal, especially through Evie's connection with Peter. Her passionate infatuation blinds her to his manipulative nature, leading her to betray her family and herself by participating in the cover-up. Peter's 'love' for Evie is a calculated act of manipulation. The story shows how easily love can be exploited and how devastating the realization of betrayal can be, shattering trust in others and one's own judgment. It questions the nature of true affection when faced with deep deceit.
“Love was supposed to be simple. This was anything but.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
First-Person Retrospective Narration
Evie narrates the story years later, providing a mature, reflective lens.
The story is told from Evie's perspective as an older, wiser woman looking back on the events of 1947. This device allows for dramatic irony, as the narrator often hints at the tragedy to come, building suspense and foreshadowing. It also provides a filter for Evie's past naiveté, allowing her to comment on her younger self's mistakes and provide deeper insights into the characters and motivations that her younger self couldn't fully grasp. This retrospective view adds emotional depth and allows for a more complex exploration of themes like guilt, memory, and the lasting impact of trauma.
The German Luger Pistol
A physical object symbolizing Joe's war past and becoming a murder weapon.
The Luger pistol serves as a powerful symbol and a crucial plot device. Initially, it's a war souvenir, a seemingly innocuous relic of Joe's past. However, Peter's intense interest in it immediately raises suspicions, hinting at its hidden significance related to the black market. It transforms from a symbol of Joe's war experience into the weapon that ultimately takes his life, underscoring the destructive legacy of the war and the dangerous secrets it holds. Its presence throughout the narrative builds tension and serves as a tangible link to the escalating conflict.
The Casa Bella Apartment Building
The setting that transforms from a symbol of new beginnings to a place of confinement and tragedy.
The Casa Bella is more than just a setting; it's a symbolic space. Initially, it represents the Spooner family's hope for a fresh start and normalcy after the war. However, as Peter's presence and the family's secrets grow, the Casa Bella becomes a confined, claustrophobic space where tensions simmer and tragedy unfolds. It's a place where appearances are maintained, but underneath, deceit and danger lurk. The building itself, with its repairs and hidden corners, mirrors the brokenness and secrets within the family residing there, becoming a silent witness to their unraveling.
Foreshadowing
Subtle hints and ominous undertones that build suspense for future events.
The novel employs extensive foreshadowing, particularly through Evie's retrospective narration. The older Evie often makes comments that hint at the tragic outcome, such as referring to 'how my family broke in two' or stating that she 'knew nothing at all' despite her youth. This technique creates a sense of impending doom and keeps the reader engaged, eager to uncover the specific events that lead to the hinted tragedy. It also allows the author to build suspense around Peter's true nature and the dark secrets that Joe carries, making the revelations more impactful.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Sometimes I think grown-ups forget what it's like to be a girl, to feel everything so much.”
— Evie reflecting on the intensity of her emotions and the adult world.
“A lie is like a stone thrown into a pond. The ripples go out and out, affecting everything.”
— Evie's internal thought about the consequences of her deception.
“The truth felt like a heavy coat I couldn't take off, even when it made me sweat.”
— Evie struggling with the burden of what she knows.
“He had a way of looking at me that made me feel like the only girl in the world, and also, sometimes, like a fool.”
— Evie describing her feelings towards Peter.
“People see what they want to see, even when the evidence is right in front of them.”
— Evie observing how adults interpret events, often ignoring inconvenient truths.
“There's a difference between a secret and a lie. A secret is something you keep to yourself. A lie is something you tell someone else.”
— Evie's attempt to rationalize her actions, highlighting a nuanced distinction.
“The heat was oppressive, heavy, like a blanket woven with secrets.”
— Description of the summer weather, mirroring the pervasive atmosphere of hidden truths.
“Sometimes the things you don't say are louder than the things you do.”
— Evie reflecting on the power of silence and unspoken truths.
“I wanted to be a grown-up, but I didn't want to be a grown-up who couldn't see what was right.”
— Evie's internal conflict between desiring adulthood and maintaining her moral compass.
“Love, I was beginning to understand, was a messy, complicated thing, full of sharp edges and soft places.”
— Evie's developing understanding of romantic love.
“The past isn't ever really past. It just waits, like a shadow, for the right light to show itself.”
— A reflection on the enduring impact of past events and secrets.
“Even the prettiest houses could hold the ugliest secrets.”
— Evie's observation about appearances versus reality within families and communities.
“You can't unsee what you've seen, no matter how much you wish you could.”
— Evie grappling with the irreversible nature of her discoveries.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
Evie's initial conflict arises from the arrival of Peter Coleridge, a charismatic ex-GI who served with her father. Peter's presence disrupts the family's fragile post-war normalcy, drawing Evie into a complicated web of secrets and unspoken tensions that she struggles to comprehend at first.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
