Welcome to the first-ever Quill Quotes Book Club discussion! We hope you’re enjoying I’ll Never Tell by Catherine McKenzie so far. We certainly are and had a hard time stopping after 15 chapters. Keep in mind, this discussion is only on the first 15 chapters. So, if you’ve read ahead, please keep any spoilers or thoughts on later portions of the book for the next discussion. See the I’ll Never Tell Book Club Summary Page for the reading schedule details and other discussions.
Kevin’s Thoughts
I don’t typically read mystery/thrillers, but I am definitely enjoying this book! The switching between the present-day family dynamics and the night Amanda died is pretty interesting. I feel the pacing is definitely driven by the Amanda chapters, as I’m always most excited to get to those and fill in more pieces of the puzzle. It’s also clever how the timeline table is filled in for us after each Amanda chapter, making it easier to keep track.
The will reading was also quite dramatic. Of course, from the book description, it was clear the will would require solving the mystery of Amanda’s death, but I didn’t expect their father to outright blame one of them. Considering he wrote the will 10 years before his death, it seems he should have just confronted Ryan or discussed the situation while he was alive. Crazy family dynamics.
Favorite Quote:
“It’s odd to think that I’m both here as I write this and, when you hear these words, gone. But alas, that is man’s fate. To be fleeting. To be impermanent.”
– Catherine McKenzie, I’ll Never Tell
Brooke’s Thoughts
I was a little unsure of this book at first because Kevin was the one who picked it for the vote and mystery/thrillers are more of my go-to genre than his. But after reading the first chapter, I was hooked. Seeing the timeline table filled in with where everyone was at that night really captivated me.
Usually, I don’t like books that flip flop between character’s perspectives and between the past and future but this one does it well. I think it works well because the chapters are short, which I also like in books.
I knew the family was going to be crazy and weird but I didn’t think all of them would be estranged from each other. My first thought was that they were going to be in tight groups that hated each other with maybe one black sheep. But right now it seems like they are all in it for themselves. It will be interesting to see if it stays that way.
Favorite Quote:
“That girl wasn’t who she wanted to be anymore, but sometimes you don’t get to choose who you are.”
– Catherine McKenzie, I’ll Never Tell
Who’s the Killer?
Kevin’s Prediction: Sean
It’s hard to say with the limited information we have, but if I had to pick right now, I’d say Sean. Mary and Ryan are my other top suspects. Not yet knowing how Amanda died, I’m also still open to an accident of some kind or someone outside the family.
Brooke’s Prediction: Mary
As of right now, I believe Mary is the killer because of her jealousy towards Margaux’s and Amanda’s friendship. She is also one of the people on the island at the time. I am not saying Mary murdered her in cold blood but they could have got into an argument over something. Maybe Mary was upset and thought Amanda was trying to steal Ryan away from her family too. There could have been a scuffle or maybe Amanda slipped and hit her head. With so little information to go on, it really could be anyone at this point. So, I am not ruling out that it could have been someone outside the 6 main suspects.
Vote
Sorry, this vote is now closed. Please see the results below.
Discussion Prompts / Questions
Feel free to comment whatever thoughts and questions you have! But if you aren’t sure where to start, consider some of the prompts / questions below:
- Share any theories you have on the killer.
- Who’s your favorite character so far? Why?
- Have any favorite quotes to share?
- How do you feel about the chapters switching between past and present?
- Do you think the will was a good idea or should their father have handled it differently?
- Do you think they’ll sell or keep the camp?
We can’t wait to hear from you in the comments! Be aware, some comments may be held for our review to reduce spam and won’t appear on the site right away, but we’ll do our best to review quickly. If you have any trouble commenting, please let us know on social media or via email to hello@quillquotes.com so we can try to help.
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We hope you’ll enjoy this discussion and join us again next week for chapter 16 – 30! Check the I’ll Never Tell Book Club Summary Page for details.
I believe there is more than one killer. When I read Brooke’s review I was thinking exactly the same thing Mary jealous of Amanda.
