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The Secret Hour
One of America’s most mesmerizing storytellers, Luanne Rice enthralls readers with her moving tales of ordinary people in crisis--and how they are transformed by the enduring power of love and family. Now the author of Safe Harbor, True Blue, and other New York Times bestsellers presents the gripping story of a man fighting for his family, a woman searching for her sister--and the promise of a new life where both least expected it...
The Secret Hour
Beneath his careful and controlled demeanor, attorney John O’Rourke is a man whose life is in turmoil. Since the death of his wife, he has been juggling the rigors of a controversial capital murder case and the demands of raising two children. Eleven-year-old Maggie’s crooked bangs and rumpled clothes eloquently reproach John’s earnest but haphazard attempts at mothering. Teddy, John’s stalwart fourteen-year-old, has quietly assumed responsibilities far too weighty for his young shoulders, as he longs for the way things used to be and tries to ignore the hostility that has swirled around his family since his father took on the defense of a killer whose crimes have rocked Connecticut.
A brick through the window one autumn morning signals a dangerous new level of hatred. But a quieter event also takes place that day. A woman arrives on the O’Rourke doorstep to find a household on the brink of chaos but brimming with love--and, she hopes, answers. Kate Harris is searching for the key to her own mystery. Six months ago her younger sister fled far from their beloved home following a devastating confrontation. After mailing a single postcard from the New England shore, Willa Harris vanished. With only a postmark to go on, Kate takes a leave of absence from her job as a marine biologist to come to the seaside Willa adored--and discovers the one man who may be able to help her.
Compelling and evocative, at once suspenseful, heartbreaking, and triumphant, The Secret Hour is an unforgettable novel that explores the power of sisterly love, the gift of second chances--and the way magic can sometimes be the most real thing in the whole world.
The Secret Hour
Beneath his careful and controlled demeanor, attorney John O’Rourke is a man whose life is in turmoil. Since the death of his wife, he has been juggling the rigors of a controversial capital murder case and the demands of raising two children. Eleven-year-old Maggie’s crooked bangs and rumpled clothes eloquently reproach John’s earnest but haphazard attempts at mothering. Teddy, John’s stalwart fourteen-year-old, has quietly assumed responsibilities far too weighty for his young shoulders, as he longs for the way things used to be and tries to ignore the hostility that has swirled around his family since his father took on the defense of a killer whose crimes have rocked Connecticut.
A brick through the window one autumn morning signals a dangerous new level of hatred. But a quieter event also takes place that day. A woman arrives on the O’Rourke doorstep to find a household on the brink of chaos but brimming with love--and, she hopes, answers. Kate Harris is searching for the key to her own mystery. Six months ago her younger sister fled far from their beloved home following a devastating confrontation. After mailing a single postcard from the New England shore, Willa Harris vanished. With only a postmark to go on, Kate takes a leave of absence from her job as a marine biologist to come to the seaside Willa adored--and discovers the one man who may be able to help her.
Compelling and evocative, at once suspenseful, heartbreaking, and triumphant, The Secret Hour is an unforgettable novel that explores the power of sisterly love, the gift of second chances--and the way magic can sometimes be the most real thing in the whole world.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
679 people are currently reading
1614 people want to read
About the author
Luanne Rice
109 books3,145 followersLuanne Rice is the New York Times bestselling author of thirty-eight novels, translated into thirty languages. Rice often writes about love, family, nature, and the sea. Most recently she has written thrillers, including one based on a murder that affected her family. She received the 2014 Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award for excellence and lifetime achievement in the Literary Arts category.
Connecticut College awarded Rice an honorary degree and invited her to donate her papers to the College’s Special Collections Library. They are archived in the Luanne Rice Collection.
Rice has also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Joseph University in West Hartford, Conn.
Several of Rice's novels have been adapted for television. Her monologue for the play Motherhood Out Loud premiered at Hartford Stage and has been performed Off-Broadway in NYC and at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.
