Secrets to the Grave

By: Tami Hoag

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

Length: 13 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 New York Times best-selling author Tami Hoag returns with her second thriller in the Deeper than the Dead microseries, exploring the early days of forensic investigation, the characteristics of innocence-and the nature of evil.

Marissa Fordham had a past full of secrets, a present full of lies. Everyone knew of her, but no one knew her.

When Marissa is found brutally murdered, with her young daughter, Haley, resting her head on her mother's bloody breast, she sends the idyllic California town of Oak Knoll into a tailspin. Already on edge with the upcoming trial of the See- No-Evil killer, residents are shocked by reports of the crime scene, which might not have been discovered for days had it not been for a chilling 911 call: a small child's voice saying, "My daddy hurt my mommy."

Sheriff's detective Tony Mendez faces a puzzle with nothing but pieces that won't fit. To assist with his witness, Haley, he calls teacher-turned-child advocate Anne Leone. Anne's life is hectic enough-she's a newlywed and a part- time student in child psychology, and she's the star witness in the See-No-Evil trial. But one look at Haley, alone and terrified, and Anne's heart is stolen.

As Tony and Anne begin to peel back the layers of Marissa Fordham's life, they find a clue fragment here, another there. And just when it seems Marissa has taken her secrets to the grave, they uncover a fact that puts Anne and Haley directly in the sights of a killer: Marissa Fordham never existed.

©2010 Tami Hoag (P)2010 Random House

Amazing

This book is so good! Amazing! No regrets and worth the credit! This Author does not disappoint

So good!

I've been looking for a new series to get into and I have found it! I love that the characters carry over in the series and the author continues to keep me on my toes. So many twists and turns. I have definitely found a new favorite author to follow!

More awesomeness!

There are sick people in this world! This author brought it to life into this novel. Good job!

Whiny and predictable

What did you like best about Secrets to the Grave? What did you like least?

Least: the writing became so broken and redundant with the constant 'he said', I had to take a break. I don't know if it was the writing or narration, but it got to where all I was hearing was 'he said'. It did improve as the book progressed and sentences became more descriptive, but it was difficult for the first 1/3 of the book.

What three words best describe Kirsten Potter’s voice?

I liked her better in the first book. She made the main female character sound so weak and whiny and the little girl was also whiny. I was so frustrated with this after the first book. It was like fingernails on a chalkboard. I had to give my ears a break and listen to a different book. Generally, I like Kirsten Potter's voice, just not so much this time.

Any additional comments?

I couldn't wait to listen to the 2nd in the series, but this book gives me pause in ordering the 3rd. I do love the lead detective but plan to listen to another book before considering purchasing it. I will have to read some other reviews before I decide.

Excellent book!

What made the experience of listening to Secrets to the Grave the most enjoyable?

Couldn't wait to get back into the car and listen to it.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters are interesting and I didn't know who did it until the reveal.

Which character – as performed by Kirsten Potter – was your favorite?

Anne Navarre

Never guessed!

What did you love best about Secrets to the Grave?

I enjoy the main characters and their relationships with one another. The story was well laid out with twists and turns. I never suspected the end.

Have you listened to any of Kirsten Potter’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, I listened to the first book in this series and one of the reasons I bought the second one is because Kirsten was reading it. She is very very good.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It did make me laugh in few places, angry and worried some in parts.

Any additional comments?

I will "read" the next installment hoping for more involvement of the kids. It's one of the things I liked about the first book. But overall, I do enjoy the series. :)

FANTASTIC AUDIOBOOK!!

I LOVE TAMMY HOAG AND I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK!! THE SUSPENSE WAS INCREDIBLE,THE NARRATOR, KIRSTEN POTTER WAS AMAZING AS USUAL!! YOU WILL THOROUGHLY ENJOY THIS AUDIOBOOK!!

Good Book

I like the story and side stories in this book. The narration was good. I did figure it out before the end just based off of one comment earlier on though.

Stands on its own

I read the first book in this "mini series" (Deeper than the Dead) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Couldn't wait to move on to this one, and was not disappointed. Good continuation of the previous story with familiar characters (both good guys and bad guys), but it is also a story that stands on its own 2 feet. While I did figure out who the murderer probably was well before the end, I couldn't put all the pieces together as to why or how. I like a story that I can follow but not figure out too quickly. The end leaves us knowing that there has to be another installment, and I will be eagerly looking forward to that one too.

All Three Oak Knoll Get the Same Review

All three Oak Knoll stories are good get away from everyday life and loose oneself in a mystery thriller. Not the best mysteries, always about a horrid subject; but Hoag knows how to entertain.

Book One was very good, Book Two as good, and Book Three was not bad. By the third in one week though, I had enough. Good characters in Books One and Two. Less so in Book Three but the read does not disappoint.