The Secret Orphan

A historical novel full of secrets

By: Glynis Peters

Narrated by: Anna Cordell

Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Keep her secret 

Keep her safe

On the 14th November 1940, Hitler’s bombs rain down on Coventry. From the rubble of a bombed-out family home, a young girl is saved....

This is a stunning and memorable tale of love, loss and resilience for fans of The Secret Wife by Gill Paul. 

As the Nazis’ relentless bombs fall during the Blitz of Coventry, six-year-old Rose Sherbourne finds herself orphaned and under the guardianship of a Cornish farmer's daughter, Elenor Cardew. 

Elenor knows that the only way to protect spirited Rose is to leave the city and make a new life for themselves away from harm. But soon Elenor discovers that Hitler’s firestorm is not the only thing she must fear when she learns a devastating secret about Rose....

With Rose’s life in imminent danger, Elenor turns to the only person she can trust to keep the deadly secret, heroic Canadian pilot, Jackson St John. And amidst the destruction of war, an unlikely romance blossoms as they find a way to protect the child they have both grown to love...and each other.

©2019 Glynis Peters (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Am I missing something?

There's a great deal of angst over "The Secret" but only because they keep it a secret. Instead of doing the right thing and reporting valuable information to the war-time government, they spin up an unlikely story about the consequences if they did. There is no evidence or even common sense behind their fears but we're supposed to feel them nonetheless.

Unusual WW2 Story

I liked this book until the last 2 hours. Then it got pretty unbelievable . I was very disappointed after I invested 8 hours in
the story to have it take this turn. I did finish the book but felt over all it was flawed. The narrator was pretty good,

Slow in parts and a mad dash at the end

I enjoyed this book and the narration was wonderful. My only issues were that some of the story really plodded along, and some of the characters and plot lines seemed unnecessary. When you arrive in the last few chapters it seems like the ending is very rushed. The story is pulled together as though the author was given 30 minutes to wrap everything up. Saying that I still enjoyed the book and the war time setting very interesting. The main characters were very likable.

Touching, charming, intense

This is an excellent book. The historical value was good. The surprise ending was great!

Loved characters, but a bit slow

I love WWII historical fiction, but this was not intoxicating, as others can be. The sidelines outside of a concentration camp can be equally as gripping as the victims encamped. In this case I kept waiting and waiting on the pull of drama. It was a lot of ordinary life in the middle and obvious conclusions of spies. And even at the end it was a bit of a light puff of smoke. Nothing groundbreaking. This was average.

Ok

This book was ok, it ended and started weird I’m not sure it’s worth the credit

Enjoyable read

Nice easy read. One to relax to. You know the ending at the Beginning of the book. You read too find how it could happen.

The Secret Orphan

I truly enjoyed the developing characters as the story unfolds. It was both entertaining and kept my interest with all of the twists and turns to the storyline. The underlining danger and difficulties of the war gave just the right amount of tension and fear while waiting for the next event to unfold. I couldn’t stop listening.

loved it read and reread narration was pleasant

loved the story so very much everything I expected and more the narration was easy and pleasant to listen to would highly recommend the book

Wonderful

Simply refreshing. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I couldn't wait til my next free time to activate audible to listen again to the next few chapters. I have yet to research author and audio book voice talent, but I definitely will.

Loved this story

A lovely story and good in-site to how difficult it was during the war reminds me of the story's my parents would talk abouut