The Keeper of Secrets: A brand new completely gripping historical novel

by Maria McDonald

One lie changes a family’s path for generations—and finally brings them back to Ireland, in this saga by the author of The Devil’s Own. In May 1917 the Americans sailed into Cork to join the Great War. When they left two years later, they brought their war brides with them, including Lizzie McCarthy. Still reeling from the tragic death of her sister Maggie, Lizzie leaves Ireland hoping for a better life with her new husband Ed Anderson. Lizzie soon finds that America is not the land of opportunity she thought it was. Despite the obstacles in her path, she makes a good life for herself and her family. Ed’s sisters become her closest friends and allies. At home, Ireland’s bloody civil war ends. Lizzie’s brother Jimmy joins her and becomes part of the family until he feels compelled to return to a new independent Ireland. But another conflict is on the horizon, and as their family grows and plants roots in America, they take the once-unimaginable step of boarding a plane and visiting Ireland. Once there, will Lizzie finally learn the truth about her sister’s death?Praise for Maria McDonald’s Tangled Webs “An engaging, fluent and well-researched tale of an Ireland before Partition.” —The Historical Novels Review

Genres: Ireland, Historical Fiction

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2024

Reviews

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Keeper of Secrets by Maria McDonald.
In May 1917 the Americans sailed into Cork to join the Great War. When they left two years later, they brought their war brides with them, including Lizzie McCarthy. Still reeling from the tragic death of her sister Maggie, Lizzie leaves Ireland hoping for a better life with her new husband Ed Anderson. Lizzie soon finds that America is not the land of opportunity she thought it was. Despite the obstacles in her path, she makes a good life for herself and her family. Ed’s sisters become her closest friends and allies. At home, Ireland’s bloody civil war ends. Lizzie’s brother Jimmy joins her and becomes part of the family until he feels compelled to return to a new independent Ireland. But another conflict is on the horizon, and as their family grows and plants roots in America, they take the once-unimaginable step of boarding a plane and visiting Ireland. Once there, will Lizzie finally learn the truth about her sister’s death?
This was a really good read. The chapters were short and I got into it straight away. It was very well written. Very emotional. Well researched. I did like most of the characters. There was some I really didn't like. It teaches you things like the war and the Spanish flu but not in a slow way as i really enjoyed reading it. It felt as though I was there with them listening to the tapes. Some of it I wanted to jump in and help the characters. A lovely easy read. 5*.

[Andreea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
The book felt a little flat and boring at times with nothing really happening however, I did enjoy seeing Lizzie’s life over the span of the 20th century. It was nice that the ending tied with the beginning of the Lizzie’s life.

[Adreana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5! I really liked this book. I had a hard time feeling immersed and getting connected with the characters because of how quickly the timeline changed. I wish there were more backstories within this story and that I learned more about this time period.

I absolutely loved the author's message that despite everything "Lucky Lizzie" went through, her mindset did not change. This book is a wonderful reminder to find gratitude in hard times.

This book also really made me want to visit Ireland 🇮🇪

[Stanley McShane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my full review on Rosepoint Publishing.

In 1976, Beth in Florida, grapples with the tapes of her grandmother, Lizzie, and the startling revelations of her life in Ireland and the marriage to Ed Anderson, a sailor who takes her back to the US following the end of WWI.

Ed gets a job and Lizzie meets his family and gratefully begins the assimilation of life into America. Ed’s two sisters prove her new best friends and she begins a forty-plus year odyssey of life in America, watching both his family and her own grow, evolve, and emerge over the years through hardship and triumphs.

The storytelling is compelling—following the lives and their progress, developments in both countries, the tragedies, and impact of events that influence both countries.

There is an interesting well-plotted twist and pace that keeps engagement. Lizzie is well developed and sympathetic, as are support characters. The tension of the tightly held secret holds the suspense in the background, always a cloud over the characters.

Only the tapes will relinquish the long held and history changing truths. The conclusion becomes an ah ha! and satisfying moment.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author that in no way influenced this review. These are my honest thoughts.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming historical fiction is set between 1912 and 1976, from Ireland to America. It spans two world wars, and the main character, Lizzie, sees more change than I have, or suspect I ever will.
I really enjoyed this book. The way it is written, as tapes by her Grandma that Beth is listening to, worked really well. It touched on historical moments, such as the Irish civil war, the shooting of JFK, and the Vietnam War, but in such a way that it didn't matter if you don't know anything about them.

The characters were all believable and, for the most part, likeable. Except from the ones who weren't meant to be liked. All I'd them had their flaws, which makes them more real.

Overall it was a story of lies, secrets and love. Most secrets come from love, we lie and keep the truth hidden to protect those around us. Sometimes that isn't the right thing to do, we can only learn from the past. The way unmarried women were treated in the past was horrific. But I'm sure, to some extent, it was believed to be the best thing to do. We know more now, and, for the most part, things have changed. I'll be looking of for more of Maria's books.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book that I've read by this author.
Again, not my usual go-to genre, but I'd really surprised myself reading Tangled Webs and really enjoying it, so thought that I'd give this book a read too.

Once again, set in a war torn Belfast in 1917, we see Lizzie marry Ed and set off for the land of opportunity.
Although not quite what she'd been hoping for, Lizzie makes a good life and as the family grows, they set down roots in the US.
When a trip takes her back to Ireland, Lizzie finally makes a discovery that will help her get to the truth about her sister's death.

This book spans around 60 years and tells the fascinating story of Lizzie through tales that she's made over the years.
Lizzie was such a lovely character - completely determined in everything she did, including making a new life work in a foreign country.

Essentially a family drama, the storyline reveals disasters and tragedy that befell the family over the years, but it was great to see these through and find the resolutions but the end of the novel.

This was quite a different read for me - but another really enjoyable one.

[Sian Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book 📖

This is an absolute must read of 2024 and the best book I've read this year.

The book follows Lizzie Anderson and her family. The book moves from the present day with her granddaughter Beth listening to tapes recorded by her grandmother Lizzie to the past with Lizzie telling the story of her life.

It starts pre WW1 in Ireland and follows Lizzie move from girl to woman and falls in love with an American soldier Ed and moves from her small village to Florida as an American war bride.

This book grips you from chapter one

[Nimalee Ravi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read by the author, and I can not wait to read more. The Keeper of Secrets is a beautifully written gripping story about Lizzie McCarthy and her family.

I really enjoyed reading this and absolutely loved McDonald's writing style. The accuracy in history shows how well researched. I loved how the story begins in 1976, with Beth listening to a few recorded tapes made by her grandma Lizzie. The story spans over six decades.

This is definitely a well written and thoroughly enjoyable book. Highly recommend.

[DebbieDoesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This book ended up being a quicker read than I anticipated and very heartwarming. I loved the spanse of time as well. The way the author showed life before and after the war but also leaving the only home you've known for a different country. For me what makes historical fiction good is when the author can make me see and feel the times even though I have never been there and this book did that.

[Alison Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! It was so warm and the lives were so likely to have happened. I loved the characters and connected with them all. The historical accuracy was really integral to the book and made it so interesting. Having Irish roots myself this really appealed to me and the way it was written was so clever.

[claire campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great page-turnet

Like her previous books, Maria has such a great way of telling a story through the different points of view of the characters. I didn't want the story to end which is the real hallmark of a great story and a talented author.

[Amy (Aiya) Reading Again · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this historical fiction story of Lizzie, a 5 star experience for me. It was easy to read, touched on a few historical moments, filled with secrets, lies and love and I just found myself sucked into all the characters, especially when I met Lizzie's grandchildren. There are little twists and turns in this story. It really touched me and hit me differently.

Life is short - talk to your grandparents, hug them - get their life stories recorded or written down. You never know when they won't be around anymore.

[Nanci · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read with great character development that brings you into the story quickly and creates an emotional “tug” throughout that keeps you engaged as the author weaves an incredible story through different characters eyes, times and places.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book more than 5 stars 🌟 🤩 ✨️ I would, a fantastic historical read. Loved it from the very first page.

[Helga Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book and couldn’t put it down once.I’d started.
It felt like I was there with Lizzie as the tale unfolded, with the emotional ups and downs.
The ending was heartwarming too.
It’s not the first book I’ve read by this author and it definitely won’t be the last💜

[annasbook nookk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found The Keeper of Secrets to be an emotional historical fiction story.

A story set in Cork and America. As Lizzie moves from one place to another, we follow her life.
Although being a war bride to Ed and moving across the globe has its challenges, she makes the most of them.

In spite of a heartbreaking past, she is still able to face everything and lead a fulfilling life.

As the book progresses, more and more conflicts arise, which causes my emotions to run wild.
I read the book in one day as I could not put it down.
Lizzie's journey was fascinating to read.

[Gillian Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I loved everything about this book. It made me laugh and cry. I could picture the dark winter nights in front of a roaring fire. This book teleported me to a different time and place.

[Liz T · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Keeper of Secrets is a wonderful family saga that spans over 6 decades and is told through the character “Lucky Lizzie McCarthy” though her granddaughter on listening to the tapes that her grandmother made to record her life story does wonder whether her grandmother was indeed lucky!

Lizzie grew up in the grounds of Knockrath Manor in County Cork but when her sister dies in tragic circumstances the whole family are devastated. Lizzie later leaves the family home and finds work as a dressmaker in Queenstown where she lives with her Aunt Jean who has a daughter the same age. When the American sailors arrive in Queenstown Lizzie is swept off her feet by Ed Anderson and she sails to America in 1919 to start a new life with her husband.

Although Lizzie never forgets her family in Ireland she makes the most of her life with Ed and his parents and sisters Kate and Angela. Life isn’t always easy in her new home and the couple have many difficulties and disappointments to overcome. Lizzie’s story goes full circle when she finds herself back in Knockrath Manor to celebrate the marriage of her brother Jimmy’s daughter and to meet up with her sister in law Kate who manages the Manor, now a hotel.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book which had many warm, likeable characters and followed so many interesting historical events. Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for an ARC of the Keeper of Secrets.

[Jacqueline Moxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a relaxing and compassionate read. Relaxing, because the plot line didn’t follow the modern trend of jumping from past to present, and compassionate because the characters were mainly kind and caring, with their love for one another fortifying them through the difficult times. The story is seen though the eyes of Beth’s grandmother, Lizzie, who was born in Ireland in the early 20th century. It tells the story of her family, and the huge injustice done to her sister, Maggie. It is related in chronological order and tells of her teenage love for Ed and their long and loving marriage. Although very bad and unjust things happen at the beginning of the novel, Lizzie survives and thrives because of the strength of her character and her essentially loving personality. It made a refreshing change to read about truly good people and all of the characters were well drawn and believable. A beautiful and moving story which I highly recommend.

[callistoscalling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine losing your grandmother yet having her voice immortalized in tapes sharing her life story to commemorate her memory. It’s 1976 in Florida, and Beth is that lucky woman who gets to hear her loved one’s voice speaking directly to her again. This adventure takes us back to early twentieth century Ireland, where Lizzie McCarthy and her family are struggling to get by, suffering countless tragedies. Like so many people, Lizzie sets sail to see if the American Dream is real. Maria McDonald captures these moments in such a realistic and heartbreakingly beautiful manner, the reader is transported back in time. The Keeper of Secrets is a moving journey through the decades that exposes truths unknown and pushes the boundaries of what it means to be family. Every family has their secrets, but what happens when these secrets come to light? Grab a box of tissues for this beautiful read…

4.5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Katie B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an emotionally charged book, I absolutely loved it! I do love my historical fiction & this book grips you right from the start. I loved the intertwining lives of the characters. I felt the characters were perfectly fleshed out - each with their own flaws and complexities to work through.
Lizzie was a standout for me, she was sympathetic and relatable. And while there are moments of heartache and tension, the overarching themes of love, resilience, and the power of truth ultimately prevail.

I liked the way McDonald uses the tapes as the way to intertwine the past with the present - it was a super clever way to tell the story. I felt I was transported in time, reading Lizzie’s story.
This is not just a novel; it's a journey—a journey through time, through secrets, and through human relationships. McDonalds brilliant writing will stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend!

[kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book by this author that I have read but it definitely won't be my last, and this book is definitely a contender for the best book of this year.

The story is well written with a riveting story line that follows Lizzie and her family, when Beth her Granddaughter starts listening to tapes recorded by Lizzie telling her life story. The characters are well developed and I loved most of the characters but Lizzie and Ed particularly.
I loved the formatting of the book with the past and the present being told as I really felt like I got to know Lizzie and love her even more.

This was gripping right from the very first sentence and I couldn't put it down, I read it in one day.
I would highly recommend to all my historical fiction lovers

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my introduction to the author’s work so I didn’t know what to expect.

The story begins in 1976, with Beth listening to some recorded tapes made by her grandma. We’re taking back to 1912 to Lizzie’s childhood. Through the course of story we are taken through a series of tragedies that ultimately help shape Lizzie’s life and the choices she makes to move forward. We as the reader get to see the toll the secrets Lizzie decides to keep take on her as she struggles to do “what’s right”.

The way the story unraveled and how it moved through each of the 3 actions was fast paced. It covered a forty plus year of Lizzie’s life in Ireland and America.I thoroughly enjoyed that the story didn’t shy away from the plight women faced in that time period, which made for a more emotional read.

One of the plot twists was predictable and I guessed it as soon as the event happened. The ending didn’t quite satisfy me as I was hoping for. All that time to spill the secrets and that’s how Lizzie decided to depart? Such a bummer.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author which I enjoyed reading. This is a well written story about murder and finding out what really happened to someone you care about. I enjoyed how the author used details to make the twists and turns come to life. They had me sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what would happen next. The characters are connectable, relateable and just add so much to the story. This is a great story. It is fast paced, great growth and easy to read. I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend it.

[Anitra Mansson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story, following Lizzie from a young girl to an old lady. Starting in Ireland with the tragic death of her younger sister, Lizzie falls in love with an American soldier and immigrates to America as a young bride. Great descriptions of early Ireland and some of the true stories that occured during that time. This is the second book by this author that I have read and both were excellent!

[Alison Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written family drama that spans the years. The early parts of the story are hard hitting, but the characters are engaging throughout. Highly recommend, it's a great read.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all have secrets, some big which can never be told. But t secrets have a way of getting out and keeping them can come at a cost. It is a great story full of historically accurate events told through the eyes of ordinary people living through them.
I look forward to reading more by this author.

[Jill Coates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book, very well written with love, loss, happiness and sadness intertwined. It is a lovely warm, comforting story that you could really believe happened. Highly recommended.

[RJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. Gentle and easy to read with some very sad parts.

[Emma Summers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this family saga of an Irish girl who marries a GI and heads for a new life in America.
Beautifully written, full of emotion, heartache and joy.