Three years have passed since the Kelly children moved out west from New York City. This part of the tale is placed in the hands of Peg, now 11 years old. Peg's desperate to be like her older siblings and longs to be treated like an adult. She is granted the chance when the mysterious Violet comes to stay with Peg,and her mother and stepfather. Unlike in A Place to Belong, the action builds naturally as Peg and Danny suspect that Violet is really a spy for the Confederate cause. Unfortunately their quest for answers yields tragic results. Peg is a likable narrator, however the characterizations of her, her mother, stepfather, and Danny are much too one-dimensional. Historically, Nixon is not at her best nor is the writing as good as it was in A Dangerous Promise and In the Face of Danger still Keeping Secrets is a book worth reading if only because it add to the overall arch of the series. You will find yourself wanting more about the Kellys after reaching the final page.
