Little Secrets

by Victoria Goldman

Welcome to the true-crime controversy that’s divided the media for the last twenty years. To discover the truth, we need to delve back into the past…



THEN: In June 1999, the last five prisoners at HMP Panbrook were killed just before the prison closed its doors for the final time. Anna Kendall, the nurse accused of their murders, died before the case went to court. Her motive and guilt have never been proven.



NOW: The Panbrook Prison Hotel is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Hotel manager Madeleine Batten is determined to discover what happened there twenty years earlier. But as the prison’s dark secrets are gradually exposed, danger lurks in the shadows. And someone is determined to keep the truth locked away.



Little Secrets is a compelling, atmospheric locked-room mystery set in a former prison that's been converted into a luxury hotel. Ideal for fans of Sarah Pearse, Lucy Foley, Ruth Ware and Claire Douglas.


'A rollercoaster ride you will not forget! Victoria Goldman is a master at building suspense, and here she crafts a story that's ingenious and intriguing from start to finish.’ – Janice Hallett, author of The Killer Question



'A cleverly plotted mystery set among actual locked rooms, Little Secrets is an intriguing whodunnit that will keep you guessing right to the end.’ – Susi Holliday, author of The Party Season



'An excellent book with a unique setting – pacy, twisty and thrilling!' – J. M. Hewitt, author of The Dream Job

‘A taut, clever and compelling prison thriller.’ – Louise Swanson, author of Lights Out

Genres: Thriller

344 pages, Unknown Binding

Published October 21, 2025

Reviews

[Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book immensely, I looked forward to picking it up every chance I had and would have happily kept reading long after it ended.

I love the idea of a luxury hotel developed from a disused prison, especially one with a chequered history and strong architectural heritage and this story delivered exactly that. The narrative alternates between the ‘then’, when Anna worked as a nurse at HMP Panbrook in the lead-up to the deaths of five prisoners on the night the prison closed and the ‘now’, where Madeline manages the hotel during its tenth-anniversary celebrations. Maddie is determined, for both professional and personal reasons, to uncover whether Anna was truly guilty of the murders she was accused of. It’s an engaging, twist-laden story that kept me invested, as the truth gradually emerges. The characters are deliberately unreliable but deeply developed, adding weight to the already intriguing plot.

This standalone crime novel is perfect for fans of locked-room mysteries, dual timelines and true-crime-style intrigue. Victoria Goldman is a deft storyteller with a remarkable gift for maintaining suspense right to the final page. I can’t wait to read more from her and I have no hesitation in recommending “Little Secrets” to crime fans, you won’t be disappointed!

[Sophiesreadingbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of true crime, I highly recommend this one! As soon as I started reading I was hooked from the very first page.

I was intrigued to find out who Maddie was and loved flicking between past and present trying to figure out what really did happen that final night in Panbrook Prison.

This is a slow burn story of Panbrook prison turned hotel. It is full of twists and turns throughout which kept me hooked.

[Carly Rushforth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m obsessed by true crime and as you can tell by the synopsis, this is a book that all true crime fans need to read.

From the first page I was so intrigued by Maddie, my mind was going into overdrive wondering who she was and what had happened in her past to bring her to be working at the hotel?.

The whole story was very dark and chilling and i couldn’t get enough of it, i loved how the past and the present wove together seamlessly to bring the story together and expose all the secrets.

I recommend this book to all my true crime loving friends.

[Zelda FeatzReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Random Things Tours for the invitation to participate in this blog tour. Once again, I jumped into this one blindly with no idea what was coming. This one proved to be a well-crafted, atmospheric mystery. Little Secrets by Victoria Goldman delivers a clever blend of mystery, atmosphere, and slow-burning tension — the kind of story that pulls you in with its eerie setting and keeps you there as the secrets of the past begin to unravel.
The story moves between two timelines: then — June 1999, when five prisoners were mysteriously killed at HMP Panbrook just before it closed down, and now — twenty years later, when the former prison has been converted into a luxury hotel. (A side note: I am not sure I would want to stay in a hotel that was a former prison.) The prison nurse accused of the murders, Anna Kendall, died before she could stand trial, leaving the case unresolved and her guilt forever in question.
In the present day, hotel manager Madeleine Batten becomes fixated on uncovering the truth behind what really happened all those years ago. But as she digs deeper into the prison’s dark history, someone is determined to ensure that the past stays buried — no matter the cost.
What I really enjoyed about this book is how Goldman creates such a vivid and unsettling atmosphere. The setting of the hotel — with its locked rooms, lingering shadows, and whispers of its grim past — adds a delicious tension to every scene. You can almost feel the cold echo of those prison walls beneath the polished veneer of luxury.
The pacing is steady, building layer by layer as old secrets resurface. I found the structure engaging, with alternating perspectives and timelines that kept the story intriguing without ever becoming confusing. There’s also a subtle commentary on justice, guilt, and how public perception can twist the truth, themes that give this thriller extra depth. If I had one small criticism, it would be that some of the secondary characters could have used a little more development. Still, the central mystery and atmosphere more than make up for it, and the final reveals are satisfying without feeling forced.
Little Secrets is a well-crafted, atmospheric mystery. It’s moody, layered, and packed with tension — a perfect read for anyone who loves a modern whodunit with a sinister past lurking just beneath the surface. I would highly recommend adding this one to your TBR.
https://featzreviews.com/little-secre...

