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The House Of Secrets: A Twisty Psychological Crime Thriller
Autumn Locke mourned her uncle during his funeral, tears brimming in her eyes. Their connection had been profound throughout her life; he was like a father to her. Lost in her sorrow, she was taken by surprise when she felt a reassuring hand on her shoulder as the service came to an end. Looking up, she saw her aunt beside her, attempting to smile through her grief. Sitting next to Autumn, her aunt wept about being unable to care for their farm without her husband. She was unsure of what she would do without him. Without thinking twice, Autumn volunteered to help her.
Eager to escape a life she no longer desired, Autumn quickly packed her belongings and moved to the tranquil farming town in Iowa. She felt relieved to leave her past behind and embrace a fresh start. However, unbeknownst to her, the house held more than family memories. It held hidden secrets, ready to be unveiled.
Eager to escape a life she no longer desired, Autumn quickly packed her belongings and moved to the tranquil farming town in Iowa. She felt relieved to leave her past behind and embrace a fresh start. However, unbeknownst to her, the house held more than family memories. It held hidden secrets, ready to be unveiled.
161 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2024
42 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Powers
22 books82 followersMichelle Powers writes the kind of thrillers that keep you up way past bedtime—just one more chapter, right? What started with her breakout novella, The First Murder, quickly snowballed into a full-blown obsession with killers, clues, and crime scenes (the fictional kind, of course). She’s the internationally recognized indie author behind the addictive Detective Willoughby series, the fan-favorite Detective Kate Brown series, and a growing stack of standalone thrillers that will make you second-guess everyone you know. In 2024, she proudly earned the coveted KDP All-Star title—a gold star for authors who live on coffee, plot twists, and sheer grit. When she’s not working her day job in logistics or plotting her next murder (on paper, we swear), Michelle can be found writing at her desk with her Rottweiler sidekick, Ozzy, snoring nearby. Follow her on Facebook for new releases, giveaways, and all things murdery and mysterious. Just maybe leave the lights on.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 21, 2025
This was a quick slow burn thriller that really captivated my attention from the start.
I had my suspicions but boy was I wrong.
Highly recommend checking this book out!!
I had my suspicions but boy was I wrong.
Highly recommend checking this book out!!
August 19, 2025
it had so much potential
It started out so good. And then it just took a nosedive. Cute story, but in the end felt juvenile. And don’t get me started on all the typos.
It started out so good. And then it just took a nosedive. Cute story, but in the end felt juvenile. And don’t get me started on all the typos.
December 7, 2024
Deceptive, Intriguing, Suspenseful
General/Crime Fiction/Thriller/Mystery
The House of Secrets by Michelle Powers
In the midst of an extremely unsatisfactory personal life, Autumn attends the funeral of her beloved Uncle Charles and is surprised to see her Auntie Ellie disembark from a limo, with her son, neither of whom she had seen for years. She recalled being smitten with her Aunt when she was younger, but as she grew up things had begun to change with the way she had felt about her, and therefore felt uneasy about being around her now. She was playing the part of the bereaved widow well but Autumn felt it was disingenuous. When her Aunt spots her, she reluctantly agrees to sit with her during the service, and Ellie says that she has something to ask her niece. Ellie offers Autumn a way out of the hellish situation in which she had unwittingly got herself into so many years ago, and despite Autumn’s initial reservations about the older woman, she agrees to the proposal. If you can’t trust your family, who can you trust….right?
This is the first book that I have read, written by this Author. I follow a number of Authors on social media, of which, Michelle Powers is one. The title intrigued me, and as it had been a while since I had read a crime thriller, I thought it was about time I gave one a go again. The Prologue offers the reader a teasing insight into what may be about to happen which intrigued me further encouraging me to read on.
