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ecb_15's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
whatsclairereading's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
isz_mc's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kirstyreviewsbooks's review
4.0
The Secret by Debbie Howells
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
‘Everyone has secrets. And now, one of mine is yours…’
As the only two teenagers in a small village, Hollie and Niamh tell each other everything. Behind Abingworth’s closed doors, every family has its secrets – and theirs might hide the worst ones of all.
One day Hollie tells Niamh about a devastating discovery, swears her to secrecy … then vanishes. All the villagers claim to know nothing. Until Hollie’s body is found, and the police know one of their number isn’t just a liar, but a killer…
This is a tense psychological thriller that will hold your attention. A fast-paced thrilling read with many twists. Everyone has a secret that they don't want to reveal but one of them might hold the information that the police are needing for their investigation. There are some tough topics discussed in this book but they are all covered tastefully.
I would recommend this book to fans of psychological thrillers. Howells has managed to write a variety of characters - some of these you will love and others you will loathe.
Rating: 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
‘Everyone has secrets. And now, one of mine is yours…’
As the only two teenagers in a small village, Hollie and Niamh tell each other everything. Behind Abingworth’s closed doors, every family has its secrets – and theirs might hide the worst ones of all.
One day Hollie tells Niamh about a devastating discovery, swears her to secrecy … then vanishes. All the villagers claim to know nothing. Until Hollie’s body is found, and the police know one of their number isn’t just a liar, but a killer…
This is a tense psychological thriller that will hold your attention. A fast-paced thrilling read with many twists. Everyone has a secret that they don't want to reveal but one of them might hold the information that the police are needing for their investigation. There are some tough topics discussed in this book but they are all covered tastefully.
I would recommend this book to fans of psychological thrillers. Howells has managed to write a variety of characters - some of these you will love and others you will loathe.
Rating: 4/5
kelsiandherbookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
“Only ten percent of people are good”. This quote makes its way throughout this book multiple times and the statistic proved to be true for the characters.
The Secret is a thrilling crime novel that tells the story of the Buckley family who is haunted by both death and abuse. The village in which they live in is unique and seemingly holds the darkest secrets, belonging not just to the Buckleys, but to the rest of the community as well, until the truth is forced to come to light.
This well paced novel is layered with multiple story lines and secondary characters who complete the plot. Although there are themes of mental illness, suicide, and domestic violence, these heavy topics are used in an intentional way that demonstrate the realities of humanity and leaves the reader questioning who belongs to that 10 percent.
The Secret is a thrilling crime novel that tells the story of the Buckley family who is haunted by both death and abuse. The village in which they live in is unique and seemingly holds the darkest secrets, belonging not just to the Buckleys, but to the rest of the community as well, until the truth is forced to come to light.
This well paced novel is layered with multiple story lines and secondary characters who complete the plot. Although there are themes of mental illness, suicide, and domestic violence, these heavy topics are used in an intentional way that demonstrate the realities of humanity and leaves the reader questioning who belongs to that 10 percent.
florenceandmary's review against another edition
5.0
Advance Copy from Netgalley
TW: This book deals with domestic violence and child pornography
I really enjoyed this multiple narrative fast paced thriller. Short pacey chapters told from different narratives creating suspense found I was constantly changing my views wondering 'who to trust'.
I kept turning pages wanting to know more as just as I thought I had things sussed another curve ball would be thrown keeping me engaged to the last page - even that threw a final 'oh' moment.
The book starts and you think it's a typical whodunnit and then it changes and becomes so much more of a tangled web.
Well worth a read and I'll be seeking more from Debbie Howells in the future.
TW: This book deals with domestic violence and child pornography
I really enjoyed this multiple narrative fast paced thriller. Short pacey chapters told from different narratives creating suspense found I was constantly changing my views wondering 'who to trust'.
I kept turning pages wanting to know more as just as I thought I had things sussed another curve ball would be thrown keeping me engaged to the last page - even that threw a final 'oh' moment.
The book starts and you think it's a typical whodunnit and then it changes and becomes so much more of a tangled web.
Well worth a read and I'll be seeking more from Debbie Howells in the future.
catreader18's review against another edition
5.0
This is a book that will keep you guessing. You know from the beginning that the father, Andrew, is not a nice person. He’s cruel, unfaithful, and generally a bad person. What you don’t know is how is he, or is he is, part of deaths in the book.
The story has several narrators and I love this type of story. You get to see from different perspectives. I really enjoyed this book, especially the characters as they develop throughout the story. I would recommend this book to someone looking for a complex thriller with a lot of mysteries to solve.
The story has several narrators and I love this type of story. You get to see from different perspectives. I really enjoyed this book, especially the characters as they develop throughout the story. I would recommend this book to someone looking for a complex thriller with a lot of mysteries to solve.
the_sassy_bookworm's review against another edition
5.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 -- A cracking good read!
First, I am just going to say, Netflix needs to make this book into a series ASAP! In fact, does anyone know who I email to get this done??
First, I am just going to say, Netflix needs to make this book into a series ASAP! In fact, does anyone know who I email to get this done??