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A Dangerous Secret
A secret hidden for forty years is about to come out. The man at the centre of this secret discovers from his dying adoptive mother that he has a family he knew nothing about. With nothing to go on, he is determined to find them whatever the cost. However, the more he learns, the more dangerous his quest becomes. But when he finds out the truth it is so shocking and scandalous, it may well cost him his life and the lives of his family.
This book's previous title was A Sense of Discovery and includes editorial revisions.
This book's previous title was A Sense of Discovery and includes editorial revisions.
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2017
309 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
About the author
Peter Martin
240 books29 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
June 24, 2019
*** I received a copy of the audible from the author for a honest review.
Overall, I enjoyed the book; however, I would give a two star for few reasons:
1. The title of the book mentions psychological thriller; however, the book reads like a cozy mystery with a twist in the end. In my opinion, a little twist in the end does not label the book as psychological thriller.
2. The narrator has a gentle, British voice that suits a cozy mystery genre but not a psychological thriller. If the genre was leaning towards mystery, I would have gladly given a rating of 3 stars.
3. The plot was interesting where it starts from searching for his biological mother to escaping the paradise island where his mother lives.
Overall, I enjoyed the book; however, I would give a two star for few reasons:
1. The title of the book mentions psychological thriller; however, the book reads like a cozy mystery with a twist in the end. In my opinion, a little twist in the end does not label the book as psychological thriller.
2. The narrator has a gentle, British voice that suits a cozy mystery genre but not a psychological thriller. If the genre was leaning towards mystery, I would have gladly given a rating of 3 stars.
3. The plot was interesting where it starts from searching for his biological mother to escaping the paradise island where his mother lives.
July 3, 2018
The first half of the book is rather boring. I wondered if it had been accidentally mislabeled and was not a mystery! Still I read on . Action picked up in the last quarter of the book. What a waste of my time!!
See above
it is a book but certainly not a good read!! I stupidly tried to read it!! Never again.
See above
it is a book but certainly not a good read!! I stupidly tried to read it!! Never again.
August 14, 2024
Did not finish.
July 5, 2020
Great Story!💜
This story was definitely a page turner. A fast paced mystery and at every corner you’re asking yourself, “what next?” It will keep you engaged all the way through until the end.
I had trouble with the narration at first but once I got into the story I really enjoyed it.
This was a good mystery & I recommend this book.
Sisters Spotlight 💜
This story was definitely a page turner. A fast paced mystery and at every corner you’re asking yourself, “what next?” It will keep you engaged all the way through until the end.
I had trouble with the narration at first but once I got into the story I really enjoyed it.
This was a good mystery & I recommend this book.
Sisters Spotlight 💜
October 20, 2017
There are better books to read!!
I have read better books, incest is just not my thing. Would not recommend this book to anyone to read.
I have read better books, incest is just not my thing. Would not recommend this book to anyone to read.
October 23, 2017
Beyond icky!
I did not like the book. I disliked everything about the plot. I would not recommend it to anyone. Yuck.
I did not like the book. I disliked everything about the plot. I would not recommend it to anyone. Yuck.
May 31, 2018
This book started out somewhat interesting, and as it progressed, it seemed to slow down and the story line was just creepy.
June 1, 2018
Terrible
This is one of the worst books I have ever endured. It is poorly written and the entire plot is ridiculous.
This is one of the worst books I have ever endured. It is poorly written and the entire plot is ridiculous.
September 1, 2018
Bizarre
November 12, 2018
I got hooked
It was easy to get drawn into this story but geez! What a horrible let down. The last quarter of this book was just plain silly!
It was easy to get drawn into this story but geez! What a horrible let down. The last quarter of this book was just plain silly!
Read
July 1, 2019The absolute worst book ever. Enough said.......
May 26, 2018
A Dangerous Secret by Peter Martin did not impress me as far as believability in several plot points. Garry Flynn got a phone call from his mother requesting help. She was near death. Although he responded in time to hear her last words, the death was inevitable. But the words she spoke to him just prior to death were explosive. She told Garry that she was not his birth mother. Garry had no memories of a mother before Doris Flynn but since he had never expected he was adopted, this was logical. Garry and wife Delia lived according to their means; they were not wealthy but they were able to pay their bills. All this changed after a reading of Doris’s will. Garry and Delia would have no further worries about money. They would not have to work for the rest of their lives.
Enter my first area of disbelief. Garry decides that he must find his birth mother. This becomes his paramount concern. They visit an uncle that Garry remembers from a one-time meeting in his youth. The uncle claims family estrangement and can’t help Garry. He encourages Garry to forget it. Delia agrees. I agree with Delia. But Nothing will stop Garry. Uncle Alan did mention that Doris and husband had gone on vacation to the West Indies. Garry decides to seek information there while on vacation. Delia decides to shop.
Garry and Delia arrive in the West Indies with Garry looking for information and Delia looking for fun. Garry spends time looking for adoption records, birth and death records, and newspaper articles. Delia shops. Some “old-timer” at a newspaper overhears Garry’s questions and volunteers to meet him late at night in a restaurant where he will supply information. Garry shows up for the meeting. No old guy. When he tried to find where the senior informant lived, he found that his informer had abruptly left the area. Delia advised him to forget it. I am a fan of Delia.
Yet another person, Isaac, claimed to have information but would only talk to Garry personally. This required Garry and Delia to take another vacation. It was lucky for them that they had inherited money. The two arrived to find that Isaac had decided not to talk to them. Delia was happy to shop. But not Garry. They found Isaac’s house but thugs guarding the place warned them off. They would never talk to Isaac. Delia was ready to shop.
Yet another letter arrived at their hotel promising them Isaac had changed his mind and would meet him at a hotel the next day and reveal all. This did not happen. Charlene, purporting to be a friend of Isaac’s met Garry and Delia at the hotel and offered to fly Garry, Delia, Tom (son) and wife Jane, Cassie (daughter) and husband Chris, and grandson Adam to a remote island where only superrich lived. Garry’s mother was one of them and she wanted to meet the entire family of the son she had abandoned.
The second area of my disbelief arrives. Why would anyone, along with their family accept such a blind offer? Why was I still reading this incredibly slow novel? Already at the 45% point, nothing had happened except affirmations from Garry that he wanted to see his birth mother and suggestions from Delia that it was not all that important. Incredible to believe, Garry and extended family agree to fly on a private charter to a remote island to meet with unidentified people. All would be explained when they arrived. But it wasn’t.
The slow-moving action now moves to the remote island where the action does not pick up speed. But readers know something will happen because no one is going to leave the island until it does. Eventually, we arrive at a series of weird events and relationships that at least explain why Garry had earlier received such resistance in finding his birth mother.
There are at least four twisted surprise relationships and an unrealistic surprise ending. I felt we could have gone from A, the beginning to Z, the end, by skipping steps B through V. I found a lot of passages with the sole function of filling pages such as this: On finding an email message,
‘Delia! Come here quickly!’ She came out of the bathroom, toothbrush in hand, and glaring at Garry at the bottom of the stairs, said, ‘What’s the matter now, Garry? I’m trying to brush my teeth, for God’s sake.’ ‘Just wait till you see this. Come and read it, it’s important.’ ‘What could be so important it can’t wait until I’ve finished?’ (Kindle locations 1382-1386).
I asked the same question. I think Delia and I would be a good match.
I gave this three Amazon stars for the unusual revelations at the end. I will not read more by this author. I am not sure what type of reader would be so interested in such a slow-moving story.
Enter my first area of disbelief. Garry decides that he must find his birth mother. This becomes his paramount concern. They visit an uncle that Garry remembers from a one-time meeting in his youth. The uncle claims family estrangement and can’t help Garry. He encourages Garry to forget it. Delia agrees. I agree with Delia. But Nothing will stop Garry. Uncle Alan did mention that Doris and husband had gone on vacation to the West Indies. Garry decides to seek information there while on vacation. Delia decides to shop.
Garry and Delia arrive in the West Indies with Garry looking for information and Delia looking for fun. Garry spends time looking for adoption records, birth and death records, and newspaper articles. Delia shops. Some “old-timer” at a newspaper overhears Garry’s questions and volunteers to meet him late at night in a restaurant where he will supply information. Garry shows up for the meeting. No old guy. When he tried to find where the senior informant lived, he found that his informer had abruptly left the area. Delia advised him to forget it. I am a fan of Delia.
Yet another person, Isaac, claimed to have information but would only talk to Garry personally. This required Garry and Delia to take another vacation. It was lucky for them that they had inherited money. The two arrived to find that Isaac had decided not to talk to them. Delia was happy to shop. But not Garry. They found Isaac’s house but thugs guarding the place warned them off. They would never talk to Isaac. Delia was ready to shop.
