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The Secrets We Keep
A buried secret. A guilty conscience. And an old friend who could destroy everything.
Twenty years ago on a midnight drive along a country lane, Rob’s life was almost destroyed.
Since then, he's fought hard to get things back on track. Now he runs his own high-end restaurant, has a loving wife and daughter. And a newborn baby only adds to the joy.
But when an old friend, Dan, shows up, Rob realises the life he’s carved out for himself is under threat.
Because Dan was there that night. He knows Rob’s dark secret. And now it seems he’s going to use what he knows to push his own sinister agenda.
Rob is desperate to keep the past hidden from his wife, Jessie, but his secretive behaviour is driving a wedge between them, threatening their marriage. Things are going from bad to worse - and then the police come knocking, asking questions about that fateful night.
Rob must battle with his own demons, as well as the ghosts from his past, to protect himself and those he loves. But who can he trust when he can’t even trust himself?
The Secrets We Keep is a riveting and enthralling read that’s perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst and K. L. Slater.
Twenty years ago on a midnight drive along a country lane, Rob’s life was almost destroyed.
Since then, he's fought hard to get things back on track. Now he runs his own high-end restaurant, has a loving wife and daughter. And a newborn baby only adds to the joy.
But when an old friend, Dan, shows up, Rob realises the life he’s carved out for himself is under threat.
Because Dan was there that night. He knows Rob’s dark secret. And now it seems he’s going to use what he knows to push his own sinister agenda.
Rob is desperate to keep the past hidden from his wife, Jessie, but his secretive behaviour is driving a wedge between them, threatening their marriage. Things are going from bad to worse - and then the police come knocking, asking questions about that fateful night.
Rob must battle with his own demons, as well as the ghosts from his past, to protect himself and those he loves. But who can he trust when he can’t even trust himself?
The Secrets We Keep is a riveting and enthralling read that’s perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst and K. L. Slater.
252 pages, Hardcover
First published May 24, 2023
200 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
About the author
M.I. Hattersley
9 books57 followersM. I. Hattersley was born in Yorkshire, UK. Over the last twenty years, he’s toured Europe in a rock 'n' roll band, trained as a professional actor, and founded a theatre and media company, none of which paid particularly well. To keep the lights on, he’s also held a long list of mind-numbing day jobs. He now writes psychological and domestic thrillers, which, fortunately, let him put all that experience with strange people and tense situations to good use.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
June 20, 2023
Rob is the main character. He's hiding something from us. He is married to Jessie, who is currently having a storm of hormones because she recently gave birth to a son. Jessie had three miscarriages. They have another child together. Rob owns a restaurant. He would like to spend more time with his family, but after the Covid-19 pandemic, his restaurant is barely spinning. He can't afford to hire a chef. He doesn't want to worry his wife. Body found in a tank. What does Rob have to do with this? Someone knows his secret. Someone leaves him notes. What will our hero do? With less than 200 pages, I read the book very quickly. However, it didn't impress me much. The action was slow. The story could have been more developed. I wanted to get to know the characters in this book better. If you are looking for a thriller with twists, then read "The secrets we keep". I have to say that the ending took me a bit by surprise. I didn't expect this turn of events. You will surely be surprised, too.
June 7, 2023
It's not often book are written from a first person male POV and I found it an interesting change.
I could feel the frustration radiating off both Rob and Jessie and could see why each reacted as they did. I loved how the ending tied in with Rob’s morals and reflected back to his dad - it was bittersweet.
It's difficult to explain without spoilers, but I have huge respect for Jessie and the risk she took - again showing the stark difference between her and Rob.
I don't know if it's because women are more familiar with it, but I picked up on something very early on - and guessed the twist linked to it. I also felt there was a bit of repetition that could have been cut down.
A slow burner that covers an important issue, whilst also highlighting the power in honesty and responsibility.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from Zooloo's Book Tours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I could feel the frustration radiating off both Rob and Jessie and could see why each reacted as they did. I loved how the ending tied in with Rob’s morals and reflected back to his dad - it was bittersweet.
It's difficult to explain without spoilers, but I have huge respect for Jessie and the risk she took - again showing the stark difference between her and Rob.
I don't know if it's because women are more familiar with it, but I picked up on something very early on - and guessed the twist linked to it. I also felt there was a bit of repetition that could have been cut down.
A slow burner that covers an important issue, whilst also highlighting the power in honesty and responsibility.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from Zooloo's Book Tours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
May 28, 2023
A buried secret...a guilty conscience...and an old friend who could destroy everything...
This is the first book I've read by Matthew Hattersley (writing as M.I. Hattersley) and I'm always a sucker for a domestic suspense tale. But boy, what a tangled web that was woven!
Rob Wilkes has lived in Glossop in Derbyshire for most of his life. Apart from the wayward years he spent trying to lose himself in London after an incident in his teens that changed the course of his life forever. Then ten years ago he met and married the love of his life, Jessie, and just when they thought parenthood was not to be, five years ago Jessie fell pregnant with Fern and just three weeks ago gave birth to their son Noah. Of course it has thrown their life into turmoil as it had been the couple's dream to open their own restaurant which they did with Jessie working front of house and Rob as head chef. But after the birth of their children, Jessie is now stuck at home with three week old Noah who seems to scream every minute of every day and night, wearing down Jessie's last nerve.
And then there's the secret he's keeping from her. It all goes back to when he was a teenager twenty years ago with his best mate Dan, a childhood friend with whom he went separate ways. And then one day Dan knocks on his door with a need to unburden himself and cleanse his soul.
Dan's timing couldn't be worse. The restaurant they worked so hard to make happen suffered during the pandemic and he is so badly in debt he isn't sure its resounding the success is enough to bail him out of hot water. And then there is Jessie at home, who is obviously suffering from post natal depression - any idiot can see that but Rob, it seems, could not. It was slightly disturbing that he didn't see that there was clearly something wrong with her. Her constant snapping and sniping and mood swings were enough to give me whiplash and grate on my nerves but poor Rob, no matter what he did, just couldn't do a thing right. She is obsessed with the notion that he is cheating on her though where she gets that idea from is anyone's guess. It's hard not to sympathise with him despite his situation as dealing with Jessie's moods are increasingly difficult. So when Dan turns up, things only go from bad to worse. Jessie knows Rob is hiding something and that Dan is involved and she wants to know what.
OK, so yes, Rob is keeping secrets from his wife. On that score, she is correct. But I do believe Rob when he says he is keeping them from her to protect her and save her from worrying because if she knew the state of the business' financial affairs she would inevitably worry. But when it comes to the big secret he is keeping, it is a little hard to accept though I do in part grudgingly understand. To tell her would only cause goodness knows what given her current state of mind. I do believe he had the best of intentions but he was just so wrapped up in what was happening I guess his judgement was a little off. He clearly loves his wife and yet while he continued to keep secrets from her I think he was doing so from a good place. But at the same time he was guilty of something bigger that couldn't be undone. How he was going to get past that I've no idea.
I do have to wonder at how an author, proof readers and an editor can fail to spot the difference between "desert" and "dessert" because at Rob's restaurant they served an awful lot of "desert". And there was one point where Rob had just been telling Jessie he will stay home today and that the staff can run the lunch service and that he won't be needed till dinner...and then he drops Fern off at pre-school and then texts Jessie to say he was going to the restaurant, where he then helped with the lunch service. But he had just finished telling his wife he was staying home to help her. *scratches head*
At just 216 pages, this was a quick read that begins with a deadly secret and ends up a tangled mess of lies and deception...and an even bigger hole he has dug for himself. And while I found the storyline compelling I did feel something was missing from it though I can't quite put my finger on what. I did enjoy it though. It was fast paced and whilst a tad predictable, an entertaining read.
I would like to thank #MatthewHattersley, #Netgalley, #InkubatorBooks and #ZoolooTours for an ARC of #TheSecretsWeKeep in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
This is the first book I've read by Matthew Hattersley (writing as M.I. Hattersley) and I'm always a sucker for a domestic suspense tale. But boy, what a tangled web that was woven!
Rob Wilkes has lived in Glossop in Derbyshire for most of his life. Apart from the wayward years he spent trying to lose himself in London after an incident in his teens that changed the course of his life forever. Then ten years ago he met and married the love of his life, Jessie, and just when they thought parenthood was not to be, five years ago Jessie fell pregnant with Fern and just three weeks ago gave birth to their son Noah. Of course it has thrown their life into turmoil as it had been the couple's dream to open their own restaurant which they did with Jessie working front of house and Rob as head chef. But after the birth of their children, Jessie is now stuck at home with three week old Noah who seems to scream every minute of every day and night, wearing down Jessie's last nerve.
And then there's the secret he's keeping from her. It all goes back to when he was a teenager twenty years ago with his best mate Dan, a childhood friend with whom he went separate ways. And then one day Dan knocks on his door with a need to unburden himself and cleanse his soul.
