Secrets to the Grave

By: Tami Hoag

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

#1 New York Times bestselling 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.

Critic reviews

Praise for Secrets to the Grave

“Chilling...the story zooms along to a satisfyingly creepy conclusion.”—USA Today

“Spellbinding...Hoag’s reputation for highly entertaining thrillers in well earned.”—South Florida Sun-Sentinel

“Few writers do thrillers as well as Tami Hoag...superb plotting.”—Fresh Fiction

“Hoag does an excellent job of exploring how a shocking crime can affect a small community.”—Booklist

“Hoag is a master of the game.”—All About Romance

“A complex thriller from one of the most intelligent and crafty suspense writers working today.”—bookreporter.com

Excellent Book

loved this book from the beginning. Narrator was wonderful in her many voices. Wonderful.

A Wonderful Listen

Would you consider the audio edition of Secrets to the Grave to be better than the print version?

Yes, I definately would!

What other book might you compare Secrets to the Grave to and why?

Deeper Than the Dead

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

Vince Leone

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

Yes and no because I wanted to savor it.

Any additional comments?

No, not really

I figured it out, but that didn't spoil it

I pretty much figured who the killer was fairly close to the start of the book. However, a lot of twists and turns did make me wonder, so it was still suspenseful and a good listen. I'm going to get the next book in the trilogy, but hoping it's not about Dennis Farman.

Secrets

Any additional comments?

Secrets to the Grave is the second in a trilogy about the town of Oak Knoll, not a place to live if you’re squeamish about grizzly murder. The story centers on the particularly gruesome murder of a young single mother. Her four year old little girl witnesses the murder. Sad premise to start. Ann Leone, the main character of this trilogy, is a lover of children, studying child psychology, and comes to the aide of the girl. The ultimate villain came to me much sooner than Tami Hoag would have liked, I’m sure…but, I won’t be a spoiler. I think my favorite character in the series is Fanny. I hope he appears in more books, a fun guy…had me laugh out loud a few times.

The book is read by Kirsten Potter, and she does a credible job with all character voices except the former Chicago cop. He sounds more east coast/Bostonian than midwestern (speaking as a born and bred Chicagoan). Great job with the other characters, including the child. Unabridged audiobook, about thirteen hours of listening.

If you enjoy a Hoag murder mystery, you’ll enjoy the story. I did, and I’m ready for the third book in the Oak Knoll trilogy.

Who Did It and Who is She?

This is the second book in the Oak Knoll series. The first book was Deeper Than the Dead. Secrets picks up a year after the previous book, but it can be a stand alone.

Ann, former teacher and now a child psychologist, is married to Vince, a former FBI profiler. A horrible murder of a woman, and injury to her young daughter, makes the Sherriff’s office call Ann and Vince in to help find the killer. It is a complicated case. The Sherriff’s office is still working on getting a conviction for the serial killer from Deeper than the Dead. Dennis, the troubled 12 year old who assaulted his friend and has fantasies of killing women with knives, is in detention and Ann is also working as his guardian. Dennis is a very very troubled boy. The little girl found with her murdered mother is traumatized and she is staying with Vince and Ann. The little girl, who is four years old, saw the murder and only says that Bad Daddy, or the Monster, killed her mother. The mother’s background turns out to be a mystery. There are a lot of suspects as the killer of the woman; her friend who found the body, two or three men and a host of unknowns. The woman’s friend, Jenna, probably knows the truth and she is in BIG trouble. Her story is gripping. The identity of the killer is a surprise. I did not see it coming. Good story that is well performed.