The Secret Keeper

By: Kate Morton

Narrated by: Caroline Lee

Length: 19 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

England, 1959: Laurel Nicolson is 16 years old, dreaming alone in her childhood tree house during a family celebration at their home, Green Acres Farm. She spies a stranger coming up the long road to the farm and then observes her mother, Dorothy, speaking to him. And then she witnesses a crime.

Fifty years later, Laurel is a successful and well-regarded actress, living in London. She returns to Green Acres for Dorothy’s 90th birthday and finds herself overwhelmed by memories and questions she has not thought about for decades. She decides to find out the truth about the events of that summer day and lay to rest her own feelings of guilt. One photograph, of her mother and a woman Laurel has never met, called Vivian, is her first clue.

The Secret Keeper explores longings and dreams, the lengths some people go to fulfill them, and the strange consequences they sometimes have. It is a story of lovers, friends, dreamers and schemers, play-acting, and deception told against a backdrop of events that changed the world.

©2012 Kate Morton (P)2012 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Fascinating & surprising, over and over!!

Give it a few chapters to take hold, then you won't want it to end.

Like a puzzle

It was a nice unfolding of a childhood secret and what one may think isn't always the real case.

Incredible story

I love Kate Morton’s writing! This book is mesmerizing, intriguing, fascinating and well-written. Kate Morton is my new favorite author!

Tender and Lovely Superb Narration

Excellent character development which at times made one anxious for the story to move on. Good twists to the end. Listening to the narration is like listening to multiple actresses. Narration could not have been better.

Nice plot twist.

The story captured me from the beginning. I have an affinity for WWII based novels since I had several close relatives involved in the fighting. I especially admire the courage and tenacity of the British during the London blitz.

I loved the way this plot developed....What did Mom do during the war? Who are the people in these photos? Was she a villain or a victim? So many questions to be answered...so little time since she is dying. There is a breathtaking plot twist at the end that I didn't see coming!

The reader did an excellent job. I liked the way she developed the characters one by one.

Very enjoyable. I will look for more by Kate Morton. (already read The House at Riverton)

I Will Never Forget This Story!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It grabs you from the first chapter and does not let go till the end...and even then...i'd love a SEQUEL! WOW!

What did you like best about this story?

It was so well researched (listen to the author's notes at the end of the novel) that you felt as if this could have been your own grandmother's story. The way Ms. Morton flipped back and forth between the past, present and each of the main characters' back story was so smooth; easy to follow and gripping.

What about Caroline Lee’s performance did you like?

Her tone inflections were so subtle; but just enough that i knew if it was man, woman or child...brilliant narrating!

If you could take any character from The Secret Keeper out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Vivien. She was a survivor and showed the strength of the human spirit; i'd love to hear even more details of her story. Second, would be sweet Jimmy. I love the way he loved his father and the "women" in his life.

Any additional comments?

DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK! YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!

Love this author and reader.

Love this book!!! Right until the very end. I have read several Kate Morton books read by Caroline Lee and they have been terrific.

The secret keeper is one of my favorite books

I loved this book and the narrator. The narrator brought this book to life in so many perfect ways. I would definitely recommend it one of my favorites.

Loved it!

Wonderful story. The character development was superb. I will definitely look for more books of hers. The narrator was amazing.

Not much of a secret, but still enjoyable

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I very much liked Laurel. It was a refreshing change to have a female protagonist who wasn't mid20's, beautiful, and guaranteed to fall in love with a handsome stranger.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Secret Keeper?

The crocodile.

What does Caroline Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She does a nice job of modulating her voice for all the characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The crocodile.

Any additional comments?

The secret was pretty easy to suss out, but a look at London during the Blitz was very compelling. Laurel is very likable and so is Vivian.