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read. I liked our main character Madeline (Maddie) but felt that there was more to her than it first seemed! I was right but it wasn’t what I thought! She was definitely at the hotel for a purpose and that purpose did become clear.

The hotel was celebrating its 10th anniversary which was also the 20th anniversary of five prisoners who died at the hands of a nurse; Anna who committed suicide whilst awaiting trial for the murders. But it was not all as it seemed; we had former prison workers at the event, a former inmate plus some specially selected VIP ‘lottery winners’ and the staff members at the hotel, the main thing was that most of them were hiding something!

There were lots of twists and turns within the book and I loved how there were scenes that were back before that final night at the prison as well as the current day scenes. I thought it all came together brilliantly and had me unsure until the end; was Anna innocent or guilty?

[Karen Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Secrets is Victoria Goldman's first standalone novel, following her excellent, award-winning Shanna Regan series. With its dual timeline narrative and atmospheric, creepy plot, this is quite different in tone to her previous books but it is another well-crafted mystery from an author who has become one of my must-reads.
With the seemingly insatiable public appetite for true crime and the rise in old buildings being repurposed for the tourist trade, it's not surprising that the former HMP Panbrook's conversion to a luxury hotel has been a success. Although The Panbrook Prison Hotel is fictional, it's easy to believe that such an establishment would be popular with content creators looking for their Instagrammable moments as well as those intrigued by its tragic past. The dark final days of the prison have ensured its lingering notoriety, and there remains much discourse as to whether prison nurse Anna was really guilty, particularly as she died before her day in court. The present day storyline follows the chilling events that take place during the hotel's exclusive tenth anniversary celebrations, while the chapters set in the past reveal what life in the prison was like and give us an insight into Anna Kendall's character.
Victoria Goldman's rich descriptions of the sights, sounds and smells of prison life redolently bring Panbrook to life; it's chaotic, intimidating and can even be dangerous but Anna finds a sense of belonging there. Her relations with the five prisoners who are eventually killed, supposedly at her hand, show her to be a dedicated nurse who endures some disturbing ordeals – but there are also intriguing scenes which reveal a different side to her character. Meanwhile, in the present day, Madeleine Batten is tasked with ensuring the weekend celebrations go to plan. Her first-person perspective is equally as fascinating; she is obviously an excellent manager but her organisational skills are tested to the limit here as apparent accidents and other, more spooky phenomena rock the festivities. Maddie is determined to figure out the truth, however, and as it becomes clear that she has her own reasons for delving into the secrets of the specially invited guests, the rising tension in both past and present chapters becomes nerve-wracking.
Maddie is understandably suspicious of author and journalist Lloyd Palmer who is appearing as a special guest. His bestselling book found Anna to be most likely guilty of poisoning the ‘Panbrook Five’ but he remains obsessed by the case and is researching an update to Panbrook Prisongate. Whether he is a cynical hack ready to seize the opportunity to exploit the tragedy again or if his intentions are more principled isn’t obvious but it’s thanks to his book that we learn more about the murdered prisoners. Excerpts from Panbrook Prisongate, including the introduction and studies of the victims ‘through the words of the people who knew them best’ – Steven ‘Fingerling’ Fisher; Lucas ‘Hulk’ Somers; Jonathan ‘Cock’ Roach; Raziq ‘Razor’ Ahmed; and William ‘Pills’ Owen, as well as Anna Kendall herself – are interspersed throughout the novel, adding a further layer of authenticity to proceedings.
Little Secrets is, indeed, teeming with secrets and as Maddie begins to question those present who all have ties in some way to the prison, she has to figure out who she can trust. Unsettling messages and dead pigeons may be the least of her worries though as it becomes scarily evident that somebody is ruthlessly determined to prevent the truth being revealed. The nuanced characterisation is superb; all are flawed and unlikeable in some way – including both Maddie and Anna – but while some are also victims of circumstance, one character in particular is unflinchingly manipulative.
Packed with twists and turns, Little Secrets is an intelligent, suspense-filled murder mystery – this compulsive thriller kept me guessing until the dramatic conclusion. Very highly recommended!

[Sam “My Cosy Book Nook” · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine for a minute that a close friend or relative gave you, let’s say, a new coat for Christmas. And that, on the face of it, it’s exactly what you wanted. It fits comfortably. It’s warm, without being heavy. It looks smart. You thank said friend enthusiastically, and mean it. And yet, after you’ve worn it a couple of times, you realise that there’s something about it that means you just don’t love it. Maybe the colour is a shade too bright, and it makes you feel a little too self-conscious. Perhaps it has too few, or too many pockets. But whatever it is, that something – that one small thing – is enough to make you put it away in the wardrobe, to be worn on occasions, as opposed to every day when you go to work.

I feel almost wretchedly guilty, and mean, to say that this is an indication of how I felt after reading Little Secrets, especially given that Victoria Goldman was kind enough to gift me a copy for review. But I hope it also demonstrates that it’s as much down to my own personal taste as it is to the author’s writing.

Certainly, I loved the premise. The idea that a prison, after it had been closed for 20 years, had re-opened as a luxury hotel, but that the previous use of the building had left dark secrets hidden in its walls is one that seemed so wonderful, I felt surprised not to have read it before in any other book. I loved the locked room mystery atmosphere that this idea created, and I loved that the hotel manager, Madeleine – who narrates much of the story – has her own reasons for taking the job. Which include trying to discover what really happened one night in June 1999, just before the prison closed its doors for the last time …

The intrigue created in the first few chapters doesn’t let up as the book continues. The pace, for me, is well-judged and the surprise twists and revelations – and I’ll say no more for fear of spoilers – are well-placed. One revelation in particular may have caused me to gasp out loud. The ending is very, very good too: it it seems to be standard for a psychological thriller to include a “shocking final twist”. This one, however, isn’t so much shocking as thought-provoking, and it’s none the worse for that.

The praise doesn’t end there. Because Victoria Goldman is an author who can describe a scene. As the chapters switch between present and past – something that I know from having tried it is not easy to write well, but Victoria has managed it and then some – I could visualise the prison building, both in terms of how it used to look before it closed and how the more recent renovations had tried, and largely succeeded in creating a more welcoming atmosphere out of those same key features.

If you’re wondering at this point why on earth I haven’t rated the book five stars, I know how you feel. I wondered the same thing myself after finishing it. But I think the reason is this.

I’ve said that I found the book intriguing from start to finish, and that’s true. But there’s an important difference between intrigue and suspense. And I think that for me to have really loved the book, I’d have needed to felt afraid for someone sooner than I did. The suspense did arrive eventually, but for me it felt a little too late and, as a result, over rather too quickly.

Please don’t let that put you off reading this book, though. Because ultimately, all that’s needed for you to love it is for your personal taste to be subtly different to mine – and why wouldn’t it be?

And on that note, I’d just like to say that I hope all of my readers had a lovely Christmas – whether they loved all of the gifts they received or not.

My thanks – sincerely – to the author for the gifted copy of the book, which was published in the UK on 21st October 2025 and which I have reviewed voluntarily and honestly. My review is also available on my blog at www.mycosybooknook.wordpress.com and shared on my social media pages.

[Bookshortie · Rating 4 out of 5]

HMP Panbrook was once a working prison. In 1999 before it closed its doors 5 prisoners died and Nurse Anna Kendall was accused of their murders. The case against Anna never progressed as she took her own life while awaiting trial. Fast forward to present day and the prison is now The Panbrook Prison Hotel. Can hotel manager Madeline Batten (Maddie) uncover the secrets that still haunt Panbrook Prison?

As someone who enjoys thrillers, especially thrillers with a fictional true crime angle I knew this was the book for me. The storyline was eerie, fascinating and unexpected. What I liked about this story is that it was told in a mixed media format and included news extracts and extracts from a book written about what happened at Panbrook Prison.

I loved the unique concept of the story i.e. a former prison turned into a hotel and museum. It’s somewhere that I would also want to visit because it has a lot of history. Would I want to stay there, probably not. It did give off this eerie, haunted and unsettling vibe. The only character that appears to pick up on this is Maddie especially when events take a weird turn.

The story is told in a duel timeline format by two characters. In the present Maddie is welcoming the new guests to the hotel and in the past Anna is starting a new role at the prison as a nurse. I found Anna’s timeline really interesting because it is here that the reader is introduced to the five prisoners who were murdered and their connection and interactions with Anna. I really liked the dual timeline format because as a reader I was able to see Panbrook Prison through the eyes of two very different people. One thing that was clear is that in both timelines the prison was a dangerous place. Maddie has her work cut out for her when very strange things start to happen. It starts with a message about Anna on a lift mirror, then a guest doesn’t arrive and another has an accident. Not only is Maddie managing the hotel she is also delving into what happened in 1999 and trying to learn once and for all if Anna was guilty of the murders as the opinions on this subject are mixed. It’s not clear why Maddie is looking into this but her reason is explained later on in the story. It’s one I wasn’t expecting. What does become clear is that someone doesn’t like Maddie looking into what happened and they are trying to stop her by putting obstacles in her way. Despite this Maddie doesn’t give up even when she knows she is putting herself in danger. I did find myself trying to piece together what happened in the past alongside Maddie.

I had a lot of theories about where the story would go but there were a lot of red herrings along the way. The ending was completely unexpected and shocking. All my theories were completely wrong and when all was revealed it made me look at the story again in a new light.

If you enjoy locked in mysteries then this is one to add to your list.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Locked room novels are fairly common now, I haven’t read that many but Little Secrets is one of the best that I have read. It is set in a former prison, now hotel, that is hosting a celebration weekend and has among its guests, former prisoners, ex prison staff, members of the public and an author, Lloyd Palmer, who had wrote a novel about the deaths of the inmates in the prison. Murders which a prison nurse was accused of.
Everything should have run perfectly, but unexplained incidents, stolen property and the prison’s history were causing issues for Derek, the very unlikeable owner, and his long suffering manager Maddie. But it evident that Maddie has her own secrets that were slowly revealed as the novel progressed. Maddie is one of the narrators in the novel and the reader can easily see the stress she is under, trying to make sure everything runs smoothly as well as being a support to her daughter. As the weekend progressed, the problems Maddie faced increased but with unexpected help from Lloyd she was just about coping.
The other narrator is Anna. The nurse at the prison who was thought to be guilty of the murders of the inmates. She obviously had her problems, loneliness, apprehension when dealing with some of the inmates, but able to stand up to the prison governor when she needed to. She also had family issues, wanting independence and she jealous of and resentful to her brother’s girlfriend. I didn’t care for this side of Anna at all.
What I liked more than anything in this novel was the way the inmates and their multiple issues were described. The reader could see that they were suffering, mainly from addiction but also from guilt and regret. Some were grotesque, some terrifying, a few I had sympathy for. The reader could see the benefits that activity such as gardening would have on them as well as seeing the tasks that were given which were wrong and potentially dangerous for them. I also liked the statements given by their families and victims families. It strongly showed the impact of their misdeeds on them as well as their families and victims.


I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Victoria Goldman’s novels, I hope there are more to come.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so impressed by the blurb for this one, and yes, I admit, also pulled in by that fabulous cover. It's such a thrill of a read. I'm going to go back now and check out her earlier books.
Little Secrets is a darkly atmospheric and intricately layered mystery that blurs the lines between past and present, guilt and innocence. Set against the chilling backdrop of a former prison turned luxury hotel, the novel featues an unsolved crime that has fascinated and divided the public for over two decades.

The premise of this story is so compelling: in 1999, five prisoners at HMP Panbrook were killed just before the prison’s closure. Nurse Anna Kendall was accused of the crime but died before the case could ever reach court.

Twenty years later, the newly refurbished Panbrook Prison Hotel is thriving under the management of Madeleine 'Maddie' Batten, until the ghosts of the past begin to stir. Maddie’s determination to uncover the truth about what really happened in those final days sets off a dangerous chain of revelations, each one peeling back another layer of deceit and long-buried trauma.

The author has created a compelling dual-timeline narrative which seamlessly moves between the terrible events of 1999 and the world of the present-day hotel. The setting itself is a triumph: the claustrophobic corridors, cold stone walls, and feelings of confinement give the story a real sense of menace.

There is a real emotional depth and moral complexity to this novel. Instead of relying solely on twists, the author looks at the human cost of secrets—how guilt, fear, and ambition can damage even the most ordinary lives.

As the novel unfolds, the tension builds. Every chapter is so tense, leading to a finale that’s both shocking and satisfying. Victoria Goldman makes us question how truth itself can be manipulated by time, memory, and perception.

Little Secrets is an atmospheric, haunting, and thought-provoking mystery that I thought about for quite some after after finishing it. With its eerie setting, complex characters, and meticulous plotting, this is a highly recommended read from me.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a growing trend for repurposing old buildings and giving them a new lease of life, especially, it appears former prisons. One locally to me is a tourist attraction(?). In Victoria Goldman’s latest thriller, Little Secrets, the former Panbrook Prison is now a very exclusive boutique hotel, a fact inspired by a very real ‘Prison’ hotel. 

Now, as you might imagine, no prison is without a checkered history, its former residents not exactly being the most celebrated or revered in society. Notorious, maybe, and in the case of five unfortunate inmates, now infamous too. And this, for us readers, is very, very, good news. This is a dual time line story, packed with intrigue, tension and atmosphere, leaning into the dark past of Panbrook, the tragedy that struck on the evening of its closure and of its most famous employee, Anna Kendall. Mother. Nurse. Murderer …? 

This book has everything I look for in a novel. Great characterisations, with distinct voices and motivations that were not always easy to fathom. With the story moving seamlessly between the Panbrook Prison of twenty years earlier, and the present day in which the hotel is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary, you get a real feel for the personalities and they way in which they each inform and influence the action. There are surprising crossovers, some which are immediately clear and others that will take a more savvy detective to link before their official reveal. But as we uncover each secret link, we learn more about the tension that you can feel building within the present day, as well as the growing sense of inevitability of the tragedy we know is yet to occur in the past.

I like the way in which the author has woven each of the inmates stories and personalities into the story, introducing each, and their crimes, in turn throughout the chapters. It is vital in understanding the context of the tragedy, whilst also keeping the mystery alive as we try to figure out if Anna is as guilty as people believe her to be. A lot of the ‘prison years’ action is told from Anna’s point of view and so, understandably, we become very invested in her story, as well as highly suspicious of those around her who might have had cause to pin their own crimes on this young, sometimes seemingly naive, woman.

Conversely, in the present day, most of the action centres around Hotel manager, Maddie, whose perspective informs the narrative and steers our journey through the fateful anniversary weekend. If you think this book is all about a historic act of violence, think again. Someone wants to derail Maddie’s quest to find out the truth, and amidst much misdirection, finding out the who and the why is a truly pleasant challenge.

Did I like all of the characters? Honestly, no. And I’d include Maddie in that as at times her actions were frustrating. But I did understand where she was coming from, and the more we move into the story, the more I kind of warmed to her. And this is reflected in the story too, in a way that made me smile. Cleverly done there by the author. There are a lot of surprises to uncover, and whilst this may be a slow burn of a novel to begin with, the tempo really picks up towards the end and the shocking, high tension finale in which the truth, or rather truths, are finally revealed.

A book that delivers intrigue and uncertainty from the very first page and that had me well and truly hooked. If you like a strong mystery, with divisive but authentic characters, a kind of chilling tension that underpins a pitch perfect setting, and a story that has you questioning all you thought you knew over and over again, definitely give this a whirl. You won’t regret it.

[Steph Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hooked me in from the blurb with the idea of a prison-turned-hotel with a tragic past.

The story is told from a mixture of two main perspectives – hotel manager Maddie in the ‘current day’ and prison nurse Anna in flashbacks to twenty years earlier – and the overlaps between evidence and accounts in the two timelines enables the reader to see the full story when the characters only have access to their own halves (tainted by their own biases, naturally). This insider overview did allow me to correctly guess the culprit fairly early on in the story but didn’t stop me from enjoying all the twists, turns and surprises on the way to the big reveal, which was a climactic explosion into action and peril after all the investigative build-up.

The main characters weren’t necessarily very likeable (deliberately so) but they were fascinating to follow, as the more you learn about them, the more secrets you uncover and understand. There was one incident, related to Maddie’s allergy, that didn’t feel quite true to the characters as I understood them, but that just made them both more interestingly grey and complex for me; it felt more human somehow that they didn’t quite fit into the picture I had created of them and that not everything a person does can be easily explained.

From a great mystery premise, this unfolded into quite a classic whodunnit-style story and had me up late keeping reading to get to the bottom of all the characters – the side as well as the main – and finally find out everything they were hiding. The slower start snowballs to reach a dramatic, fast-paced finale, and the final little glimpse into Maddie’s character made me smile. Fans of dual-timeline, secret-infused, true-crime-esque mysteries will enjoy this book.

[Jacob Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first heard that Little Secrets, the new thriller by Victoria Goldman, was set in a former prison, I immediately wanted to read it. What’s even more intriguing in this book is that the prison has been turned into a luxury hotel. But something terrible happened here, and the crimes that took place, the murder of five prisoners, appears to have still not been resolved.

I loved the setting of this book, and for me, this is what makes this thriller so unique and interesting. Whilst in the present day, the prison is being used as a hotel, Victoria Goldman takes us back in time to when the prison was operational. We begin to see the buildup to events that continue to be talked about to this day, and the tension keeps ticking up a notch. Suspicion has continued to revolve around a former employee of the prison, Anna Kendell, who was previously arrested for the crime of killing five inmates. In the present day, we are following hotel employee Madeleine, who is determined to uncover the truth about what happened.

I loved how Victoria Goldman gradually revealed Madeleine’s motivations for wanting to investigate the case, and how she delved into this as well during the past scenes. She is a really compelling character, and her drive to find out the truth pushes the novel forward, making it a tense and an utterly compelling read. I really liked how we also got to hear from Anna’s point of view throughout the novel. I really wasn’t sure what to think about Anna, but as the conclusion drew closer, Victoria Goldman did an excellent job of upping the tension surrounding her.

Little Secrets is a captivating read, and Victoria Goldman really pulls you into the novel with the setting. I really enjoyed it.

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for a murder mystery with a difference? Look no further than Little Secrets by Victoria Goldman. Panning 20 years, and switching between the then and now, this is an excellent read.

When Panbrook Prison closed, it did so under a cloud of controversy as a result of the murder of 5 inmates at the alleged hands of a prison nurse, Annie Kendall. On arrest, she was found dead and thus the details of the crime were lost. As was the answer to the question, was she really responsible.

Fast forward, and the former prison has been transformed into a Hotel that attracts visitors as much for it’s past as it’s standard of service. At the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Hotel, it hosts a weekend of specially selected residents which include a former prisoner, those who worked for the prison service, and an investigative journalist who had published a book on the crimes and is believed to be the lead authority of what actually occurred.

As Hotel manager, Madeleine (Maddie) Batten, is responsible for the well-being of the guests, but, as the slow reveal of the story unfolds, it is evident she has a personal incentive to find out the truth to the crimes all those years ago. But not only Maddie has the same objective.

This is a tense, slow burning journey of discovery. I was truly invested in the plot and the characters – tho not all were likeable. Credit to the author for pulling off such an intriguing plot.

[andshe.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 dead inmates, a former prison repurposed into a luxury hotel hosting it's 10 year anniversary, a party perfect for crime lovers. As secrets start to unfold, party guests turn up dead, will the truth ever come out.

Omg I was hooked. This is literally my perfect book. The twists were unreal. Definitely kept me guessing and of course my suspect changed multiple times throughout the book. Never did get it right lol.

The story is quite character heavy so does take some concentration however it doesn't take enjoyment away from the story, if anything it definitely added to it for me as there was lots more suspects.

The dual timeline really added that bit extra to the story as you saw snippets of the prison before it closed as it was fully functioning. It gave a reel insight into personalities and showed unexpected crossovers which had my mind working overtime.

A truly tense, and quite chilling story perfect for fans of Lucy Foley and Claire Douglas. Kudos to the author for pulling off such an intriguing premise.

Thank you to Randomthingstours, Three Crowns Publishing and Victoria Goldman for a copy of the book.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1999 Panbrook Prison is closing its doors, after the last 5 prisoner’s are relocated. Twenty years later The Panbrook Prison Hotel is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Told in dual timeline, THEN, the 1990s and NOW 2019, with other media interspersed throughout this is a chilling and intriguing mystery.

