"Secrets in the dark" debut novel by Ceril Campbell

Publication date - 2nd July 2026

Circle of Secrets

In the glamorous world of fashion, fame, and power, beauty hides blemishes and success conceals scars.

When a young model disappears in Europe, her absence begins to expose the hidden fractures beneath the industry’s most glamorous elite. While a circle of friends, whose worlds – built on ambition, betrayal, and silence – begin to crack and truths that could destroy them all claw their way to the surface.

At the height of the hedonistic 1980’s, from the polished veneer of the modelling world in London and Milan, to the freedom of Soho where identities blur, lives begin to unravel.

Mothers haunted by loss, beautiful women desperate to bury their past, and powerful men entangled in guilt, desire, and control.

Also available from Waterstones and independent bookshops.

Pre-publication reviews

'“Glossy, sexy, funny – this is the summer escapism you’ve been looking for.”

Celia Walden

US Editor-at-Large, Daily Telegraph

"Ceril Campbell captures the excesses of the Eighties in the spirit of Jackie Collins."

Carrie Hughes

Author of 'The Woman From Book Club'
and 'The Trad Wife'

"Ceril Campbell captures the excesses of the Eighties in the spirit of Jackie Collins."

Carrie Hughes

Author of 'The Woman From Book Club' and 'The Trad Wife'

"Loved it! Have just finished the book and I cried! A fabulous page-furner!"

Nicky Johnston

Celebrity Photographer

“What a great sequel to Secrets in the Dark. The characters are all so strong yet their vulnerability is tested to the max. This book has everything – glamour, sex, heartbreak, jet set lifestyle and true love to name but a few. - This is definitely a story you can’t put down – I loved it. “

Susie Juul

Former model in 70s and 80s

“Ceril Campbell’s Circle of Secrets promises a glamorous, highstakes dive into the glittering yet treacherous world of 1980s fashion - a setting ripe for the author’s signature blend of glitz, rivalry, passion, and danger.“

Hazel Butterfield

Radio Presenter

“Ceril Campbell keeps the reader involved in everyone’s lives, and you find yourself in the midst of their circle of secrets - A brilliant rollercoaster read, Ceril’s insight into the world of fashion is fascinating, and the details of life in the early 80’s was bang on! I loved this book. It’s pure escapism, sexy and fun.”

Victoria Bonaddio

'“A unique clever and interesting take on the modelling industry back in the 80s, and where I saw it heading – just as I left it. If you know nothing of this crazy world, this book will give you a helluva glimpse of how it was back then.”

Marianne Desnaux

Former model in 70s and 80s

"‘Circle of Secrets’ sent me ricocheting back in time to my life as a Model Agent in the ‘80s and beyond. The predatory men and the dark underbelly of the glamorous world of fashion are perfectly captured with all the highs and lows. Well worth a read.”

Melissa Richardson

Director of Take 2 Model Management ( 1982-2009 )

“Sharp characterisation, smooth time and special shifts, capturing the feel of the 80s and just enough ‘naughty’ bits to spice up the narrative. I enjoyed this book very much.”

Peter William Evans

Film Historian

“Love love love this book! Finally one with a happy ending. The twists and turns of life in the 80s when we always had our passports with us, just in case…”

Kim King-Lewis

“Circle of Secrets draws you into the 1980s world of Wham and Madonna, where you always went out with a 10p - so you could phone home from a phone box, and “Me too” was only the response to “Who’d like another drink?”

Irene Taylor

Debut Novel

Secrets In The Dark

Secrets in the Dark Ceril’s debut novel, is based on her insider knowledge of over four decades of working within the world of fashion and celebrity.

The Kings Road, Chelsea in 1970’s London is the epicentre for fashion, music and unlikely friendships – where it’s now cool for posh, privileged girls to mix outside their social circles. When two such teenagers meet and form a close and sisterly bond, their worlds are unexpectedly and suddenly torn apart as they each suffer personal traumas. Needing to escape London to hide their shameful secrets, they embark upon individual rollercoaster journeys of extreme highs and lows that take them to Paris, Los Angeles and the South of France, where men are rich, sex is a commodity, drugs are a way of life and a glamorous celebrity lifestyle is optional

'Ceril's writing technique was super evocative and the girl's traumatic journeys and the shame they were experiencing felt quite real and vivid. All in all, this book is about friendship, luxury, suffering and the power of real bonds. The end offers quite a twist and I would definitely keep on reading Campbell's future novels, since she's proven to be a gifted author.'

Amazon Review

'Ceril's writing style is fast-paced, making it easy to deep dive into the pages. She goes for an omniscient POV too, which is my nemesis 99,9% of the time. However Secrets in the Dark belongs to that 0.01%, because this is how you handle omniscient. The switching is there, it's-for lack of a better word-quick, even unobtrusive, not as ponderous as it often happens with this POV. I guess this is the only omniscient book I ever enjoyed to the fullest - well done'

Good Reads Review

'A wonderful book worthy of more than 5 stars!'
'Secrets In The Dark is a story of love, friendship, pain and suffering. The novel is written beautifully and the characters of Paula and Phoebe, as well as others, really come to life. I sympathised with the girls' pain but also envied their life of glamour. I did not want it to end. It is a book that really has you invested in the characters and their lives'

Sylvia

Transform your Life & Style

Discover the New You

Ceril Campbell has enhanced the images of international celebrities, models, sports people, actors and even royalty. Her client list has included Ringo Starr, Jane Seymour OBE, Dame Darcey Bussell DBE, Anna Kournikova and Zara Tindall OBE OLY. She now helps real women with their inner and outer confidence, style and self-development, helping them to feel good about themselves.

Discover The New You takes you on a personal journey, step by step with Ceril, detailing how you can feel special. This is the ultimate guide to making the very best of what you’ve got, whilst moving forward with confidence for the rest of your life.

Important Notice on Pirated Copies of My Book

Please be aware that my book Discover the New You, originally published by Summersdale on 8 January 2006, is no longer in print.

Unfortunately, an unauthorised and illegal cloned version of this book has been published on Kindle and is being sold under my name by Amazon, using my original text, images, and cover design, as though it were my own work.

⚠️ This pirated Kindle version, which features a pink cover, is being sold on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com under ASIN: B0FNLMNLPS.

The genuine Summersdale paperback edition is now only available through secondary resellers (e.g., via Amazon or eBay). The authentic edition can be verified by the original ISBN: 1840245514.

This notice serves as confirmation that I am the original author and rights holder of Discover the New You, and I do not authorise or endorse any cloned or pirated editions.