Rice is a Creative Affiliate of the Safina Center. She lives in southeastern Connecticut.
Connecticut College awarded Rice an honorary degree and invited her to donate her papers to the College’s Special Collections Library. They are archived in the Luanne Rice Collection.
Rice has also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Joseph University in West Hartford, Conn.
Several of Rice's novels have been adapted for television. Her monologue for the play Motherhood Out Loud premiered at Hartford Stage and has been performed Off-Broadway in NYC and at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.
Rice is a Creative Affiliate of the Safina Center. She lives in southeastern Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
April 12, 2020
I was intrigued with Luanne Rice's descriptions of her character's eyes: John had eyes like root beer and Kate had eyes like river stones. I was disappointed that after enjoying 25 chapters the writing discipline/story line disintegrated into something like scrambled eggs. Someone in the reviews said "hokey" ending. And yes, hokey would be an excellent word. I was also VERY disappointed that the title of the book "Secret Hour" was connected as an endearing term in John's / Kate's relationship, but the same term "secret hour" was used in the author's jumbled litany of the crime toward Willa. When I finally got to the last sentence of the book, my thought was "what a crock". /P.S./ The daughter Maggie was eleven years old on page one of the book. A few days later (Chapter 14) Maggie is twelve. Where was the editor of this book?
July 16, 2011
For what I thought would be a light read it was pretty heavy.
A serial killer caught and in prison. A bleeding-heart lawyer who wants his death sentence commuted to life because of mental illness. A cheating wife. A bestfriend's betrayal. A husband's betrayal. A sister's betrayal. A tragic accident. A disappearance. A copycat killer.
It's all here. It's very suspenseful and I found nothing 'light' about it. It was disturbing. So if your in the mood for a good mystery/suspense this would be the one.
A serial killer caught and in prison. A bleeding-heart lawyer who wants his death sentence commuted to life because of mental illness. A cheating wife. A bestfriend's betrayal. A husband's betrayal. A sister's betrayal. A tragic accident. A disappearance. A copycat killer.
It's all here. It's very suspenseful and I found nothing 'light' about it. It was disturbing. So if your in the mood for a good mystery/suspense this would be the one.
July 17, 2021
This book was slow to get my attention however, I knew if kept reading is was going to be a treasure. I was right! This story is truly about sisterhood love. Kate sister Willa had my missing for six months and was not giving up until she found her. Even with a serial killer lock behind bars and copycat killer on the loose. I don't want to review the rest it and be a spoiler.
March 27, 2020
I liked the story — but there was just too much extraneous stuff that bogged it down for me. I found myself skimming across a lot of that to get back to the meat of the story. Maybe it was just my difficulty concentrating during this Coronavirus crisis.
February 28, 2025
4.5 stars. Why? This was on sale at Audible and as I usually enjoy a Luanne Rice book I chose it.
Plot Kate seeks her sister Willa who has gone missing. In the place she searches is lawyer John who is defending a criminal who kills women. He has two delightful children Maggie and Teddy. Will she find her sister alive? Are there any links to the criminal killer?
What Appeals to me? This had some twists and turns and tension that kept me listening. In the last few chapters I was sure biting my nails. Kate was a strong character and a really nice person, Maggie and Teddy while they played small roles, were very much what made this book so appealing. So crime, mystery, tension and a little romance. While I was never sure of how this would end, let's just say I was satisfied.
And so... I have read quite a few of Luanne Rice's books and this certainly lived up to what I expect from her. I still have some of hers that I haven't read so they will be in my future.
Plot Kate seeks her sister Willa who has gone missing. In the place she searches is lawyer John who is defending a criminal who kills women. He has two delightful children Maggie and Teddy. Will she find her sister alive? Are there any links to the criminal killer?
What Appeals to me? This had some twists and turns and tension that kept me listening. In the last few chapters I was sure biting my nails. Kate was a strong character and a really nice person, Maggie and Teddy while they played small roles, were very much what made this book so appealing. So crime, mystery, tension and a little romance. While I was never sure of how this would end, let's just say I was satisfied.