Yet another letter arrived at their hotel promising them Isaac had changed his mind and would meet him at a hotel the next day and reveal all. This did not happen. Charlene, purporting to be a friend of Isaac’s met Garry and Delia at the hotel and offered to fly Garry, Delia, Tom (son) and wife Jane, Cassie (daughter) and husband Chris, and grandson Adam to a remote island where only superrich lived. Garry’s mother was one of them and she wanted to meet the entire family of the son she had abandoned.
The second area of my disbelief arrives. Why would anyone, along with their family accept such a blind offer? Why was I still reading this incredibly slow novel? Already at the 45% point, nothing had happened except affirmations from Garry that he wanted to see his birth mother and suggestions from Delia that it was not all that important. Incredible to believe, Garry and extended family agree to fly on a private charter to a remote island to meet with unidentified people. All would be explained when they arrived. But it wasn’t.
The slow-moving action now moves to the remote island where the action does not pick up speed. But readers know something will happen because no one is going to leave the island until it does. Eventually, we arrive at a series of weird events and relationships that at least explain why Garry had earlier received such resistance in finding his birth mother.
There are at least four twisted surprise relationships and an unrealistic surprise ending. I felt we could have gone from A, the beginning to Z, the end, by skipping steps B through V. I found a lot of passages with the sole function of filling pages such as this: On finding an email message,
‘Delia! Come here quickly!’ She came out of the bathroom, toothbrush in hand, and glaring at Garry at the bottom of the stairs, said, ‘What’s the matter now, Garry? I’m trying to brush my teeth, for God’s sake.’ ‘Just wait till you see this. Come and read it, it’s important.’ ‘What could be so important it can’t wait until I’ve finished?’ (Kindle locations 1382-1386).
I asked the same question. I think Delia and I would be a good match.
I gave this three Amazon stars for the unusual revelations at the end. I will not read more by this author. I am not sure what type of reader would be so interested in such a slow-moving story.
December 21, 2019
Book Review
Basic Details:
Book Title: A Dangerous Secret
Subtitle:
Author: Peter Martin
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Part of a series? No
Order in series:
Best read after earlier books in series?
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Overall score:
I scored this book 3/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
This book tells the story of a middle-aged man stuck in a job he didn’t really want. When his mother suffers a heart attack and reveals he is adopted on her deathbed, Garry wants to find out who his real parents are. His journey to get to the truth leads his family into danger.
What I liked about the book:
Towards the end, the book became more exciting.
What I didn’t like about the book:
The story was rather unbelievable and the pace was off here and there.
My favourite bits in the book:
The story had some promise.
My least favourite bits in the book:
The book in its entirety did not impress. Although I enjoyed it to some degree, it was rather boring in places.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
This book is not part of a series. I understand the author has written several books.
What books could this be compared to and why?
This book does not seem similar to other books and there are a few twists and turns although they are limited and unbelievable in places.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:
Children No
Young Adult Maybe
Adult Yes
If you like mystery and intrigue this book may be the book for you.
I am undecided whether I would like to read more books by this author.
Book Description by Author:
A secret hidden for forty years is about to come out. The man at the centre of this secret discovers from his dying adoptive mother that he has a family he knew nothing about. With nothing to go on, he is determined to find them whatever the cost. However, the more he learns, the more dangerous his quest becomes. But when he finds out the truth it is so shocking and scandalous, it may well cost him his life and the lives of his family.
This book's previous title was A Sense of Discovery and includes editorial revisions.
About the Author:
Basic Details:
Book Title: A Dangerous Secret
Subtitle:
Author: Peter Martin
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Part of a series? No
Order in series:
Best read after earlier books in series?
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Overall score:
I scored this book 3/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
This book tells the story of a middle-aged man stuck in a job he didn’t really want. When his mother suffers a heart attack and reveals he is adopted on her deathbed, Garry wants to find out who his real parents are. His journey to get to the truth leads his family into danger.
What I liked about the book:
Towards the end, the book became more exciting.
What I didn’t like about the book:
The story was rather unbelievable and the pace was off here and there.
My favourite bits in the book:
The story had some promise.
My least favourite bits in the book:
The book in its entirety did not impress. Although I enjoyed it to some degree, it was rather boring in places.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
This book is not part of a series. I understand the author has written several books.
What books could this be compared to and why?
This book does not seem similar to other books and there are a few twists and turns although they are limited and unbelievable in places.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:
Children No
Young Adult Maybe
Adult Yes
If you like mystery and intrigue this book may be the book for you.
