Tale of Truthwater Lake

On one side of the underwater street is the remains of a house . . . It's beautiful here, and eerie, a lost kingdom, a ghost village . . .

It's the near-future and Britain is having yet another heatwave. Of course, the government have put in the normal curfews for this kind of weather, and shops are forced to shut again. For Polly, it's the sort of heat that makes her do wild, out-of-character things just to cool down.

Like face her fear of deepwater. Essential when she and her brother have been sent to their aunt's eco lake-side house for the summer.

But Truthwater Lake is beginning to dry up. As the water level diminishes, a lost village emerges. Swimming over the rooftops at midnight, Polly dives down and is suddenly able to breathe, to hear church bells and bird song . . . Polly has discovered an underwater gateway . . . to the past!



Absolutely gorgeous. ― Hilary McKay

Gripping ... intensely readable ... a vision of the past through a thought-provoking near-future lens. ― Guardian, Best Books of 2022

Spellbinding. ― School Reading List

Gorgeously told. I couldn't stop turning the pages. ― Nicola Penfold, Book of the Month, Love Reading

A must-read that promises to stay with you for a very long time. ― Just Imagine

The Tale of Truthwater Lake is trademark Emma Carroll, with a strong and relevant message (this time, protecting the environment) and a pacy, twisty plot. But, more than anything, it's a story about the lasting power of friendship. As we venture into the future as well as the past, Carroll intriguingly connects the lives of her characters. A book full of gutsy charm! -- Lesley Parr, author of The Valley of Lost Secrets

This lovely and satisfying read explores climate change, history and friendship. -- Book of the Week ― The Week Junior

An enthralling, original story with great characters. ― The Tablet

Gripping and fast-paced. ― Books for Topics

Sublime storytelling. A truly extraordinary and remarkable story. ― Book Lover Jo

Exhilarating. ― FT

Combining the gripping story of an indomitable young swimmer with quiet observations on the impact of human activity, this intensely readable novel shows the 9+ reader a vision of the past through a thought-provoking near-future lens. ― The Guardian

After the extraordinary heatwave in Europe this summer, the events in Emma Carroll's novel, set in 2032, seem all too relevant. Blisteringly hot weather causes the titular reservoir to dry up, revealing a drowned village that contains a portal to the past. Together, exhilaratingly, two girls separated by time confront and overcome challenges. ― Financial Times

It is a gripping and exciting story with a powerful message, as well as a thrilling story line. -- Arthur, Aged 13 ― Books up North