And so... I have read quite a few of Luanne Rice's books and this certainly lived up to what I expect from her. I still have some of hers that I haven't read so they will be in my future.
April 3, 2009
pleasure read, not for official review.
I think what I like most about Luanne's books, are you never really know what to expect, except that they're good. She had a deft way of taking common emotions and expanding them into 300 plus pages, and yet you're never bored. This was one of her better ones.
I think what I like most about Luanne's books, are you never really know what to expect, except that they're good. She had a deft way of taking common emotions and expanding them into 300 plus pages, and yet you're never bored. This was one of her better ones.
July 30, 2018
Probably my least favorite of all of the Luanne Rice books I've read (which is most of them). I just didn't love anything about the story. I was going to give it two stars, but I was taken by surprise with the twist at the very end--the fact that I didn't see that coming was enough for me to give it three stars instead.
May 1, 2020
I literally threw my copy in the trash after getting only halfway through it. I was looking to be relaxed and have a fun time reading a fluffy beach read sort of book. Getting into the head of a serial rapist/killer was t.m.i. This book had potential, but I could only stand so much melodrama. The other Rice books I've read were much more enjoyable.
December 5, 2025
“We like to think the children are resilient, will bounce back quickly, but how can they?”
May 4, 2023
Great story line with a surprise ending.
October 9, 2019
John has to defend a killer in court even if the guy is guilty. Kate has to find her missing sister who has betrayed her. Two lonely souls. Good story
April 11, 2018
I first heard of the author Luanne Rice through Lifetime when they aired the Beach Girls miniseries back in 2005. I watched it, really enjoyed it and sought out the book which I highly enjoyed. Picked up another one of her books, Silver Bells, which I liked but not as much as Beach Girls. I really didn't think I'd read another novel by this author but, one day I was in Target desperately searching for something to read when I was drawn in by the cover of The Secret Hour. The synopsis intrigued me and, having read two of her other books decided why not. Got home, cracked open the novel and read it straight through. The Secret Hour made me love Luanne Rice, made me give this author another chance. I haven't read all her books, but I've enjoyed the ones I have. I can honestly say that from what I've read, The Secret Hour is my favorite of all her novels. It'll always be my favorite that's for sure.
The Secret Hour is primarily a suspense filled mystery, a little thriller-ish if you like, with a romance brewing within. John O'Rourke is a lawyer with a high profile client involved in a high profile murder case. His life is pretty much in shambles, his wife died, he's struggling to raise his two kids, Teddy and Maggie. The murder case he's on isn't sitting well with some folks, it's so bad a flying brick breaks his window. Then walks Kate Harris into his life with a mission of her own.
Kate's searching for her sister Willa, who's been missing for six months after a huge fight they had. (I so wanna spoil that fight for you, it's a page turner but, I won't cause it's wrong.) She high tails it to New England and to John O'Rourke's doorstep. Does his client have something to do with her missing sister? Kate needs answers and John is one of the only people who can give it to her.
This story is about so much more then the mystery of what happened to Willa. It's about the relationships between sisters, family struggles, grief, second chances and forgiveness. Kate is searching for Willa because she loves her and is desperate to repair that relationship, she will not give up on her sister no matter what. John and his children have to accept that his wife, their mother, is gone and is never coming back. The mystery of Willa's disappearance is gripping, with twists and turns that would do any fan of suspense/mystery stories justice. The budding feelings that Kate and John have is slow burning but well worth the wait. The characters are very relatable, they have issues but it's not overbearing or annoying. For the situation that these folks are in and the world of this story it's all pretty realistic. The relationships, the issues, the setting, the characters themselves are all around solid. What I loved the most was all the weaving parts. Willa's disappearance, Kate's search, John and his murder client, his family issues, Kate's issues, it's all there and it's nicely tied together
I love this story, it was a page turner for me. I was at the edge of my seat for parts of this book when I first read it and, upon further reads I still get the same feeling. It is most definitely worth a read.
