The Secret Daughter

by Catherine King

 Set in London, Stockholm and the Southampton docks the novel will lead up to all the characters boarding the Titanic--who will survive?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2012

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret Daughter has been sat on my shelf waiting to be read for a little while, so I was very pleased to be able to have the time to sit down and open it.

The Secret Daughter is told from the viewpoints of both Martha, an American heiress, and Phyllis, who becomes Martha’s lady’s maid. I really enjoyed this book! It took me a few chapters to get into it as I was learning who was who and placing the scenes, but I was quickly swept up in the story. The book covers twenty years, leading up to the sail and eventual sink of the Titanic.

This book is perfect for readers who love historical fiction or take an interest in stories which are set in the past. Personally I am a huge fan of historical novels, I find them fascinating and I really admire the research which goes into them – Catherine King has done a lot of research and it shows as the descriptions, the backgrounds and the settings are brilliant. Whilst I was reading I genuinely felt as though I had been transported back in time, in my mind I could see everything happening around me and the descriptions enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

I won’t say too much so as not to spoil it for any readers, but it is a thoroughly enjoyable story which flows beautifully and after finishing the last page, I was so pleased that I read this book. I will definitely be looking out for more of Caherine’s novels!

[Penny Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good Victorian family saga.

[Paula Hess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a book about the titanic and to feel the adventure/ journey/ and sorrow that happened April 1912 this is not the book to read.
Anything about the titanic is within the last 100 pages and there is no in-depth description about the 4 day journey at all.

I have read a lot of fantastic books that make me feel as I am truly on the maiden voyage and the tragedy that follows but this was not one of them.

I liked this book a lot and it really kept me entertained. While I would not say this is a historical fiction “Titanic” book, it very much glosses over it but this is still a good story

[Cherrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't finish this book because I just got lost. The story started off well and looked as though it was going to be a good story but there was so many characters to keep up with and I was getting confused with who was who and how they were relevant to the story. More and more different characters kept coming in and just didn't understand who they were or why they were in the story.

[Elaine Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A warm, heartfelt, beautiful story with the most palpable 0f emotions. A thoroughly enjoyable novel which completely drawers you in. I would recommend this tale of trials and tribulations to anyone. The only pitfall is once you pick it up you won't want to put it down.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook version
My first CK read. I’d definitely read another. Very enjoyable light period / social history novel.

[Linda Leedham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling read

[Christine Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written. It was a page turner, I liked the way it flowed and didn't spend time with an overload of descriptions about everything.

[Tracy Shanahan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bit boring for me so struggled with it.