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Three Secrets
A terrible secret killed your husband.... But which one?
Robert kisses his wife on the head before heading out to the shop for more wine; he walks up the hill, takes a left across the footbridge, and jumps to his death on the busy motorway below.
Two years later, Francesca and her young daughter are leaving London for a fresh start. Money is tight, and Robert’s mother has found them a little cottage in her village. Francesca is grateful for the help, but why does Robert’s mother want to keep them so close? Does she know about what Francesca did in the hour before Robert’s death?
Soon Francesca begins to suspect there was more to her husband’s death than she realised, that there might be even darker secrets hiding in his past than her own....
The closer she gets to uncovering the truth, the more she Is her own life in danger now, too?
If you couldn’t put down The Girl on the Train or The Couple Next Door , then you will absolutely love this gripping and twisty psychological thriller.
Robert kisses his wife on the head before heading out to the shop for more wine; he walks up the hill, takes a left across the footbridge, and jumps to his death on the busy motorway below.
Two years later, Francesca and her young daughter are leaving London for a fresh start. Money is tight, and Robert’s mother has found them a little cottage in her village. Francesca is grateful for the help, but why does Robert’s mother want to keep them so close? Does she know about what Francesca did in the hour before Robert’s death?
Soon Francesca begins to suspect there was more to her husband’s death than she realised, that there might be even darker secrets hiding in his past than her own....
The closer she gets to uncovering the truth, the more she Is her own life in danger now, too?
If you couldn’t put down The Girl on the Train or The Couple Next Door , then you will absolutely love this gripping and twisty psychological thriller.
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First published May 14, 2018
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About the author
Clare Boyd
10 books138 followersClare Boyd lives with her husband and their two daughters in Surrey, where her little green shed at the bottom of the garden provides a haven for her writing life.
Before becoming a writer, she enjoyed a career in television, as a researcher in documentaries and then as a script editor in drama at the BBC and Channel Four, where her love of storytelling took hold.
Before becoming a writer, she enjoyed a career in television, as a researcher in documentaries and then as a script editor in drama at the BBC and Channel Four, where her love of storytelling took hold.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
May 26, 2019
Wow, what a whirlwind of a book. It sees Francesca and her young daughter move to a small village to be closer to her husbands family after his suicide two years earlier. But what caused Robert to jump to his death that fateful night? It seems everyone is hiding secrets of their own, Robert's sociopath mother, his narcissistic sister-in-law, and even Fran herself. But secrets find a way to get out! As Fran tries to build a new life for herself and her daughter, aided by Robert's gentle brother John, she finds her life slowly unravelling. As the pace swiftly builds up to the crescendo at the end, I found myself rooting for Fran and hoping she finally gets the happiness she deserves. I literally couldn't put this book down and read it in one sitting! A must read for lovers of psychological fiction.
May 19, 2018
4.5 Secrets And Lies Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
“Three can keep a secret, if two of them are dead.”
“
“There are two types of secrets; The type you want to keep in, and the type you don’t dare let out.”
Now this was one dysfunctional family! I am sure there were more than just three secrets... what a vicious circle... secret, lie, secret, lie, secret, lie and so on.... I am dizzy just thinking about it! But the beauty of this book I was never not one time confused as to what was going on..... The time period Switched around, the point of view changed, but it was seamless and such a fun read....
Fran’s husband Robert kills himself, leaving behind a mess of secrets and lies... told from Fran and John(Roberts brother) alternating points of view.... this book reminded me of those domino creations... all it takes is one falling down to set off a spectacular chain reaction.... after one secret was revealed the secrets and lies kept coming.... ending with one spectacular,“ I did not see that coming,” ending!
Amidst all this craziness there were several characters I really actually liked and felt sorry for (sort of)... first of all the kids were all super adorable, especially Alice and Beatrice...Fran, Yes she did some things she probably should not have, but she definitely did not deserve to be caught up in this crazy family’s drama.... and John, oh boy both his wife and his mother were just evil women.... i’m not saying anymore than this, best to go into this book not knowing too much.... I really enjoyed Clare Boyd’s first book ”Little Liar” but this book was a cut above....
Absolutely recommend to all my psychological thriller loving friends, this is a good one all!
*** thank you too Bookouture and Net Galley for a copy of this twisted book ***
“Three can keep a secret, if two of them are dead.”
“
“There are two types of secrets; The type you want to keep in, and the type you don’t dare let out.”
Now this was one dysfunctional family! I am sure there were more than just three secrets... what a vicious circle... secret, lie, secret, lie, secret, lie and so on.... I am dizzy just thinking about it! But the beauty of this book I was never not one time confused as to what was going on..... The time period Switched around, the point of view changed, but it was seamless and such a fun read....
Fran’s husband Robert kills himself, leaving behind a mess of secrets and lies... told from Fran and John(Roberts brother) alternating points of view.... this book reminded me of those domino creations... all it takes is one falling down to set off a spectacular chain reaction.... after one secret was revealed the secrets and lies kept coming.... ending with one spectacular,“ I did not see that coming,” ending!
