Carla Salmon’s debut novel, “We See What You Started,” is an excellent young adult novel. It is powered by a mystery, but also has some things to say about subjects like friendship, competitiveness, and family.
15 year old Otto and his mother and little brother have moved to Australia. They didn’t have a lot of choice – they had no money and needed his aunt’s help, and Otto was under suspicion of arson.
Strangely, soon after Otto arrives in Red Sands, there’s a rash of fires. And everywhere a fire starts, there’s Otto. But Milly, an active member of the local surf club, is drawn to Otto. She’s focused on the upcoming surf competition, but can’t quite let go of the nagging thought that the new boy in town might not be responsible for those fires.
The novel is probably aimed at readers around 13-17, but could easily be enjoyed by those both younger and older. There are no themes or scenes that would be a problem for younger readers. As for the older ones, well, I found this entertaining and engaging, and I’m well past my teen years.
My 12 year old co-reader really enjoyed this. The characters were her favorite part of the novel – she said that they were all relatable. What really hooked her, though, was Otto’s background. She found that intriguing, and it made her want to find out more about him.
I agree that characterisation is solid, although focused primarily on half a dozen characters. The characters in the foreground are fully rounded and believable. The teenagers in particular are very realistic, with their mixture of rebellion, responsibility, stupidity, and intelligence – sometimes all displayed by the same person in a few minutes.
The background of the surf lifesaving carnival is vivid, with enough explanation for anyone unfamiliar to follow what’s going on and why. It’s a pretty realistic reflection of how it could become important to teens in a coastal town.
Miss 12 found the plot interesting, although she didn’t feel it was the most compelling she’d come across. The mystery plot reminded me very much of old school novels like Nancy Drew. Some elements of the plot are evident very early on, but others are trickier to work out till closer to the end. I think it will keep most young readers guessing and fully involved.
Overall, this was a well-written and enjoyable read, marked by strong characterisation and a good sense of place. Miss 12 would recommend it to other young readers, and I think a fair range of older readers would also enjoy it.
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club Members are reading We Saw What You Started by Carla Salmon. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.
I’ve loved books for as long as I can remember, and I love sharing that joy.
I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember, across all genres. There’s not much I won’t at least try. I’ve been an enthusiastic book reviewer for years. I particularly enjoy discovering writers new to me, and sharing good writing with others.
My career has included time spent writing and editing technical documents, but it’s fiction that really moves me. I’ve reviewed for a number of different outlets over the years, and have been a judge in literary competitions.
I’m now raising little bookworms of my own, which brings a whole new kind of joy to sharing books.
More of my reviews can be found on my review blog www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog .
An interesting read about some Australian teens dealing with mysteries, friendships, family, adventures, romance, surf lifesaving skills and the unknown of riding the waves. This is Carla’s debut book that will certainly appeal for ages from 11+
I found myself on tenterhooks trying to solve who started the fires and also other mishaps that happen in the storyline.
Definitely an exciting read that will capture your attention from start to finish. I could not work out till the end of who had caused all the mishaps.
It isn’t hard to like the character of a Californian character called Otto who is trying to make a new start in the town of Red Sands. Unfortunately, he is always in the wrong place when something happens so is seen as the prime suspect and must prove his innocence.
Thank you to Beauty and Lace and Pan Macmillan for sending me this book to read. The cover on the back and front is beautiful and depicts the storyline well.
We Saw What You Started by Carla Salmon was an amazing and intriguing young adult read that even adults/those young at heart will thoroughly enjoy from beginning to end. A fast paced thriller, suspense, mystery all rolled into one that involves young teens who definitely aren’t afraid to break the rules. Working to solve the mystery of who is behind the fires of Red Sands what they find out could change their lives we are introduced to Otto – a star surfer from California who is looking for a fresh start from his troubled past. Next we are introduced to Milly who is competing against her brother Jasper (who is Otto’s friend) for the surf lifesaving club captain position. Milly is both confident and charismatic but always in her brothers shadow. She has what it takes to be Captain but that is overlooked and Jasper appears to be the firm favourite for the position.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace book club and Pan Macmillan Australia for my copy of We Saw What You Started.
Thank you to beauty and lace and pan Macmillan for allowing me to read and review We Saw What You Started.
Despite being a young adult novel I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It is a novel about a group of teens who get up to some mischief whilst there are also fires that have been started.
I really liked the novel and how fast everything seemed to move.
I highly recommend,
Fire, it travels, it consumes and it destroys. Otto knows this all too well. His family had to leave California on the back of a fire disaster. And again he finds himself facing the flames.
Having made friends within the local surf lifesaving club in this small coastal Australian country town, he was hoping for a fresh start. When faced with smoke in the scrub his fears start rising, despite reassurance by friend Jasper that it was just a campfire. Alas, no.
A close call to escape the scrub fire, Otto finds himself in a front row seat to two more fires in town. Primary suspect number one, how can he prove it wasn’t him, especially given his past.
Milly and Jasper competed for their clubs high honour, captain… Milly just knows it should be hers but her brother, being a boy, is likely to get given that job. She is more responsible, more reliable and has strengths they could see if only they would look. Starting a job at the local 7-eleven, she sees things that could prove Otto is not responsible, or at least she thinks so.
Between the three of them they need to figure out what is going on, what the grown ups do not see, and to still be the best they can be for the surf competition… the interlopers cannot win.
A fun read, if not a little cryptic at times.
We Saw What You Started by Carla Salmon is a fast-paced young adult mystery set in a small Australian surf town. When a series of fires puts newcomer Otto under suspicion, he teams up with local teen Milly to uncover the truth. Told through dual perspectives, the story blends suspense, friendship, and small-town drama. Carla Salmon’s debut novel is engaging and atmospheric, with relatable characters and a strong sense of place. It’s a gripping read recommended for teens – or anyone really – who enjoy mystery and adventure.
We Saw what You Started by Carla Salmon is a suspenseful YA novel fuelled by surf, sun and skating.
The story revolves around newcomer Otto and a number of fires within the tight knit town. Otto becomes the scapegoat, partly due to his past, and as evidence slowly comes to light, it was great to see perceptions change.
Another plot line that I enjoyed was that of the beginnings of love between Otto and his mates sister. The awkward feelings were described really well.
I found that there were a few loose ends left hanging at the end of the story and it would have been nice to see how friendships evolved within the town following the investigations and outcome.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this story, I think it’ll go down well with the younger YA readers.