I am undecided whether I would like to read more books by this author.
Book Description by Author:
A secret hidden for forty years is about to come out. The man at the centre of this secret discovers from his dying adoptive mother that he has a family he knew nothing about. With nothing to go on, he is determined to find them whatever the cost. However, the more he learns, the more dangerous his quest becomes. But when he finds out the truth it is so shocking and scandalous, it may well cost him his life and the lives of his family.
This book's previous title was A Sense of Discovery and includes editorial revisions.
About the Author:
June 28, 2018
Until his Mom died he never knew he was adopted. Why in the world did she wait till her dying breath to tell him was a total mystery which he had to solve! He was relentless digging deep into whatever clues he or his wife could think of. Top all this off he discovered that his Mom had left him stock which would keep them comfortable for many years to come. Where did these stocks come from? Every time he tracked someone or something down---well it disappeared--And it seemed like someone was out to harm them as well.
Oh--he finds out who his birth parents are ultimately---but barely gets away with his life and the life of his family.
Some secrets are better left unsolved!!
A Dangerous Secret
Oh--he finds out who his birth parents are ultimately---but barely gets away with his life and the life of his family.
Some secrets are better left unsolved!!
A Dangerous Secret
November 4, 2019
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.
Trigger Warning: There is incest and sexual assault. None of it is described in graphic detail but it is a plot point.
I found the premise of this story interesting - Gary finds out he has been adopted on his mother's deathbed. He then wants to find his birth parents. As he investigates further, he is foreclosed when individuals initially interested in helping suddenly change their minds.
I found the plot to be rather slow moving and some points stretched credibility a bit. It was labeled as a psychological thriller - but it's really not. And the twist - not my cup of tea.
The narrator, Jim Selleck, did a good job and used different voices for the various characters.
Trigger Warning: There is incest and sexual assault. None of it is described in graphic detail but it is a plot point.
I found the premise of this story interesting - Gary finds out he has been adopted on his mother's deathbed. He then wants to find his birth parents. As he investigates further, he is foreclosed when individuals initially interested in helping suddenly change their minds.
I found the plot to be rather slow moving and some points stretched credibility a bit. It was labeled as a psychological thriller - but it's really not. And the twist - not my cup of tea.
The narrator, Jim Selleck, did a good job and used different voices for the various characters.
July 22, 2018
All families have secrets. Garry Flynn believes he has grown up in a perfect family until on his mother’s deathbed, reveals a lifelong secret. Garry becomes obsessed with the revelation and sets out on a quest that takes him and his family into a world as foreign to him as the idea that he isn’t who he thought he was
Seeking truth doesn’t always give us the answers we hoped to find, and sometimes, it can be downright dangerous.
I gave this book, three stars because I found it rather slow paced and stretched the credibility factor. You, may, however, love the unusual twists and turns.
September 26, 2020
Didn't Like This Story
This story was not good for me. Too many unbelievable characters and events. The writing was also amateurish - like the writer was desperate to make the story a psychological thriller.
Be warned, some of the themes are not for the faint hearted and are very disturbing. I skipped pages to get to the answer to the mystery but even with that I wished I hadn't read this book
This story was not good for me. Too many unbelievable characters and events. The writing was also amateurish - like the writer was desperate to make the story a psychological thriller.
Be warned, some of the themes are not for the faint hearted and are very disturbing. I skipped pages to get to the answer to the mystery but even with that I wished I hadn't read this book
February 13, 2021
Thank you for the opportunity to read your book
Be careful what you wish for!
A happy family man finds he is adopted when his 'mother' dies. His quest then is to find his birth mother. This brings his family into a strange situation where his birth family are isolated from the world and under the control of his birth mother. A story that lays red herrings and has you turning the page to find out their fate.
Be careful what you wish for!
A happy family man finds he is adopted when his 'mother' dies. His quest then is to find his birth mother. This brings his family into a strange situation where his birth family are isolated from the world and under the control of his birth mother. A story that lays red herrings and has you turning the page to find out their fate.
March 24, 2021
As she was dying Gary a Mum tells him a secret she has kept for most of his life
Gary had been happy with his Mum and Dad, enjoying his childhood. He had had a long and happy marriage, and had just started a new job as a postman. His Mum tells him he was adopted in her death bed. She also lead as him some shares which make him a rich man. His decision to find his birth mother leads to a mad film star, kidnap, incest and murder!