From the first chapter, the Author explores the relationship between the two main protagonists and picks up other characters along the way together with a possible love interest for our main character. The latter I saw coming and felt that, that element was slightly contrived, as much as anything ever is in a novel, particularly with her immediately getting the job that had been spoken about, at her first meeting with Aiden. However, I am not aware of how situations work, like jobs in ‘one horse towns’ & Sheriff’s offices, being from the UK, so I could be wrong in that assumption. It just felt like it all slotted in too easily. The closeness between Autumn and her Aunt is touching and everything seems to going well for the pair so much so that, by the time I was half way through the book, I was honestly beginning to wonder if there would be a twist and what on earth the title meant. It was definitely worth the wait.
When the bags (or totes) were discovered, I started to put two and two together, and when the twist was revealed, although I was proved correct, there was so much more that I really hadn’t even thought of. I think that the Author was right to stick to the light-hearted ‘normal’ narrative for as long as she did, as it really does make the eventual revelations that keep coming, all the more powerful. She struck the balance exactly right.
The two main characters were likeable. I did think that it was odd at first, that Autumn should have agreed to Ellie’s proposal when not five minutes ago she had been so uncertain of her, but I understood that her reasons were for a fresh start and a better life, and not being able to think of any reason not to, why wouldn’t she? Thinking back now, it does seem strange that Autumn never ventures to all parts of Ellie’s property, but then I guess when you are initially, effectively a ‘guest’ of a relative that you have mixed feelings for, you wouldn’t push to look where you weren’t invited. Ellie’s eagerness to re-ingratiate herself with her niece was touching and it really seemed that Autumn had landed on her feet. However, now knowing the reason behind Ellie’s generous demeanour, it seems creepy. When the thread in the main storyline kicks in, due to Buddy’s story and the type of job he had, I was fooled into thinking that he was the perpetrator for quite a large portion of the novel. When it becomes clear that he has nothing to do with the crimes that have repeatedly been committed, I was at a loss as to who was responsible. The Author did a good job of covering the perpetrator’s tracks underneath a cloak of very convincing familiarity and charm. When it came down to tracing the accomplice, this character, initially mentioned in the beginning of the book, and then unexpectedly making a ‘return’ when they have actually been in the background all along was a big surprise. This really left me speechless, and I had to look back at my notes to remind me of how the Author had explained that character. This is a smart tactic, to almost eliminate a character at the beginning of the book so that the reader later on does not even suspect that individual is involved in what has taken place. Once the dark secret is revealed, more shocking details just keep coming.
Having thought at the end of day one of reading this deceptive and intelligently assembled novel that I may have chosen a book that wasn’t what I had perhaps been expecting, I am happy to say that the opposite is now the case, and I shall be reading more of Michelle’s work in the future.
General/Crime Fiction/Thriller/Mystery
The House of Secrets by Michelle Powers
In the midst of an extremely unsatisfactory personal life, Autumn attends the funeral of her beloved Uncle Charles and is surprised to see her Auntie Ellie disembark from a limo, with her son, neither of whom she had seen for years. She recalled being smitten with her Aunt when she was younger, but as she grew up things had begun to change with the way she had felt about her, and therefore felt uneasy about being around her now. She was playing the part of the bereaved widow well but Autumn felt it was disingenuous. When her Aunt spots her, she reluctantly agrees to sit with her during the service, and Ellie says that she has something to ask her niece. Ellie offers Autumn a way out of the hellish situation in which she had unwittingly got herself into so many years ago, and despite Autumn’s initial reservations about the older woman, she agrees to the proposal. If you can’t trust your family, who can you trust….right?
This is the first book that I have read, written by this Author. I follow a number of Authors on social media, of which, Michelle Powers is one. The title intrigued me, and as it had been a while since I had read a crime thriller, I thought it was about time I gave one a go again. The Prologue offers the reader a teasing insight into what may be about to happen which intrigued me further encouraging me to read on.
