The White Lie by Andrea Gillies

This book is loooooong. In my view, unnecessarily and unrewardingly long. It is similar to the Secrets of the Tides in its themes although the family which the novel dissects are more aristocratic.  The novel is narrated mainly by Michael, a young boy who goes missing, and who gradually reveals the various secrets and lies which surround his disappearance.  The characters are well defined, especially the troubled Ursula, and the plot is intriguing. But it's substance is insufficient to justify its length and unfortunately I don't think it's worth the slog.