The Secret Hour is primarily a suspense filled mystery, a little thriller-ish if you like, with a romance brewing within. John O'Rourke is a lawyer with a high profile client involved in a high profile murder case. His life is pretty much in shambles, his wife died, he's struggling to raise his two kids, Teddy and Maggie. The murder case he's on isn't sitting well with some folks, it's so bad a flying brick breaks his window. Then walks Kate Harris into his life with a mission of her own.
Kate's searching for her sister Willa, who's been missing for six months after a huge fight they had. (I so wanna spoil that fight for you, it's a page turner but, I won't cause it's wrong.) She high tails it to New England and to John O'Rourke's doorstep. Does his client have something to do with her missing sister? Kate needs answers and John is one of the only people who can give it to her.
This story is about so much more then the mystery of what happened to Willa. It's about the relationships between sisters, family struggles, grief, second chances and forgiveness. Kate is searching for Willa because she loves her and is desperate to repair that relationship, she will not give up on her sister no matter what. John and his children have to accept that his wife, their mother, is gone and is never coming back. The mystery of Willa's disappearance is gripping, with twists and turns that would do any fan of suspense/mystery stories justice. The budding feelings that Kate and John have is slow burning but well worth the wait. The characters are very relatable, they have issues but it's not overbearing or annoying. For the situation that these folks are in and the world of this story it's all pretty realistic. The relationships, the issues, the setting, the characters themselves are all around solid. What I loved the most was all the weaving parts. Willa's disappearance, Kate's search, John and his murder client, his family issues, Kate's issues, it's all there and it's nicely tied together
I love this story, it was a page turner for me. I was at the edge of my seat for parts of this book when I first read it and, upon further reads I still get the same feeling. It is most definitely worth a read.
February 24, 2020
I loved this book and was surprised that everyone else did not give it 5 stars. From the first page, the book drew me in and made me ignore all the other things I was supposed to be doing so I could read! This is not a romance novel (which I also like), but it is a book about love and its power in our lives. Defense attorney, John O'Rourke is working to save his client, a confessed serial killer, from the death penalty. He does not particularly like his client and finds his crimes loathsome, but John is a man with a great deal of integrity and a love of the law. O'Rourke has chosen a difficult path as the people in his small town hate what he's doing and feel his client should be put to death, and they harass him and his two young children, Maggie and Teddy. Maggie, Teddy and John are also grieving from the unexpected death of their mother/wife. Just after a brick is thrown through the picture window of their home, injuring John, a young woman named Kate Harris arrives at their house at about the same time as the paramedics and the police. In the chaos of frightened children and indifferent police (who feel John is getting what he deserves), John thinks Kate is the new babysitter and leaves her in charge while he is taken to the hospital to have his head wound checked. Kate is not a babysitter but she does have a missing sister, Willa whose last communication came from the small town where John lives. Kate fears that Willa was a victim of the serial killer John is defending and hopes to talk to him and gather some information. There are wonderful characters in this book, and Luanne Rice makes them all believable, including the children. I wanted to find out what happened but hated when the book came to an end which made it a very satisfying read. I'll be thinking about this one for awhile.
May 24, 2011
Wow! Nice story! Luanne Rice never fails her reader! She's one of a kind!
All in one book -- Sisterhood, Marriage, Family, Love and Psycho-thriller.
I think John's family is almost perfect, if only John didn't focus on so much work. Less time lessen a person's love too.
If I were John - as defense lawyer, I would do the same. Defend a person's right no matter what he did wrong. And for John, he really has a good principle. Whatever one do, good or bad, people will say something about it. So might as well, ignore what they say and do your thing as long as you do it the right way and not hurting others.
In case of Kate and Willa Harris, at first i really can't believe what Willa did to her sister, i think it does happen in real life. Kate was really a strong woman, I admire her.
The psycho thing in here, boosted the imagination of the readers. I really never thought that that psychiatrist was one of those psychos -- one thing in mind, why did they hide Willa and the killed the other victims? what's with Willa? of all the victim?