Amidst all this craziness there were several characters I really actually liked and felt sorry for (sort of)... first of all the kids were all super adorable, especially Alice and Beatrice...Fran, Yes she did some things she probably should not have, but she definitely did not deserve to be caught up in this crazy family’s drama.... and John, oh boy both his wife and his mother were just evil women.... i’m not saying anymore than this, best to go into this book not knowing too much.... I really enjoyed Clare Boyd’s first book ”Little Liar” but this book was a cut above....
Absolutely recommend to all my psychological thriller loving friends, this is a good one all!
*** thank you too Bookouture and Net Galley for a copy of this twisted book ***
June 10, 2018
Secrets, secrets and SECRETS!
Everyone in this book has a secret! A secret that once known can and will change things forever. Two years ago, Francesca's husband, Robert kissed her goodbye before leaving to pick up more wine at a store and then jumped off an overpass to his death.
Since then, Francesca and her daughter have moved to a new home closer to Robert's family. Being closer means having them in her life more, but it also means learning some "truths" about her husband's family and her husband. There is a saying that the truth will set you free.....but will it?
I had a hard time getting into this book. I started and stopped it several times before deciding to give it the old college try. After I got through the first initial chapters the book did pick up for me. I was intrigued by what was found in the medicine cabinet and the relationships between several characters. The book teases that Francesca's life could be in danger if she learns the truth and I felt that was misleading. I never felt that she was the character whose life was in danger. I felt let down by this aspect. I liked the unraveling of family secrets but was underwhelmed by most of the book.
This was a hard one for me to rate and I found the book to be satisfying but at the same time felt the description was a little misleading. This book was well written and I am most likely in the minority here, but for me this book was good - not great.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
Everyone in this book has a secret! A secret that once known can and will change things forever. Two years ago, Francesca's husband, Robert kissed her goodbye before leaving to pick up more wine at a store and then jumped off an overpass to his death.
Since then, Francesca and her daughter have moved to a new home closer to Robert's family. Being closer means having them in her life more, but it also means learning some "truths" about her husband's family and her husband. There is a saying that the truth will set you free.....but will it?
I had a hard time getting into this book. I started and stopped it several times before deciding to give it the old college try. After I got through the first initial chapters the book did pick up for me. I was intrigued by what was found in the medicine cabinet and the relationships between several characters. The book teases that Francesca's life could be in danger if she learns the truth and I felt that was misleading. I never felt that she was the character whose life was in danger. I felt let down by this aspect. I liked the unraveling of family secrets but was underwhelmed by most of the book.
This was a hard one for me to rate and I found the book to be satisfying but at the same time felt the description was a little misleading. This book was well written and I am most likely in the minority here, but for me this book was good - not great.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
May 20, 2018
5☆ Deliciously Twisting Psychological Thriller, i couldn't put Down!
Three Secrets is a book filled with secrets and lies, betrayal, twists and turns. An action packed psychological thriller I couldn't put down.
When Fran's husband Robert commits suicide, it send Fran and her childrens life into turmoil.
Fran has plenty of Secrets as did her husband Robert.
But will these secrets seep out or can they be kept secret.
We all know that secrets have a way of coming out, and have a potential to blow apart even the strongest relationships.
For me there are so many secrets within this story I think the title should be called secrets! As there was more than just the 3.
Three Secrets is told by Fran and Richard's brother John. Which I actually enjoyed as there stories weaved perfectly together.
You will understand when you read it.
Three Secrets is a Compulsive Read, it's a Fast Moving, page Turner, with an enticing mix of suspense, which is a dark deliciously twisty thriller, with one hell of an ending I didn't see coming!
If you love deliciously twisting psychological thrillers, that contains deceit, secrets and lies, then you will love this fast paced suspenseful thriller!
Thank you to Bookouture for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website:
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
Three Secrets is a book filled with secrets and lies, betrayal, twists and turns. An action packed psychological thriller I couldn't put down.
When Fran's husband Robert commits suicide, it send Fran and her childrens life into turmoil.
Fran has plenty of Secrets as did her husband Robert.
But will these secrets seep out or can they be kept secret.
We all know that secrets have a way of coming out, and have a potential to blow apart even the strongest relationships.
For me there are so many secrets within this story I think the title should be called secrets! As there was more than just the 3.
Three Secrets is told by Fran and Richard's brother John. Which I actually enjoyed as there stories weaved perfectly together.
You will understand when you read it.
Three Secrets is a Compulsive Read, it's a Fast Moving, page Turner, with an enticing mix of suspense, which is a dark deliciously twisty thriller, with one hell of an ending I didn't see coming!
If you love deliciously twisting psychological thrillers, that contains deceit, secrets and lies, then you will love this fast paced suspenseful thriller!
Thank you to Bookouture for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website:
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
June 8, 2018
"I wanted to tell you all my secrets, but you became one of them instead." (Unknown)
Francesca sits in her darkened London apartment lost amid the ghosts of the past. Even though it's been two years since her husband, Robert, was found dead beneath a neighboring bridge, she can't come to grips with his suicide. What would cause Robert to take his own life? What secret did he harbor within his heart that was connected to Francesca? The dead's lips are sealed forever.