Dan's timing couldn't be worse. The restaurant they worked so hard to make happen suffered during the pandemic and he is so badly in debt he isn't sure its resounding the success is enough to bail him out of hot water. And then there is Jessie at home, who is obviously suffering from post natal depression - any idiot can see that but Rob, it seems, could not. It was slightly disturbing that he didn't see that there was clearly something wrong with her. Her constant snapping and sniping and mood swings were enough to give me whiplash and grate on my nerves but poor Rob, no matter what he did, just couldn't do a thing right. She is obsessed with the notion that he is cheating on her though where she gets that idea from is anyone's guess. It's hard not to sympathise with him despite his situation as dealing with Jessie's moods are increasingly difficult. So when Dan turns up, things only go from bad to worse. Jessie knows Rob is hiding something and that Dan is involved and she wants to know what.
OK, so yes, Rob is keeping secrets from his wife. On that score, she is correct. But I do believe Rob when he says he is keeping them from her to protect her and save her from worrying because if she knew the state of the business' financial affairs she would inevitably worry. But when it comes to the big secret he is keeping, it is a little hard to accept though I do in part grudgingly understand. To tell her would only cause goodness knows what given her current state of mind. I do believe he had the best of intentions but he was just so wrapped up in what was happening I guess his judgement was a little off. He clearly loves his wife and yet while he continued to keep secrets from her I think he was doing so from a good place. But at the same time he was guilty of something bigger that couldn't be undone. How he was going to get past that I've no idea.
I do have to wonder at how an author, proof readers and an editor can fail to spot the difference between "desert" and "dessert" because at Rob's restaurant they served an awful lot of "desert". And there was one point where Rob had just been telling Jessie he will stay home today and that the staff can run the lunch service and that he won't be needed till dinner...and then he drops Fern off at pre-school and then texts Jessie to say he was going to the restaurant, where he then helped with the lunch service. But he had just finished telling his wife he was staying home to help her. *scratches head*
At just 216 pages, this was a quick read that begins with a deadly secret and ends up a tangled mess of lies and deception...and an even bigger hole he has dug for himself. And while I found the storyline compelling I did feel something was missing from it though I can't quite put my finger on what. I did enjoy it though. It was fast paced and whilst a tad predictable, an entertaining read.
I would like to thank #MatthewHattersley, #Netgalley, #InkubatorBooks and #ZoolooTours for an ARC of #TheSecretsWeKeep in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
June 20, 2023
Rob Wilkes is struggling to keep the problems with his restaurant, Fire & Ice, that he opened up with his wife Jessie (Singer), from her after the birth of their second child Noah some three weeks before. They have been together some ten years and she insists he doesn’t lie to her or keep any secrets from her, after having been embarrassed shortly after they got together, when someone from his past met them and told her of his reputation. They have a four year old Fern who goes to pre-school, but Jessie seems to be struggling with the baby and with the business struggling, he can’t spend much time at home to help her. The problems of the last few years have not been kind to the business and if things don’t improve, he may lose the business, something he doesn’t want to worry her about. It should be a time of joy with their new addition, but nightmares of the past have started coming back to haunt him. Twenty years ago, on the way back from a night out with his best friend Dan Chapman, something happened with as they drove along a dark country lane and it has haunted him ever since. He and Dan had not seen each other since.
It drove Rob’s life into a bit of a tailspin, but meeting Jessie finally got him to change his life. A very hot summer has led to the water levels in all the local reservoirs and Rob is worried about the past and what might be revealed. The sudden reappearance of his old friend Dan is not welcome and he inserts himself into his life and home, which doesn’t go well with Jessie. Jessie can also sense that Rob is keeping something from her, which he keeps on denying, which isn’t helping with their relationship. Strange notes and other odd things happen, making him wonder who else knows about his past and the secret he has kept for so long. The police are soon involved in a local investigation with links to the past and that fateful night is brought back to mind, disturbing his sleep and his ability to keep calm at work. Secrets of his own childhood come to be discovered as his father explains the truth about his mother and problems in his parent’s marriage. He needs to protect the life he and his wife have built, but he has to battle Dan and his wife, wondering what they are going to do. A few twists along the way and some possible blackmail to add to the pressure. A shocking diagnosis for Jessie makes some of the tale understandable, but doesn’t help with what happens at the end. Dan kept threatening to come clean to help his soul, but Rob would do anything to stop him, or would he? A slow start but picks up with the confusion as the story progresses and twists the secrets and lies going around. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
3 ½ - 4 stars