From the first chapter, the Author explores the relationship between the two main protagonists and picks up other characters along the way together with a possible love interest for our main character. The latter I saw coming and felt that, that element was slightly contrived, as much as anything ever is in a novel, particularly with her immediately getting the job that had been spoken about, at her first meeting with Aiden. However, I am not aware of how situations work, like jobs in ‘one horse towns’ & Sheriff’s offices, being from the UK, so I could be wrong in that assumption. It just felt like it all slotted in too easily. The closeness between Autumn and her Aunt is touching and everything seems to going well for the pair so much so that, by the time I was half way through the book, I was honestly beginning to wonder if there would be a twist and what on earth the title meant. It was definitely worth the wait.
When the bags (or totes) were discovered, I started to put two and two together, and when the twist was revealed, although I was proved correct, there was so much more that I really hadn’t even thought of. I think that the Author was right to stick to the light-hearted ‘normal’ narrative for as long as she did, as it really does make the eventual revelations that keep coming, all the more powerful. She struck the balance exactly right.
The two main characters were likeable. I did think that it was odd at first, that Autumn should have agreed to Ellie’s proposal when not five minutes ago she had been so uncertain of her, but I understood that her reasons were for a fresh start and a better life, and not being able to think of any reason not to, why wouldn’t she? Thinking back now, it does seem strange that Autumn never ventures to all parts of Ellie’s property, but then I guess when you are initially, effectively a ‘guest’ of a relative that you have mixed feelings for, you wouldn’t push to look where you weren’t invited. Ellie’s eagerness to re-ingratiate herself with her niece was touching and it really seemed that Autumn had landed on her feet. However, now knowing the reason behind Ellie’s generous demeanour, it seems creepy. When the thread in the main storyline kicks in, due to Buddy’s story and the type of job he had, I was fooled into thinking that he was the perpetrator for quite a large portion of the novel. When it becomes clear that he has nothing to do with the crimes that have repeatedly been committed, I was at a loss as to who was responsible. The Author did a good job of covering the perpetrator’s tracks underneath a cloak of very convincing familiarity and charm. When it came down to tracing the accomplice, this character, initially mentioned in the beginning of the book, and then unexpectedly making a ‘return’ when they have actually been in the background all along was a big surprise. This really left me speechless, and I had to look back at my notes to remind me of how the Author had explained that character. This is a smart tactic, to almost eliminate a character at the beginning of the book so that the reader later on does not even suspect that individual is involved in what has taken place. Once the dark secret is revealed, more shocking details just keep coming.
Having thought at the end of day one of reading this deceptive and intelligently assembled novel that I may have chosen a book that wasn’t what I had perhaps been expecting, I am happy to say that the opposite is now the case, and I shall be reading more of Michelle’s work in the future.
March 20, 2025
I was gifted The House of Secrets on audio and figured it would take about a week to get around to reading and reviewing. Six hours ago I started the book and did not stop listening until it finished. My highest praise is the fact as soon as I finished, I checked out new, to me, author Michelle Powers to see if she had any other books. She does!!!! Like 17! So I know my future plans.
Set in Iowa, main character Autumn escapes an abusive relationship and starts a new life with her aunt who had given her refuge when orphaned long ago. Powers has a way with words and I felt like I was inside the story. I was rooting for Autumn, and I loved the location and all that could be done with isolation, old barns, new friends and a deeply rooted mystery.
With 90 minutes left I absolutely knew the ending. It was clear to me who the bad guy was, and where the story was going. It was kind of disappointing how Clever Sue could see it all so clearly. And then I got to the end of the story. I KNEW NOTHING. Every guess I had did not come to pass. Instead, I was treated to twists and turns I did not see and realized I am a reader, not an author, for a reason. Well done Ms. Powers.
If I had one criticism it would be the length of the book. On audio it was a bit over 4 hours long and I could have stayed inside this story at least another 4 hours.
Off to check out more work from Powers.
Set in Iowa, main character Autumn escapes an abusive relationship and starts a new life with her aunt who had given her refuge when orphaned long ago. Powers has a way with words and I felt like I was inside the story. I was rooting for Autumn, and I loved the location and all that could be done with isolation, old barns, new friends and a deeply rooted mystery.