At an Easter celebration at Robert's family home, Francesca and her daughter, Alice, are given an opportunity to live in a small cottage near her in-laws in Letworth Village. Robert's parents, Camilla and Patrick, will provide assistance for Fran and their granddaughter. John, Robert's brother, tosses out the idea for Fran to consider the option. He and his wife, Dilys, and their children encourage her to allow the family to support them in every way. Fran, though hesitant at first, decides to take them up on the offer. Oh, Francesca, you've just turned the knob on the door marked Dante's Inferno.
Clare Boyd presents a storyline saturated in wackadoos around every corner. This family has more secrets than grains of sand on a tropical beach. Boyd pivots the story back and forth from sixteen years ago to the present as Fran and Robert's relationship unfolds from its beginning stages. Slowly we begin to see that all is not what it appears to be with any of them.
I found the adult characters to be somewhat irritating pretty much of the time throughout the story. You know the drill.....as you keep talking out loud to them. How can he/she be so air-headed as they lean into the fire of the plot? Warning: It does have an intense flavor of soap opera at times, but you just can't turn away. The writing by Boyd sees to that.
Three Secrets makes for a rich Summer read that will keep you engaged. Guaranteed to hook you into following the breadcrumbs of secrets right off the cliff.
Francesca sits in her darkened London apartment lost amid the ghosts of the past. Even though it's been two years since her husband, Robert, was found dead beneath a neighboring bridge, she can't come to grips with his suicide. What would cause Robert to take his own life? What secret did he harbor within his heart that was connected to Francesca? The dead's lips are sealed forever.
At an Easter celebration at Robert's family home, Francesca and her daughter, Alice, are given an opportunity to live in a small cottage near her in-laws in Letworth Village. Robert's parents, Camilla and Patrick, will provide assistance for Fran and their granddaughter. John, Robert's brother, tosses out the idea for Fran to consider the option. He and his wife, Dilys, and their children encourage her to allow the family to support them in every way. Fran, though hesitant at first, decides to take them up on the offer. Oh, Francesca, you've just turned the knob on the door marked Dante's Inferno.
Clare Boyd presents a storyline saturated in wackadoos around every corner. This family has more secrets than grains of sand on a tropical beach. Boyd pivots the story back and forth from sixteen years ago to the present as Fran and Robert's relationship unfolds from its beginning stages. Slowly we begin to see that all is not what it appears to be with any of them.
I found the adult characters to be somewhat irritating pretty much of the time throughout the story. You know the drill.....as you keep talking out loud to them. How can he/she be so air-headed as they lean into the fire of the plot? Warning: It does have an intense flavor of soap opera at times, but you just can't turn away. The writing by Boyd sees to that.
Three Secrets makes for a rich Summer read that will keep you engaged. Guaranteed to hook you into following the breadcrumbs of secrets right off the cliff.
April 28, 2018
Robert commits suicide. If he had known how his death would lead to the horrible consequences of two families, including another death, would he not have jumped to his death?
This is the question that his widow, Francesca, faces everyday. She looks at her young daughter and wonders what she'd think if she knew her mother's secret.
John has been in love with Francesca as long as he's known her. He has a huge secret that he can't share with anyone. John's wife is also harboring secrets.
Robert's mother is a harridan, a belligerent old woman who mourns the loss of her older son ... but refuses to acknowledge her collusion in this family drama.
Everyone involved has secrets ... and lies to keep those secrets hidden. When Francesca starts asking questions, she hears all kinds of things. But who can she trust to tell the truth? And does she realize just how close to danger she really is?
This is an excellent psychological thriller. Well written and full of twists and turns kept me rapidly turning pages to see what happened next. The ending is explosive and I never in the world saw it coming. This was like peeking in the windows of a neighbor's house and discovering much more than you wanted to know ... and once in your head, it can't be erased.
The book tells a story of a time starting 16 years previously and alternating with the events of today. The author has made it very easy to follow with only a small handful of recurring characters.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for this intense, gripping digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
This is the question that his widow, Francesca, faces everyday. She looks at her young daughter and wonders what she'd think if she knew her mother's secret.
John has been in love with Francesca as long as he's known her. He has a huge secret that he can't share with anyone. John's wife is also harboring secrets.
Robert's mother is a harridan, a belligerent old woman who mourns the loss of her older son ... but refuses to acknowledge her collusion in this family drama.
Everyone involved has secrets ... and lies to keep those secrets hidden. When Francesca starts asking questions, she hears all kinds of things. But who can she trust to tell the truth? And does she realize just how close to danger she really is?
This is an excellent psychological thriller. Well written and full of twists and turns kept me rapidly turning pages to see what happened next. The ending is explosive and I never in the world saw it coming. This was like peeking in the windows of a neighbor's house and discovering much more than you wanted to know ... and once in your head, it can't be erased.
The book tells a story of a time starting 16 years previously and alternating with the events of today. The author has made it very easy to follow with only a small handful of recurring characters.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for this intense, gripping digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 11, 2018
“Three secrets” by Clare Boyd is a well written book about love and loss and the secrets that can tear a family apart. The more you hide them, the more they want to come out.
Prologue
‘John’s coming over,’ Robert said, as I was laying the table for two. I added a third place. How I wish I had not laid that table at all...
It’s an original story filled with unspoken words, regrets, shame and everlasting love.
What this book is missing for me is logic. The realistic part of everything that happened. There are certain things that should have been investigated by the police and even though I tend to avoid books with police procedures or detectives as main characters, I feel like that’s exactly what this story needed.
That being said, I’m always happier to read about dysfunctional families and the imploding psychological effect that keeping secrets have on people so kudos to Clare Boyd, she did one hell of a job doing just that.
Many thanks to Bookouture for my ARC i recieved through Netgalley
https://thecrimetime.wordpress.com/20...
May 11, 2018
Oh my goodness - what a fantastic book!! I read this book in 2 sittings and loved it. Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Meet the Tennant family - the dysfunctional Tennant family. 2 years ago Robert kissed his wife and went to the shops. He never returned. Instead he jumped off a bridge onto a busy motorway. Now his widow Francesca and their young daughter are leaving London to the same small village as Roberts family. Here is where she begins to learn Roberts secrets - and a few of her own are exposed.
A fantastic, twisty story that really hooked me in. Highly recommend it
Meet the Tennant family - the dysfunctional Tennant family. 2 years ago Robert kissed his wife and went to the shops. He never returned. Instead he jumped off a bridge onto a busy motorway. Now his widow Francesca and their young daughter are leaving London to the same small village as Roberts family. Here is where she begins to learn Roberts secrets - and a few of her own are exposed.
A fantastic, twisty story that really hooked me in. Highly recommend it
July 14, 2018
After having dinner with his wife, Francesca, and his brother, John, Robert leaves the house under the pretense of “running to the store”, but instead, leaps to his death in an apparent suicide. WHY?
Each family member that Robert leaves behind feels guilty-wondering if they played a role in his decision to end his life because of their own actions, or inactions.
His wife, Francesca
His brother, John
His mother, Camilla
The cover hints..” A terrible secret killed your husband. But, which one?”
The book description claims that as Francesca gets closer to uncovering the truth, she asks, “Is her own life in danger now too?”
But I never felt that her life was in danger, or that Francesca felt that way either.
Perhaps, I would not have been disappointed if the book had been marketed differently? It is more of a domestic drama than a thriller. Unfortunately I found it too be slow moving, and not very thrilling at all.
But for readers who enjoy stories about dysfunctional families, this may be just the book for YOU!
Available Now!
I would like to thank Bookouture, Netgalley and the author for the ARC provided in exchange for my candid review!
Each family member that Robert leaves behind feels guilty-wondering if they played a role in his decision to end his life because of their own actions, or inactions.
His wife, Francesca
His brother, John
His mother, Camilla
The cover hints..” A terrible secret killed your husband. But, which one?”
The book description claims that as Francesca gets closer to uncovering the truth, she asks, “Is her own life in danger now too?”
But I never felt that her life was in danger, or that Francesca felt that way either.
Perhaps, I would not have been disappointed if the book had been marketed differently? It is more of a domestic drama than a thriller. Unfortunately I found it too be slow moving, and not very thrilling at all.
But for readers who enjoy stories about dysfunctional families, this may be just the book for YOU!
Available Now!
I would like to thank Bookouture, Netgalley and the author for the ARC provided in exchange for my candid review!
July 1, 2018
If you think your family is messed up... check out this one. Everyone has a secret, no one seems to be completely honest with each other, and they've all been affected by a tragic, unexplained death. They are the definition of a dysfunctional family, and you get the feeling no one knows anyone else... not completely. How could they, when they keep so many secrets?
This is a fun, dramatic, twisted, and unpredictable read. I never knew what was going to happen next, and managed to devour it over two sittings. The main characters are realistically flawed and sometimes frustrating, but delicious to read about. Some of the other characters are shockingly cruel, making the poor decisions the others make almost understandable.
Perfect for psychological thriller and suspense readers who crave lots of drama and a bit of soap opera energy.
I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and Bookouture, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
This is a fun, dramatic, twisted, and unpredictable read. I never knew what was going to happen next, and managed to devour it over two sittings. The main characters are realistically flawed and sometimes frustrating, but delicious to read about. Some of the other characters are shockingly cruel, making the poor decisions the others make almost understandable.
Perfect for psychological thriller and suspense readers who crave lots of drama and a bit of soap opera energy.
I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and Bookouture, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
September 4, 2018
Robert is having dinner with his wife Francesca and brother John, when he offers to go to the shops to buy a bottle of wine. He never returns...having ended his life by stepping off a bridge.
This book started off with a bang. Like a sprinter from the starting block. I was so engrossed for the first few pages. Maybe even a chapter or two. Then it just limped along. And kept limping.
Why did Robert jump? Did Fran and John have an affair? Who cares? I really couldn't give a proverbial for any of these characters.
M'weh. Another book that very nearly ended up on my DNF shelf.
This book started off with a bang. Like a sprinter from the starting block. I was so engrossed for the first few pages. Maybe even a chapter or two. Then it just limped along. And kept limping.
Why did Robert jump? Did Fran and John have an affair? Who cares? I really couldn't give a proverbial for any of these characters.
M'weh. Another book that very nearly ended up on my DNF shelf.
Read
June 5, 2023This story revolves around one seriously dysfunctional family! With secrets and lies at every corner, it was sometimes hard to feel sympathetic to any of them, although they did come into their own a bit as the story progressed. A beautifully written, slow burn, character-driven thriller.
May 22, 2018
Robert Tennant commits suicide leaving behind his wife Francesca and a young daughter. In the aftermath of the suicide Robert’s mom , brother John and Francesca are left with guilt , lies and secrets. When Francesca moves closer to the Tennant family for a new beginning, the secrets come tumbling out but which one was deadly enough driving Robert to commit suicide.
Three secrets is a story of one dysfunctional family filled with twisted lies and secrets. Told by John’s and Francesca’s perspective and in alternating timelines the story has enough tension to keep me up late in the night trying to figure out what happens next. A definite recommend to all psychological thriller lovers.
I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
Three secrets is a story of one dysfunctional family filled with twisted lies and secrets. Told by John’s and Francesca’s perspective and in alternating timelines the story has enough tension to keep me up late in the night trying to figure out what happens next. A definite recommend to all psychological thriller lovers.
I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
May 20, 2018
**4 Goodreads Stars**
Clare Boyd's Three Secrets started off slowly for me, but it picked up by the 30% mark. I struggled to figure out who was who at the beginning because there are a number of characters, though there are only two people telling the story (John and Francesca). I admit I wasn't quite sure what the "three secrets" were because there are SO many secrets in this book.
What made me enjoy it, however, was the lead character of Francesca, who makes a life-altering decision to marry Robert, a movie executive from a wealthy family. Francesca makes this decision after being rejected by Robert's handsome brother, John. John marries Dilys, a piercingly beautiful real estate mogul who is sharp, callous, and shrewd. Robert is an equally difficult partner to love, though Francesca accepts him for who he is in the face of John's rejection.
What propels the story forward is Robert's death, which was ruled a suicide. His death is shrouded in suspicion. Why would he kill himself? What would propel him to do such a thing when he has a loving wife and a beautiful young daughter?
The book seeks to understand Robert's reasons for killing himself, and through this process, we discover he had demons and secrets of his own. The characters will keep you turning the pages wanting to know what happened to Robert the nights leading up to his death.
Thank you to Bookouture, NetGalley, and Clare Boyd for the advanced reader copy of Three Secrets.
Clare Boyd's Three Secrets started off slowly for me, but it picked up by the 30% mark. I struggled to figure out who was who at the beginning because there are a number of characters, though there are only two people telling the story (John and Francesca). I admit I wasn't quite sure what the "three secrets" were because there are SO many secrets in this book.
What made me enjoy it, however, was the lead character of Francesca, who makes a life-altering decision to marry Robert, a movie executive from a wealthy family. Francesca makes this decision after being rejected by Robert's handsome brother, John. John marries Dilys, a piercingly beautiful real estate mogul who is sharp, callous, and shrewd. Robert is an equally difficult partner to love, though Francesca accepts him for who he is in the face of John's rejection.
What propels the story forward is Robert's death, which was ruled a suicide. His death is shrouded in suspicion. Why would he kill himself? What would propel him to do such a thing when he has a loving wife and a beautiful young daughter?
The book seeks to understand Robert's reasons for killing himself, and through this process, we discover he had demons and secrets of his own. The characters will keep you turning the pages wanting to know what happened to Robert the nights leading up to his death.
Thank you to Bookouture, NetGalley, and Clare Boyd for the advanced reader copy of Three Secrets.
May 5, 2018
In this book you will follow the story of a woman named Francesca and her relationship with her husband Robert, and her in-laws: The Tennant family. The Tennant family are dysfunctional and carry secrets from the past, and you slowly learn those secrets as the story unfolds.
As the cover of the book states: A terrible secret killed your husband, but which one? This book was very enjoyable and I loved reading about the main characters and getting a sense of their personalities, emotions, and what makes them tick. There are quite a few shockers in the book right through to the very end that leave you shocked.
Definitely a page-turner, edge-of-your-seat type of thriller that is a must to add to your book collection! I definitely recommend this book, you won’t be disappointed!
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher Bookouture for an advanced copy of this book!
As the cover of the book states: A terrible secret killed your husband, but which one? This book was very enjoyable and I loved reading about the main characters and getting a sense of their personalities, emotions, and what makes them tick. There are quite a few shockers in the book right through to the very end that leave you shocked.
Definitely a page-turner, edge-of-your-seat type of thriller that is a must to add to your book collection! I definitely recommend this book, you won’t be disappointed!
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher Bookouture for an advanced copy of this book!
May 16, 2018
Another 5 star read! This was a twisted, dark, full of twists and secrets, packed with lies book. It even included an overbearing, self centered, matriarch of the family.
I really enjoyed this book and the characters, Francesca and John, were so easy to like and root for.
Three Secrets comes out May 17th! I highly recommend adding it to your TBR!
Thank you #Netgalley, the publisher and the author for my free ARC in exchange for my honest review. Also posting this review on Goodreads and Amazon.
I really enjoyed this book and the characters, Francesca and John, were so easy to like and root for.
Three Secrets comes out May 17th! I highly recommend adding it to your TBR!
Thank you #Netgalley, the publisher and the author for my free ARC in exchange for my honest review. Also posting this review on Goodreads and Amazon.
October 22, 2018
Despite the lack of available time to pick up my Kindle it has taken me far too long to read Three Secrets to the point where I began to resent it and where I ended up having to skip to the end just to get this boring book out of my life.
I struggled to relate to any of the characters and found few of them likeable. The story itself is incredibly dull, moves along at a terribly slow pace and felt like a bad episode of Emmerdale. There’s nothing gripping or original here and there are plenty of other thrillers worth your time.
I struggled to relate to any of the characters and found few of them likeable. The story itself is incredibly dull, moves along at a terribly slow pace and felt like a bad episode of Emmerdale. There’s nothing gripping or original here and there are plenty of other thrillers worth your time.
October 25, 2018
The plot was good but certain topics dragged on and on. It was from suspense to slightly boring. The removal of a few chapters would go a long way.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy.
May 25, 2018
Secrets are a minefield, be careful where you step -— you never know when a blast would occur and all would be lost!!
Francesca's husband Robert jumped off a railing on to the ongoing traffic and he died!! A suicide!! But why? Weren't they a happy couple with their tiny daughter Alice?
Welcome to the Tennants - a dysfunctional, weird, and secretive family where appearances were to kept at all costs. And oh, they were Francesca's in-laws!! Each one reminded me of a rat with their beady eyes and furtive ways, where truth was an unknown factor, even to themselves.
The mother-in-law Camilla was the worst, enabling the lies, being a drug pusher for the son, and with a past which clammed her up faster than she could say the word 'clam'. The father-in-law Patrick was nothing great; he knew everything but pretended to be the monkeys (yup the see no evil hear no evil kinds)
Then we have the lovely younger son John, who played the victim card in certain situations and certainly had his own hand in a lot of secrets. His wife Dilys was a nasty piece of work, oh boy, did I love to hate her. A bully to the end!
After her husband's death, Francesca is thrown into this lot due to financial reasons, and she finds a loose thread unravelling from the yarn of secrets and on she follows it up, till she realizes that the ball of yarn comes from her sweater too...
My second book by author Clare Boyd, and she blew me away with the unlikeable downright awful characters. And that was the best part of the book. Secrets could be guessed easily as pages turned, but the nastiness of the characters just oozed its slime right to the last page, till it coated my fingers. Absolute fun!!
The ending though different felt a bit rushed and unbelievable, (let go of analysis) epilogue showed how a brain can take sudden decisions, the story did drag at certain points. But it is the characters by Clare Boyd which were awesome — horrible and hateful!!
Three secrets turned out to be many secrets pretending to be the truth.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Bookouture, and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Francesca's husband Robert jumped off a railing on to the ongoing traffic and he died!! A suicide!! But why? Weren't they a happy couple with their tiny daughter Alice?
Welcome to the Tennants - a dysfunctional, weird, and secretive family where appearances were to kept at all costs. And oh, they were Francesca's in-laws!! Each one reminded me of a rat with their beady eyes and furtive ways, where truth was an unknown factor, even to themselves.
The mother-in-law Camilla was the worst, enabling the lies, being a drug pusher for the son, and with a past which clammed her up faster than she could say the word 'clam'. The father-in-law Patrick was nothing great; he knew everything but pretended to be the monkeys (yup the see no evil hear no evil kinds)
Then we have the lovely younger son John, who played the victim card in certain situations and certainly had his own hand in a lot of secrets. His wife Dilys was a nasty piece of work, oh boy, did I love to hate her. A bully to the end!
After her husband's death, Francesca is thrown into this lot due to financial reasons, and she finds a loose thread unravelling from the yarn of secrets and on she follows it up, till she realizes that the ball of yarn comes from her sweater too...
My second book by author Clare Boyd, and she blew me away with the unlikeable downright awful characters. And that was the best part of the book. Secrets could be guessed easily as pages turned, but the nastiness of the characters just oozed its slime right to the last page, till it coated my fingers. Absolute fun!!
The ending though different felt a bit rushed and unbelievable, (let go of analysis) epilogue showed how a brain can take sudden decisions, the story did drag at certain points. But it is the characters by Clare Boyd which were awesome — horrible and hateful!!
Three secrets turned out to be many secrets pretending to be the truth.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Bookouture, and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
August 19, 2018
I did not enjoy this story about a dysfunctional family. The title of “Three Secrets” could easily be replaced with “Thirty-Three Secrets”. I found the story neither gripping nor enticing. If anything it played out like a poor soap drama... I found the characters unlikeable, the storyline non-credible and the ending illogical. Deeply disappointing!
October 30, 2018
So many secrets, so many lies...
A man leaves his house after dinner with his wife and brother and commits suicide. Who is to blame?
This psychological thriller alternates between past and present, each shift getting closer to the truth. In addition to suicide, it also touches on scietal topics such as infidelity, spousal abuse and opiod abuse. There was a slow building of tension throughout.
The characters were somewhat stereotypical which the rich being presented as untouchable and preoccupied with reputation. Most of the characters were heinous and unlikable. It detracted from the story for me because some of them were too over the top.
Overall a good book that kept my interest. If you enjoyed the author's other book, you will probably enjoy this one.
A man leaves his house after dinner with his wife and brother and commits suicide. Who is to blame?
This psychological thriller alternates between past and present, each shift getting closer to the truth. In addition to suicide, it also touches on scietal topics such as infidelity, spousal abuse and opiod abuse. There was a slow building of tension throughout.
The characters were somewhat stereotypical which the rich being presented as untouchable and preoccupied with reputation. Most of the characters were heinous and unlikable. It detracted from the story for me because some of them were too over the top.
Overall a good book that kept my interest. If you enjoyed the author's other book, you will probably enjoy this one.
February 6, 2021
This isn't what it looks on the first glance. Keep reading...
This is something of THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL meets LITTLE CHILDREN. In fact, it's 99%
and only 1% some hanging out between two people of opposite gender, both with little children, by the pool or in the playgrounds, no reason really explained, and they end up having sex.
Just keep reading, I'll let you in on the details...
The family dynamic and the characters are sooooooo similar that it's impossible to assume Clare Boyd hasn't been subconsciously hypnotized by those long years of screening the unbearably slow moving show.
I've never watched it, was too young, but as much as I've heard from my mom's and grandma's comments and heavy sighs about the chemistry - THREE SECRETS is exactly the same love triangle as Ridge, Thorne and Caroline. Funny enough, even the physical and emotional descriptions of the two sons more or less matched. And the hierarchy or their jobs etc.
This book is addictive. It's absolute women's literature B-level romance novel that's presented as some sort of a murder mystery. But it's addictive. And it's written in a very nicely moving along the way (here's where Clare Boyd's spell from the hundred year long TV must have snapped because the structure of the book is great and original). Did I mention it's super addictive?
OK, here comes the real warning!
There are no hot and steamy happy ending scenes. It's NOT that kind of story. You get hooked, and then you want to see it like that but there's still a reason why it's sold as a mystery as opposed to a simple love gone bad.
And unfortunately, the absolute worst part is that THE MAIN HOOK OF THIS UNMISTAKABLE TRAGEDY ISN'T EXPLAINED ANYWHERE IN THE STORY. It simply hangs in your own interpretation of two people's characters, or else is nothing at all.
And all this having two different narratives with plenty of chapters where it could've - should've - been explained. I literally forgot about it, also assuming it's so coming next because it's that logical that there IS some kind of an explanation. And then the book ends, comes the epilogue where the third secret comes up BUT why two of them even began to exist is NEVER really rationally worded out. And that for me made the entire book sound cheap, forced and simply an arousal hook. I did mention it's addictive, right? Because it'll be read mainly by women and they will hope that John is something or another, and Francesca will have maybe some explanation of her own. But neither of their narratives actually delivers.
I think this book is great, it's just places in the wrong genre misleading the reader until the very end, thinking it's a romance novel.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is something of THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL meets LITTLE CHILDREN. In fact, it's 99%
and only 1% some hanging out between two people of opposite gender, both with little children, by the pool or in the playgrounds, no reason really explained, and they end up having sex.Just keep reading, I'll let you in on the details...
The family dynamic and the characters are sooooooo similar that it's impossible to assume Clare Boyd hasn't been subconsciously hypnotized by those long years of screening the unbearably slow moving show.
I've never watched it, was too young, but as much as I've heard from my mom's and grandma's comments and heavy sighs about the chemistry - THREE SECRETS is exactly the same love triangle as Ridge, Thorne and Caroline. Funny enough, even the physical and emotional descriptions of the two sons more or less matched. And the hierarchy or their jobs etc.
This book is addictive. It's absolute women's literature B-level romance novel that's presented as some sort of a murder mystery. But it's addictive. And it's written in a very nicely moving along the way (here's where Clare Boyd's spell from the hundred year long TV must have snapped because the structure of the book is great and original). Did I mention it's super addictive?
OK, here comes the real warning!
There are no hot and steamy happy ending scenes. It's NOT that kind of story. You get hooked, and then you want to see it like that but there's still a reason why it's sold as a mystery as opposed to a simple love gone bad.
And unfortunately, the absolute worst part is that THE MAIN HOOK OF THIS UNMISTAKABLE TRAGEDY ISN'T EXPLAINED ANYWHERE IN THE STORY. It simply hangs in your own interpretation of two people's characters, or else is nothing at all.
And all this having two different narratives with plenty of chapters where it could've - should've - been explained. I literally forgot about it, also assuming it's so coming next because it's that logical that there IS some kind of an explanation. And then the book ends, comes the epilogue where the third secret comes up BUT why two of them even began to exist is NEVER really rationally worded out. And that for me made the entire book sound cheap, forced and simply an arousal hook. I did mention it's addictive, right? Because it'll be read mainly by women and they will hope that John is something or another, and Francesca will have maybe some explanation of her own. But neither of their narratives actually delivers.
I think this book is great, it's just places in the wrong genre misleading the reader until the very end, thinking it's a romance novel.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 3, 2018
The start of the story seems like there are a dime a dozen, but I felt an undercurrent of something that was not quite right. Why was the atmosphere so strained?