It drove Rob’s life into a bit of a tailspin, but meeting Jessie finally got him to change his life. A very hot summer has led to the water levels in all the local reservoirs and Rob is worried about the past and what might be revealed. The sudden reappearance of his old friend Dan is not welcome and he inserts himself into his life and home, which doesn’t go well with Jessie. Jessie can also sense that Rob is keeping something from her, which he keeps on denying, which isn’t helping with their relationship. Strange notes and other odd things happen, making him wonder who else knows about his past and the secret he has kept for so long. The police are soon involved in a local investigation with links to the past and that fateful night is brought back to mind, disturbing his sleep and his ability to keep calm at work. Secrets of his own childhood come to be discovered as his father explains the truth about his mother and problems in his parent’s marriage. He needs to protect the life he and his wife have built, but he has to battle Dan and his wife, wondering what they are going to do. A few twists along the way and some possible blackmail to add to the pressure. A shocking diagnosis for Jessie makes some of the tale understandable, but doesn’t help with what happens at the end. Dan kept threatening to come clean to help his soul, but Rob would do anything to stop him, or would he? A slow start but picks up with the confusion as the story progresses and twists the secrets and lies going around. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
3 ½ - 4 stars
May 22, 2023
Rob and Danny were two boys who were childhood friends one made it and one did not. Rob is now a chef with his own restaurant called Fire And Ice that he owns with wife Jess and she is also the mother to six week old Noah and four year old fern. Danny however lives off of public assistance owes money to Badman and suffers from PTSD. They haven’t spoke to each other in 20 years ever since that night that neither one wanted to talk about but thanks to the floundering environment Rob knows any day now he’s going to talk to Danny and he is absolutely right. When Danny does show up he knows his problems or tenfold in with his wife Jess suffering from postpartum depression and constantly think him cheating, his restaurant trying to get back on his feet since Covid he really thought his problems couldn’t get any worse but when he receives a letter at the restaurant insinuating the person knows his secret and his time is almost up he first thinks Danny is the culprit but when Danny faines innocence, there is something in his demeanor that causes Rob to believe him. Danny wants to go to the police he claims, Jess wants to know what Rob is hiding and Rob wants to know who is sending the ladders when all of this comes to a tragic end it will shake the foundation of each of their lives and not all of them will live to look back with regret. This was a great twisted swervy tail of deception it right like a powder keg waiting to blow up and when it does OMG be prepared. This was really an awesome awesome book and one I found hard to put down. I have read those authors books previously and enjoyed them but this one I do believe is the best. I highly recommend this book for any thriller fan it is unlike any thriller I’ve read before. I received this book from NetGalley and a publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
May 11, 2023
This was a good read, though I found it repetitive at times. It centers on Rob, who made a terrible decision 20 years ago that has haunted him ever since. He has moved on and owns a restaurant; he also has a wife and 2 young kids. He spends a lot of time trying to validate himself as a great person. Things aren't going great, with his business losing money and his wife clearly suffering from postnatal depression after the birth of their 2nd child when his old friend Dan shows up and threatens to expose the secret that would destroy everything Rob has so carefully crafted.
I didn't find Rob to be all that likable and I felt like he tried to hard to be this great guy when it was clear he was trying to convince himself as well. A lot of the book was his own internal monologue. I was also really disturbed that there was clearly something wrong with his wife Jessie that he didn't seem to notice. He also kept an awful lot of secrets from her while constantly telling us how much he loved her and that they didn't have secrets. Once I got beyond that, the storyline itself was good, with some decent twists and a couple legitimate surprises. It was fast-paced overall and I found it to be a quick read. I didn't love the end but I do think it worked well along with the rest of the story.
Overall, I enjoyed the book though it wasn't necessarily my favorite. The storyline wasn't all that unique (in fact, the book I finished right before had an almost identical storyline) but I do think it was well-written and contained some good twists. I'd give it 3.5 stars, rounded up. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't find Rob to be all that likable and I felt like he tried to hard to be this great guy when it was clear he was trying to convince himself as well. A lot of the book was his own internal monologue. I was also really disturbed that there was clearly something wrong with his wife Jessie that he didn't seem to notice. He also kept an awful lot of secrets from her while constantly telling us how much he loved her and that they didn't have secrets. Once I got beyond that, the storyline itself was good, with some decent twists and a couple legitimate surprises. It was fast-paced overall and I found it to be a quick read. I didn't love the end but I do think it worked well along with the rest of the story.
Overall, I enjoyed the book though it wasn't necessarily my favorite. The storyline wasn't all that unique (in fact, the book I finished right before had an almost identical storyline) but I do think it was well-written and contained some good twists. I'd give it 3.5 stars, rounded up. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2023
My Thoughts: this book was a bit of a slow burn to begin with but the writing drew me in instantly. We’re following Rob, head chef and owner of the restaurant Fire and Ice which he had opened a few years ago with his wife Jessie when their daughter was a baby. Jessie had been front of house until 3 weeks ago when she had given birth to their son Noah.. a surprise who turned up just as they’d accepted that a second child wasn’t to be.
Rob is keeping secrets, mainly about the restaurant and the fact that it’s not doing well.. he’s worried that it won’t survive, but he can’t tell Jessie that when she’s stuck at home all day with a baby who never seems to do anything but cry.