With 90 minutes left I absolutely knew the ending. It was clear to me who the bad guy was, and where the story was going. It was kind of disappointing how Clever Sue could see it all so clearly. And then I got to the end of the story. I KNEW NOTHING. Every guess I had did not come to pass. Instead, I was treated to twists and turns I did not see and realized I am a reader, not an author, for a reason. Well done Ms. Powers.
If I had one criticism it would be the length of the book. On audio it was a bit over 4 hours long and I could have stayed inside this story at least another 4 hours.
Off to check out more work from Powers.
September 24, 2025
Thrilling & Heartbreaking
Occasionally the dialogue felt juvenile, but overall this was a thrilling short story that kept my attention. I thought I had it figured out… but I was definitely wrong! - Autumn had been trapped for 13 years in an abusive relationship with her bf. At her uncles funeral she finally sees a way out when her aunt asks her to return to Iowa to help her on the farm. But Buddy (the abusive bf) isn’t about to let her escape him. Meanwhile, Autumn tries to start her life over in this small Iowa town, making friends and quickly starting to fall for the kind, handsome sheriff. But there are eerie things happening outside on the farm and Autumn is shocked to find out that her uncle was once investigated in a case relating to numerous missing blonde women from all over the state over the past 30 years. When tragedy unexpectedly takes her aunt from her, Autumn winds up uncovering some horrid secrets…
Some possible TW’s 👇
- Orphaned in early teens
- Drug overdose
- Domestic abuse
- Manipulative/volatile/possessive/narcissistic boyfriend
- Being hunted by enraged bf
- Unexpected death
- Abductions
- Captives
- Shock collars
- The dark w£b
Occasionally the dialogue felt juvenile, but overall this was a thrilling short story that kept my attention. I thought I had it figured out… but I was definitely wrong! - Autumn had been trapped for 13 years in an abusive relationship with her bf. At her uncles funeral she finally sees a way out when her aunt asks her to return to Iowa to help her on the farm. But Buddy (the abusive bf) isn’t about to let her escape him. Meanwhile, Autumn tries to start her life over in this small Iowa town, making friends and quickly starting to fall for the kind, handsome sheriff. But there are eerie things happening outside on the farm and Autumn is shocked to find out that her uncle was once investigated in a case relating to numerous missing blonde women from all over the state over the past 30 years. When tragedy unexpectedly takes her aunt from her, Autumn winds up uncovering some horrid secrets…
Some possible TW’s 👇
- Orphaned in early teens
- Drug overdose
- Domestic abuse
- Manipulative/volatile/possessive/narcissistic boyfriend
- Being hunted by enraged bf
- Unexpected death
- Abductions
- Captives
- Shock collars
- The dark w£b
February 21, 2025
The author had a great way of pulling you into the story with some great descriptive words to make you feel like you were part of the story. Although the main action of the thriller is towards the end of the novel, the build up was intriguing and engaging. I felt like some themes in the story could have been developed further and were a little rushed, but I did still enjoy the themes explored and the overall story. Some parts felt a bit unbelievable, especially what the main character, Autumn, is allowed to do as part of her job and sometimes, in what she chooses to do in terms of her decisions. There were also several spelling mistakes I noticed. Overall, a quick thrilling and interesting read!
Thank you to the author for a free copy as part of the Stuff Your Kindle ebooks promotion on Killer Thrillers.
Thank you to the author for a free copy as part of the Stuff Your Kindle ebooks promotion on Killer Thrillers.
January 17, 2025
Michelle Powers’ The House of Secrets is a compact yet gripping read that draws you into the life of Autumn Locke as she uncovers the hidden truths of her family’s past. While the short length leaves limited room for deep character development, the story’s eerie atmosphere and compelling plot more than make up for it.
The tranquil farming town and Autumn’s fresh start quickly take a darker turn, keeping readers on edge as secrets buried in the house come to light. Powers masterfully weaves suspense into every page, making this a perfect quick read for fans of mysteries with a haunting twist. A satisfying and memorable tale!
