Reviews

The Secrets Act by Alison Weatherby

obyvenus's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

booksandlemonsquash's review

3.0

I am not normally a massive fan of historical fiction, especially that set in WW2. However, something about this story spoke to me and I ended up enjoying this more than I hoped.

At its heart, this is a mystery story, and we try to solve the death of one of the motorcycle couriers working out of Bletchley during the war. Ellen and Pearl know there could be more to it than they've been told, and we follow them through code-breaking trials, miserable weather, rations and clue hunting in order to find out more.

This is still not my favourite type of book, hence my rating of 3 stars, but I did enjoy it and I think if WW2 fiction is more your thing then I would definitely recommend it.

ianb's review

adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

When I found out that this book was set at a Bletchley Park, I instantly knew that I need to pick it up and give it a read, it’s a place that I loved to explore growing up and visiting a couple of times with my grandfather was extra special! What Lies within left me wanting more and more and I can safely say that when I reached the end, I kept turning pages expecting to find more but alas there was none, this book kept me griped right from the start. 

 

The Secrets Act follows Ellen, a Welsh new hire, as she embarks on employment at Bletchley Park, a secret facility that is crucial to the UK's war effort. During WW2, women provided key support to cracking enemy codes and delivering secret messages, and this book follows Ellen and her new friend, Pearl, as they begin to uncover some darker happenings at the park that suggest someone is not who they seem to be. When their mutual friend Richard tragically loses his life, evidence begins to point towards Pearl as being not only responsible but also a spy. Can the girls get to the end of this mystery, uncover the spy and retrieve missing valuable information while unable to trust anyone, even each other? 

 

Despite this book being aimed at YA it is at its heart a Historical fiction book that for me got the tone right with not being too dark but also not sugar-coating the war efforts. I got drawn into each character POVS and wanted them to succeed so much throughout the book. There were parts of both girls that I found incredibly relatable, and the friendship between them is the most gorgeous part of the book for me, more so than any of the romantic relationships. 

 

If historical fiction is something that you enjoy then I really think that this book could be for you! 

katya_s's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

lucinda_lesbrarian's review

adventurous tense fast-paced

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

3.0

chloemiff's review

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

shauniesbookshelves's review

4.0

8/10. This book is a page-turning read, interspersed with real history that makes for an unputdownable experience. I’ve never been much of a one for history, but this book really made me want to get out there and experience it. It brought back memories of visiting Churchill’s War Rooms, but linked those codes and ciphers I saw to real people and events. I wonder if I can convince my fiancé to go to Bletchley Park with me this weekend as we’re in Milton Keynes anyway…

anniereads221's review

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

4.0

Neurodivergent character in Bletchley Park. I liked this more than i thought i would
Great mystery

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, War, Murder, Homophobia, and Grief

Fascism

juno_the_junebug's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

To be honest this book was a bit below my reading level which is probably why I didn’t enjoy it as much. Would be great for a 12-14 year old but it’s pretty simplistic in its writing style. Characters weren’t dislikable I just didn’t really feel any connection to them. The middle kinda dragged there’s just 100 pages of the two main characters making no progress and repeating the stuff they already know. Just a typical WW2 novel for adolescents nothing special. 

mollyiscool's review

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0