Secrets Revealed
Author: Carol Goodman
Publisher: William Morrow (March 2019)
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publishers Description:
The latest thriller from the internationally bestselling author of The Lake of Dead Languages and The Other Mother, a story of mistaken identities and missed chances, forgiveness, and vengeance.
“Carol Goodman is, simply put, a stellar writer.”—Lisa Unger,New York Times bestselling author of The Red Hunter
ALICE gets off a bus in the middle of a snowstorm in Delphi, NY. She is fleeing an abusive relationship and desperate to protect…
OREN, ten years old, a major Star Wars fan and wise beyond his years. Though Alice is wary, Oren bonds nearly instantly with…
MATTIE, a social worker in her fifties who lives in an enormous run-down house in the middle of the woods. Mattie lives alone and is always available, and so she is the person the hotline always calls when they need a late-night pickup. And although according to protocol Mattie should take Alice and Oren to a local shelter, instead she brings them home for the night. She has plenty of room, she says. What she doesn’t say is that Oren reminds her of her little brother, who died thirty years ago at the age of ten.
But Mattie isn’t the only one withholding elements of the truth. Alice is keeping her own secrets. And as the snowstorm worsens around them, each woman’s past will prove itself unburied, stirring up threats both within and without.
My Thoughts:
This story alternates between Alice, who is fleeing from an abusive relationship, and Mattie, who is a volunteer at a women’s shelter. After picking Alice and Oren, her 10-year-old son, up from the bus stop, Mattie abandons protocol. Due to bad weather, she takes the two to her home instead of a shelter.
For me, it started out just fine, What is Alice’s story? Why is Mattie living in a large, run-down home? Why does she suddenly feel an attachment to 10-year-old Oren?
It moves along and secrets begin to be unearthed from both Mattie and Alice. Also, there is a snowstorm causing the roads to be inaccessible. This adds tension and suspense to the virtual strangers who are sharing the house with Mattie.
But as the story continues the paranormal and absurdity of certain things puts the breaks on my enjoyment. If paranormal works for you, then absolutely continue reading.
The ability for Oren to know things that he shouldn’t can add to the mystery and suspense of the story or as I said, for me, it disrupted the flow. But then I’m not a fan of paranormal, so naturally, that’s going to affect my review and thinking.
What Concerned Me:
Too many things in the second half of the book felt too coincidental and weird. Plus the book ended without me feeling everything was explained.
What I Liked Best:
I liked the author’s writing style very much. And I did like the isolated situation that she created for the setting.
If you’re a fan of paranormal this is a book I’d certainly recommend. There are lots of good things about it that will keep you turning the pages.
Author Information:
Carol Goodman is the critically acclaimed author of fourteen novels, including The Lake of Dead Languages and The Seduction of Water, which won the 2003 Hammett Prize. Her books have been translated into sixteen languages. She lives in the Hudson Valley with her family and teaches writing and literature at the New School and SUNY New Paltz.
Her Books