It’s not a healthy relationship by all accounts but they’re making it work.. until Dan appears, Robs childhood best friend, we soon learn that Robs secrets go well beyond the restaurant and that Dan has the power to bring everything crashing down with just a few words.. how far will Rob go to make sure this doesn’t happen?
This one turned out to be a real page turner where the action and the twists just kept coming. It had me on the edge of my seat & biting my nails. This is definitely one I recommend people add to their TBR!
Rob is keeping secrets, mainly about the restaurant and the fact that it’s not doing well.. he’s worried that it won’t survive, but he can’t tell Jessie that when she’s stuck at home all day with a baby who never seems to do anything but cry.
It’s not a healthy relationship by all accounts but they’re making it work.. until Dan appears, Robs childhood best friend, we soon learn that Robs secrets go well beyond the restaurant and that Dan has the power to bring everything crashing down with just a few words.. how far will Rob go to make sure this doesn’t happen?
This one turned out to be a real page turner where the action and the twists just kept coming. It had me on the edge of my seat & biting my nails. This is definitely one I recommend people add to their TBR!
July 9, 2023
This was either a 'crime' story or a cautionary domestic drama depending on your mindset when you read it. I wanted to shake the husband and tell him to open his eyes to what's happening to his wife! but I also appreciated how stressed and overwhelmed he was. You've got 2 very damaged people whose marriage is on a very downward spiral as each partner is consumed by their own problems. The husband is trying to keep his business afloat when an old pal from his past resurfaces to possibly expose the crime they committed 20 years ago. He can't tell his wife and is so stressed out that he fails to notice that she is not coping well with the pressures of being a brand new mom. That's an understatement. The book is fraught, the tension is palpable. This story, these 2 people are heading for disaster. I felt this part of the story was well done. The 'who is sending the notes' and 'what's going to happen to Dan' part of the story was too obvious to me; the red herrings - if that's who/what they were- didn't really work. The final chapter when the husband does what he does was surprising to me though, but too little, too late.
June 3, 2023
Thank you @ZooloosBT and @matt_hattersley for letting me be part of this tour and reviewing this book. The secrets we keep is a brilliant psychological read that kept me hooked to the end. I read The secrets We Keep in 4 Hours. There is great suspense running tbrough the book. I was hooked from the beginning and could not put it down. I need to know Rob secret and to found out the outcome. M. I. Hattersley ilwritting style is fantastic. I did not see the twists coming and i thought i know who it was but i was very wrong. The story about Rob who is married to Jesse and they have two children. Rob has a secret that he hoped would stay hidden but it all changes when old frind Dan comes back. This is the first book i have read by M. I. Hattersley and i will definatly be reading more. I felt like I was on emotional rollcoster while reading the Secrets We Keep because I had no clue what was going to happen to Rob. If you like psychological thriller you will love this. Strongly reccomend 5 stars out to buy now.
June 5, 2023
This is the first book I've read by this author and I'm sure won't be the last as I really enjoyed this.
Rob and Jessie have the perfect life together. He runs his own top restaurant, their marriage is perfect and with a daughter and a baby on the way, things could not be going better.
That is until Dan turns up and threatens to reveal secrets from 20 years ago that start to drive a wedge between them all.
I love charaxter swho seem to have it all but have hidden secrets. You guys know that they're going to come out sooner or later and I'm sorry, but I love the chaos that follows when they do!
The writing style hooked me in straight away a d I loved the twists and turns along the way even when I thought that I'd worked out a theory, there was always a twist coming.
A great read that will keep you immersed until the very last page. Can't wait to see more from this author.
Rob and Jessie have the perfect life together. He runs his own top restaurant, their marriage is perfect and with a daughter and a baby on the way, things could not be going better.
That is until Dan turns up and threatens to reveal secrets from 20 years ago that start to drive a wedge between them all.
I love charaxter swho seem to have it all but have hidden secrets. You guys know that they're going to come out sooner or later and I'm sorry, but I love the chaos that follows when they do!
The writing style hooked me in straight away a d I loved the twists and turns along the way even when I thought that I'd worked out a theory, there was always a twist coming.
A great read that will keep you immersed until the very last page. Can't wait to see more from this author.
June 1, 2023
This book is very I Know What You Did Last Summer, in the sense that something tragic took place, was covered up out of fear and is now back to haunt our main character with everything it has. That may even be someone they thought they could trust.
The book is exciting, engaging and really nail-biting, full of suspense. It keeps you guessing and makes the ride a lot of fun.
The characters are created well, with lots of depth and a few surprises. I liked that and found it drew me in to the story even more.