The tranquil farming town and Autumn’s fresh start quickly take a darker turn, keeping readers on edge as secrets buried in the house come to light. Powers masterfully weaves suspense into every page, making this a perfect quick read for fans of mysteries with a haunting twist. A satisfying and memorable tale!
August 22, 2025
I just finished this book and still processing the crazy turn of events that happened. Absolutely not what I had predicted. This stunned and shocked me. I thought I knew a miniscule of what was going to happen, hell no, I was completely wrong. 🙀😮😲😳 My face as I read realizing what I just read then all over again as the next revelation came about.
Nothing is left out of this story. There is a great back story to what helped sculpture Autumn into the woman she is. The poor girl thought she was going to live a simple small farm life and boy did she step into the crazy. I'm flabbergasted right now with the way this all went.
Nothing is left out of this story. There is a great back story to what helped sculpture Autumn into the woman she is. The poor girl thought she was going to live a simple small farm life and boy did she step into the crazy. I'm flabbergasted right now with the way this all went.
February 16, 2025
Someone on social media recommended Michelle’s books. I chose this one because it was standalone. Autumn finds herself in a relationship she must walk away from. After her Uncle passed away, his wife Ellie presents her with opportunity to leave West Virginia and her abusive boyfriend Buddy.
Autumn’s new life on the farm in Iowa takes a turn. It’s creepy. She thinks she’s seeing things but her Aunt Ellie assures her she’s perfectly safe until….
This was a short and fast paced read. I’ll certainly checkout some of her other books.
Autumn’s new life on the farm in Iowa takes a turn. It’s creepy. She thinks she’s seeing things but her Aunt Ellie assures her she’s perfectly safe until….
This was a short and fast paced read. I’ll certainly checkout some of her other books.
January 22, 2025
“The House of Secrets” by Michelle Powers kept me hooked from start to finish. Set on a family farm, the story follows a woman uncovering long-buried secrets that have haunted the town for years. I was drawn into the tense atmosphere, with Powers’ vivid descriptions and complex characters adding depth to the suspense. The twists caught me off guard, and the eerie tone made the mystery even more gripping.
August 17, 2025
Amazing. The ride this author takes you on. As you read, she introduces snippets to you. You follow a long trying to figure it out. Then BAM, now you understand why. But you'd never guess. I love it. Great storytelling.
Audio - It was a good listen. The intonation was there. It followed the physical read with very minor concerns. The accent was a little off with going back and forth but nothing of great concern.
Excellent mystery thriller read.
Audio - It was a good listen. The intonation was there. It followed the physical read with very minor concerns. The accent was a little off with going back and forth but nothing of great concern.
Excellent mystery thriller read.
January 7, 2025
Rounding up from 3.5
This short psychological thriller was an easy, but predictable read. While I didn't know who the final antagonist was, I don't feel like the story ever peaked suspense-wise. Also, it bothered me that the chapters that went back in time had no notation to indicate this. It was a little confusing.
This short psychological thriller was an easy, but predictable read. While I didn't know who the final antagonist was, I don't feel like the story ever peaked suspense-wise. Also, it bothered me that the chapters that went back in time had no notation to indicate this. It was a little confusing.
March 11, 2025
Twisted
The short psychological thriller will pull your eight in and keep you turning the pages until the end.
Autumn Aunt Ellie pulls her into her twisted life but passes away unexpectedly, what she finds in The House of Secrets will have your trying to wrap your mind around it long after you finish reading it.
Twisted and thrilling.
The short psychological thriller will pull your eight in and keep you turning the pages until the end.
Autumn Aunt Ellie pulls her into her twisted life but passes away unexpectedly, what she finds in The House of Secrets will have your trying to wrap your mind around it long after you finish reading it.
Twisted and thrilling.
January 2, 2025
Twisted galore
Jumping from the frying pan of an abusive relationship, Autumn is glad to flee with her aunt to a safe haven. But you can't judge a book by its cover. Deceit and a shocking plot twist or two will keep you turning the pages.
