The Secrets We Keep

The Town #2

by Kate Anslinger

In book #2 in The Town series, Evie story comes to life.

Genres: Mystery

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2024

About the author

Kate is the author of the Grace McKenna Mystery series and The Town Series. She’s also penned several standalone novels and co-authored a nonfiction book or two. In addition to her life as a novelist, Kate is a ghostwriter, book coach, and a veteran of the United States Air Force. Her debut novel Saving Jason, touches upon the struggles of PTSD, a topic that is near and dear to her heart. Kate lives on the North Shore of Boston with her husband, two daughters and golden retriever pup.

Reviews

[Stacy B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Sarah and her daughter Laney. Sarah has recently retired from a long career in the military. She decides to move her & her daughter across the country, leaving California behind. Sarah has a very hidden agenda for this move but is keeping that knowledge to herself for now.

Sarah is seeking answers to something that happened in her past, and she believes she can find those answers in Flagport.

Things definitely don't turn out the way Sarah thought they would. She soon learns that Flagport is filled with people who are full of secrets.

This was a fantastic story and sequel to THE THINGS WE CARRY. There were several twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I greatly appreciate the characters in this book.

Overall, I rated this a 4.35 ⭐️'s. I definitely recently and will be reading more from this author.

[Marla Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate! 🩷🫶🏼 My 5 star Auto Buy author!! 🏆🌟 This was SPECTACULAR!! Multiple twists, descriptive, unputdownable!! Loved book 1, love this one even more!! Bring on book 3!

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

she retired from the military, one teen daughter. her husband split when she cheated on him
she moved her daughter from ca to the other coast. her husband is stationed in japan right now

when she was young she had a boyfriend in the military too, but he died falling off a roof. she always thought this girl had something to do with it, she tracked her down all those years later and moved there to find out the truth.

the woman confessed to telling the boyfriend (who she had sex with once) that she was preg with his child. she left him on the roof and he died later that evening

her dad moved the family to ohio where she gave her daughter up for adoption. but she tracked her down to the town she is living in now to keep track of her. the woman married and had 2 sons

she is best friends with the married lady across the street
he is renting the townhome to the woman that retired
and he told both of them, he is the brother of the man who died off the roof
both the women think hes insane and they are both afraid of him and what hes planning on doing. he wants to meet both of them 8pm in a vacant townhome

he kidnapped her daughter. the other lady hit him over the head and they dragged him to the basement. when the mom went to find her daughter the other lady got hit on the head and he got away. he found out the mom (and the dad had come back from japan) had found the daughter and he confronted them with a gun. but the other lady showed up with a gun and she shot and killed him. they took his body to sea and his wife let them buy the house for $1 and the three of them moved in, they decided to try the marriage again

it was good i would read more by this author

[Chellsvibes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secrets We Keep by Kate Anslinger is about Sarah, a woman who moves to a small town in Massachusetts with her teenage daughter after leaving the Army. She is trying to start over, but it becomes clear she has a reason for coming to this town that she’s not ready to talk about.

Sarah is quiet and guarded, the kind of woman who has been through a lot but keeps it to herself. Her daughter Laney is trying to fit in and figure things out on her own. They meet Lauren, a friendly neighbor who seems open but may be hiding something, and Evie, who is more reserved but also part of the close circle in town.

As the story goes on, you can feel that something is not right. There are secrets that people are keeping and things from the past that still affect the present. The women in the book are all dealing with their own struggles. Some spoken and some hidden.

The story builds slowly but keeps you interested because you want to know what everyone is holding back. It is about trust, friendship, and how the truth has a way of coming out even when you try to bury it.

This book shows how strong women can be even when they are hurting, and how hard it is to leave the past behind

[J.C. Wing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was twistier than the Hana Highway in Hawaii!

I’m new to the books written by Kate Anslinger. I read the first novel in The Town series, The Things We Carry, and I was hooked from the first page. I’ll be honest … I was intrigued by this second book in this series, but after the first few plot twists, I wasn’t entirely sure how the author was going to pull this story off. I’m glad I decided to keep reading because I was hugely rewarded. And the ending … holy cow! This entire book was one surprise after the next.

Needless to say, I’ve already purchased and begun reading the third book in the series. It’s the least I can do for an author who served up what looked to be a nearly impossible storyline, then successfully delivered not one satisfying novel, but two of them, which I wound up devouring in less than a week. Job well done, Ms. Anslinger.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was twisty! I was completely shocked by the reveal that Ryan wasn’t who he said he was. But at the same time, it was slightly unbelievable. His character did a completely 180. There were no indications that he was a psychopath in the first book. And his connection to Evie’s past! It was a bit nuts. Like with the first book, I wish it expanded more on after the reveal to Lauren and Piper that Ryan was a terrible person instead of the short synopsis we got. Overall a good book.

[Kelley D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when you think you know the twists and turns author Kate Anslinger will throw into her books … you become mind-blown! I was surprised multiple times throughout the book. A simple thought that Sara would get the answers she’s harbored for 25+ years, only to be directed in another direction, not once but multiple times. A well written twisty book that all readers will love!

[Ceashark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read.

This story felt like it was a bit long, but I guess it takes a long time to build characters in the way the author does. Set in an small beach town, the author allows you to get to know the characters. I enjoyed that.
However, things aren’t always what they seem....

[melissa parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge of Your Seat Suspense.

This book is well-written, interesting start to finish the characters relatable their dialogue realistic with a believable yet unexpected plot twist. a great continuance unlike a lot of second books in a series that I've read.

[diannscollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding the Killer

Someone caused the death of Jeremy, Sarah's boyfriend. She decides she wants to figure out who did it. This eventually led to other secrets coming out of the woodwork.

[B J Galaday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twisty treat

This book had enough twists to hold my interest tbruout. I'd have to accept that the police investigation into some crimes was non existent, but that's ok....it's fiction!

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow to really get going. Hints of trouble and secrets. Then about 60% in there is a major twist in the plot and I think finally her we go. But, alas just more slow unraveling.

[Ann A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

This was the first book I've read by this author. It drew me in from the beginning, anxious to read more.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow…..what a great read. From the beginning to the end, the book kept me on my toes. I enjoyed it so much & will definitely read more of Kates books!

[Judy Scaife · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Sort of took a bit to get going, but once it did the storyline really unraveled, it became un put downable. Worth reading

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think Lifetime Movie of the week! Going back now to read the first book in the series.