I loved the plot and pace it flowed, which made it a great read. One I highly recommend.
The book is exciting, engaging and really nail-biting, full of suspense. It keeps you guessing and makes the ride a lot of fun.
The characters are created well, with lots of depth and a few surprises. I liked that and found it drew me in to the story even more.
I loved the plot and pace it flowed, which made it a great read. One I highly recommend.
June 3, 2023
The Secrets We Keep by M. I. Hattersley.
Twenty years ago on a midnight drive along a country lane, Rob’s life was almost destroyed.Since then, he's fought hard to get things back on track. Now he runs his own high-end restaurant, has a loving wife and daughter. And a newborn baby only adds to the joy.But when an old friend, Dan, shows up, Rob realises the life he’s carved out for himself is under threat.
Brilliant read. Twisty and gripping. I certainly didn't see that twist coming. I did like Rob though. 5*.
Twenty years ago on a midnight drive along a country lane, Rob’s life was almost destroyed.Since then, he's fought hard to get things back on track. Now he runs his own high-end restaurant, has a loving wife and daughter. And a newborn baby only adds to the joy.But when an old friend, Dan, shows up, Rob realises the life he’s carved out for himself is under threat.
Brilliant read. Twisty and gripping. I certainly didn't see that twist coming. I did like Rob though. 5*.
May 5, 2023
Unrelenting ... Unsettling ... Brilliantly plotted ... Exceptional writing. I couldn’t put this novel down as Rob's secrets slowly lead him to destruction. The twists and turns in the story lead to a very surprising finale. Recommended read worthy of five stars.
September 13, 2023
Well. It kept me reading because once I commit myself, I am in. I could tell something was up with Jess but didn't fully expect the ending, however o knew it was not Randall leaving the notes. Overall it was ok, but I was rather disappointed when it was over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2023
What would you hide to protect those you love?
Twenty years ago on a midnight drive along a country lane, Rob’s life was almost destroyed.
Since then, he's fought hard to get things back on track. Now he runs his own high-end restaurant, has a loving wife and daughter. And a newborn baby only adds to the joy.
But when an old friend, Dan, shows up, Rob realises the life he’s carved out for himself is under threat.
Because Dan was there that night. He knows Rob’s dark secret. And now it seems he’s going to use what he knows to push his own sinister agenda.
Rob is desperate to keep the past hidden from his wife, Jessie, but his secretive behaviour is driving a wedge between them, threatening their marriage. Things are going from bad to worse - and then the police come knocking, asking questions about that fateful night.
Rob must battle with his own demons, as well as the ghosts from his past, to protect himself and those he loves. But who can he trust when he can’t even trust himself?
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Twenty years ago on a midnight drive along a country lane, Rob’s life was almost destroyed.
Since then, he's fought hard to get things back on track. Now he runs his own high-end restaurant, has a loving wife and daughter. And a newborn baby only adds to the joy.
But when an old friend, Dan, shows up, Rob realises the life he’s carved out for himself is under threat.
Because Dan was there that night. He knows Rob’s dark secret. And now it seems he’s going to use what he knows to push his own sinister agenda.
Rob is desperate to keep the past hidden from his wife, Jessie, but his secretive behaviour is driving a wedge between them, threatening their marriage. Things are going from bad to worse - and then the police come knocking, asking questions about that fateful night.
Rob must battle with his own demons, as well as the ghosts from his past, to protect himself and those he loves. But who can he trust when he can’t even trust himself?
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
September 10, 2024
Does our past ever release ourselves from it? As we go through each decade of our life, it seems our actions change, but sometimes we still hold onto things we did decades earlier.
Rob has moved on from his teenage silly years. He has married Jesse, has 2 wonderful children whom he loves dearly and has also opened a restaurant which was once his all-time dream. Life is great! Sure, the restaurant is teetering on financial strain and Jesse is overly stressed with trying to keep their new baby, Noah, happy but those are things that will turn itself around!
Until, of course, his old friend Dan shows up opening up memories and behaviors that really he'd like to keep buried in the past. The past of twenty years ago Rob and Dan did a horrible thing, which they believe (at least up to this point), they actually got away with. Rob has moved on and has a wonderful life (at least appearing from the outside) - but Dan, not so much.
How can Rob keep the secret from jesse - who is already struggling under the strain of motherhood? Then the police get involved and thats truly when things start to unravel!
Rob has moved on from his teenage silly years. He has married Jesse, has 2 wonderful children whom he loves dearly and has also opened a restaurant which was once his all-time dream. Life is great! Sure, the restaurant is teetering on financial strain and Jesse is overly stressed with trying to keep their new baby, Noah, happy but those are things that will turn itself around!
