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Every Secret Thing: The evocative page-turner
Unavailable
Every Secret Thing: The evocative page-turner
Unavailable
Every Secret Thing: The evocative page-turner
Ebook468 pages7 hours

Every Secret Thing: The evocative page-turner

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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About this ebook

Kate Murray is deeply troubled. In front of her lies a dead man, a stranger who only minutes before had spoken to her - about a mystery, a long-forgotten murder and, most worryingly, her grandmother. His story was old, he had told her, but still deserving of justice.


Soon Kate is caught up in a dangerous whirlwind of events that takes her back into her grandmother's mysterious war-time past and across the Atlantic as she tries to retrace the dead man's footsteps. Finding out the truth is not so simple, however, as only a few people are still alive who know the story.and Kate soon realises that her questions are putting their lives in danger. Stalked by an unknown and sinister enemy, she must use her tough journalistic instinct to find the answers from the past in order to have a future.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateOct 20, 2011
ISBN9780749011758
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Every Secret Thing: The evocative page-turner
Author

Susanna Kearsley

New York Times, USA Today, and Globe and Mail bestselling author Susanna Kearsley is a former museum curator who loves restoring the lost voices of real people to the page, often in twin-stranded stories that interweave present and past. Her award-winning novels have been published in translation in more than 25 countries. She lives near Toronto.

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Reviews for Every Secret Thing

Rating: 3.889763828346457 out of 5 stars
4/5

127 ratings12 reviews

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    "Every Secret Thing" is another one of Susanna Kearsley's books that captured me from the first page. She is gifted with telling a story of mystery in a thrilling manner that grabbed hold of me and didn't let go until the last page was read. Her books are worth every breath it took from beginning to end.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Kate is a journalist working in the UK when she’s approached by an old man who has a story he wants to tell her. An old murder, but one still deserving of justice, he says -- before he’s hit by a car. His death spurns Kate on to investigate, and she soon realises that by asking questions she is putting not only herself in danger.I stayed up far too late reading this. There were a lot of things I loved: the sense of danger, the descriptions of scenery and places, the history -- the story about what happened during WWII, the mystery, the romantic moments. But I think the story could have worked just as well if fewer people had been murdered in the present. It needn’t have diminished the tension in any way, and would have been more satisfying. I keep brainstorming what should have happened instead! And there are complications which heighten the tension but also make it difficult to, satisfyingly, serve justice.All the murders reminded me of why I tread warily around contemporary mysteries. (Not my cup of tea.) That said, I’d read any number of books with extra murder if they were written by Kearsley. I really like how she writes.I couldn’t see the lighthouse, but I saw the long, straight line of Lisbon’s harbour wall stretched like an arrow pointing out to the Atlantic, to the whitecaps faintly visible beyond the mirror stillness of the bay. Even the clouds didn’t dare venture past that stillness. They kept farther out, like great plumes of spray tossed in the air by the ocean, enraged that it couldn’t come near.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This was an amazing story that shifts seamlessly from the present to the past and back again. Kate Murray is a Canadian journalist in London to cover a trial when she is approached by an elderly gentleman who wants to tell her a story about a murder that was never solved. Preoccupied with her laptop, she doesn't pay much attention to the stranger. She does agree to meet him the next day to hear his story. Then he takes his leave, remarking that she has her grandmother's eyes. Moments later, Kate watches as the man dies in a hit and run accident that happens right in front of her.Feeling guilty, Kate decides to attend Andrew Deacon's funeral where she meets his nephew who seems to believe that Andrew and Kate had met and Andrew had told her his story. He mentions a report that Andrew wrote and sent to Whitehall and to Lisbon. He thinks that Kate had read it and was going to write a book or an article to make things right.When the nephew is killed in what looks like a home invasion and Andrew's house is ransacked, Kate becomes intrigued about the mystery that he wanted to share with her. But she's on her way back to Toronto and doesn't know what to do next. When she tells her grandmother about Andrew Deacon's death, she finally learns secrets she had never known about her grandmother's past during World War II when she worked for British Intelligence in New York and Washington. Then, while they are talking, shots are fired into her grandmother's kitchen killing her and sending Kate on the run.This action-packed story switches seamlessly from the present to World War II as we learn what happened in New York and Lisbon those many years ago and whose murder needs to be solved. And who still, sixty years later, wants to keep all the secrets well-buried and is willing to leave a trail of bodies behind.I loved this story. I loved that it was often told from Kate's viewpoint in the first person which I found very engaging. I mostly listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it though I did think the narrator got a little too excited at a few very dramatic parts of the story. The story really engaged my emotions and I found myself near tears many times as I was reading it.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Every Secret Thing is a combination of a historical fiction and a modern day mystery novel. However, the pacing was to slow for a true mystery or thriller. I also thought the author spent too much telling and not enough showing. One character had a very long monologue with information that I thought could be handled better by putting the events in the action.I had trouble keeping the characters straight but that happens to me sometimes when I listen to a mystery or thriller on audio. The print version may have helped me because I could have flipped back and forth.I liked the love story between Deacon and Kate’s grandmother more than the murder plot line. I would have liked a romance novel just about the two of them. Deacon is a great character. I thought it was neat that the book The Language of Flowers played a part in it, since I have read The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.The narrator for Every Secret Thing, Katherine Kellgren, did a good job of having a different voice for every character. Even though she was a female, she was able to do realistic male voices. I liked the choice of using a different voice for Kate’s internal narrative and her dialogue. The narrator also brought excitement to the book in the dramatic way she read the exciting or surprising parts of the book.This book has tons of five star reviews on Amazon so I am clearly in the minority of not loving it. If you like historical fiction about the intrigue associated with WWII, then you may very well enjoy this book.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Kate Murray is a successful Canadian journalist covering a murder trial in London when an old man strikes up a coversation with her and cryptically informs her of another murder in which justice was denied. Before leaving Kate, who really wasn't paying much attention to the old man's ramblings, he asks after her grandmother, and then leaves her and is immediately run down and killed by a hit-and-run driver. Kate's subsequent search for the story behind this man, Andrew Deacon, lead her on a suspenseful search for answers that covers several countries, and on a personal discovery of her beloved grandmother's past life.

    While the plotline lacks the clockwork smoothness of some of Kearsley/Cole's other works, it nevertheless keeps the reader wanting to turn the page. The modern story eclipses in the face of the older narrative--one involving espionage and murder in the exciting and sometimes exotic venues of New York, Lisbon, London and Washington DC. The heroine fails to enjoy any real romantic entanglements of her own, although the author does suggest one in the beginning.

    This book was a delight to read with wonderful characters, a mystery that twisted and turned, and was masterfully revealed, piece by piece, through to the very end.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Every Secret Thing is a very intriguing and mysterious read filled with likable characters and a fast paced plot. I liked the main character, Kate, and admired her independence and courage as she faced each situation head on. These attributes were also possessed by her grandmother who had raised Kate after her mother's death.The look inside the secret service, especially during the time of war was very interesting and believable. The book was well written with great dialogue. The plot was realistic, mysterious, and exciting, although I was able to guess what had happened and who had done it. I loved the story of Andrew and Amelia and the romance between them. The unresolved romance between Kate and Matt was disappointing, but I understand there will be a sequel. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series as soon as it comes out. This was my first novel by Susanna Kearsley and it will definitely not be my last.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Every Secret Thing is novel that was written under Susanna Kearsley’s nom de plume, Emma Cole. This one is a bit different from her other books; rather than being a gothic romance, this is a spy story that divides its time between the present day and WWII. It’s not a straightforward spy novel, though, which is part of this novel’s charm. Our heroine is smart and plucky, but she’s not totally perfect. Although Matt’s identity was a bit transparent, there were parts of the plot of this novel that totally took me by surprise. I don’t usually read spy novels, but I thought that this one was excellent, with just the right amount of suspense thrown in. You also end up learning a lot of things about WWII, especially the Canadian involvement in it. Incidenttally, this is a great book to read in the early fall, since this book is set in the months of September/October….