I think the dad writing the will like he did was to get the real killer to confess. I also thought just wanted his kids to try to get all their secrets out so they would get along better. I’m surprised the police didn’t work on it harder unless it was a cover up for one of siblings or Sean. Maybe dad thought this is only way to get to the truth.
I’ve really enjoyed this book so far excited to find who the killer or killers are.
I had never thought about multiple killers! Maybe the dad always thought Ryan had done it and helped cover it up. I also like your idea that he just wanted all the family secrets out so they could move on and become a family again.
Glad you are enjoying the book!
Ok I am a big mystery reader. The time lines showing where everybody was before the murder occurred is interesting, the father has a screw loose he seems obsessed with watching all his kids. I have not completely ruled him out as the Murder. It seems he needs to know everything about his kids.
I guess I chose Margaux because she seem envious of Amanda’s wealth and looks and I am not sure she really wanted Amanda to go see Ryan. Sean seems to obvious. Something is going on with the twins they seem somewhat secretive.
Interesting book I had hard time getting into but by chapter 5 I was all in. I am sorry to say I am at chapter 30 and will finish soon.
I also at one point thought it could have been the father or even the mother. I agree I think Sean and Ryan are too obvious. Even though the twins were young when Amanda died they are very suspicious!
I am glad you are enjoying the book!
I’m glad you’re enjoying the book! I had a hard time stopping at chapter 15 too… If it wasn’t for us leading these discussions, I’d have likely finished the book already!
I am really enjoying this book so far. The author does an excellent job switching back and forth between characters and time. I find it very easy to follow! This family is definitely strange and interesting and makes me glad I don’t have a bunch of sisters 🤣.
I voted for Sean as the killer because he just seems a little strange but I also thought maybe Swift was? Just because I have read a lot of mystery books similar to this and they love to throw a curveball. He also seems to have known Amanda and the family for a very long time.
I don’t have a favorite character yet but I think by the next discussion I will.
I think the next 48 hours will be crazy and we will learn a lot more about that night and more about each character. I am excited to read (listen) more!
I am also glad I don’t have a bunch of sisters! LOL
Swift crossed my mind as a suspect at one point too! I also thought maybe Liddie’s boyfriend, Owen, since they mentioned he was a camper too. Definitely need more information though.
How is the audiobook? Do you like the narrator’s voice? I am reading this one not listening.
The narrator’s voice is good! Easy to listen too. It is several-as there are many characters- which helps to distinguish them!
Oh nice! I’m glad the voices are distinguished otherwise it would probably get confusing quick! Is the timetable as helpful to you since you can’t see it?
This genre has never been my go-to, but I’m greatly enjoying this book, so in the future I may read more of these!
Ryan seems the obvious choice for the killer, which makes me think it wasn’t him. He and Margaux appear to know what happened, though, because of the comment she made to him in chapter 5: “’Do you ever think,’ she said, ‘that we’ll forget what happened that summer?’” Ryan’s wife made a comment, too, that he and Margaux have a special bond apparent at their parents’ funeral.
However, I noted some secrets between Ryan and Liddie, as well. She seemed a little too upset about their dad accusing Ryan. And he had evidently lost his temper and hurt her at some other time. Liddie suggests this to Margaux in chapter 5 but doesn’t admit it outright. Then later, when they’re discussing the inheritance in chapter 10, they reveal what I assume Liddie was referring to:
“I told you this was sick,” Liddie said, then turned back to Swift. “This is so typical. How long? How long ago did he set this up?”
“Ten years ago.”
“Ten? Ten? You mean, after . . .”
“Yes.”
“But that was an accident.” “
Perhaps your father didn’t think so.”
“Clearly. Fantastic, Mary, way to go.”
Mary stared back placidly. “I hardly see how I’m to blame for that.”
Mary is wrapped up in this mysterious “accident” somehow, which makes me think that she could have influenced the events that are now transpiring.
By the way, what an absolutely dysfunctional way to accuse your son of murder, right?!
Ryan is definitely the obvious choice, but I’m not sure if the author did it that way to throw us off his case or if he really is just too obvious like you suggest. That’s an interesting take on the quote from Ch. 5; I took it more as getting over the trauma of having a close friend die/be murdered that summer than an indication they know more about what happened than they’ve let on.
Finding out more about this “accident” that occurred 10 years ago and prompted the will seems like a key piece of the puzzle. I hadn’t made the connection between Ryan possibly hurting Liddie, but it does seem like Mary tattled on whatever happened. Excited to learn more!
Ooh, I could have misinterpreted that. I cant wait to find out; it was hard to stop reading at chapter 15! And I’ve thought that too- perhaps the author is trying to throw us off the scent of Ryan by making it “too obvious,” but Ryan losing his temper and killing her just feels too simplistic. Looking forward to reading the next section!
One of my leading theories is possibly Ryan losing his temper but Sean being there for some reason and stopping him like he did at the will reading. Then Amanda got hurt in the struggle somehow. It would be a bit of an accidental death but then definitely a cover-up.
It was hard for me to stop reading too. If not for these discussions, I’d have probably finished the book already. I think it’s nice to discuss books in sections though, rather than trying to break down and digest the whole book at once.
Agree!
I’m glad you are enjoying even though its not your go-to genre! I agree with everything you said! I don’t think it actually was Ryan. I think everyone knows a little piece of the story. I can’t wait to keep reading to put it together!
The past and present chapters help with the story line. The will that Mr. MacCallister wrote
Is somewhat sadistic. Maybe he meant to make trouble between the siblings and Sean so that the killer would be identified.
I believe the camp will remain a camp if Sean has anything to do with it.
So far a good read.
Not sure who my favorite character is. All of them has problems with each other. Even though lIddie likes to listen in on others business I think she has her everyday life together over the others.
That’s very possible that he did this to bring out the killer, whoever it is. Margaux asked Swift after the reading if this was a game or “one of Dad’s jokes?” He might have a design beyond what he shared in the will that we’ll discover later.
Interesting thought! If it is just to bring out the killer, do you think their dad actually believes it was Ryan or he just had to pick someone (either that he thought could handle it or would polarize the others) to kick things off?
Ooooh! I like this idea! Maybe he actually thought it was one of the sisters and hoped that the guilt of Ryan taking the blame and not getting his share would make them confess. It would explain why he didn’t confront Ryan 10 years ago too.
You’re right, Brooke, that would explain that. I hadn’t considered that. And Kevin, I think he probably doesn’t believe that Ryan did it, if that’s truly why he did this.
I agree that the will is pretty sadistic. Probably will stir things up enough to find the killer but I’m not sure it’s the best way to go about it or that it would work in real life. Once the police close a case it seems pretty rare that it’s reopened and solved, but maybe someone will end up confessing.
I also like Liddie and feel like she’s the most comfortable with who she is.
Yes, at this point a confession is what the group needs. Will they be able to set their own personalities aside to goad someone into a confession? Lots of money involved so they must be careful. Sean won’t agree to sell.
Yea, Sean definitely seems to be the one with the most to lose if they sell the camp. Mary and Kate also seem more inclined towards keeping the camp than selling. Personally, I like Kate’s idea to only sell part of the camp and use the money to fix up the camp and run at a profit in the future. This solution could also get Ryan enough money to pay his debts without completely ending the camp for those who want it. I doubt they can come to this sort of compromise though unless there’s a major reconciliation of all the family drama.
I agree I think Sean will do whatever it takes to keep the camp open. I am also not sure how I feel about Sean yet. I don’t know if I want him to get the share over Ryan. I feel a little bad he was always around but never part of the family but they aren’t really a close-knit family anyway.
Sean seems resentful that the siblings think of him as an errand boy or a camp employee. Maybe Sean has/had a secret about the parent/parents. If so then this could be why he is in the will. If Ryan and his ugly temper are found innocent then Sean is no longer able to inherit. The camp would probably be sold because Sean is the only one who prefers the camp to stay a camp. Does this make sense to anyone? Won’t hurt my feeling if you answer no.
Yes, it makes sense! This could be the father’s way of making sure they don’t sell the camp. Maybe his plan was they wouldn’t be able to come to decision about Ryan and Sean would get the share and he would convince everyone to keep the camp.
I think Mary wants it to stay camp too. She is close by with her stable probably gives riding lessons to campers.