All in one book -- Sisterhood, Marriage, Family, Love and Psycho-thriller.
I think John's family is almost perfect, if only John didn't focus on so much work. Less time lessen a person's love too.
If I were John - as defense lawyer, I would do the same. Defend a person's right no matter what he did wrong. And for John, he really has a good principle. Whatever one do, good or bad, people will say something about it. So might as well, ignore what they say and do your thing as long as you do it the right way and not hurting others.
In case of Kate and Willa Harris, at first i really can't believe what Willa did to her sister, i think it does happen in real life. Kate was really a strong woman, I admire her.
The psycho thing in here, boosted the imagination of the readers. I really never thought that that psychiatrist was one of those psychos -- one thing in mind, why did they hide Willa and the killed the other victims? what's with Willa? of all the victim?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2014
A romance/mystery book. At first I found it interesting with the whole "What happened" kind of thing and wanting to know more. The author kept repeating herself with the his/her individual story backgrounds which I found drawn out and monotonous. It took forever to get them together and then towards the end I just found it too cheezball!
June 15, 2009
I almost did not finish this book. It started to drag for me. The ending picked up a little bit. Knew what was going to happen though. For a mindless read and to pass the time its ok, but there are so many good books out there to choose from I would pass on this.
June 5, 2012
horrible.
February 22, 2020
Loved it most of the way through. The ending was very unexpected but seemed really rushed without enough detail to tie things up neatly.
June 14, 2021
Slow reading
After reading The Last Day this book was very slow. It took way too long to get into the story and then once it got into the story it was over. Very disappointing.
After reading The Last Day this book was very slow. It took way too long to get into the story and then once it got into the story it was over. Very disappointing.
June 20, 2022
I liked the characters in this story, but the ending seemed very unlikely.
June 8, 2024
Didn’t enjoy this book - will be reluctant to read any more of Rice’s books.
May 8, 2020
John O’Rourke is doing all he can to raise his two children since his wife’s car accident and death. Eleven-year-old Maggie is terrified something will happen to him like it did her mother; Teddy is a star soccer player in his Connecticut school, and he’s carrying far too much of the family burden. John is a criminal defense lawyer, and his latest case has brought down the rage of the community against him. He is defending a serial killer, attempting to get the man moved from death row to a life-in-prison cell, and the community is unilaterally opposed. The brick flung through a large window while the family ate breakfast one morning is proof of that.
Kate Harris’s sister, Willa, has disappeared. She was last seen in the town where John and his family live. Kate is hopeful John can cast light on her sister’s disappearance, thinking perhaps his serial-killer client may know something of her disappearance. She shows up minutes after the brick goes through the window, and John assumes she is the latest potential babysitter sent by a local agency. In reality, Kate is a marine biologist.
If I were classifying this, I’d call it romantic suspense. And trust me, there’s plenty of suspense and very little profanity or sexual descriptions. In fact, this is Hallmark-movie squeaky clean.
Rice recreates the New England coastline in memorable ways here. Her writing regarding the power of sisterly love is compelling and well worth your time. You almost feel like John O’Rourke is a small-scale Atticus Finch. His dad, a former liberal lawyer turned retired conservative judge, is also an interesting character. But it is Kate who will warm you and give you reasons to keep reading. She and her sister grew up largely without their parents on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. Both girls grow up with a love for the sea and an appreciation for private almost-sacred places.
Kate Harris’s sister, Willa, has disappeared. She was last seen in the town where John and his family live. Kate is hopeful John can cast light on her sister’s disappearance, thinking perhaps his serial-killer client may know something of her disappearance. She shows up minutes after the brick goes through the window, and John assumes she is the latest potential babysitter sent by a local agency. In reality, Kate is a marine biologist.
If I were classifying this, I’d call it romantic suspense. And trust me, there’s plenty of suspense and very little profanity or sexual descriptions. In fact, this is Hallmark-movie squeaky clean.
