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

Great book

Love these mysteries that take place in the 80s. If you grew up then and like mysteries, I highly recommend

Good Book

Any additional comments?

A great book to follow up the first. This one also kept me guessing, finished it in two days could not put it down.

Great BOOK

Narrator was great. I truly love Tami Hoag. She has such great books. What a wonderful author.

Murder at start but slow till after halfway...

Guess this is a continuation of Deeper than the Dead, which I read years ago on CD. (Oak Knoll series.) In the second book, Vince Leone, an FBI profiler in first book, is married to Anne, a teacher and the woman who fought off the serial killer in the first book. Frankly, I found the kids more memorable than Vince.
In this book, Anne is becoming a victim advocate (for kids) & is visiting a bad seed in a psych ward -- Dennis -- who comes from an abusive father but is still imho a sociopath. The book starts with a horrific murder -- what? Again?? -- and the only witness is a 4-yr old little girl who can't remember but says "Bad Daddy" did it. Another suspect is an eccentric professor -- I didn't suspect him -- and more are some leftover suspects from the first book. After the cops find the body, the book slows down and I felt in limped along until about the halfway point or a little later. I got BORED. The references to SOME DAY how law enforcement will work -- having COMPUTERS and DNA -- aggravated me. The book is written in 2010 so why pretend it's from the 80s? NOT because the first book was written in the 80s -- that's from 2009. Fake flashbacks of less adequate forensic science annoyed me.
Although Anne had the patience of a saint -- with Dennis (the sociopath) AND Haley (the four-year old) -- she isn't the brightest bulb. Spoiler alert! Forewarned Dennis broke out of the psych ward in spectacular fashion, she should be more careful answering her door, given her history.. She was almost taken down by a serial killer in the first book and now two more attempts in this book? I'd move somewhere else. Her husband Vince doesn't seem the brightest bulb either. Some profiler! Wasn't it BIG NEWS about the destruction of the psych ward? Wouldn't he have heard about it and -- overprotective lug that he is -- RUSH HOME or AT LEAST CHECK ON ANNE? As to the idiot eating a baloney sandwich while he's supposed to be guarding her, no retribution was mentioned but I hope he was busted to meter maid. Vince ALSO thought nothing of having Anne visit Milo -- I'm no FBI profiler, but I thought, "Oh oh."
I think what I liked BEST about the book was the survival instincts of Gina (the murder victim's best friend). I was horrified with her in the bottom of that well, injured and terrified and helpless against creepie-crawlers and rats. I really worried SHE wouldn't survive. I wasn't nearly as emotionally invested in Anne. I also was rooting for Tony Mendez's attraction to Sara Morgan, who has a lousy husband.
The first book was good. This second one, not so hot. I won't be reading the third one -- my only regret is, I'll never know if Tony Mendez marries Sara..

LOVE this Series!!!

Would you listen to Secrets to the Grave again? Why?

Yes! Becuz I Like The and the Characters! I Really Like the way Tami Hoag Tells a Story! this Series is The First that I've Read By Miss Hoag And I've Really Enjoyed Them! I HAVE MANY MORE of her Books in My Wish list Here!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Have to Say Anne & Vince

What about Kirsten Potter’s performance did you like?

Kristen's performance WAS GREAT as Always any book I've Ever listened to that she Narrated Her performance has Been Awesome!!

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

yes I was dying to Find out who it was!

Any additional comments?

Oh.....Is there Going to be Another "Oak Knoll" Book.....Book 4???

Thrilling!

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

Kirsten does such a great job with all the characters. I specifically find books she narrates as I love her soothing and strong voice.

Any additional comments?

Traffic was a pleasure when this book was on..

Very good! Exciting, thrilling and funny.

Hard to stop listening to.

Awesome!

Never saw it coming! Poor kids always suffer at the hands of mixed up adults. Narrator does an awesome job bringing the characters to life! On to book 3 in this series.

Could not quit listening

Would you listen to Secrets to the Grave again? Why?

Yes, could not stop slistening.

What did you like best about this story?

The story line.

What about Kirsten Potter’s performance did you like?

This was the best combination of story line and reader I have ever listened to.

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

This book kept me so emotionally engaged. The performer drew you into the story as though you were part of it.

Any additional comments?

I am excited to start the next book with the same characters

Wonderful

Another great book by Tami Hoag. I really enjoy her books. Every book I’ve listened to of hers are the best. Sorry I am not a writer, it’s hard for me to put into words what I feel.

Outstanding!

This book was terrific in both plot, storyline, well, just everything! as well as delivery! Can’t wait to listen/read another one of Tami’s books!!!