Dark Secret Lie: A Twisting Psychological Thriller

by Penelope McGrath - Psychological Thriller Author

Emma's life turns upside down after finding her husband murdered at their home.

With no evidence left at the crime scene and no known motive, Emma is determined to find the person responsible.

However, her husband's death uncovers a secret that leaves her questioning everything she thought she knew about him.


Emma believed she was in a loving and trusting relationship with Kendrick.

She thought of them as just another couple living a normal life.

However, Kendrick had a dark secret, one that got him killed.


Detective McKinley is working the case, as he continuously communicates with Emma throughout his investigation, he pleads for her to stop trying to play detective, as every clue she finds puts her life and those around her at risk.

He wants her to trust this murder case to the police before it's too late.


Emma understands that her life is at risk, but she can't quit now.

She must find out who Kendrick was and why he got killed.

She needs answers and she is willing to put her life on the line to uncover the truth.

Genres: Mystery

Unknown Binding

Published March 1, 2022

About the author

Penelope McGrath, author of psychological thrillers that explore crime, trauma, and the human mind.

My books will take you deep into the dark corners of small towns and the twisted stories behind them. Join my readers and download an exclusive short story. Cheers!


With Thrill,
Penelope McGrath

Reviews

[Maggie Watkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't think you can call 60 pages a book but you do you

[Mariel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dark Secret Lie: A Twisting Psychological Thriller
by Penelope McGrath

I received a complimentary copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Dark Secret Lie: A Twisting Psychological Thriller by Penelope McGrath introduces Emma and Kendrick, a couple who seem deeply in love after four to five years of marriage. Kendrick works for Interpol, while Emma has a steady job at a local hospital. Although their friends once worried they rushed into things, their life appears stable, until Emma returns home to a devastating scene: her husband brutally murdered in their bath.

From that moment, the story follows Emma’s determination to uncover the truth, and the premise is undeniably intriguing. There’s an emotional hook at the beginning, and it sets the stage for what could have been a gripping psychological thriller.

While I didn’t fully connect with the characters, Emma in particular felt a little underdeveloped rather than unlikeable, yet the book remains an easy, fast-paced read. Some of the plot points lean toward familiar thriller tropes, and the story feels slightly rushed at times, especially given the weight of the events unfolding.

That said, it’s still an accessible short read for those looking for something quick with a dramatic opening.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma arrives home from work on the eve of her husband Kendrick's birthday and is shocked to find he's been murdered in the bathroom. Determined to find out why this had happened she starts to investigate and visits his place of work. Kendrick said he worked for Interpol as a coder and his work was extremely secretive so didn't speak about it. Emma discovers that this was a lie. She finds a journal written in code in his office and with the help of her sister tries to break the code. However there are others around who are determined to stop her at any cost.

I think this is the second book of three and I hadn't read the first one which I think had more background about Kendrick's secret life. It was a very short book which I read in one sitting. I did enjoy it but wish I'd read the first book before starting this one.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma is devastated by the loss of her husband. She realizes that she really doesn’t know him and decides to get to know him. Emma is having a tough time going through life and is unable to let her husband go. She ends up in several bad situations because she doesn’t truly understand the circumstances that her husband has put her in. Unfortunately the detective is not very helpful but continues to warn her to stay out of it. Emma loves her husband very much much and we all hope to have a loving relationship like hers. Her sister is very funny and trying to figure out life herself. The two sisters help each other which I hope all sisters will. A quick read book when you have some time!

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dangerous Truth and Revelations

Tragedy strikes when Emma discovers that her husband has been murdered. However, as the story progresses, the danger of his past is still present and now aims to harm her. With the help of the detective assigned to the case, Emma must be able to put her emotions aside and get to the truth. Just be careful when opening a door that cannot close as revelations may not be what was expected. This was a suspenseful and exciting story that had me on the edge of my seat.

I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily leave this review.

[Stephanie White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will defintely keep you on the edge of your seat.

The FMC her husband is dead at home - they have been married for five years but, her whole family and friends were against the marriage because they only knew each other for a short time. Now she works a legitimate job- but her hubby .....bleep bleep.

She goes home to celebrate her anniversary and he is dead - and she tries to solve the case, and she has enemies she doesn't know about -

In the end, she solves it - I had feelings about the husband but even at the end, it wasn't who it was.

[Shelly Neinast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets and lies

A pretty predictable storyline that was was short and easy to read. I found that the story seemed to be missing something that would expand the suspense and intrigue more to make a greater impact.
It lacked character involvement and indeapt storyline of the protagonist's husband's involvement in the gang to paint a better picture of why he was killed.
I was dissapointed with the ending as it ended too abruptly for a phycological thriller.

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you ever really know another person? Emma comes home to see her husband dead. The police have no clue of what happened. Then Emma starts being followed. She decides to look for clues. What she finds is she really didn't know about her husband's work life. What she finds is disturbing. Good story and great ending.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets and lies . Emma is investigating why her husband Kendrick was killed and what secrets he kept, but there’s opposition and she trusts her sister to help her , a dark mystery that has Emma discovering that maybe she knew a different Kendrick for five years
I read an advance of 5his book and my review is given voluntarily in my own words

[courtney small · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Secret Lie
By: Penelope McGrath
ARC Read

This is the story of Emma and what happens after her husband is found dead. Do you really know who your husband is? Well Emma sure is about to find out exactly who she married, and what it will bring to her life after his death. Good little short murder story to enjoy.

[Eva Edge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark Secret Lie by Penelope McGrath is suspenseful, a really quick read novella.
Not sure how I feel about it... I was entertaining enough to keep going, but it felt like a watered-down version of the thriller... As I said, it wasn't completely bad, and I wasn't bored; the story definitely kept my attention, therefore I am happy to give three stars.

Emma comes home from work on the night before her husband Kendrick's birthday and is horrified to discover that he has been murdered. The police have no clue what happened. Eager to uncover the reason behind this tragedy, she begins her own investigation. Kendrick had claimed to work for Interpol, stating that his job was highly confidential, which is why he never discussed it. Emma soon learns that this was a fabrication and puts her life in danger.

[Priscilla King · Rating 3 out of 5]

If not a cozy mystery, this is a nice clean murder mystery, uncomplicated by sex or even by bad language. In fact it's so uncomplicated that we're not told whether "Kendrick" is the murdered man's first name or last name. Our attention is free to try to work out which of the two unpleasant characters is more dangerous to his widow.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I shout out "NO!" at the end. Not because you don't get the easy ending, but it feels like the wrong answer.
This author kept me guessing and wondering about the encryption and if Emma would be able to decipher it and find the background and cause of her husband's death. I can hardly wait to read more from this author.

[Myra McCulloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A marriage built on lies?
Emma loses the love of her life. So many questions now!
A murder, the criminal connection and corruption all to be dealt with as Emma searches for answers.
An entertaining read

Thank you for the opportunity to read your book.

[Courtney Rennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave it a 3.5⭐️ but rounded up for Goodreads!

I was sent this by the author to read and review. This was fairly predictable and probably something I won't remember past today. Although if you need a really quick read, I'd suggest picking it up!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma’s life will never be the same. When she returns home, she finds her husband murdered. Full of suspense and secrets. Who and why was this terrible deed committed. I definitely couldn’t put it down until the end.

[Jenny Coyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounding up from 3.5

This thrilling novella would have easily been a 4 star read. There as enough mystery and suspense to keep my attention, but then the ending fell flat on it's face. I could have done without the letter from her husband.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really twisty dark thriller. I loved it. The writing was especially good and very believable. I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline just pulled me in. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it for anyone who loves thrillers.

[Tiffany Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super short. Really not that great. It has the potential to be a good book if it had more details & was longer. :/

[Jennifer W. G. Hitchings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should be 3.5. It was good. Kept me entertained. It was way too short. I want more! Everyone has secrets. I want to know more about them: Emma and Kendrick. … do you ever really know anyone?!?!?

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this quick read. I do feel this could have been a fantastic full length book.

[Karin Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Kendrick and why??? She never found the documents, did she??? i enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Gales Tales70 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping for a short story with a really good ending and a few twists along the way

[Sue :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an alternate ending to another book.
I enjoyed it.
Penelope McGrath is a wonderful thriller writer. The reader gets entangled in everyone's lives.

[Lennie McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite the pyschological novel!
Penelope McGrath's Dark Secret Lie is an interesting read.
Lots of action.
Trying to find out why and who killed her husband keeps Emma on her toes.

[Chili Diane Evance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story. A wife who loves her husband very much but is unaware that he may not be the person she thought. So who is he really?

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Answers don’t come easy for Emma searching to understand the many gaps in her dead husband’s background.

[Naznin Azeez · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didnt find it thrilling. Many shortfalls in the writing.

[Tricia Stokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I’m glad it was not predictable and was eager to see where it went- I would definitely recommend it!

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Secret Lie - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

Penelope McGrath writes a twisty psychological crime thriller, that starts with Nurse Emma Hart returning home to find her husband brutally stabbed to death in their bathroom. when the police start a murder enquiry, a shocked Emma realises she barely knew her husband Kendrick at all, as her search for the truth uncovers lies - and a coded journal. Whom can she trust?
A deceptively complex game of cat-and-mouse follows, nearly leading to Emma's own death.
To learn the truth, get Dark Secret Lie by Penelope McGrath today!