Reviews

All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris

dennisfischman's review against another edition

3.0

Wanda M. Morris certainly knows her corporate setting, and the contrast between small town Chillicothe, Georgia and big city Atlanta is striking. I found certain of her social observations to be right on target: the way that some Black women would provide solidarity to another Black woman who's made her way into an executive position while others would treat her as a traitor, for instance, or the way that Ellice's best ally at the nearly all-white firm is a Jewish lawyer.

The premise of the mystery is fine, if a little "John Grisham as a Black woman" for my taste. The solution was a bit convoluted, and it took a couple of pages of explication in the antepenultimate chapter to make it clear.

I agree with the reviewers who say it was difficult to watch this supposedly brilliant lawyer make elementary mistakes in dealing with the police and dig herself in deeper and deeper. I suspect, though, that it was a result of the childhood trauma involving the police which made her unable to think clearly about what she was doing. Still, she should have clammed up and called for a lawyer to represent her!

sheridankedwards's review against another edition

4.0

“Even after my rise, I was still explaining why I needed to be in the room, with a seat at the table, and a voice in the decisions.” This book is really unique, and while some of the plot points feel really unbelievable, the bold, honest exploration of racism the protagonist experiences made is anything but. The author manages to pack such a vivid image of life as a Black woman in rural Georgia into the book that the plot shortcomings don’t seem to matter too much.

cburkenstock's review against another edition

3.0

The story itself was great; the writing was not so great imo, getting pretty repetitive at times. As much as Ellice's decisions sometimes felt out-of-character for someone with a good amount of naturally given intelligence as well as a law degree, I really was rooting for her the entire time. Lots of issues explored here without being contrived, such as racism and sexism (especially in the workplace), generational trauma, poverty, addiction, and family loyalty. Overall I enjoyed it.

Trigger warnings:

Spoiler

pedophilia, molestation, sexual abuse, abortion, alcoholism, racism

common1's review against another edition

3.0

The important and relevant -- though perhaps too obvious -- social and cultural themes woven throughout were not enough overcome the weaknesses of this novel, mostly the awkward stumbling and tongue-tied dialogue of the main character. What kind of high-priced, intelligent attorney is unable to instantly rattle off a string of intelligent and on-point musings? For me, this was a bit of a struggle to finish and falls into the 2 1/2 stars rounded up to 3 stars territory.

candiecane333's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Great novel, interesting premise with lots of twists & turns. However I read this one after her 2nd & 3rd novel so I didn't like it as much as the others. She's grown into an amazing author. The MC's fatal flaw of being an independent Black woman who can't ask anyone for help was very irritating since it caused problems down the road. Then I realized I was that Black woman lol glad she was able to move past that compulsion just as I have (through therapy). 

bumpkinhouse's review against another edition

3.5

Started off well then character started making completely unrelaistic, stupid decisions 

a_cwik's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion

katielovesbooks134's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed this fast paced thriller. I enjoyed the unfolding and unlayering of Ellice as a character - her motivations, how she came to be who she was, her relationships with those around her. I thought the office suspense was well executed. I appreciated the role race played in the telling of this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this advanced eBook copy.

chachi_bby's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

asiabree1's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0