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Literary Friday: The Secret Keeper

Friday, November 30, 2012



Recently I read The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton.  Morton is one of my favorite authors, so I always purchase her books rather than checking them out from the library.  She is the queen of plots steeped in intriguing family secrets, and I truly love her stories.

Laurel Nicholson is England's most beloved actress.  She had recently placed second in "The Nation's Favorite Face" poll, and could basically get any role she wanted.  But now she must play the dutiful daughter and eldest sister due to her mom's failing health.  Laurel returns to her family's rural Suffolk farmhouse along with her three younger sisters to care for their mother Dorothy during her final days.

Laurel has kept a secret from her siblings for a very long time.  During a family creekside birthday party, sixteen year old Laurel escapes to her treehouse to daydream about a boy and becoming an actress.  Her mother returns to the house to retrieve a cake knife when Laurel witnesses her mother kill a man in cold blood with said knife.  Laurel is stunned and goes into shock: How could her nurturing and vivacious mother commit such a crime?

The answers to these questions can be found in the past, in London, during the blitz.  Most of the novel's story is centered around Dorothy, Vivien, and Jimmy: three people whose lives would forever be altered due to a misunderstanding and a direct hit from a bomb.  Their story will keep you reading until late at night, trust me.  An added bonus to the plot is that Laurel could easily quit her day job as an actress and become a detective.  Her ability to piece together her mother's story using clues from the past is fantastic.  The Secret Keeper's ending is shocking, and I'm fairly certain it will make my Best of 2012 list.



Kate Morton discusses The Secret Keeper


What have you been reading lately?  This is a linky!


Until next time...
Happy reading!
Ricki Jill

8 comments

  1. The plot caught my attention. It looks like the book is something I will get hooked to. I love mystery stories and this will surely be in my list Ricki :)

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  2. I've never read anuthing by Kate Morton but I love a good present story line and historical story line weavd together. Which one is your favorite and I will go get it from the library.

    Speaking of your Best of the year books, look what comes out next year!
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1538403/
    Guess I need to get on reading that series, the 4th book is on it's way to me right now.

    Hope you are having a better day, my prayers are always with you and your family. We should plan to get together again soon, maybe do some holiday decorating shopping or something.

    Hugs
    Caroline

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  3. I have to write her name down. We are at the library twice a month and I am getting my reading back on track. I have been just turning everything off and reading every night. I sleep so much better. Thanks for the tip.

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  4. Sounds like a must read Ricki Jill!

    xoxo
    Karena
    2012 Artists Series

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  5. Hi Ricki Jill,
    This looks like a great read. I will put it on my list for book club. Thank you so much for hosting!
    ~Liz

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  6. OH BOY! She's one of my favorite authors, too and I haven't read this one yet! I'll look for it! Enjoy your weekend, my friend!

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  7. That sounds lovely! I have The Forgotten Garden, but haven't read it (or any Kate Morton) yet. I look forward to discovering her, though- she sounds like a great writer!

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  8. Ricki Jill~ Thanks for your review, I enjoyed The Forgotten Garden. My TBR pile just got longer :)

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I'm Ricki Jill. Welcome! I'm honored that you're reading my blog. I enjoy sharing my creative lifestyle @ The Bookish Dilettante. For more information about my blog, please read the Start Here page. Thank-you for stopping by, and I hope you'll consider following me via email.

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