Very soon, you feel like you are a speck of dust in front of a powerful hoover. You can't resist and are sucked into the tube. You have to follow the winding road full of twists and turns until you arrive in its belly where you keep swirling. You can only settle down when the hoover is switched off at the end of the book.
If, by any chance, you are still wondering how I felt about the book? The answer is easy : I loved it!
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for another fabulous read.
Very soon, you feel like you are a speck of dust in front of a powerful hoover. You can't resist and are sucked into the tube. You have to follow the winding road full of twists and turns until you arrive in its belly where you keep swirling. You can only settle down when the hoover is switched off at the end of the book.
If, by any chance, you are still wondering how I felt about the book? The answer is easy : I loved it!
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for another fabulous read.
May 2, 2018
Wow! What an amazing story! From the very first page I was hooked. Packed with twists, this was a thrilling roller-coaster of a story that had me on tenterhooks. An absolutely brilliant story - I highly recommend it to everyone!
September 8, 2018
This is advertised as “an utterly gripping psychological suspense”, but it is in fact an incredibly boring, slow-moving story about a bunch of awful people moping about not telling each other anything. I ended up skimming most of it and once I got to the end even that felt like a waste of my time.
May 2, 2018
This book was very slow to get into but once you do your hooked. Franchesca is married to Robert but holds a secret that could destroy him. His mother is a manipulative woman whose only crime is loving her oldest son too much. Roberts brother John is trapped in a marriage to a woman just like his mother but has his own secret. Like i said this book took me awhile to get into but once I did i had to finish to find out the three secrets. Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture Publishing for the oppurtunity to read this book.
April 29, 2018
The first 80% of the book was very slow and repetitive but the last 20% of the book was a wild ride. All kinds of weird things happened at the end. A lot of loose ends and nothing was truly investigated by the police??? It left me with the feeling that it was highly illogical, like it was based off of a weird dream after eating to much spicy food.
I won't forget this book for a while because I am still scratching my head about this one. What did I just read??
I won't forget this book for a while because I am still scratching my head about this one. What did I just read??
February 22, 2023
An excellent read!
June 8, 2018
After having dinner with his wife, Francesca (aka Fran), and his brother, John, Robert Tennant, leaves the house under the pretense of “running to his friend’s store”, but instead, jumps to his death, apparently committing suicide.
The question is WHY?
Each family member that Robert leaves behind feels guilty, wondering if they played a role in his decision to end his life because of their own actions, or inactions.
Told alternately between Fran and John, the plot slowly reveals itself.
Fran and her daughter, Alice, leave their house and move closer to the Tennants, in an effort to be near to family. Soon Fran begins to suspect there may have been more to Robert’s death than she knew or realized. There seem to be secrets even darker than those she’s hiding.
As her life entangles with John, his wife Dilys, their three children and Robert’s parents; she becomes increasingly uncomfortable with her surroundings.
The novel, though slow-paced (and a tad too descriptive at places), was intriguing enough to keep wanting to read.
The book description hints that as Francesca gets closer to uncovering the truth her own life is also in danger. However, neither did I feel, nor was it implied that she’s ever in danger.
The blurb and the marketing are inaccurate – or else, it is a decent one-time read.
It will appeal to readers who enjoy family dramas, because this is most definitely not a psychological thriller.
3.5/5 for me.
The question is WHY?
Each family member that Robert leaves behind feels guilty, wondering if they played a role in his decision to end his life because of their own actions, or inactions.
Told alternately between Fran and John, the plot slowly reveals itself.
Fran and her daughter, Alice, leave their house and move closer to the Tennants, in an effort to be near to family. Soon Fran begins to suspect there may have been more to Robert’s death than she knew or realized. There seem to be secrets even darker than those she’s hiding.
As her life entangles with John, his wife Dilys, their three children and Robert’s parents; she becomes increasingly uncomfortable with her surroundings.
The novel, though slow-paced (and a tad too descriptive at places), was intriguing enough to keep wanting to read.
The book description hints that as Francesca gets closer to uncovering the truth her own life is also in danger. However, neither did I feel, nor was it implied that she’s ever in danger.
The blurb and the marketing are inaccurate – or else, it is a decent one-time read.
It will appeal to readers who enjoy family dramas, because this is most definitely not a psychological thriller.
3.5/5 for me.
May 2, 2018
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of Three Secrets in return for an unbiased review.
Not the book I was expecting but an interesting read none the less. The characters were well written, and provided a very human element to the story. I found it to be a good read, although the subject matter made it a little difficult at times. I was a tad disappointed with how the characters dealt with one revelation in the book, considering it is not something that I have read much in current literature and felt that there could have been a better way to deal with it. I also thought that the epilogue was a bit unnecessary. However, a good well paced read that I did enjoy.
Not the book I was expecting but an interesting read none the less. The characters were well written, and provided a very human element to the story. I found it to be a good read, although the subject matter made it a little difficult at times. I was a tad disappointed with how the characters dealt with one revelation in the book, considering it is not something that I have read much in current literature and felt that there could have been a better way to deal with it. I also thought that the epilogue was a bit unnecessary. However, a good well paced read that I did enjoy.
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