Jumping from the frying pan of an abusive relationship, Autumn is glad to flee with her aunt to a safe haven. But you can't judge a book by its cover. Deceit and a shocking plot twist or two will keep you turning the pages.
February 9, 2025
Read this book as part of an Adopt an Author event in a Facebook group. Solid 4 stars for the story. It’s a great premise though it felt a bit rushed. I would have liked more character development and world building. Some writing and dialogue felt a bit juvenile, but it didn’t detract from the overall story. I really liked the ending, bringing about something good from something bad.
February 24, 2025
This was my first read by this author and apart from feeling like the storyline was a bit short, I really enjoyed reading and was hooked in pretty quickly.
Autumn certainly goes through it all in this read! I'd be left rocking on the floor if I was in her situation!
*Read as part of KU*
Autumn certainly goes through it all in this read! I'd be left rocking on the floor if I was in her situation!
*Read as part of KU*
April 9, 2025
This was such a quick, enjoyable read for me. I couldn't put it down. I thought I had it all figured out to find out, in fact, I didn't. Loved all the twists, especially towards the end. Also discovered a new favorite phrase... "looky-loos".
May 14, 2025
An enjoyable thriller!
This little thriller was a quick and easy read that packed a powerful punch. The complexities of the characters were incredible and the twists had me hooked! I guessed one, but not the other, which is always nice. 5 stars!
This little thriller was a quick and easy read that packed a powerful punch. The complexities of the characters were incredible and the twists had me hooked! I guessed one, but not the other, which is always nice. 5 stars!
July 31, 2025
Quick slow burn thriller. Definitely had me guessing the entire time. I had a hunch the whole time but didn’t see that ending coming! Definite recommend if you’re in the mood for a quick, thrilling read!
August 14, 2025
Could not put down
This was a book that I will always remember. It kept me on my toes the whole way through. Just about the time I thought I figured out who the guilty person was...things changed!!!
This was a book that I will always remember. It kept me on my toes the whole way through. Just about the time I thought I figured out who the guilty person was...things changed!!!
September 4, 2025
Great psychological thriller
The Book Book held my attention from the 1st page to the last. It was very well written And easy to read. I'm hooked on her series and will continue to read till I read them all.
The Book Book held my attention from the 1st page to the last. It was very well written And easy to read. I'm hooked on her series and will continue to read till I read them all.
September 7, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. When there is a character named Jessica in a book, I'm always intrigued to see what I'm up to. JK😅 This is my first by this author, and it definitely won't be my last. She now has a new fan. I have added all of her books to my TBR. Great job, Michelle.
December 9, 2024
I don't know how many times I literally gasped out loud. This is a new author for me and this definitely won't be my last book.
January 18, 2025
loved it!
This book was excellent! The twist and turns were fantastic and I did not expect the ending! From one Iowan to another, excellent job!
This book was excellent! The twist and turns were fantastic and I did not expect the ending! From one Iowan to another, excellent job!
February 9, 2025
Did not see that ending coming. This author is truly a mastermind and has an incredible ability to make you feel the suspense with her descriptions. This book kept me guessing the whole time!
February 23, 2025
Very good read
Very good story. Some minor errors caught in the flow but didn't take away from the story. I'd recommend this book.
Very good story. Some minor errors caught in the flow but didn't take away from the story. I'd recommend this book.
February 27, 2025
Deadly siblings
Autumn moves in with her aunt Ellie to escape her boyfriend Buddy who was abusing her. Just a few days into being on the farm and Ellie dies of a heart attack.
Autumn moves in with her aunt Ellie to escape her boyfriend Buddy who was abusing her. Just a few days into being on the farm and Ellie dies of a heart attack.
March 28, 2025
Five stars all day. Even the most cynical reader won't see the big reveal coming.
May 26, 2025
This took about two seconds to read and honestly it was quite cliche, but it killed time on a cloudy day.
June 29, 2025
I liked it. The suspense only really started around 60% in. But it was a good read good twist nice ending enjoyable read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews