Reviews

Later on, when I looked back on it, the only explanation I could give for what I did next was that, at the time, I saw no other way. My life, as I was living now, was not a life. To be in fear, to be in hiding, using someone else’s name – this wasn’t how I wanted to go on. And it would never stop, so long as both the murderer and I were still alive. My only thought on that long morning flight to London was that, one way or another, I would see it end, today.

This has been in my TBR pile for a very long time. I kept putting it off because I thought it was going to be a long and heavy WWII angst-ridden emotional journey with lots of tragedy that would require a big commitment in time and emotion, as most of her other books do. It did have some of that, but mostly it was a normal-sized mystery and adventure that was very reminiscent of Mary Stewart, if she had written her books today, instead of 60 or 70 years ago. The heroine of this one, Kate, had the narrative voice of a Mary Stewart heroine and I also enjoyed the travelogue-like descriptions of Lisbon, Evora, and Washington DC. In Susanna Kearsley's books, you can follow along with our heroine on Google Earth and really almost be there, on the scene.

I won’t go into the plot, but like most of Susanna’s novels, it involves a dual timeline. In order to investigate the mystery, and later to ensure justice is served, Kate, our investigative journalist, tracks down and interviews the now elderly men and women who can shed light on a murder that happened during WWII in Lisbon, Portugal. Their reminiscences are all part of the puzzle but also provide an entertaining story involving love, intrigue, and a portrait of a hero: Andrew Deacon. But someone who wants to silence her and those who would help her solve the puzzle is following her. Someone powerful with high connections with Whitehall. No one is to be trusted, including an attractive man she meets on her quest. And once the murderer is revealed, how will she exact justice and end the danger to herself and others?

By the end, you marvel at all of the threads that have come together to provide the satisfying conclusion. There is poignancy and sadness in the part of the story that belongs to Kate’s grandmother, but no regret. Being a romantic at heart, I wished for more closure on the page for Kate’s happy ending, but I know in my heart she will have one very soon after I put the book down.

https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings.com/

holl3640's review

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mysterious medium-paced

3.5

cathyatratedreads's review

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4.0

Oh, I do love Susanna Kearsley. Here, we get her talents for storytelling (including plots that include past and present) and bringing settings alive bundled with a mystery. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/every-secret-thing-clean-fiction-book-review/

melissasbookshelf's review against another edition

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4.0

Loved this mystery by Susanna Kearsley. This book reminded me of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. There were good twists and turns and I enjoyed the story that took place in the present and during WWII.

nicki_in_nz's review against another edition

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4.0

What a good start to the reading for the year! Loved this one. Very suspenseful. The way it was written in places reminded me strongly of Mary Stewart, so if you like her books you'll probably like this. Don't be mislead by all the romance tags - there's a romantic story in the mystery but I wouldn't call it a romance.

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