Every Secret Thing

By: Ann Tatlock

Narrated by: Linda Stephens

Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

One of Christian fiction's premiere novelists, Christy Award-winner Ann Tatlock has garnered MIPA Book of the Year honors for All the Way Home and I'll Watch the Moon.

When Beth Gunner begins teaching English at her high-school alma mater, she must confront a haunting secret from her past. Beth's return to Delaware's Seaton Preparatory Academy fills her with both nostalgia and trepidation. Since her graduation two decades ago, very little has changed - including her irrational fear of failure.

Despite her first day's nervous exhaustion, Beth settles into a manageable routine that includes regular conversations with a gifted loner. And then her high-school sweetheart calls with a clue to the tragic mystery that has disturbed her since that fateful night so long ago.

©2007 Ann Tatlock (P)2008 Recorded Books

Invisible, Hidden, Hurting

The gentle weaving of two stories from different time periods makes for a wonderful tale of the dreams, love and losses of two young women. Beth Gunner, returning now to teach at the private school where she was once a student, cannot put the memories of one particular night out of her mind. Beth is an English teacher, whose choice in careers was formed by an English teacher who once saw something special in her, Mr. Theodore Dutton. Mr. Dutton had stolen the hearts of many of the impressionable girls at Seaton Prep. But something had happened to Mr. Dutton in the middle of their senior year . . . a mystery . . . and Beth and her three closest friends were left to wonder what had really happened to him, when he left and never returned. Yet she was thankful for Mr. Dutton, who had seen a spark in her, and had not let her remain invisible. Because of him, she had the courage to blossom. He had understood something about her. Something she hadn’t known herself. And now, she was back at Seaton, still single, and teaching the same kind of unsure young people that she had been. Satchel Queen was going to test her. That’s for certain. Yet the things she said . . . they hit home . . . she identified with Satchel . . . and before long, Satchel and Beth Gunner would be on a path of discovery and hope that neither could have imagined. This story isn’t a quick one, but in my opinion, it is one of Ann Tatlock’s best. Much thought has gone into it. And as one of those who grew up sometimes feeling out of place and invisible, I applaud the author’s intuition and sensitivity in exploring the depth of such feelings and emotions of us outcasts . . . and of hurting ones such as Theodore Dutton. Christianity isn’t a pretty thing, to be tied up in a bow. Jesus doesn’t expect us to get all cleaned up, then come to him. Oh, no! He accepts and loves us exactly where we are, in the mud and the mire. And thank goodness that he does. The road for Beth, Satchel and Theodore wasn’t short, flat or straight. It was long, steep and full of detours. But God did not forsake them. Neither does he forsake us.

Slow, Steady but worth it

Would you listen to Every Secret Thing again? Why?

Probably not - simply because I'm not one to listen to things over again. This doesn't have enough in it to draw me back in again. It had a powerful message but it was developed very slowly.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Every Secret Thing?

When you realize that her teacher is still alive.

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

She does a great job.

If you could rename Every Secret Thing, what would you call it?

Forgiveness brings hope

Any additional comments?

its not my favorite Ann Tatlock book. Several times during the book I was really ready to give up on it as it was so depressing - however it was realistic. The ending redeemed itself for me so I would recommend it. But it isn't a easy feel good book.

Wake me up when its over

My commutes seemed faster when I listened to this book....I fell asleep each time.
I am a life long Delaware resident and it was nice to listen to a book set in Delaware.

Predictable

Just too formulaic and silly The whole story focused on over emotional reactions to the actions of a teacher decades before.

The narrator was excellent