Imagine never being able to tell a lie or repeat a secret. This is the life of identical twin sisters–one keeps others’ secrets while the other can only tell the truth. As young teenagers, Adele and Eleda help their parents run a busy inn and are sought after by those searching for the truth and others who desperately want it hidden. They also find themselves with their own adventures and in situations they’d rather remain undisclosed. Occasionally they even discover something that must be kept hidden or another thing that must be shared in order to protect the other twin. Decisions get a bit tricky for both of them in many instances, especially when they are mistaken for the other. The Truth-Teller’s Tale is a sequel to The Safe-Keeper’s Secret, both of which take place in the same setting, but few characters are the same and the time is set several years later. As with the first, the second book is such a fun and compelling story. Shinn once again makes you fall in love with the characters she’s created and gives you the surprise ending you didn’t know you wanted.

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:   4 mild obscenities.

Violence/Gore:  Several (11) brief incidents including character joking about wanting to die rather than be in current situation; verbal threat; character’s head slammed against wall and threatened with knife; mother of young child died; second hand report of young girl getting beat; second hand report that character broke leg; reference to war; second hand report of men killed on boats; character getting choked; mention/report of character being raped and beat.

Sex/Nudity:  Many (25) brief incidents including hand holding; hugging; kissing; flirting; dancing; walking arm in arm; character sitting in another’s lap; reference to fondling; innuendo; characters talk about possibly having sex; mention/report of a girl raped.

Mature Subject Matter:

Stealing, reference to death, war, famine and plague.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

References to drunk people; character could smell wine; characters drink wine while walking around town.