Publication Date: August 1, 2025
For 15-year-old Daphne Ann Post, the summer of 1976 at Lake Carlson should be filled with new friendships and carefree late-night parties. But something darker lurks beneath the surface—her chilling premonition that someone is going to drown.
Wishing she could escape the shadow of her fractured family and her mother’s too-soon rebound relationship, Daphne reluctantly heads to the family lake house in Northern Indiana. The tension with her mother is thick—especially when Daphne is the only one who knows her mom’s boyfriend is hiding a dangerous secret. But Daphne’s burden is far heavier than family drama. She harbors an unsettling gift—an ability to know the hidden truths of anyone she touches.
Last year that same intuition failed her when her best friend ignored Daphne’s warning before a tragic accident. Now everyone at school blames Daphne for what happened. Haunted by guilt, Daphne is determined to keep her ability a secret.
When she meets the Vaughans—cool, popular, and effortlessly perfect next-door neighbors—Daphne is drawn into their world, seduced by the thrill of fitting in. Over the summer, whispers of danger from the lake grow louder. Her intuition screams someone will die, and not even the haze of weed can numb her fear.
The clock is ticking. Daphne knows that to save a life, she’ll have to confront her darkest secret and risk losing everything she’s worked so hard for. Can she stop the inevitable without exposing her truth? Or will the lake claim a victim—this time, someone she loves?
The summer of 1976 may feature the traditional trip to her grandmother’s lake cottage, but 15-year-old Daphne Ann Post can easily identify the differences.
At the top of her mind is a destroyed friendship caused by Daphne’s rather unusual ability to see things via touch. Now, she’s getting that same feeling of dread about the lake.
Author Tracey S. Phillips uses this feeling as the basis for a suspenseful story in Forewarned. Geared primarily for teen or young adult readers, the story unfolds through different perspectives. This is a bit tricky to follow.
Daphne faces a number of challenges connected to various relationships, both family and new friends. The author also illustrates teen life reflecting the time period.
Forewarned forces the main character to make a decision with serious repercussions.
Award winning author, Tracey S. Phillips has played the piano since age three. She considers herself a serial artist who is an avid gardener, musician, piano teacher, artist, and author. She writes psychological thrillers and romantic suspense. BEST KEPT SECRETS won a Hugh Holton Award and she is a two-time finalist for the Claymore Award. In 2020 she created Blackbird Writers, a community of like-minded mystery authors. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and like some of her characters, she occasionally speaks with spirits on the other side.
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Thanks for your thoughts. I also read this one. I loved the whole 70’s vibe! That is when I was a teen so I could relate! 🙂
Thanks so much Wendy!
And thank you Amy for the great review!
Amy i appreciate your great review!