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

Kate Morton (and Caroline Lee) does it again!

I've been waiting for this book to come out, as Kate Morton is one of my faves. Although I must admit, even though I was waiting for this release, I refused to buy it in print or e-book format because I wanted Caroline Lee to tell me the story. She's one of my faves, too. I wasn't disappointed. I believe this is the best Kate Morton novel to date. I was enthralled every bit of the way through, listening with such fervor with the hopes that each mystery would be revealed. The ending was superb and caught me totally by surprise. I loved it!

The toughest part about this book is that it had to end. This beautiful and haunting story of romance, family secrets, war-time mysteries, genealogy, old trunks and houses and ephemera that tells snippets of a story that had unraveled in secrecy was so satisfying that I had to hop on right away to give my review. I love that this tale is over 19 hours long -- it made me really feel as if I was getting my credit's worth. Yet listening to Lee's easy and engaging reading style didn't make it a burden at all. Easily one of my best purchases of the year (and I purchase a lot). I definitely recommend!

The only caveat I would give to someone new to Kate Morton is to stick with it. The beginning can be a bit slow, and a few parts in between are a little draggy. There was so much cigarette smoking that I almost gave in and bought a pack myself to cave into the subliminal peer pressure (after many years of having quit). But it's worth it. Stay with it, and you won't be disappointed!

A Jewel

Any additional comments?

I first encountered Kate Morton’s books in May of 2011 and have waited anxiously for each new Audible publication. But in my opinion “The Secret Keeper” is her finest so far. Her character development is beautifully done and her ability to have the reader travel back and forth between eras is accomplished smoothly and effortlessly. I found myself totally enmeshed in the lives of Jimmy and Dorothy and Vivian and when the story moved to present day, I became a member of Laurel’s family and “saw” each of her sisters and her brother clearly. As a firm believer in “degrees of separation”, the twists and turns this story took on its journey were totally believable. For 19 wonderful hours I was lost in the lives of others and am so sorry the story has ended.

I need to also say that without Caroline Lee’s narration much would be lost. I have enjoyed her presentation of each of the other Kate Morton books that I have listened too.

If you like history, a mystery, a love story and a well-executed book, do not hesitate to select “The Secret Keeper”. It is a real keeper!

Character-Driven Mystery

Alternating between 2011 and 1940, a dying mother, visited by her children, hints at a past regret to her daughter, Laurel. Present day Laurel visits libraries, families and spends her day digging into the past to determine what changed her mother all those years ago. Dorothy's past unfolds with love interest, Jimmy and you walk beside her experiencing the decisions she made for better or worse.

At first, I thought this book would be predictible. I adored, "The Secret Garden," liked "Distant Hours," but didn't care for "House at Riverton." Hesitant to pick up this fourth offering from Morten and happy I did. She introduces complex characters whose desires make them human; neither perfect nor wrong. There are many corners you turn in the story and just when I thought I'd figured out the ending, I was led down a divergent path. Enjoyed the journey and hope you will, too. Excellent choice for women who like a good character driven mystery.

Definitely one of my top two or three favorites!

STORY (historical/contemporary fiction) - Wow. I loved this book so much I don't know where to start. For one thing, I've listened to 241 audiobooks so far and can't remember one that I've enjoyed more. It's long, but I loved every minute and hated for it to end. This story has everything - beautiful writing, rich characters, love, deceit, mystery, family secrets...and you will grow with each character from childhood into adulthood. The story spans many decides of life on an English farm and also in London as it is ravaged by the bombings of WW II. These characters lived and loved, sometimes accepting the bombs falling around them as if were merely a thunderstorm.

One of the things I liked best about this book is the way the mystery of the crime is revealed. (I'm assuming you've read the summary.) You will pick up clues bit by delicious bit, and every time you think you might be figuring things out, you find out that you're not! And the ending is wonderful, just perfect! I will definitely be listening to this book again and again.

PERFORMANCE - Caroline Lee is one of my favorite narrators. Her voice and tempo are mesmerizing.

OVERALL - In case I haven't been clear, I highly recommend this book, primarily for adult women because of the female relationships and the romance. There is no sex and only a tiny bit of violence. As far as profanity, I think I heard "sh*t" one time. Buy this book now. You won't regret it.

Sometimes People cannot move beyond their egos

This was my first Kate Morton and I was totally fascinated by the ways she weaves the tale through the eyes of Laurel, her daughter. Many times I do not like the switch from present to past, etc. but this book had perfect timing in this realm. The characters are all well developed and rich in personality traits. Twists and turns and a complex finale. All people are just human in the end. I have recommended this book to all my friends. Caroline Lee also brought the story to life.

Now may I make a recommendation: For those reviewers who basically rewrite the story and give all the minute details (and I am sure you are smart and definitely have a handle on most of the books you review). My problem is I want to listen to the book but not after having heard the plot and character twists. I skip reviews that go on and on. Please just give us a leader that will make me anxious to spend my next credit on that book. I respect your judgments, just dont want to know too much about the book before I listen to it. Thanks.

Oh My Gosh, This was So Tedious

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Individuals who enjoy the minute details.

What could Kate Morton have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Cut about five hours off of the audio book. I felt like I was beat over the head with same premise or concept.

What didn’t you like about Caroline Lee’s performance?

