The spellbinding new novel from the international bestselling author of The House at Riverton, The Forgotten Garden and The Distant Hours
The Secret Keeper
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Review
‘Tense and atmospheric’ Woman & Home
‘Kate Morton excels in this enthralling novel about desires and divided loyalties’ Good Housekeeping
‘An evocative tale of wartime secrets and family loyalty . . . The story unfurls with a beguiling sweetness, but there's a real sting to this tale, too’ Marie Claire Good Book Club choice
‘Kate Morton excels in this enthralling novel about desires and divided loyalties’ Good Housekeeping
‘An evocative tale of wartime secrets and family loyalty . . . The story unfurls with a beguiling sweetness, but there's a real sting to this tale, too’ Marie Claire Good Book Club choice
Book Description
1961: On a sweltering summer's day, while her family picnics by the stream on their Suffolk farm, sixteen-year-old Laurel hides out in her childhood tree house dreaming of a boy called Billy, a move to London, and the bright future she can't wait to seize. But before the idyllic afternoon is over, Laurel will have witnessed a shocking crime that changes everything. 2011: Now a much-loved actress, Laurel finds herself overwhelmed by shades of the past. Haunted by memories, and the mystery of what she saw that day, she returns to her family home and begins to piece together a secret history. A tale of three strangers from vastly different worlds - Dorothy, Vivien and Jimmy - who are brought together by chance in wartime London and whose lives become fiercely and fatefully entwined. Shifting between the 1930s, the 1960s and the present, The Secret Keeper is a spellbinding story of mysteries and secrets, murder and enduring love.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
149 of 154 people found the following review helpful
By C. Colley
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
I was really pleased to get a pre-publication copy of The Secret Keeper. It's a huge book and I admit that I started it with a little trepidation. The story in Kate Morton's previous novel, The Distant Hours was really good, but overall I felt it was a little drawn out.
This story opens on a summer's day in the 1960s. Sixteen year old Lauren Nicholson is a witness to a crime that involves her mother, Dorothy. The police arrive and the matter is dealt with, but it's many years later before Laurel uncovers her mothers shady past and what led to that shocking event.
Dorothy's story goes back to the late 1930s. She leaves her family behind and goes to London. During wartime, Dorothy becomes involved with Jimmy, and comes into contact with Vivien, the wife of a once famous author. When Dorothy's, Jimmy's and Vivien's worlds collide, the tension in the story begins to mount.
In the present day, Laurel is back at the family home in Suffolk. Her frail mother is in hospital and the visits to see her are helping Laurel piece together the family mystery that's haunted her for years.
This book is a super read. It starts a tiny bit slow, but this is necessary to develop the plot. The story moves back and forth and becomes more intricate as it unfolds. The characters are vibrant and there is a wonderful sense of time and place, particularly in wartime London where the atmosphere and plot-line are tense.
Everything unravels in the latter pages and leads to a brilliant twist. The story certainly keeps the reader guessing and my guess was way off the mark.
Kate Morton has written a fantastic story here and I think it's her best yet.
This story opens on a summer's day in the 1960s. Sixteen year old Lauren Nicholson is a witness to a crime that involves her mother, Dorothy. The police arrive and the matter is dealt with, but it's many years later before Laurel uncovers her mothers shady past and what led to that shocking event.
Dorothy's story goes back to the late 1930s. She leaves her family behind and goes to London. During wartime, Dorothy becomes involved with Jimmy, and comes into contact with Vivien, the wife of a once famous author. When Dorothy's, Jimmy's and Vivien's worlds collide, the tension in the story begins to mount.
In the present day, Laurel is back at the family home in Suffolk. Her frail mother is in hospital and the visits to see her are helping Laurel piece together the family mystery that's haunted her for years.
This book is a super read. It starts a tiny bit slow, but this is necessary to develop the plot. The story moves back and forth and becomes more intricate as it unfolds. The characters are vibrant and there is a wonderful sense of time and place, particularly in wartime London where the atmosphere and plot-line are tense.
Everything unravels in the latter pages and leads to a brilliant twist. The story certainly keeps the reader guessing and my guess was way off the mark.
Kate Morton has written a fantastic story here and I think it's her best yet.
73 of 76 people found the following review helpful
By Dimity
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have just finished reading this wonderful book this morning and have wiped the tears away now. Tears because the book has ended and also because I was so touched by certain aspects of the story. I very rarely cry at books but this one had me a few times.
I have loved all of Kate Morton's previous books. Even The Distant Hours, which received quite negative reviews. So I was eagerly awaiting the release of this novel and wasn't disappointed.
What a wonderful story. So beautifully well written, as always. I would say that it was pitched perfectly, were it not for the fact that I found it a little hard going and over descriptive at the beginning. If you find this too, stick with it; it will reward you!
I'm not one for outlining the plot in reviews; the above Amazon blurb is there for that. However, I would like to point out that the many twists and turns and the triple time frame narrative are all handled extremely skillfully and you need to keep reading to get the posed questions answered. Beautiful!
Also, talking of twists, there is rather a large twist that was all the more satisfying for me as I hadn't already worked it out. I usually always see the twist coming a mile away and, as, with hindsight, this one was quite clear, it is a great testament to the writer's skill that I didn't twig earlier. I did read back over several sections after 'the reveal' and kicked myself with a gratified smile.
Very lovely, beautifully written, well researched and enjoyable novel from a fantastic writer. Buy it! If you liked KM's other books, you'll love this. I will definitely be reading it again.
I have now started to re-read The Forgotten Garden.
I have loved all of Kate Morton's previous books. Even The Distant Hours, which received quite negative reviews. So I was eagerly awaiting the release of this novel and wasn't disappointed.
What a wonderful story. So beautifully well written, as always. I would say that it was pitched perfectly, were it not for the fact that I found it a little hard going and over descriptive at the beginning. If you find this too, stick with it; it will reward you!
I'm not one for outlining the plot in reviews; the above Amazon blurb is there for that. However, I would like to point out that the many twists and turns and the triple time frame narrative are all handled extremely skillfully and you need to keep reading to get the posed questions answered. Beautiful!
Also, talking of twists, there is rather a large twist that was all the more satisfying for me as I hadn't already worked it out. I usually always see the twist coming a mile away and, as, with hindsight, this one was quite clear, it is a great testament to the writer's skill that I didn't twig earlier. I did read back over several sections after 'the reveal' and kicked myself with a gratified smile.
Very lovely, beautifully written, well researched and enjoyable novel from a fantastic writer. Buy it! If you liked KM's other books, you'll love this. I will definitely be reading it again.
I have now started to re-read The Forgotten Garden.
47 of 49 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous story set across three time periods with mystery and intrigue
14 Oct 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Another superb read from Kate Morton this time set over three time periods, 1941,1961 and 2011 it starts in 1961 with Laurel, eldest daughter of Dorothy Nicholson witnessing a shocking event.
In 2011 with her mother reaching the end of her life in hospital Laurel decides she needs to re-examine that day and longs to find out more about her mother's early life. Her mother is also remembering the early days giving the reader a narrative of London during the Blitz.
As always Kate Morton draws crisp characters along with great descriptions of wartime life, based upon solid research that only occasionally intrudes through the storytelling, but rather blends seamlessly into Dorothy's life. The number of main characters is kept to a minimum with enough bit-players to give depth but not so many to confuse matters.
The book is split into four parts, with each chapter clearly stating the time period it relates to, this makes for easy clear reading and the tale rattles along as a good book should.
The end of the story doesn't disappoint, although for some I expect it may be just a little to neatly sewn together. I loved every moment of this book.
Another winner, I am already looking forward to Kate Morton's next book.
In 2011 with her mother reaching the end of her life in hospital Laurel decides she needs to re-examine that day and longs to find out more about her mother's early life. Her mother is also remembering the early days giving the reader a narrative of London during the Blitz.
As always Kate Morton draws crisp characters along with great descriptions of wartime life, based upon solid research that only occasionally intrudes through the storytelling, but rather blends seamlessly into Dorothy's life. The number of main characters is kept to a minimum with enough bit-players to give depth but not so many to confuse matters.
The book is split into four parts, with each chapter clearly stating the time period it relates to, this makes for easy clear reading and the tale rattles along as a good book should.
The end of the story doesn't disappoint, although for some I expect it may be just a little to neatly sewn together. I loved every moment of this book.
Another winner, I am already looking forward to Kate Morton's next book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
"A Book not to be Missed"
I enjoyed every page of this book and just love the hint of mystery in the story-line. I chose it because I have read all the author's books up to now and all of them have been... Read more
Published 9 hours ago by Mrs. Sybil Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Kate Morton weaves such imaginative stories which hold the reader gripped throughout. I really enjoy finding the clues to the truth which are threaded through the story but only... Read more
Published 3 days ago by mrs maureen moore
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliantly written
A thoroughly engaging and enjoyable read. The characters were beautifully written and the storyline complex but very well knitted together.
Published 5 days ago by Beverley Clews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Can you keep a secret!
Another brilliant story by Kate Morton, Secret Keepers kept me hooked until the final page. What I like about her books is that Kate Morton uses real characters and plausible... Read more
Published 5 days ago by Mrs Clare Kitcher
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great family story
I loved every moment of this story, and the characters were really believable. The unexpected end really got me. I hadn't seen it coming.
Published 5 days ago by 60's kid
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
read as part of book club
Ordered hardback copy and was not disappointed
Excellent read!
Told everyone all about it!
Ordered hardback copy and was not disappointed
Excellent read!
Told everyone all about it!
Published 5 days ago by Mr. Martin Harvey
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was both sad and uplifting and kept me enthral led from start to finish. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Reifer
5.0 out of 5 stars
An amazing read
This book is one that you cannot put down. I loved it. An amazing story with twists and turns you are not expecting right up to the end. Read more
Published 12 days ago by GR
5.0 out of 5 stars
Her best book yet
I have enjoyed Kate Morton's other novels, but this one is outstanding. Other reviewers have reported the content of the novel, so I just want to encourage readers to buy it. Read more
Published 17 days ago by iona
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
The book is well written and keeps your interest throughout. I didn't want it to end so must have been good.
Published 19 days ago by F. Morgan
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