Rice recreates the New England coastline in memorable ways here. Her writing regarding the power of sisterly love is compelling and well worth your time. You almost feel like John O’Rourke is a small-scale Atticus Finch. His dad, a former liberal lawyer turned retired conservative judge, is also an interesting character. But it is Kate who will warm you and give you reasons to keep reading. She and her sister grew up largely without their parents on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. Both girls grow up with a love for the sea and an appreciation for private almost-sacred places.
November 24, 2025
3.0, serial killer book with a happy ending for the survivors. Rice is one of my favorite romance writers, but she has a formula. One or both members of the couple have suffered a horrific loss (death or disappearance of a child, sibling or spouse), but then they get together, help each other heal and life is good again.
The man is a defense attorney who is defending a psychopathic murderer who has tortured and killed 6 or more young women, trying to keep the murderer alive to face a life in prison, rather than the death penalty.
I think she (the author) has a really good heart, and she writes pretty well, though a lot of the dialogue was boring.
This was a fast read, perfect for pool/beach/plane. The deaths of the innocent were not graphic--you get to imagine the horror.
I actually really hate serial killer books and murder mysteries--I have read way too many--what the flip is wrong with me? I think this may be the last one I read.
I may have rated this higher, but there was zero discussion of the pros and cons of the Death Penalty. I would have liked an honest and intelligent exploration of both sides which would have added immensely to the novel.
We aren't even told whether or not the main characters have an opinion. The book repeats over and over, that all people, even psycho torturer-murderers deserve fair legal representation.
But no mention is made of whether the characters in the story believe that the Death Penalty is OK in some circumstances or never OK.
P.S. In my personal opinion, the Death Penalty is NEVER OK but the controversy itself is fascinating and complicated.
The man is a defense attorney who is defending a psychopathic murderer who has tortured and killed 6 or more young women, trying to keep the murderer alive to face a life in prison, rather than the death penalty.
I think she (the author) has a really good heart, and she writes pretty well, though a lot of the dialogue was boring.
This was a fast read, perfect for pool/beach/plane. The deaths of the innocent were not graphic--you get to imagine the horror.
I actually really hate serial killer books and murder mysteries--I have read way too many--what the flip is wrong with me? I think this may be the last one I read.
I may have rated this higher, but there was zero discussion of the pros and cons of the Death Penalty. I would have liked an honest and intelligent exploration of both sides which would have added immensely to the novel.
We aren't even told whether or not the main characters have an opinion. The book repeats over and over, that all people, even psycho torturer-murderers deserve fair legal representation.
But no mention is made of whether the characters in the story believe that the Death Penalty is OK in some circumstances or never OK.
P.S. In my personal opinion, the Death Penalty is NEVER OK but the controversy itself is fascinating and complicated.
December 18, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up.
A romance inserted into a thriller mystery. John is a defense lawyer defending the worst of the worst. A murderer in their small town. Ostracized by the townfolk and harassed often he is just trying to live his life, raise his kids as a single dad and keep them safe. Insert Kate. A woman who John assumes is the new nanny. A young woman who has nothing to lose looking for her lost sister. A sweet slow love forms between the family and the scorned woman. John understanding the pain she went through when Kate's sister had an affair with her husband. Finding common ground John's deceased wife also had an affair. Now determined to find out what happened to Kates missing sister John sets out to see if his client knows anything. What no one expected was that there would be another victim that would turn their sights on someone else? What happened to Kates sister? Will they find out? What will Kate do to find her sister? Definitely recommend!
A romance inserted into a thriller mystery. John is a defense lawyer defending the worst of the worst. A murderer in their small town. Ostracized by the townfolk and harassed often he is just trying to live his life, raise his kids as a single dad and keep them safe. Insert Kate. A woman who John assumes is the new nanny. A young woman who has nothing to lose looking for her lost sister. A sweet slow love forms between the family and the scorned woman. John understanding the pain she went through when Kate's sister had an affair with her husband. Finding common ground John's deceased wife also had an affair. Now determined to find out what happened to Kates missing sister John sets out to see if his client knows anything. What no one expected was that there would be another victim that would turn their sights on someone else? What happened to Kates sister? Will they find out? What will Kate do to find her sister? Definitely recommend!