Gary had been happy with his Mum and Dad, enjoying his childhood. He had had a long and happy marriage, and had just started a new job as a postman. His Mum tells him he was adopted in her death bed. She also lead as him some shares which make him a rich man. His decision to find his birth mother leads to a mad film star, kidnap, incest and murder!
April 15, 2021
if you are a fan of psychological suspense, this is the book you need to read! The suspense level, and the psychological affects, are both at top level! He finds out a shocking secret on the sudden death of his mother. This is what starts everything. He begins a quest that could cost him, his wife, and their family, their very lives! Along the way, shocking twists and turns are around every corner!
February 19, 2023
think Hotel California…
On her deathbed, Garry’s mother confesses that he was adopted. So begins Garry’s journey to find the truth of his birth. When Garry finally meets his birth mother, everything seems too good to be true. Garry and his family are having a great time…until they’re ready to leave and things turn ‘Hotel California’! The truth turns out to be more shocking than imagined. Rather enjoyable story.
On her deathbed, Garry’s mother confesses that he was adopted. So begins Garry’s journey to find the truth of his birth. When Garry finally meets his birth mother, everything seems too good to be true. Garry and his family are having a great time…until they’re ready to leave and things turn ‘Hotel California’! The truth turns out to be more shocking than imagined. Rather enjoyable story.
November 14, 2018
Very good story by Peter Martin, narrated by Jim Selleck.
Great concept, very gripping, I was totally intrigued.
Loved it!
If you're into thrillers, this one will surely tickle your fancy :)
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Great concept, very gripping, I was totally intrigued.
Loved it!
If you're into thrillers, this one will surely tickle your fancy :)
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
February 10, 2020
Definitely one to read
Crazy, great book! The search for Harry's mother definitely set things in motion. People trying to kill Harry and Delia, others hiding secrets, and the most crazy, unbelievable act of finding his Mother and the ensuing mayhem that comes along with it. Wow, what a book!
Crazy, great book! The search for Harry's mother definitely set things in motion. People trying to kill Harry and Delia, others hiding secrets, and the most crazy, unbelievable act of finding his Mother and the ensuing mayhem that comes along with it. Wow, what a book!
September 27, 2020
A rather simple plot in throughout but seemed to develop as the story went along;st least we'll enough so that I was curious enough to read the entire book to find out what happened in the end.
I don't believe I'd recommend the book to anyone I know unless it was someone in high school looking for a weekend book for a book report.
I don't believe I'd recommend the book to anyone I know unless it was someone in high school looking for a weekend book for a book report.
January 26, 2021
Garry is blindsided when his mother confesses that he was adopted on her deathbed. The hunt is on for him to try to figure out who he is and the path is fraught with danger. I really wanted to like this one, but the timing of this book made that impossible. Once he found his origin, the book just got stranger and more ridiculous as it went on. This was not worth my time.
September 3, 2023
Preposterous! Characters (except for Delia & Chris) are unbelievable, as are most of their actions! Imagine a houseful of adults stumbling around the mansion in the dark (not once but several times due to power outages), and no one thinks to look for a candle! Sorry Peter, but I won't be following you!
April 5, 2018
I very much enjoyed this book and read it in two sittings. Fast-paced and very readable. The only problem I have with it is that the cover bears no relation to the story in the slightest, which meant I was expecting a different sort of story.
November 13, 2018
A story of a man learning he was adopted and his quest to find his birth parents. Learning the grass is not always greener on the other side
Fast read good twists and turns for the reader .this is the first book I have read by this author,I look forwarded to his next one
Fast read good twists and turns for the reader .this is the first book I have read by this author,I look forwarded to his next one
December 24, 2020
Twisted
What would you do if you found out you were adopted. At the age of 40, a grandfather, Harry's mother confesses he was adopted. Then he finds his death certificate. It only get stranger from there.
What would you do if you found out you were adopted. At the age of 40, a grandfather, Harry's mother confesses he was adopted. Then he finds his death certificate. It only get stranger from there.
March 12, 2021
One for the Books
Wow!
This was not what I expected. Well written and kept your interest in the story.
The first 25 or so chapters were quite okay. However, the rest of the book was well, different,
Not a book I would recommend past the first 25 chapters.
Wow!
This was not what I expected. Well written and kept your interest in the story.
The first 25 or so chapters were quite okay. However, the rest of the book was well, different,
Not a book I would recommend past the first 25 chapters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews