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

Worth the middle bumps

I loved the beginning of this book and really, really loved the end (it will surprise you -- I guarantee it). The middle was a bit draggy and I kept thinking that it was WAY longer than it needed to be. But overall this was an enjoyable story with beautiful writing that was well performed. And did I mention the ending will surprise you? Find out for yourself.

Many twists and turns in this intriguing mystery.

I enjoyed the layers of story plus the fully dimensional characters. This narrator moved gracefully between many characters

Compelling Story

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

Absolutely. The story draws you into a different time and place and is quite intriguing. You grow to care about the characters - even root for them, as life gets complicated. I dare not say more for fear of giving anything away.

Which character – as performed by Caroline Lee – was your favorite?

All the characters were well done. I think Doll/Dorothy was probably the most interesting. I liked Vivian and Jimmy's characters.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I usually listen as I'm going to sleep at night, so don't want a book to keep me up, but towards the end, I could not stop listening, I cared so much.

Any additional comments?

This was a truly great listen and I highly recommend.

Excellent and provocative.

Her books never fail to engage me as the plots are intricate and believable. I recommend you try it.

Great book!!!

It was such a sweet story of love, mystery and family. One of my favorites. Just stumbled on to Kate Morton and I love her!!!

Great Ending

You think you know what happens, but you don't. Loved the story and the performance.

Another masterpiece by Kate Morton and excellent performance by Caroline Lee

This is such a beautiful story. Kate Morton is a master of her craft, she keeps you hooked from the start. Say goodbye to life for the next 20 hours. It’s ok, you can go back to it all when you’re finished with this book. You won’t want it to end. I promise you!
No one could’ve done a better job narrating this book!
What an all around gem!

Absolutely Wonderful

This is a wonderful, rich, deeply satisfying novel. The character development is superb and everything fits into place just so. Definitely worth your time and credit.

Another winner from Kate Morton

This gothic mystery has three of my favorite elements of a good story - a good mystery, 'time travel' (through parallel narratives) and coming-of-age transitions. Caroline Lee is as good as ever (the whiny character's whining really began to irritate me!), and the character list is easily manageable for listening.

This is similar to Kate Morton's other books, which are interdependent multi-generational mysteries focusing mostly on the female characters within a larger family saga. Unlike her other novels, I suspected the right answer to the mystery fairly early on. From other reviews I see that this is not an unusual experience, but I found it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the story. The rich background descriptions of living in London during the blitz, the development of interesting and flawed characters, and the details of how it all came about make it a great listen anyway.

Excellent Mystery

A mystery so well woven, you can't stop listening and the narration is perfect. All around perfection.