The Tin Box Secret

by Theresa Dodaro

“It’s not the scars on your body that really matter. It’s the ones that are left on your soul. They are the ones that don’t go away.”

Teenagers Julie, Heather, and Petra are grappling with the choices they face growing up amid the social revolution of the late 1960s. Julie struggles to be heard in an unsympathetic home. Heather feels that she is a burden to the people in her life, especially her single mother. Petra moves with her family to a town where she finds she is not quite welcome because of an unknown past.

When the girls find a tin box filled with letters from Petra’s great grandmother, Charlotte, detailing events from 1912, secrets from Petra’s family’s past begin to be revealed. As they learn of Charlotte’s tumultuous life, the girls are confronted with their own demons.

This is a haunting tale that touches your heart and makes you think twice about decisions you may have made. What if you could reach through time itself to guide your loved ones through difficult situations?

The first in a trilogy, The Tin Box Secret is a fascinating look at friendship, family, the challenges we face, and the choices we make to deal with those challenges.

Genres: Mystery

431 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 12, 2015

About the author

I recently moved from Long Island to Coastal North Carolina and love meeting with Book Clubs who have read my books. I am a member of the national organization, The Authors Guild.

Reviews

[Ruth Scaife Scaife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I absolutely loved reading this book!!! The story plot reminds me of my past and growing up years. As I'm reading it I can't help but think back and reminisce on my life as a child into teen years. Many of the things that are written in this book I can relate to even though I wasn't born until the early 70's. But as I reminisce it brings back joy and happiness that I've forgotten over the years.
I've also enjoyed the mystery behind the book and how the author mixes it in with the plot of the story.

Very good book!!I would definitely recommend it!!!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tin Box Secret was enjoyable with a bit of historic intrigue. I was expecting more of a mystery, and while there was a touch of mystery, this was more of a teen drama than anything else. The story was well-written and the characters were well-developed. The plot line was somewhat lacking, in that there wasn't much to keep me reading (listening in my case). It was, however, an easy listen and would be a great read for those seeking more women's fiction/young adult fiction. ***This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.***

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, impressive debut novel from this author. Reading The Tin Box Secret was like taking a trip through the 1960s and the earliest memories of my childhood, all wrapped around an unsolved mystery of long ago.

A thoughtful, slow read with lovely writing, believable characters and memorable events. Reading this is time well spent.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is in the YA category which would have been helpful for me to know when I first started reading it. Was an easy read but I won't read the remainder of the trilogy... not because it wasn't a cute, fast read but because there is so much else out there!

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tin Box Secret
: Theresa Dodaro

Oh My!!!

This is one of the best books I've listened to for a long while. The three main characters, young girls are getting ready for high school. The plot flows continually, in an ever changing way. It does not get lost or bogged down along the way. We get mysteries, historical fiction, coming of age, dysfunctional families, romance / obsession, and even a bit of paranormal. I'm excited to see where the rest of this series goes, as it did leave a bit of a cliff-hanger.

The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Laura Jennings brought these characters to life!!!



I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Eileen Resta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in a trilogy by Theresa Dodaro. The ending left me anxious to continue the story so I purchased the next two books in the trilogy on my kindle app. I am now reading The Hope Chest and will then complete the trilogy with Reawakening. The hope chest takes place at the beginning and during the Civil War and portrays the struggles of the times with families who find themselves having to fight against each other. The author has developed relatable characters experiencing universal problems: coming of age and the expectations of society on an individual, political struggles impacting families and their life decisions, and loss of loved ones. Wisdom, courage and loyalty guide the characters. Thoroughly enjoyable historical fiction.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read 5 stars

I loved Book 1 of the Tim Box Secret and could not put it down. The characters seemed like old friends and I related to the teenage years. The main character's family members touched my heart. The plot was full of unexpected twists and turns. Brava to the author who described things in just the right amount of detail. Already started book 2. A must read.

[Jessica Lucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming of age with a paranormal twist, "The Tin Box Secret" delves into modern themes of racism, domestic violence, and tumultuous friendships.

Set in 1960s America, with flashbacks to the early 1900s, this tale grips the reader with breathtaking discoveries and nostalgic pain.

I am looking forward to reading the next volume in "The Tin Box Secret" trilogy.

[Kathleen Zimmardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. The Author, Theresa Dodaro keeps you engaged though out the entire story. I hated any time I had to put the book down and did not want it to end. I was so glad to see it was an ongoing story. I like the fact that she used real time events to pull the story together.

[Eve Oneill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Bayman's Daughter before I Read The Tin Box Trilogy, so I was so happy to find that author had more stories to share with The Tin Box Trilogy. I read all three books in the series and loved them all. Theresa Dodoro writes carefully crafted plots and histories for her charming characters. They were so much fun to read!

[Gvlawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved these relatable characters and watching them grow closer. The historical events brought back memories of my childhood. The ending of the book left me wanting to know more....currently reading Hope Chest. Enjoying the flow from one book to the next.

[Maryellen Ruggiero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome read by a fantastic author, Theresa Dodaro! GREAT JOB!

[Carole P. Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-developed YA book with a little bit of something for everyone. Teens Julie, Heather, and Petra have their whole future ahead of them, but find the past plays an important role in their lives. Author Dodaro recreates life in the sixties with loving attention, the nuances of living in pivotal times affecting each one of the girls in a special way. She weaves history seamlessly into the fabric of the story, placing the mysteries of yesteryear into the girls' current situations. Each girl must realize that many things in their lives today may be the result of actions taken in the past.