Briefly, hotel manager Madeleine Batten is under pressure to ensure that the VIP guests at the anniversary party, including a former inmate, the prison doctor and the prison governor, all have a good time at the anniversary events. But Madeline has her own agenda. She’s determined to find out what happened in 1999 when the last 5 prisoners died and prison nurse Anna Kendall was arrested for their murders.

This is a dark and at times almost spooky read, a locked room mystery in the true sense of the word! I found Madeline to be a complex character, I wanted to feel empathy for her but found her a bit too forward in her questioning of the guests, a bit pushy, which would have made me suspicious of her motives. Anna was another complex person and again I couldn’t feel much sympathy for her. An entertaining read.

[Karen Cuddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in just two sittings. Little Secrets moves between 1999 and 2019, connecting two stories set in the same building — first as HMP Panbrook Prison and later as the luxurious Panbrook Prison Hotel. In 1999, Anna Kendall, a young single mother and prison nurse, becomes the centre of a scandal after five inmates are found dead right before the prison was due to be closed. Twenty years later, the building has been transformed into a high-end hotel, and its manager, Madeline Batten, is preparing for a grand anniversary celebration. But when past and present collide, long-buried truths begin to surface. With former staff, ex-prisoners, and a curious journalist among the guests, it’s hard to know who can be trusted — or what really happened that night. Victoria Goldman does a brilliant job of weaving tension, mystery, and emotion throughout. A gripping, atmospheric story that had me hooked from start to finish. It definitely won’t be the last book I read by this author. Thanks to TBC Reviewer group and author for the opportunity to read and review.

[Olga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn’t read anything by this author before, but I found this book surprisingly engaging. The plot is original and suspenseful, with several storylines interwoven in a way that keeps the pace lively and holds your attention throughout. There were a few unexpected reveals and surprises along the way, which added to the intrigue and kept me guessing.
I liked the setting of a hotel which was a former prison and found the details and glimpses into the life and workings of a prison fascinating. This is what made the book stand out from so many others in this genre.
Some of the characters did feel a bit clichéd, but they were still interesting enough to keep me invested in what happened to them.
You do need to be willing to suspend disbelief, especially towards the end, where things become over the top and a bit less convincing. Still, the strong pacing and originality make it a compelling read overall.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting and intriguing stand alone from this author who combines a past mass murder at a prison ( which is about to close ) with the 10th anniversary of the said prison that is now a prison themed hotel

There has always been controversy surrounding the guilt of the accused mass murderer, Anna, a nurse who worked at the prison and as old staff and prisoners gather for the hotel anniversary it seems some people are unprepared to let the past be the past and want to prove Anna’s innocence…

A detailed look at the characters involved at the time and then now and good use of ‘snippets’ of interviews that were in a book about the case gave it a feel of the reader having a part in solving the mystery which I enjoyed

It was a fascinating look into prison life and also how the prison had been transformed into a hotel and was a real whodunnit right up to the final pages

Well written and paced with lots of information made it a good involving read

[Naturalbri (Bri Wignall) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love true crime. I love it evenore when I can read books that are of the true crime genre, and allow for us to go on a fictional journey, but maintain that true crime feel.
I found this book engaging and exciting. As our main character gathered information, on a hotel (prison) that she is so familiar with the ins and outs of, you could feel that height need a excitement of committing to solving the true crime behind everything. I loved the level of detail the author went into, really having her look at every single scrap of evidence, even is it was disregarded previously. Then we start to see the backlash from someone who does not want the truth to come out, and not only do we know she i getting close, but we also know there is clearly more behind it all than was previously believed.
Jones this was a brilliant and very exciting read. It will be a huge hit with crime readers, especially true crime.

[Vicky Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Panbrooke prison closed following the murders of the last 5 prisoners. Anna Kendal a nurse and young mother was accused of the crime but was she really guilty?

20 years later there is now a hotel on the grounds of the old prison. The hotel is having a special event to mark the occassion and there are plans in place to explore what really happened 20 years ago. Maddie is the new manager at the hotel and is determined to use the weekend to uncover the truth. The more she digs the more secrets begin to unravel and when danger lurks around every turn will she find out the truth before it is too late?

Told over 2 timelines this story keeps you guessing throughout. Whilst you may (like myself) guess some of the twists or guilty parties, I can gurantee you will not see all of the twists coming.

Overall 4 stars and an enjoyable read.

[Tammy S. Dewhirst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victoria Goldman’s Little Secrets is a twisty, absorbing crime thriller that pulls you into a decades-old mystery with plenty of dark turns. It kicks off with the closure of a notorious prison in 1999, and follows journalist Nicki as she digs into the suspicious deaths of five inmates—and the nurse, Anna Kendall, who was blamed but died before she could stand trial. The story flips between past and present, peeling back layers of media spin, institutional secrets, and personal trauma.
Goldman’s writing is sharp and moody, with a strong sense of place and emotional tension.

It’s a story about justice, reputation, and the lingering impact of buried truths. If you’re into true crime vibes and investigative thrillers, this one’s definitely worth picking up.

[Nadine-Sue Sargent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the time switch to this and the suspense it builds throughout.

Anna seemed quite meek and mild as she stepped foot into the prison on her first day but does she have a dark side? Is she really capable of what they claim she has done?

The prison ticks along but not without issue and then everything falls apart. History seems to repeat itself as the prison is now a hotel and there's a few ghosts wandering down the corridors.

Maddie's quest seems an admirable one as she's clearly tasked with something that I'm sure she'd rather walk away from. She's an odd character really. The impression we get seems positive but there's something not quite right

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the locked-room whodunnit vibe of this book, it kept me guessing throughout. The dual POV and timelines were well executed, and I loved how the story bounced between the past, present, book extracts, and news bulletins. It made the narrative dynamic and easy to follow.

The writing was smooth and engaging, with well-paced chapters that made it a breeze to read. While I did figure out the twist and the culprit before the reveal (yes, I gave myself a little pat on the back!), it didn’t spoil the experience at all. The journey was just as satisfying as the destination.

A solid, suspenseful read that fans of true crime and psychological thrillers will enjoy!

[Claire-Louise Armstrong-Brealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Would you want to be a guest at a fomer violent persons prison, with all its history? Would you want to work there?

Uncovering the past to try and possibly right a wrong?

Meeting past inmates?

Sign me up, please! I love the storyline and the main characters unfolding ... is he as nasty, she as nice as she seems? What really did happen all those years ago and will you get to the bottom of it. Was it just a tragedy or something more sinister?

Read it, well worth time served.

[Helen Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

The suggestion of a prison, upon closing, being repurposed as a hotel is a great premise for a story and the author delivers a tale that speaks of the buildings modern upturn being vastly intertwined with it's darker history.
Little Secrets is character heavy and sometimes confusing because many characters have a pseudonym but beyond that is a twisty story that keeps you guessing until towards the end. Not all the characters here are likeable, including the protagonists but that's not always a bad thing, often that keeps us turning the page and wanting more.

[Hollie Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another favourite read recently!
This book honestly came with me EVERYWHERE, I couldn't put it down!
This story is so eerie and unsettling, and the actual plot is so unique compared to anything ive read before.
It did take me a little time to get used to the switch in timelines. But once I understood, it was so refreshing to see the past and the main events as they unfolded.

I really didnt know who to trust. Everyone has secrets and after the first half, our main narrator even seemed unreliable👀 The amount of twists that this had! I didnt expect any of them and I absolutely loved it

[Sarah Ziegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Past and present woven together into a brilliant page turning read.

Well I had to take this book on holiday with me! And how glad I am that I did.
What a fantastic read.

Multi layered with two time lines interspersed with excerpts from a fictional true crime book, which were I think my favourite bits.

The past and present were brilliantly woven together in ways you couldn't begin to guess at. It is a work of fiction but so cleverly written that it reads like a true crime book but one with more details to bring the characters to life...or death.

[Madeleine Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book from the very start! It takes place in a luxury hotel which was a former prison.

The last five prisoners at HMP Panbrook were murdered in 1999 just before it closed and the prison nurse Anna, was the main suspect but died before it went to court.

The hotel is now celebrating it's 10th anniversary and Madeleine, the hotel manager is determined to find out what happened 20 years earlier

Did she kill them and if it wasn't her, then who was it?! A lot of red herrings along the way with a surprising ending!

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read that keeps you reasonably hooked. When a prison is closed down after a mass killing, then turned into a hotel offering crime lovers the chance to stay for a thrilling experience, it’s not just going to go smoothly. Secrets start to unfold pretty quickly in this to keep you engaged as a reader, definitely recommend for those crime lovers out there!

This book is told from two different time periods, which I love as it feels a lot more immersive.