Until, of course, his old friend Dan shows up opening up memories and behaviors that really he'd like to keep buried in the past. The past of twenty years ago Rob and Dan did a horrible thing, which they believe (at least up to this point), they actually got away with. Rob has moved on and has a wonderful life (at least appearing from the outside) - but Dan, not so much.
How can Rob keep the secret from jesse - who is already struggling under the strain of motherhood? Then the police get involved and thats truly when things start to unravel!
September 19, 2023
Rob runs a successful, high end restaurant. He has the perfect marriage with a loving wife and daughter and a newborn son. But everything is under threat when an old friend Dan turns up and starts making demands,. We learn that Rob has been keeping a terrible secret for twenty years and Dan was involved in this. When human remains are found in a local reservoir the police come to question Rob as he lived in the area around 2002 when the person was murdered, Rob starts to receive silent phone calls and anonymous messages and thinks that Dan is blackmailing him. What can he do to stop his life from falling apart? I thought this book was well written, with plenty of twists and turns and an unexpected ending. A gripping book and a great read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Inkubator Boks for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Inkubator Boks for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 2, 2023
eh. not impressed.
I honestly don’t feel like this book was fast paced like some people said Until the last 50 pages. I didn’t like the lack of accountability. The excuses. The self pitying when he got off easy. It seemed like the typical white male entitlement. I didn’t feel like the culprits was surprising because there weren’t many characters to begin with and not very built out to convince me that they could’ve done it. The reasoning surprised me but that was about it. The ending gave poetic justice but at the same time it was so late I didn’t even appreciate it. This book just wasn’t for me. I’m disappointed
I honestly don’t feel like this book was fast paced like some people said Until the last 50 pages. I didn’t like the lack of accountability. The excuses. The self pitying when he got off easy. It seemed like the typical white male entitlement. I didn’t feel like the culprits was surprising because there weren’t many characters to begin with and not very built out to convince me that they could’ve done it. The reasoning surprised me but that was about it. The ending gave poetic justice but at the same time it was so late I didn’t even appreciate it. This book just wasn’t for me. I’m disappointed
June 9, 2023
This was a compelling psychological thriller in a surprisingly domestic setting, set against a backdrop of a seemingly successful restaurateur running a business post-pandemic in a rural location in Yorkshire.
It's a well written, easy (and quick) read, which is just as well as I wanted to find out what happened! I didn't see the ending coming at all.
Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
It's a well written, easy (and quick) read, which is just as well as I wanted to find out what happened! I didn't see the ending coming at all.
Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
July 26, 2023
Brilliant
I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it I really enjoyed it. I had never read any of this authors books before but after reading this I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
I couldn't put this book down once I started reading it I really enjoyed it. I had never read any of this authors books before but after reading this I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
August 10, 2024
Well written/engrossing psychological thriller involving a man whose life seems in order but falls apart when his old former best friend shows up bringing up a deadly secret from their past back to life. Good characterization and some fine/belivable twists leading to a satisfying somewhat dark conclusion!
June 10, 2023
Great twist ending
I don’t want to spoil anything but suffice it to say that there is a great story here with likable characters in terrible situations.
I don’t want to spoil anything but suffice it to say that there is a great story here with likable characters in terrible situations.
August 10, 2023
this was another on of those books that just wasnt good. it starts off with a secret of what happend 20 years ago. Things get worse and another dead. a man will do anything to protect his family
August 26, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed
September 4, 2023
An exciting page-turner with unexpected twists and turns. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author. Highly recommended.
November 30, 2023
Good story with a lot of back and forth between old friends. Just when you know something's going to blow, you get a big surprise and what a wild ending.
June 17, 2024
Great
Sad a d riveting at the same time. Full of unexpected twists with a big surprise ending. Still makes me sad, how we mess up our lives.
Sad a d riveting at the same time. Full of unexpected twists with a big surprise ending. Still makes me sad, how we mess up our lives.
September 10, 2023
The Secrets We Keep by M. I. Hattersley is a unique book in that it has a male protagonist who is in a dire dilemma. I really enjoyed this approach, and there is a lot of detail about Rob, making this book almost a character study. Written from the first-person perspective, Rob is a relatable character with a secret past. His marriage to Jessie is stressed, mostly due to a new baby, and the restaurant that Rob owns going through tough times. The narrative is relentless, subtly unnerving, masterfully put together, and exceptionally written. I was captivated by this book, unable to set it aside as Rob's past and secret truths inexorably steer him toward a horrible downfall. The narrative's unexpected twists culminate in an astonishing conclusion. A great read and looking forward to more from this author.