She spoke so s l o w l y. While I know it was for emphasis, this combined with the excruciating pace of the book made me want to scream "Get to the Point" by chapter 20

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Secret Keeper?

I would have cut about 3/4 of the smoking scenes. I sort of feel like I have been exposed to second hand smoke. Almost every scene with at least two characters started with them smoking --either lighting a cigarette, inhaling or putting one out. Then every action of the characters had to be described. As they inhaled, as they crossed their legs, as they walked the floor. There were no simple scenes--each one had to be fraught with meaning.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the Lake House by this author. I read it, not listened to it. And I thought it was slow going at times, but this book was filled so much filler. I doubt I'll listen to another book by this author

You will get CHILLS at the end of this book!

I had NO clue how it would end - AMAZING - I adored it. And I was so thankful!!!!!!

I read lots of reviews - and got the message loud and clear, this was going to be a great book. However, one review caught my attention. It mentioned that the begining of the book will be a tad boring but by the middle you will be hooked - and boy, were they RIGHT!

This book reminds me of a lot of books (Girl with the Dragon Tatoo) where you find yourself drifting in the begining because there aren't details you can grab and start buidling with. But, by the middle of the book - you start to feel a bit more involved with the characters. You finally see where everything is heading - well, sort of. And if you choose to listen again - you'll see the pieces fall together and fit better.

I often read (or listen to) a book and am grateful for the gift of great authors and the stories they share with us. This is certainly a wonderful story.

I didn't see it coming.

There are two things that happen with a good Kate Morton book. First, the overall experience is always a pleasure. The words that have been written when read by Caroline Lee make for many terrific listening hours. Then there's the part with what Kate Morton does with a plot. In this particular case, I simply did not see it coming. And that's SO much fun. I love being tricked and this one did it. Kudos.

Boring

The narrator destroyed this book, she sounded like a whiny 7 year old. The story itself was good, a bit dragged out but I fast forwarded a lot.

What a Writer! A true storyteller

A true storyteller draws you into the story and you are able to visualize, be in that story. Kate Morton is profound in that capability. I have loved everyone of her books. That is odd for me because I do not care for English accent in my ear. Caroline Lee is the one exception. She is a fantastic narrator. I just so appreciate a story that once you begin you just cannot put it down until you know what happens. An author that keeps you right there in that story with those characters, it's a gift. This story will wrap right around you. It is believeable, and yet woven with fantasy of a lovely imagination. I loved it!

A TALENTED STORY TELLER!

I always enjoy Kate Morton's books and especially this one. The story twists its way through different time zones leaving the listener wanting to know more as the story infolds.

The only thing I found strange was the narrator's take on a black country accent but the rest of the story she did a good job.

Would recommend this story however taking all things into account as the story is excellent.

Loved the book!

If you could sum up The Secret Keeper in three words, what would they be?

The story kept me gripped but I agree with other listeners about the narrator's accents. They were just all over the place! I still enjoyed the book despite this though.

Cannae get over the bad accents in this narration!

Would you try another book written by Kate Morton or narrated by Caroline Lee?

I would, but only if Caroline Lee sticks to her own Aussie accent. She's appallingly bad at doing other accents. I read somewhere else that her accents of the British Isles were "spot on". The person who wrote that must be either deaf or American.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I didn't have a favourite character but I liked the parts about young Dolly best. Unfortunately these are also the parts where the bad accent rears its ugly head :(

What didn’t you like about Caroline Lee’s performance?

The weird accents she used. Totally ruined the listening experience, I kept wondering which accent she was actually trying for, and then I had to rewind just to focus on the story again, instead of on the bad accents.

If this book were a film would you go see it?

No.

The secret keeper

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend this with reservations. I enjoyed the story but I had many problems with the narrator.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the way that although it was set in different time zones it was always easy to follow. The various twists and turns in the story kept me eager to continue even though narrator made me feel like giving up.

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Caroline Lee?

I didn't enjoy Caroline Lee's narration. Although she has a nice voice I found her accents very difficult to listen to. Not only were they difficult to place in any particular part of the country but they were inconsistent.

Could you see The Secret Keeper being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

Possibly but I think it might be confusing.

Any additional comments?

I know Kate Morton is Australian but because the book was set in England it really needed English accents.

Loved it.

Really enjoyed listening. The narrator wasn't so good in my opinion, storyline great so will get more from Kate Morton.

Excellent listen.

always go for detective books. This was a great listen. I've downloaded the secret garden now here's hoping it's as good.

Much enjoyed

It was a great plot which had me puzzled till the end. The author has much talent and the narrator puts the story over with conviction and sensitivity. Even after knowing the end of the mystery I re-listened several times for the pure enjoyment of revisiting the characters.

Nice story, terrible narration

Enjoyable plot, and an easy to listen to story but slightly long winded in places. However, spoilt by a narrator with terrible accents. The narrator's faintly Australian accent is lovely but when she plays various characters she changes her accent. The accents she puts on are strangely dreadful - nothing like a Coventry or London accent!

A joy to listen to

A story of sadness happiness deceit and love.
a truly engaging and enthralling story line.

Can’t stop thinking about the book

The research, the characters, the places, the story all weave together beautifully, the narration is good, you feel for the people in the story, but the twist at the end had me rewinding to see if I’d heard right, wow, definitely worth the effort to read or listen.