The Secret Keeper (2012) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 4 stars

“I liked this book more than I thought I would. However, I am glad that I finished it as an audiobook simply because it was so long. However, the story was intriguing and with enough twists and turns to keep me interested. I also learned a little bit more about Britain during the second world war, and that can never hurt either. ”

• Rated 4 stars

“The Secret Keeper – Kate Morton
Audio performance by Caroline Lee

4 stars (3 for the audio performance)

The story takes place in four time periods, beginning with a shocking crime witnessed by a teen-aged Laurel Nicholson in the mid 1960’s. In late middle age, Laurel returns to the scene of the crime and to her mother’s death bed. Laurel’s need for answers causes her to disinter her mother’s World War Two activities.

This is the third Kate Morton book that I’ve read. With each of them there were some points when I felt the story was moving so slowly that I considered leaving the book unfinished. The parallel contemporary and historical plotlines are so ploddingly slow that the eventual ‘reveal’ of the big secret is something that I have recognized for many pages. Knowing the secret and understanding the motivation are two different things; this is what truly makes the story. I do have to admire the intricate plotting of so many time periods and interrelated characters. In the end the puzzle pieces fit together well; a bit too well. From the lack of an arrest for the initial crime to the coincidental and neatly tied up threads of the ending, it is difficult to believe in this story.

It is fiction, after all, and I do like her characters. The Nicholson family; Laurel’s interaction with her sisters and especially her brother drew me into the story and kept me turning pages. The parts of the story set in World War Two, in the middle of the London Blitz, were full of action and completely held my interest. Although the major secret of the story was no surprise to me, there were a few twists in the plot that weren’t totally obvious.

I like Caroline Lee as a reader, but very little of this story takes place in Australia. Lee can’t seem to lose her Aussie accent. I had an easier time with the print version of the book. Reading speeds the story along and I was able to give the characters the voices and accents that felt right to me.

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• Rated 4 stars

“Enjoyed this book. Some twists that I didn't anticipate made it all the more interesting. ”

• Rated 3 stars

“Not earth shattering but very pleasing and well told. I will definitely read another book by Kate Morton.”

• Rated 0 stars

“Oh, wow. This book had more plot twists and surprises than any I have read in a long while. There were many shifts in point of view and setting that took a bit of getting used to, but it was worth it. I highly recommend this book.”

• Rated 2 stars

“I usually love Kate Morton, but i just never really got into this one.”

• Rated 5 stars

“I think I should just go about life knowing I am going to love everything that Kate Morton writes. She paints such incredible pictures and weaves this intricate tales. I fall in love with the characters, and feel like I am back in whatever era she is writing in. She has truly become one of my favorite authors. ”

• Rated 2 stars

“This was really boring until about 3/4 of the way through. I got tired of the author's way of finding out information. Journals and letters and people just show up at convenient times.”

• Rated 4 stars

“Great read, great plot keeps you interested at all time, great characters. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“I loved it but I love Kate Morton books. I love the mystery and how she weaves it through the past and present. Maybe it's because I love history, but I love how she goes back into her character's past and present.”