June 4, 2023
Rob and Dan grew up together but twenty years ago something happened that would change their lives forever. They had been over to Holmfirth for the evening, had a few drinks and Dan was driving back when they hit someone on the roadside. They filled his pockets with rocks and dropped him off a bridge into a reservoir. His remains have now been found and Dan has returned to the area, the question is why?
In the meantime, Rob has met Jessica, got married, had Fern who is now four years old and baby Noah, three weeks old. He owns his own restaurant, Fire and Ice, which isn’t doing too bad and he has been training up a chef to take over from him so she can help out. When Dan comes back threatening to go to the police about the incident twenty years ago, Rob sees his whole world under threat and he can’t allow that to happen. He must find out what it will take to stop Dan. Also, he doesn’t want Jessica finding out what happened, this is one secret he must keep from her although she can tell something is up and there is an atmosphere between them. Rob is receiving silent phone calls at the restaurant and notes with messages that are cut out letters from newspapers or magazines on them, with nothing to say who they are from. He thinks it's Dan but he denies it.
Two police officers then visit Rob at home to question him about the reservoir findings and that he must have lived in the area around 2002 time. He agreed that he did but he knew nothing about it. Apparently Dan had been in about a sheep he had seen on the road after one of their many trips along that road late at night. Rob said he couldn’t recall anything but they left their card just in case. He was not happy with Dan.
Was Dan trying to blackmail Rob for money? What will Rob do to stop Dan?
This is a great read, full of tension. Read in one day. Great plot, very well written with superb descriptive prose. There is a lot of description surrounding the characters which is good as you get to know them better. The author has taken a sensitive topic not talked about much and handled it very well.
In the meantime, Rob has met Jessica, got married, had Fern who is now four years old and baby Noah, three weeks old. He owns his own restaurant, Fire and Ice, which isn’t doing too bad and he has been training up a chef to take over from him so she can help out. When Dan comes back threatening to go to the police about the incident twenty years ago, Rob sees his whole world under threat and he can’t allow that to happen. He must find out what it will take to stop Dan. Also, he doesn’t want Jessica finding out what happened, this is one secret he must keep from her although she can tell something is up and there is an atmosphere between them. Rob is receiving silent phone calls at the restaurant and notes with messages that are cut out letters from newspapers or magazines on them, with nothing to say who they are from. He thinks it's Dan but he denies it.
Two police officers then visit Rob at home to question him about the reservoir findings and that he must have lived in the area around 2002 time. He agreed that he did but he knew nothing about it. Apparently Dan had been in about a sheep he had seen on the road after one of their many trips along that road late at night. Rob said he couldn’t recall anything but they left their card just in case. He was not happy with Dan.
Was Dan trying to blackmail Rob for money? What will Rob do to stop Dan?
This is a great read, full of tension. Read in one day. Great plot, very well written with superb descriptive prose. There is a lot of description surrounding the characters which is good as you get to know them better. The author has taken a sensitive topic not talked about much and handled it very well.
May 31, 2023
#ad I received a gifted copy of this book and leave this review of my own accord. Many thanks to the author and @zooloosbooktours #partner
This psychological novel explores a hidden secret's aftermath, a remorseful conscience, and the return of a former acquaintance. Rob, the main character, has rebuilt his life after a near-ruinous incident on a rural road two decades ago. He runs a successful gourmet restaurant and has a loving family.
Rob's past secret is known by his old friend Dan, who is putting Rob's life in danger. Rob's behavior is affecting his marriage with Jessie, and the police are starting to ask questions about the past event.
Rob is struggling with trust and his past while trying to protect his loved ones. He must be careful to uncover the truth and maintain his integrity.
This book delves into the complexities of human nature, exploring themes of guilt, trust, and consequences of past actions. The author's captivating writing style immerses readers in the characters' emotional struggles.
The author expertly creates a suspenseful atmosphere with unexpected twists and complex characters, leaving readers hungry for more.
I recommend this one!
This psychological novel explores a hidden secret's aftermath, a remorseful conscience, and the return of a former acquaintance. Rob, the main character, has rebuilt his life after a near-ruinous incident on a rural road two decades ago. He runs a successful gourmet restaurant and has a loving family.
Rob's past secret is known by his old friend Dan, who is putting Rob's life in danger. Rob's behavior is affecting his marriage with Jessie, and the police are starting to ask questions about the past event.
Rob is struggling with trust and his past while trying to protect his loved ones. He must be careful to uncover the truth and maintain his integrity.
This book delves into the complexities of human nature, exploring themes of guilt, trust, and consequences of past actions. The author's captivating writing style immerses readers in the characters' emotional struggles.
The author expertly creates a suspenseful atmosphere with unexpected twists and complex characters, leaving readers hungry for more.
I recommend this one!
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