The secret of the Gunners

Rebecca Kauffman's poignant novel captures the pain of growing up, the beauty and disappointment that friendship can bring into our lives. This is the story of six friends bound by shared secrets and a secret meeting place — the abandoned Gunners' house, whose name they have appropriated. When they turned sixteen, one of the girls, Sally, suddenly drifted away and left the company. Blaming each other for the destruction of their friendship, the Gunners part ways, never knowing the real reason. After Sally's death, they, a man and a woman in their thirties, get together. The meeting reunites the Gunners, and now they have to understand the reasons for the breakup of friendship, find the truth and forgiveness.

The story moves from childhood to adulthood, bursting with different memories of each of the friends. This is a beautifully written, poignant book with charming characters.