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Dark Secret
In the irresistible tradition of Eileen Goudge, Dark Secret is a compelling page-turner that tests the family bond between two very different sisters--and exposes a lifetime of deception.
Karen Bradley has not seen her sister in years, not since Sharlene ran off to New York to escape the poverty and shame she felt living as a mixed race child in the slums of Detroit. Karen, a devoted daughter, is horrified to learn that her mother is dying of a rare illness -- and only Sharlene can save her.
Now calling herself "Camille" -- and passing as a white woman orphaned as a child -- Sharlene has remade her life -- and her past. Engaged to a rich and powerful Southern aristocrat who adores her, "Camille" has everything she wanted: money, prestige and a law career. All her hopes for the future -- and the wedding that will seal her new life -- depend on her hidden past remaining hidden. But will the price of her new life be her mother's early death?
Or will Karen expose her sister's Dark Secret?
Karen Bradley has not seen her sister in years, not since Sharlene ran off to New York to escape the poverty and shame she felt living as a mixed race child in the slums of Detroit. Karen, a devoted daughter, is horrified to learn that her mother is dying of a rare illness -- and only Sharlene can save her.
Now calling herself "Camille" -- and passing as a white woman orphaned as a child -- Sharlene has remade her life -- and her past. Engaged to a rich and powerful Southern aristocrat who adores her, "Camille" has everything she wanted: money, prestige and a law career. All her hopes for the future -- and the wedding that will seal her new life -- depend on her hidden past remaining hidden. But will the price of her new life be her mother's early death?
Or will Karen expose her sister's Dark Secret?
- GenresFiction
384 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 18, 2014
Sharlene changes her name & her background to hide the fact that she is half black and wants to find Love that she never got growing up. I get that Karen Loves her mother and doesn't want her to die but I don't understand why she doesn't understand why Camille feels no need to help. I felt sorry for Camille/ Sharlene that in order to feel Loved she gets involved with a man who's parents hate her and she will do anything to get their love. It's bad enough she knows that Jeff's father is a bigot but when she realizes Jeff is just like him she still wants to marry him. I don't know how she thought be stealing half a million from Jeff would not be found out. I liked the end much more then the beginning of the but.
June 13, 2009
Not as good as House behind the Cedars. Modern take on the "tragic mulatta' motif
January 4, 2010
wow this book was SO good from beginning to end, i loveded all the characters and the plot was wonderful, i can't wait to read her other books, would read this book again!
June 11, 2010
One of my favorite books.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews