The Secrets She Keeps – Michael Robotham
Ever since I read Suspect book one in the Joe O’Loughlin series from Michael Robotham I have been a fan. The Secrets She Keeps Robotham’s fourth stand alone novel only increased my love for his books. His three other stand alone books are The Night Ferry, Life or Death, and Bombproof. Bombproof is the only one of the four I have not read yet! Boo me!
About Michael Robotham’s Books
From Michael’s Website...
Michael’s novels have since been translated into 23 languages and have won or been shortlisted for numerous awards including:
The Crime Writer’s Association Gold Dagger (won) LIFE OR DEATH 2015 (shortlisted) SAY YOU’RE SORRY 2013.
The Crime Writer’s Association Steel Dagger (shortlisted) THE NIGHT FERRY and SHATTER.
The Ned Kelly Award for Best Novel (won 2005 and 2008) LOST and SHATTER.
The Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for Best Novel (shortlisted) 2016 LIFE OR DEATH Read More
But let’s get back to The Secrets She Keeps . In The Secrets She Keeps there are two shes. Agatha and Meghan, who come from different backgrounds but both are keeping big secrets, that Robotham suspensively exposes bit by bit throughout the developing story.
Michael Robotham on The Secrets She Keeps
On his website Robotham writes this about the book…..
THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS is seeded in a story that I covered as journalist many years ago, but I can’t reveal the details without giving too much of the plot away. I can tell you about the two narrators, who are both pregnant and expecting their children on the same day.
Meghan Shaughnessy was born into a comfortable middle-class family, went to private schools and university, worked for a magazine, and then met a handsome and successful man and married him. They five in a lovely house in a nice area of London and have two children, a boy and a girl.
Agatha Fyfle was abandoned by her father, raised by her mother, and spent time in foster care. She lives in a one-bedroom flat and works in a supermarket, stacking shelves and waiting for her boyfriend – the father of her child – to call her.I have written both of these women in the first person because I think first-person narrators create an immediate intimacy with readers. You are watching the world through their eyes. They are not kick-ass heroines like Buffy or Lisbeth or Katniss or Arya Stark, nor are they damsels in distress. They are strong, vulnerable, intelligent, empathetic women, who both have a terrible secret.
Bottom Line
I have rated this book a strong 5 out of 5. The Secrets She Keeps has everything one Oils want in a psychological thriller. Two well-drawn characters whose lives and secrets are on a collision course. Along with a wild post-collision ride.
Along the way Robotham also develops strong secondary characters in Meghan’s husband Jack and Agatha ‘s boyfriend/ fiancé Hayden.
Then there is just Michael Robotham’s fine writing. Several times I stopped and said to myself. I like that line. That’s just nothing something I often do!
Here is my favorite
She says I should reach out and build bridges, but I think certain bridges are meant to burn and it’s a shame some people can’t be on them when it happens.
So The Secrets She Keeps s is one of my favorites of 2017 and could be one of yours, too. So check it out!
Oh, I did read on Michael’s website that there will be a new Joe O’Loughlin book release in 2018. I can’t wait.
There are eight books currently in the series so if you start now maybe you can read them all before the next one’s released. Believe me it’s worth it!