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Described by some as a romance this is a rattling good WW2/present day thriller, with of course some romance, but this really does touch your soul.

    Journalist Kate Murray is surprised when a man approaches her on a London street, telling her they need to meet and talk about a long-ago murder. Moments later, he is dead, victim of a hit and run.

    Intrigued by his words and still clasping the dead man's business card she pursues his story with the vigour of a terrier.

    With plenty of twists and turns the book moved at a fast pace and flashes back easily from war-time New York and Lisbon to the present day.

    Although there were clues I didn't guess the ending and would highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves espionage stories, mysteries, historical fiction set in WWII or just wants a good thriller.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A really enjoyable read from a story which switches effortlessly from the current day back to the dark days of WWII in neutral Lisbon. Kate Murray is a Canadian journalist covering a trial in London who has a chance meeting with someone inextricably linked with her past. His death immediately afterwards sends her on a journey to find the truth about a murder in WWII Lisbon and puts her own life and those who help her in jeopardy. A cracking read with unusually these days no bad language, gruesome deaths or explicit sex. I believe the author has written or plans two more Kate Murray stories so I'm looking forward to reading them.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I recommend this whole-heartedly. Brief description: a young journalist uncovers, at the risk of her own life and that of anyone she meets, a mystery with its roots in World War II Lisbon. Atmospheric and very moving.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Quite different from her other stories but yet, still that Kearsley flair and gift of storytelling.Our main character, Kate Murray, learns of a decades old murder from someone quite unassuming. Using her skills as a reporter, Kate sets out on a quest to uncover the truth and hopefully find justice. In a surprising twist, she learns that the story is so much larger, closer to home and suddenly she is thrust in the center of things.I particularly loved the bittersweet story Kate uncovers when she takes the time to listen and really see back through memories to a time of spies, duty, lost love, and war.How many times have I personally been surprised by these type of mind-blowing stories. For instance, when a frail, older gentleman wanted to chat in the bookstore where I worked. We were standing in the military history section and I asked him if I could assist. He kindly stated he did not but then asked me quietly if I had ever heard of D-Day. "Absolutely, a very important battle during WWII", I responded. His sad smile punctuated his next comment inquiring if Id ever heard of Omaha Beach. I had. He then began to tell me what it was like to be unloaded on that beach, running scared but doing his duty in uniform. He was there. "First wave to hit the beach."I felt so blessed to hear whatever he had to tell me, as history and sacrifices were made that day. I had to make the time because his story...he...was important. Ill never forget it.As a younger woman, I didn't appreciate age like I do now. In the way of appreciating a person's story and how it is seasoned with the life miles and not the number of years of life. Kate's character had no idea how her life would change meeting this quiet man with intelligent eyes and a huge secret. And Kate's grandmother having stories of her own. This present / past story embodies how one can casually interact with someone older and yet, have no clue the amazing experiences, good, bad, bittersweet, life-changing, pivotal moments...these gems one can absolutely miss because one simply fails to see. I loved this reminder, that moment are days, and days are years, and years are, or should be, treasured if we only stop to listen and appreciate.The author has a talent for keeping you engaged. I certainly hope she writes more of these (Kate Murray #2? Yes, please!).

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I loved this espionage story of a young Canadian reporter who stumbles across a mystery and murder that happened in the later days of World War II. Her search for the truth takes her to Lisbon, as she uncovers a secret between a man, Andrew Deacon and her grandmother. Their story together, posing as husband and wife is bittersweet and at times so poignant. I really need to get a hold of the song they dance to "Make Believe!" I thought this was a great and suspenseful tale, it's twisty turney mystery had me enthralled and I could barely put this book down. A real treat and a surprise. I wish the author would write more in this series. Would make a great movie too!

    2 people found this helpful