July 18, 2023
I’ve been in a reading slump for quite some time now. While this didn’t help A LOT, it definitely piqued my interest.
I got this from a book thrift store. I normally go for romance instead of a mystery but this got me excited.
It was hard to get into a deep reading session until about page 335 in the book but I didn’t mind.
I would’ve given this a 4/5 but I feel like I have to bring it down to a 3/5. I would say it’s a good 3.6/5 though.
The characters were amazing and well thought out, the plot was also very well thought out. It is scary that things like this actually happen but the ending made me happy. I did predict a large part of the ending but there was a very big surprise as well.
Definitely a nice read but I probably won’t be re-reading it
I got this from a book thrift store. I normally go for romance instead of a mystery but this got me excited.
It was hard to get into a deep reading session until about page 335 in the book but I didn’t mind.
I would’ve given this a 4/5 but I feel like I have to bring it down to a 3/5. I would say it’s a good 3.6/5 though.
The characters were amazing and well thought out, the plot was also very well thought out. It is scary that things like this actually happen but the ending made me happy. I did predict a large part of the ending but there was a very big surprise as well.
Definitely a nice read but I probably won’t be re-reading it
August 30, 2022
For many years , I rarely read female authors - some early Patricia Cornwell's, Tess Gerritsen and , of course , Agatha Christie but not much more . Now nearly half of my reads are written by the fair sex . This book reminded me of the reason I previously avoided them ! Potentially a decent story , with the lawyer of a serial killer being approached by the sister of a missing girl , to find out if the killer had come into contact with the lost sibling . However , the over-whelming emotions of the characters was a real turn off . If Americans are this paranoid , the country must be terrible to live in , and many people must be looking to emigrate !
June 10, 2017
When you read a great deal, as I do, sometimes you need a palate cleanser and a book like The Secret Hour meets that need. This is easy to read and has just enough romance and suspense to keep a reader turning the pages. Felt there was a questionable plot inclusion and one omission. Rice writes books that are at their essence both heartwarming and bittersweet, often touching on some social issue as well. Here, the issue is whether a lawyer, a good man, should be defending a serial killer. The town is not being very kind to him or his children.
Generally good read.
Generally good read.
July 10, 2019
John O'Rourke, Esq.'s wife, dies in a car accident, on her way home from a tryst. He is devastated on both counts (the latter he already knew). Now he has to work and bring up his two kids alone. One morning a woman comes to his door with a request that could hinder one of his cases or even make him lose his license. Yet, for some reason he is pulled to her and the dilemma. The author blends these two facets together in a lovely twist. Good story. Real characters, as real as fiction can get! LOL.
June 4, 2021
Another excellent Luanne Rice mystery.
Was it formulaic?
Well, yes, to some degree. But the formula results in just the right medicine for me when I am in need of it.
Beaches -- check.
Small towns -- check.
Murder -- check.
Mystery -- check.
Families -- check.
Secrets -- check.
Romance -- check.
One of these days I'm just going to take my "Pretty Girls Read Books" book bag that my mama gave me to the library, go to the shelf where Ms Rice's books are, and rake them all into the bag and check them out. I should probably do this right before a trip to the beach, right?
Right.
Was it formulaic?
Well, yes, to some degree. But the formula results in just the right medicine for me when I am in need of it.
Beaches -- check.
Small towns -- check.
Murder -- check.
Mystery -- check.
Families -- check.
Secrets -- check.
Romance -- check.
One of these days I'm just going to take my "Pretty Girls Read Books" book bag that my mama gave me to the library, go to the shelf where Ms Rice's books are, and rake them all into the bag and check them out. I should probably do this right before a trip to the beach, right?
Right.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews