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

A Jewel

Any additional comments?

I first encountered Kate Morton’s books in May of 2011 and have waited anxiously for each new Audible publication. But in my opinion “The Secret Keeper” is her finest so far. Her character development is beautifully done and her ability to have the reader travel back and forth between eras is accomplished smoothly and effortlessly. I found myself totally enmeshed in the lives of Jimmy and Dorothy and Vivian and when the story moved to present day, I became a member of Laurel’s family and “saw” each of her sisters and her brother clearly. As a firm believer in “degrees of separation”, the twists and turns this story took on its journey were totally believable. For 19 wonderful hours I was lost in the lives of others and am so sorry the story has ended.

I need to also say that without Caroline Lee’s narration much would be lost. I have enjoyed her presentation of each of the other Kate Morton books that I have listened too.

If you like history, a mystery, a love story and a well-executed book, do not hesitate to select “The Secret Keeper”. It is a real keeper!

Definitely one of my top two or three favorites!

STORY (historical/contemporary fiction) - Wow. I loved this book so much I don't know where to start. For one thing, I've listened to 241 audiobooks so far and can't remember one that I've enjoyed more. It's long, but I loved every minute and hated for it to end. This story has everything - beautiful writing, rich characters, love, deceit, mystery, family secrets...and you will grow with each character from childhood into adulthood. The story spans many decides of life on an English farm and also in London as it is ravaged by the bombings of WW II. These characters lived and loved, sometimes accepting the bombs falling around them as if were merely a thunderstorm.

One of the things I liked best about this book is the way the mystery of the crime is revealed. (I'm assuming you've read the summary.) You will pick up clues bit by delicious bit, and every time you think you might be figuring things out, you find out that you're not! And the ending is wonderful, just perfect! I will definitely be listening to this book again and again.

PERFORMANCE - Caroline Lee is one of my favorite narrators. Her voice and tempo are mesmerizing.

OVERALL - In case I haven't been clear, I highly recommend this book, primarily for adult women because of the female relationships and the romance. There is no sex and only a tiny bit of violence. As far as profanity, I think I heard "sh*t" one time. Buy this book now. You won't regret it.

Intricately woven tale of deep secrets and love

This story is extraordinary on many levels . . . the backdrop of the war in England in 1941, the extreme "class" differences of the "haves" and the "have nots", even during war times. It saddened me, but didn't surprise me. The lengths that people will go for "appearances", and what they cover up. Oh, my . . . Kate Morton is a master story teller, keeping the listener absolutely hooked, weaving in the stuff that our souls feed on . . . truth, family loyalty, love . . . and stripping away the veneer of pretense, self indulgence, and greed. And the secrets are DEEP . . . I never figured them out . . . never had a clue . . . what a GREAT book!!!

I loved this book!

It has everything, interesting story, holds listeners attention, great details and descriptions. Don't miss it!

Did not expect this book to be so good

Ok wait a minute what?! Not sure how someone can manage writing such an intricate yet incredible story! What complexity! Love it so much... I almost wish I could re-listen to it again and envy those who will read it/listen to it with “virgin eyes/ears”! Such an amazing story! But be ready, it’s pretty long and constantly jumps back and forth which adds to the complexity! I would not call it a super easy read but definitely an interesting one! And I loved Caroline’s voice too! She is such an amazing storyteller! Definitely recommend it!!!

Wonderful Story!

Amazing storytelling! Loved the characters, especially how it switched back and forth in time and how the characters evolved. I won't spoil the ending-worthy read!!!

Kate’s Best

As a longtime fan of this author, I struggled a bit with the slow pace, and over-described screen-play scenarios. I thought it not her best work. Yet in the end, the story itself was so very satisfying! Especially for the daughter of a beautiful wartime bride. Thanks so much for a relatable, albeit improbable, tale.

Never guess

This is a great story, a great mystery, characters you wont forget and a fine narrater. What more is there?

A great secret!

I loved this book. There are many twists and turns and I was enthralled the whole time. A great read!

So enticing and unexpected

There is a mystery but it's also the story of multiple generations, loss of family, loss of love, survival and seeing the multifaceted nature of each person. I loved the character development and the view of life in London amidst the constant blitz.