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Tell Me Your Secrets
Praise for Mel McGrath’s Two Wrongs:
’UTTERLY chilling’ PAULA HAWKINS
’The perfect read’ B A PARIS
’Deliciously disturbing’ ANN CLEEVES
The blistering new novel from bestselling author Mel McGrath.
A therapist becomes obsessed with the couple she's counselling, who have come to her after suddenly and tragically losing their only daughter. Little by little, she insinuates herself into their lives without them noticing – until she's in a position to take everything…
Dark, sharp and sinister, this novel will make you question those whom you trust most, and the final twist will shock you to your core.
’UTTERLY chilling’ PAULA HAWKINS
’The perfect read’ B A PARIS
’Deliciously disturbing’ ANN CLEEVES
The blistering new novel from bestselling author Mel McGrath.
A therapist becomes obsessed with the couple she's counselling, who have come to her after suddenly and tragically losing their only daughter. Little by little, she insinuates herself into their lives without them noticing – until she's in a position to take everything…
Dark, sharp and sinister, this novel will make you question those whom you trust most, and the final twist will shock you to your core.
- GenresThriller
400 pages, Hardcover
First published September 28, 2023
9 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Mel McGrath
9 books111 followersMel McGrath is an award-winning writer of non-fiction and crime novels. She is an experienced journalist, broadcaster, teacher, event organizer and speaker, with particular interests in London, literature, crime, feminism and psychology.
As M.J. McGrath she writes the acclaimed Edie Kiglatuk series of Arctic mysteries, White Heat, The Boy in the Snow and The Boneseeker. As Melanie McGrath she wrote the critically acclaimed and bestselling family memoir Silvertown. McGrath lives in London and on the Kent coast.
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As M.J. McGrath she writes the acclaimed Edie Kiglatuk series of Arctic mysteries, White Heat, The Boy in the Snow and The Boneseeker. As Melanie McGrath she wrote the critically acclaimed and bestselling family memoir Silvertown. McGrath lives in London and on the Kent coast.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
September 27, 2023
3.5* - AD/PR - Tell Me Your Secrets is an unsettling domestic thriller of two halves that makes you question everything and everyone. The first half is a slower pace with lots of red flags and things that just don’t *feel* right. It’s pretty obvious Janette has an ulterior motive but when she moves into full manipulation I was screaming at Meg and Marc to open their eyes! The second half moves at a much faster pace as the suspense moves into full on action with a real sense of danger. How the different threads came together was very cleverly done and I loved how it all unravelled. My only complaint is that I felt the beginning was too slow and the ending was too rushed. I’d have taken 50 pages out of the first half and put them at the end.
Overall, a solid thriller that keeps you hooked and really plays with your mind to invoke feelings of foreboding and tension. It’s just a little off in the pacing but I still enjoyed and I think it would be great on audiobook if you have the chance!
Overall, a solid thriller that keeps you hooked and really plays with your mind to invoke feelings of foreboding and tension. It’s just a little off in the pacing but I still enjoyed and I think it would be great on audiobook if you have the chance!
May 26, 2024
Good psychological twists and turns.
I never truely warmed to Meg or Marc which made it harder to give this book more stars.
At times the story felt disjointed and a bit 'all over the place' particularly when we went back in time.
I never truely warmed to Meg or Marc which made it harder to give this book more stars.
At times the story felt disjointed and a bit 'all over the place' particularly when we went back in time.
September 10, 2023
Marc and Meg lost their daughter in a tragic accident. The culprit of the hit and run was never brought to justice, and this plays heavily on their ability to move on. When Marc’s dad, Jimmy, a former rock star, dies and leaves his cottage to Marc, the decision is made to move there, hoping that new surroundings will help the healing process.
Like other reviewers, I found this a hard read, with too many spelling and grammatical errors. The arc appears to have been distributed without any editing or checking, not good for the author as it will dramatically affect the reviews. Also, it does appear to be writing by numbers, too formulated and predictable, not a good read for me at all. Gullible, silly characters and ridiculous plot line.
This author is usually much better than this.
Thank you NetGalley.
Like other reviewers, I found this a hard read, with too many spelling and grammatical errors. The arc appears to have been distributed without any editing or checking, not good for the author as it will dramatically affect the reviews. Also, it does appear to be writing by numbers, too formulated and predictable, not a good read for me at all. Gullible, silly characters and ridiculous plot line.
This author is usually much better than this.
Thank you NetGalley.
September 12, 2023
Meg never forgot that fateful day. She was distracted by her mobile phone while collecting her daughter from school. So she didn’t see her young daughter Lily chasing after another child’s red balloon. Nobody saw the car that raced along the road and hit her. The driver was never found.
Now Meg and her musician husband, Marc have moved to the Kent countryside to make a fresh start and to rebuild their lives after Lily’s death. Covert Cottage, near the village of Coldwater, belonged to Marc’s ex rock star dad Jimmy and he has inherited it.
However, Meg has brought some of the past with her. Lily’s chest contains some of her favourite items; a doll and a cardigan amongst others and it’s put up in the attic. But another reminder of the past also appears. Meg encounters their therapist, Janette, in the local high street and she reveals she is also planning to move there. They invite her to the cottage, resume their acquaintance, and soon invite her to move into their studio. They had both built up a strong relationship with Janette during their sessions after Lily’s death and they soon slip back into it. They trust her after all Janette knows their secrets and one of Marc’s in particular. Where was he on the day of Lily’s death?
Meg is surprised to find a single rose left on the road by the cottage. It’s a St Cecilia’s rose and she discovers that a child called Cecilia disappeared in the village 30 years ago while staying with relatives. A local man, Steven Savage, was the last person to see her alive and it has blighted his life ever since. Meg has several disturbing encounters with him as he believes that Jimmy should have left him something in his will. No one on the village wants to talk about the missing child and it is a place that keep its secrets close.
Meanwhile, Meg keeps hearing noises in the attic at night and feels that there is an unsettling atmosphere in Covert Cottage. The wood behind the cottage, Covert Wood, is dark and uncomfortable and it is where Steven Savage goes hunting. And when Marc loses his job and is involved in a punch-up and charged by police, Meg turns more and more to Janette who is supportive and comforting and soon becomes the only person that she feels she can turn to. Janette persuades them to transfer ownership of the cottage to Meg and then Janette has Meg sign a Power of Attorney. Too late Meg begins to realise that Janette is playing her own game with them…and for some people revenge isn’t best served cold, instead it’s a slow burner biding its time…..
This was a fast paced thriller which I really enjoyed. Meg and Marc’s attempts to rebuild their lives in the countryside were well portrayed as was her growing unease within the cottage. The village isn’t as welcoming as they hoped and they are on their own in Covert Cottage. Meg is isolated there as she isn’t working and focuses on a disastrous house warming party in an effort to try and get to know the locals. It’s easy for her to turn to Janette more and more as a trustworthy friend.
Marc’s brushes with the coat tails of his father’s stardom and then his decline were also convincing as he becomes committed to the idea that if he can write one hit song then his problems will be over and he can live up to his father’s career. The perils of trying to live up to a famous father were one of the book’s key elements as was the realisation of how little they actually knew about Janette and how much she knew about them.
I read the book in one sitting as despite it having some familiar plot elements, I wanted to know what happened next. This would be a great holiday read with enough twists and turns to keep fans of mysteries enthralled.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.
November 29, 2023
This is an intense and gripping psychological thriller that kept my attention during a five hour flight. The hours slipped by very quickly as I was consumed by this twisty tale that constantly throws up questions.
I've read Mel McGrath in the past and she's an expert at dissecting her characters and exposing the frailties of the human mind. This story features vulnerability and manipulation, teamed with an eerie setting with a tragedy at it's heart.
Meg and Marc have suffered the worst pain that any parents can feel. Their young daughter Lily was killed in a hit and run accident, the driver of the car has never been found. Both Meg and Marc have dealt with the aftermath in different ways, they are both broken, but Meg carries such a sense of guilt about what happened, as she was with Lily at the time, and every mother should protect their child.
A new start in a cottage in the country feels like it could be the answer. Marc's father has left Covert Cottage to him, and even though he feels that his sister Helen should have benefitted too, he and Meg decide to move in and renovate the property, hoping to pay Helen some money later on. Marc continues to commute to work whilst Meg stays at home in the cottage. She does her best to get to know the people in the local community, but there's certainly something a little odd about the place. The house feels as though it's alive too. Meg experiences noises and strange feelings, especially from the loft area. When she bumps into Janette in the village, she is delighted to see someone that she knows, and who knows everything about her. Janette was their therapist, both she and Marc had regular sessions with her after Lily's death. Janette is looking for somewhere to stay, and it seems obvious that Meg should offer her their little garden room.
What follows is a sinister, creepy tale that gave me goosebumps at times. Meg and Marc really do suffer over the coming weeks, but thank goodness for Janette; a listening ear, someone to give advice ...... but what does Janette get out of this?
The reader sees far more than either Meg or Marc do, and at times, it feels so obvious what is happening, but I was never quite sure why it was happening. Both Meg and Marc become dependant on a woman who uses her professional skills to manipulate them both, almost pitching them against each other. Yet Marc and Meg don't tell each other, they don't feel able to open up and discuss what is happening. Meg is terrified of being labelled as mentally ill, and Marc seems to just flounder around, not really having any idea what is happening.
It's a long and quite complex story, but it's also a clever and tense look at how a tragedy can shape people, how long-time grudges and events can manifest themselves years later, creating chaos and unhappiness for all.
Tell Me Your Secrets is chilling and unsettling. The characters can appear naive at times, but this makes them appear human and more realistic. A study in grief, trauma and also a great thriller. Recommended.
I've read Mel McGrath in the past and she's an expert at dissecting her characters and exposing the frailties of the human mind. This story features vulnerability and manipulation, teamed with an eerie setting with a tragedy at it's heart.
Meg and Marc have suffered the worst pain that any parents can feel. Their young daughter Lily was killed in a hit and run accident, the driver of the car has never been found. Both Meg and Marc have dealt with the aftermath in different ways, they are both broken, but Meg carries such a sense of guilt about what happened, as she was with Lily at the time, and every mother should protect their child.
A new start in a cottage in the country feels like it could be the answer. Marc's father has left Covert Cottage to him, and even though he feels that his sister Helen should have benefitted too, he and Meg decide to move in and renovate the property, hoping to pay Helen some money later on. Marc continues to commute to work whilst Meg stays at home in the cottage. She does her best to get to know the people in the local community, but there's certainly something a little odd about the place. The house feels as though it's alive too. Meg experiences noises and strange feelings, especially from the loft area. When she bumps into Janette in the village, she is delighted to see someone that she knows, and who knows everything about her. Janette was their therapist, both she and Marc had regular sessions with her after Lily's death. Janette is looking for somewhere to stay, and it seems obvious that Meg should offer her their little garden room.
What follows is a sinister, creepy tale that gave me goosebumps at times. Meg and Marc really do suffer over the coming weeks, but thank goodness for Janette; a listening ear, someone to give advice ...... but what does Janette get out of this?
The reader sees far more than either Meg or Marc do, and at times, it feels so obvious what is happening, but I was never quite sure why it was happening. Both Meg and Marc become dependant on a woman who uses her professional skills to manipulate them both, almost pitching them against each other. Yet Marc and Meg don't tell each other, they don't feel able to open up and discuss what is happening. Meg is terrified of being labelled as mentally ill, and Marc seems to just flounder around, not really having any idea what is happening.
It's a long and quite complex story, but it's also a clever and tense look at how a tragedy can shape people, how long-time grudges and events can manifest themselves years later, creating chaos and unhappiness for all.
Tell Me Your Secrets is chilling and unsettling. The characters can appear naive at times, but this makes them appear human and more realistic. A study in grief, trauma and also a great thriller. Recommended.
September 3, 2023
I've got to be honest - I'm not sure I've ever met a cast of characters who frustrated me quite as much as the people in this book. It doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the story - I was completely drawn into the book from the start, if only to see just how naive and trusting they could possibly be. And, just to be clear, apparently the answer to that was very. But, for me, the bit question over this story was less the who of the situation - which did seem to be a little too obvious, although I was willing to be proven wrong - and more about the why of it all too. It was also really a case of watching the emotional aftermath and the devastation that the loss of their child has upon the couple at the very heart of this story - Meg and Marc.
The opening is simple and yet effective, laced with the tragedy that is going to inform and direct much of what is to come. It is a large part of what leads the couple to seek a new start at the old cottage that Marc inherited from his father. What should be a chance for a reset in a rural idyll soon turns to something far darker, as not everyone is happy that Marc inherited Covert Cottage, and the cottage itself has quite a tainted history too. It all plays into the fears of Meg's already fractured mind, aided and abetted by someone who has anything but their best interests at heart.
I actually liked the way Mel McGrath has positioned this story. It makes Meg, and Marc, both less than reliable as narrators. Marc because it is clear he is keeping something from Meg and Meg because her grief is still almost all consuming and there are many scenes in which it is hard to know what of the things she sees and feels is just in her imagination. The isolation of the cottage, Marc's traveling back into the city for work, almost acts as an antagonist in this story, leaving Meg to fill her time with an almost obsessive need to find out what happened to a young girl who went missing from the cottage many years earlier, another source of conflict and a past many would rather remain forgotten.
That two fold mystery - who is targeting Meg and Marc or, much rather, why, and the missing girl from decades earlier - really kept me drawn into the story. I can't lie. There were times when the couple's naivety made me want to slap my Kindle. It seemed blindingly obvious who was pulling which strings for at least part of the story, no matter what attempts at misdirection were made by the antagonist. But I guess that is the benefit of being on the outside looking in. That and I am generally a very untrusting person anyway. But as to why they might want to hurt the pair, to push them to the edge and beyond - that was a secret that needed to be exposed. And it was that part of the story that kept me reading in spite of all of the times I found myself angry, at Marc's actions in particular.
This is a slow building mystery, one where there is a lot of time spent in the set up and in establishing the characters' pasts and personal circumstances. But there are plenty of secrets to be revealed, shocks and surprises abound, ones that kept me engrossed in the story. Towards the end the tension and pace does pick up as we head towards a very dramatic showdown between Meg, Marc and their tormentor. With so much at stake, it could only every really end one way, and perhaps, given all we learn before hand, I should have been expecting what came to pass. Maybe I did in a way, but it was still quite an impactful, if somewhat brief conclusion to the whole sorry affair.
A very character and emotionally drive story that I enjoyed, perhaps as much for my strong emotional reaction to the character's mad choices (in my eyes) as for the mystery that surrounds them.
The opening is simple and yet effective, laced with the tragedy that is going to inform and direct much of what is to come. It is a large part of what leads the couple to seek a new start at the old cottage that Marc inherited from his father. What should be a chance for a reset in a rural idyll soon turns to something far darker, as not everyone is happy that Marc inherited Covert Cottage, and the cottage itself has quite a tainted history too. It all plays into the fears of Meg's already fractured mind, aided and abetted by someone who has anything but their best interests at heart.
I actually liked the way Mel McGrath has positioned this story. It makes Meg, and Marc, both less than reliable as narrators. Marc because it is clear he is keeping something from Meg and Meg because her grief is still almost all consuming and there are many scenes in which it is hard to know what of the things she sees and feels is just in her imagination. The isolation of the cottage, Marc's traveling back into the city for work, almost acts as an antagonist in this story, leaving Meg to fill her time with an almost obsessive need to find out what happened to a young girl who went missing from the cottage many years earlier, another source of conflict and a past many would rather remain forgotten.
That two fold mystery - who is targeting Meg and Marc or, much rather, why, and the missing girl from decades earlier - really kept me drawn into the story. I can't lie. There were times when the couple's naivety made me want to slap my Kindle. It seemed blindingly obvious who was pulling which strings for at least part of the story, no matter what attempts at misdirection were made by the antagonist. But I guess that is the benefit of being on the outside looking in. That and I am generally a very untrusting person anyway. But as to why they might want to hurt the pair, to push them to the edge and beyond - that was a secret that needed to be exposed. And it was that part of the story that kept me reading in spite of all of the times I found myself angry, at Marc's actions in particular.
This is a slow building mystery, one where there is a lot of time spent in the set up and in establishing the characters' pasts and personal circumstances. But there are plenty of secrets to be revealed, shocks and surprises abound, ones that kept me engrossed in the story. Towards the end the tension and pace does pick up as we head towards a very dramatic showdown between Meg, Marc and their tormentor. With so much at stake, it could only every really end one way, and perhaps, given all we learn before hand, I should have been expecting what came to pass. Maybe I did in a way, but it was still quite an impactful, if somewhat brief conclusion to the whole sorry affair.
A very character and emotionally drive story that I enjoyed, perhaps as much for my strong emotional reaction to the character's mad choices (in my eyes) as for the mystery that surrounds them.
October 7, 2023
After Meg and Marc lose their daughter Lily in a tragic accident, they opt for a fresh start in the village of Coldwater, where Marc's father - a former musical celebrity - has left him a property. Covert Cottage, as it is known, has a backyard leading into a wooded area known as Covert Wood.
For Meg, who spends most of her time at home, the move does not turn out as expected. Not only is she often lonely, she also finds that the property has a brooding atmosphere that makes her feel uncomfortable.
So, Meg is quite happy after she and Marc encounter a familiar face in the area. Janette was the therapist that Meg and Marc became close to after they lost Lily. That she is planning to move to Coldwater is something that both of them are initially pleased to hear about.
Meanwhile, Meg is also unsettled by the information that 30 years ago a young girl disappeared from the village. No one seems to want to discuss the case. And after her encounters with the last person to see the child, Meg feels even more disturbed. The other villagers aren't welcoming either, so other than Janette, Meg's options for socializing seem limited.
But Janette has her own agenda. And she knows all their secrets - even the ones that the couple are keeping from each other. Meg's guilt at allowing her phone to distract her remains an issue, since it led by default to Lily's accident. Otherwise occupied, Meg did not realise that the child was chasing after a balloon, which put her in harm's way. And Marc has not been honest about where he was at the time of Lily's accident either.
When Marc begins to spiral, Meg turns to Janette for support, with disastrous consequences...
This is quite a creepy story. The situation at Covert Cottage is described in a very atmospheric fashion, and the fact that Janette knows so much more about them than Meg and Marc realise is very disturbing.
I did feel that the pacing of the storytelling could have been done better, as the story takes quite a long time to get going, and then ends almost abruptly, with the last bit feeling decidedly rushed. But overall it was an engrossing read, so I give it 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
For Meg, who spends most of her time at home, the move does not turn out as expected. Not only is she often lonely, she also finds that the property has a brooding atmosphere that makes her feel uncomfortable.
So, Meg is quite happy after she and Marc encounter a familiar face in the area. Janette was the therapist that Meg and Marc became close to after they lost Lily. That she is planning to move to Coldwater is something that both of them are initially pleased to hear about.
Meanwhile, Meg is also unsettled by the information that 30 years ago a young girl disappeared from the village. No one seems to want to discuss the case. And after her encounters with the last person to see the child, Meg feels even more disturbed. The other villagers aren't welcoming either, so other than Janette, Meg's options for socializing seem limited.
But Janette has her own agenda. And she knows all their secrets - even the ones that the couple are keeping from each other. Meg's guilt at allowing her phone to distract her remains an issue, since it led by default to Lily's accident. Otherwise occupied, Meg did not realise that the child was chasing after a balloon, which put her in harm's way. And Marc has not been honest about where he was at the time of Lily's accident either.
When Marc begins to spiral, Meg turns to Janette for support, with disastrous consequences...
This is quite a creepy story. The situation at Covert Cottage is described in a very atmospheric fashion, and the fact that Janette knows so much more about them than Meg and Marc realise is very disturbing.
I did feel that the pacing of the storytelling could have been done better, as the story takes quite a long time to get going, and then ends almost abruptly, with the last bit feeling decidedly rushed. But overall it was an engrossing read, so I give it 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
August 9, 2023
I've enjoyed a couple of previous books by Mel McGrath, but unfortunately this really didn't engage me and I found it a bit of a slog to get through.
After the tragic death of their young daughter in a hit and run accident, Meg and Marc have moved into a cottage inherited from Marc's father, a former rock musician. Marc is also a musician in an orchestra. I'm not sure if Meg has or had a job. They've been seeing a therapist, Janette, who then pops up in the new area claiming to be looking for a house there. (Suspish.) We also hear about another little girl who went missing many years earlier. Is there a connection? Maybe. Maybe not.
For whatever reason I just couldn't connect with this story. The writing doesn't really flow very well and the characters, sympathetic though I was to their situation, didn't seem especially credible. Therapist Janette also wasn't particularly believable and the truth, when revealed, is distinctly underwhelming.
Names are reused for no apparent reason - we're told of a couple with the fairly unusual surname of Truelove who were relatives of a missing girl, then later read about a solicitor with the same name. I assumed there would prove to be a connection, but apparently not.
Because I wasn't engaged in the plot I'm sure there was stuff I missed, possibly important stuff. As it is I'm already struggling to remember what happened.
As I said, I've enjoyed other work by the author and I don't like to leave a negative review. Some people may well enjoy this book more, but it wasn't for me.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.
After the tragic death of their young daughter in a hit and run accident, Meg and Marc have moved into a cottage inherited from Marc's father, a former rock musician. Marc is also a musician in an orchestra. I'm not sure if Meg has or had a job. They've been seeing a therapist, Janette, who then pops up in the new area claiming to be looking for a house there. (Suspish.) We also hear about another little girl who went missing many years earlier. Is there a connection? Maybe. Maybe not.
For whatever reason I just couldn't connect with this story. The writing doesn't really flow very well and the characters, sympathetic though I was to their situation, didn't seem especially credible. Therapist Janette also wasn't particularly believable and the truth, when revealed, is distinctly underwhelming.
Names are reused for no apparent reason - we're told of a couple with the fairly unusual surname of Truelove who were relatives of a missing girl, then later read about a solicitor with the same name. I assumed there would prove to be a connection, but apparently not.
Because I wasn't engaged in the plot I'm sure there was stuff I missed, possibly important stuff. As it is I'm already struggling to remember what happened.
As I said, I've enjoyed other work by the author and I don't like to leave a negative review. Some people may well enjoy this book more, but it wasn't for me.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.
September 27, 2023
Tell Me Your Secrets by Mel McGrath is a totally griping contemporary psychological suspense that I just could not put down. I read it in just two sittings, pausing only to sleep.
There is the theme of grief. “Grief… is a country with a population of one.” No two people will ever grieve the same, even in response to the same event. With grief we see that guilt and regret go hand in hand.
A thirty year old cold case is awakened in present day as a character feels a connection in an old house. Secrets, lies and sadness inhabit the very walls, as the truth is trying to come out.
We witness the manipulation of many by one – but to what end? Read the book in order to find out.
All the characters were well drawn. Not all were likable. Mel McGrath manipulates the reader’s responses as we follow the action.
The setting I very atmospheric – an isolated cottage next to an ancient woodland, even the trees seem to whisper secrets as the walls of the cottage cry out. What secrets is the carpet of leaves hiding?
Tell Me Your Secrets has an intricately thought out and extremely well executed plotline. I clung on for dear life for several hours as Mel McGrath’s words guided my life and emotional responses.
Tell Me Your Secrets is a compulsive read but not for the faint-hearted. It was an absolutely cracking read.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
There is the theme of grief. “Grief… is a country with a population of one.” No two people will ever grieve the same, even in response to the same event. With grief we see that guilt and regret go hand in hand.
A thirty year old cold case is awakened in present day as a character feels a connection in an old house. Secrets, lies and sadness inhabit the very walls, as the truth is trying to come out.
We witness the manipulation of many by one – but to what end? Read the book in order to find out.
All the characters were well drawn. Not all were likable. Mel McGrath manipulates the reader’s responses as we follow the action.
The setting I very atmospheric – an isolated cottage next to an ancient woodland, even the trees seem to whisper secrets as the walls of the cottage cry out. What secrets is the carpet of leaves hiding?
Tell Me Your Secrets has an intricately thought out and extremely well executed plotline. I clung on for dear life for several hours as Mel McGrath’s words guided my life and emotional responses.
Tell Me Your Secrets is a compulsive read but not for the faint-hearted. It was an absolutely cracking read.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
September 20, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up.
A therapist becomes obsessed with the couple she is counselling, who have come to her after suddenly and tragically losing their only daughter. Little by little, she insinuates herself into their lives without them noticing - until she's in a position to take everything....
Meg and Marc lost their only daughter, Lily, in a hit and run accident. They decide to leave London and move to the cottage that Marc's father left him in his will. They are both seeing a therapist, Jeanette, who seems to understand what the couple are going through. Meg tries to solve the disappearance of a little girl who went missing thirty years ago.
This is a slow burn to begin with, but the pace does pick up. It's also character driven. Meg is quite a naive character. I was quickly pulled into this story. Meg and Marc are unreliable characters. Meg is obsessive about a little girl who who went missing from the cottage thirty years ago. The characters are well developed. The plotline is a little creepy with some twists and red herrings. I took hakf a star off for the slow start.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HQ and the author #MelMcGrath for my ARC of #TellMeYourSecrets in exchange for an honest review.
A therapist becomes obsessed with the couple she is counselling, who have come to her after suddenly and tragically losing their only daughter. Little by little, she insinuates herself into their lives without them noticing - until she's in a position to take everything....
Meg and Marc lost their only daughter, Lily, in a hit and run accident. They decide to leave London and move to the cottage that Marc's father left him in his will. They are both seeing a therapist, Jeanette, who seems to understand what the couple are going through. Meg tries to solve the disappearance of a little girl who went missing thirty years ago.
This is a slow burn to begin with, but the pace does pick up. It's also character driven. Meg is quite a naive character. I was quickly pulled into this story. Meg and Marc are unreliable characters. Meg is obsessive about a little girl who who went missing from the cottage thirty years ago. The characters are well developed. The plotline is a little creepy with some twists and red herrings. I took hakf a star off for the slow start.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HQ and the author #MelMcGrath for my ARC of #TellMeYourSecrets in exchange for an honest review.
September 24, 2023
3.5/5
AD-PR PRODUCT
This is the 100th book I have read this year! 🎉Thank you so much HQ stories for sending me a copy of this book!
After the death of their daughter in a hit and run accident, Meg and Marc have a fresh start and move into the home Marc’s Dad left to Marc in his will. Shortly after moving, they are surprised to see their old therapist is in the village looking for a holiday home. Is this a happy coincidence, or is something more sinister at hand?
When I first started reading this, the first few chapters sucked me in with draw dropping moments and early on twists.
However, until about the half way point of the story, the story becomes a bit too “fluffy.” I have criticised a few books recently for needing more of a story development. After the initial few first chapters, this book I felt could have done with cutting out some of the irrelevant details. We get it… one character has a secret, one character is suspicious and one character is on the brink of a break down. 😂
At the mid way point, the story massively improves again and we are treated to an action packed page turner!
To summarise- I enjoyed this book but if the story in the first half of the book had been edited more, this would have easily been at least a four star read for me.
AD-PR PRODUCT
This is the 100th book I have read this year! 🎉Thank you so much HQ stories for sending me a copy of this book!
After the death of their daughter in a hit and run accident, Meg and Marc have a fresh start and move into the home Marc’s Dad left to Marc in his will. Shortly after moving, they are surprised to see their old therapist is in the village looking for a holiday home. Is this a happy coincidence, or is something more sinister at hand?
When I first started reading this, the first few chapters sucked me in with draw dropping moments and early on twists.
However, until about the half way point of the story, the story becomes a bit too “fluffy.” I have criticised a few books recently for needing more of a story development. After the initial few first chapters, this book I felt could have done with cutting out some of the irrelevant details. We get it… one character has a secret, one character is suspicious and one character is on the brink of a break down. 😂
At the mid way point, the story massively improves again and we are treated to an action packed page turner!
To summarise- I enjoyed this book but if the story in the first half of the book had been edited more, this would have easily been at least a four star read for me.
September 24, 2023
Tell Me Your Secrets tells the story of Meg and Marc, a couple who move to the country following the tragic death of their daughter and on inheriting a cottage from Marc's father. When the therapist they have both been seeing arrives in their village looking for somewhere to rent, they revel in the happy coincidence and offer her a studio in their back garden. But it soon becomes clear that all is not as it seems and that maybe there is more to Jeanette than meets the eye.
I found this book incredibly frustrating as Marc and Meg didn't seem to be able to see what was glaringly obvious. They were both pretty weak characters, who were easily led and seemed unable to figure things out for themselves. The writing was good but, as with her previous book, the editing was shockingly bad and it was therefore difficult to read.
Overall, the story itself wasn't bad but I found it to be more frustrating than anything and it was a bit of an effort to finish. That said, I would still read more by this author as I do enjoy her writing style and I'm hoping it was just these characters that I wasn't fond of.
My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.
I found this book incredibly frustrating as Marc and Meg didn't seem to be able to see what was glaringly obvious. They were both pretty weak characters, who were easily led and seemed unable to figure things out for themselves. The writing was good but, as with her previous book, the editing was shockingly bad and it was therefore difficult to read.
Overall, the story itself wasn't bad but I found it to be more frustrating than anything and it was a bit of an effort to finish. That said, I would still read more by this author as I do enjoy her writing style and I'm hoping it was just these characters that I wasn't fond of.
My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.
August 30, 2023
I almost stopped reading this book because of the typos, by 15% in there were more than 60 errors. Every word with a double f had the letters missing and often others too. It was hugely distracting. However, I kept going till the end.
Marc & Meg are moving into the house inherited from Marc’s father, a rock star. Their daughter died in a hit and run accident and they have both been having therapy from a psychologist/psychotherapist called Janette.
The book is so predictable from the minute the therapist arrives in the village that they have moved to looking for somewhere to buy and they just happen to have a studio apartment in the garden that fits her bill perfectly. Frankly, no-one can be as gullible as Marc & Meg appear to be. It’s hard without spoilers to describe how ridiculous some of the plot lines are. I lost count of the number of times I tolled my eyes at how ludicrous the whole thing was.
I received an advanced e.copy of this book however, the views expressed in this review are entirely voluntary and 100% my own.
Marc & Meg are moving into the house inherited from Marc’s father, a rock star. Their daughter died in a hit and run accident and they have both been having therapy from a psychologist/psychotherapist called Janette.
The book is so predictable from the minute the therapist arrives in the village that they have moved to looking for somewhere to buy and they just happen to have a studio apartment in the garden that fits her bill perfectly. Frankly, no-one can be as gullible as Marc & Meg appear to be. It’s hard without spoilers to describe how ridiculous some of the plot lines are. I lost count of the number of times I tolled my eyes at how ludicrous the whole thing was.
I received an advanced e.copy of this book however, the views expressed in this review are entirely voluntary and 100% my own.
October 2, 2023
I liked the premise of Tell Me Your Secrets as I'm always drawn to novels featuring therapists. Meg and Marc are grieving the death of their young daughter Lily in a hit and run accident and decide to move to a cottage in the countryside, left to Marc in his father's will. Strangely, at the same time Jeanette, their therapist relocates to the same village and begins living in the couple's garden studio.
There was a lot I enjoyed about this novel. it's very atmospheric and there was an underlying tension and darkness throughout that kept me reading. The author portrays the grieving process sensitively and shows the impact grief can have on us. I did feel that the characterisation was a little weak and Jeanette was a very one dimensional character lacking any depth which meant it was quite hard to believe the power she had over Meg and Marc. I also found the ending a little ridiculous. Overall, however the author writes well and this was an enjoyable read. 3.5 stars Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
There was a lot I enjoyed about this novel. it's very atmospheric and there was an underlying tension and darkness throughout that kept me reading. The author portrays the grieving process sensitively and shows the impact grief can have on us. I did feel that the characterisation was a little weak and Jeanette was a very one dimensional character lacking any depth which meant it was quite hard to believe the power she had over Meg and Marc. I also found the ending a little ridiculous. Overall, however the author writes well and this was an enjoyable read. 3.5 stars Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
October 8, 2023
Tell Me Your Secrets is a twisty psychological thriller that kept me hooked.
Meg and Mark are moving to Marks fathers house that he has been left in his fathers will. It’s a small village and they hope because they know no one they can rebuild their lives after the tragic loss of their young daughter. Both are struggling but separately and by a strange coincidence their therapist they had in London moves into their lives more than they thought she would. Mark is struggling with anger management issues and gets into trouble with the police and loses his job and Meg is obsessed with finding out what happened to a young girl that went missing years ago from the village.
There is a lot going on in this book but it is written well so you don’t get confused, I do have to say the first third was really slow going for me but then it changed into a pacy thriller and was a different book completely that I enjoyed.
I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
Meg and Mark are moving to Marks fathers house that he has been left in his fathers will. It’s a small village and they hope because they know no one they can rebuild their lives after the tragic loss of their young daughter. Both are struggling but separately and by a strange coincidence their therapist they had in London moves into their lives more than they thought she would. Mark is struggling with anger management issues and gets into trouble with the police and loses his job and Meg is obsessed with finding out what happened to a young girl that went missing years ago from the village.
There is a lot going on in this book but it is written well so you don’t get confused, I do have to say the first third was really slow going for me but then it changed into a pacy thriller and was a different book completely that I enjoyed.
I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2023
I found this story atmospheric, with an underlying thread of danger which intensifies as the story develops. Meg and Marc have suffered a devastating loss, and they are consumed with grief and guilt that they couldn't protect their child. Marc received an unexpected legacy from their father's will, and the couple decided to make a new start in the country. The couple cope with bereavement differently, although both had undergone therapy from Janette in the past. Janette, their former therapist, is a shadowy character that the reader knows little about in the book's early stages. Her influence on the vulnerable couple is manipulative and sinister. The story is gently paced to build the claustrophobic atmosphere and sense of disquiet. There are impactful twists as the secrets are revealed. I like the atmospheric setting and the menacing ethos.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
October 8, 2023
Tell me Your Secrets is about a couple, Marc and Meg, who have suffered a traumatic loss when their daughter is run over and fatally injured. Over time, they come to rely on Janette, their psychotherapist, for her unwavering support as they slowly try to put their lives back together.
However, their relationship is not what it once was and things begin to go very wrong for them when they move out of London to live in the countryside. As they work on trying to settle into the new community, Janette renters their lives and things go from bad to worse.
This is a well written, tense psychological thriller that kept me guessing throughout. The characters are credible and the plot is strong. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a gripping read.
My thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review the book.
However, their relationship is not what it once was and things begin to go very wrong for them when they move out of London to live in the countryside. As they work on trying to settle into the new community, Janette renters their lives and things go from bad to worse.
This is a well written, tense psychological thriller that kept me guessing throughout. The characters are credible and the plot is strong. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a gripping read.
My thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review the book.
September 12, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
Married couple, Meg and Marc, have moved to the countryside from London into Marc’s deceased fathers cottage. Meg and Marc had both been through a traumatic time after their daughter was killed in a hit and run. Meg sees this opportunity as a fresh start. But it isn’t quite the fresh start that Meg had envisioned, when Meg decides to embark on solving a mystery from the past.
This is a slow burning mystery, and quite character and emotion driven. The author got the level of tension perfect, and slow dripped the shocks and surprises. The characters were well written, although I felt Meg was quite naive. The pace of the book picked up the more we read. Overall, a good, solid read.
Married couple, Meg and Marc, have moved to the countryside from London into Marc’s deceased fathers cottage. Meg and Marc had both been through a traumatic time after their daughter was killed in a hit and run. Meg sees this opportunity as a fresh start. But it isn’t quite the fresh start that Meg had envisioned, when Meg decides to embark on solving a mystery from the past.
This is a slow burning mystery, and quite character and emotion driven. The author got the level of tension perfect, and slow dripped the shocks and surprises. The characters were well written, although I felt Meg was quite naive. The pace of the book picked up the more we read. Overall, a good, solid read.
October 20, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this started off really well - a hugely impactful incident throws you right into the action and, from there, you start to get to know the main characters and the aftermath of what happened.
This good start lasted until about half way in when, for me, it became a little implausible for me, with far too many coincidences and tenuous links. The writing quality didn't lessen, it just became a little hard to believe - even in the realms of fiction where you do have to suspend a bit of reality. I wanted to like this a lot more than I did in the end, but I did enjoy the author's characterisation and use of language so will give any other books a good go.
I thought this started off really well - a hugely impactful incident throws you right into the action and, from there, you start to get to know the main characters and the aftermath of what happened.
This good start lasted until about half way in when, for me, it became a little implausible for me, with far too many coincidences and tenuous links. The writing quality didn't lessen, it just became a little hard to believe - even in the realms of fiction where you do have to suspend a bit of reality. I wanted to like this a lot more than I did in the end, but I did enjoy the author's characterisation and use of language so will give any other books a good go.
August 25, 2024
I should have learned never to read another domestic thriller.
I mean I already know this: I do not enjoy domestic thrillers for the most part, apart from a few. To me, domestic thrillers are boring. I will admit, some are very good but Tell me Your Secrets by Mel McGrath is incredibly boring and everything about this book does not scream thriller.
The overall premise of the book could have been interesting. But it was muddled by the day to day thoughts and interactions the main characters went through. It was 200 pages too long. Also, the only thing that truly interested me was the missing girl plotline but that was a side plot which was not expanded on at all.
Such a disappointing read.
I mean I already know this: I do not enjoy domestic thrillers for the most part, apart from a few. To me, domestic thrillers are boring. I will admit, some are very good but Tell me Your Secrets by Mel McGrath is incredibly boring and everything about this book does not scream thriller.
The overall premise of the book could have been interesting. But it was muddled by the day to day thoughts and interactions the main characters went through. It was 200 pages too long. Also, the only thing that truly interested me was the missing girl plotline but that was a side plot which was not expanded on at all.
Such a disappointing read.
September 5, 2023
Meg and Marc are still together following the tragic death of their daughter Lily in a hit and run accident - their relationship is stretched and Meg in particular is fragile. They are both seeing a therapist, Jeanette who seems to understand exactly what they are going through
Marc’s father has recently died and left him a cottage in the country to which Meg and Marc retreat. Here Meg becomes fixated by solving the puzzle of a young girls’ disappearance years before which alienates some of the locals.
Jeanette offers to come and stay to offer support but nothing is really as it seems.
An absorbing plot if a little slow at times
Marc’s father has recently died and left him a cottage in the country to which Meg and Marc retreat. Here Meg becomes fixated by solving the puzzle of a young girls’ disappearance years before which alienates some of the locals.
Jeanette offers to come and stay to offer support but nothing is really as it seems.
An absorbing plot if a little slow at times
September 5, 2023
I was completely hooked on the book from the start, just to see how innocent and confident they could be. And, obviously, the answer to this question is very. However, to me, the little question in this story is not who is in that situation - which seems a bit too obvious, even if I am ready to be wrong - but more about why. It is also about observing the emotional damage and devastation that the loss of their child causes to the couple at the center of this story - Meg and Marc.Anyway, it was a bit long and although there were quite a few red herrings I figured out who the culprit was very early on. I like when you just discover the thrilling things near the end.
September 29, 2023
I like the premise of the book, but I felt that I'd read the story before but from a different author.
Yes I know that books sometimes entwine with each other but this should have had a better impact for the reader.
When Meg and her husband Marc loose their only child Lily in a hit and run, they decide to move away from their home to a small village near the Cotswolds.
But Meg has brought some of Lily's things with them for keepsakes.
When they meet their therapist Janette, they feel completely relaxed with her company, so much so when Janette mentioned that she needed a place to stay they immediately offer her the studio above there home.
But things aren't all they seem with Janette. Is she all she is making out to be and what deadly secrets does she hide?
Yes I know that books sometimes entwine with each other but this should have had a better impact for the reader.
When Meg and her husband Marc loose their only child Lily in a hit and run, they decide to move away from their home to a small village near the Cotswolds.
But Meg has brought some of Lily's things with them for keepsakes.
When they meet their therapist Janette, they feel completely relaxed with her company, so much so when Janette mentioned that she needed a place to stay they immediately offer her the studio above there home.
But things aren't all they seem with Janette. Is she all she is making out to be and what deadly secrets does she hide?
September 28, 2023
This was a highly unusual thriller featuring a grieving couple who are trying to move on and their former therapist who coincidentally or otherwise moves near then. This was a well thought out storyline but I struggled to engage with it, I think I would have benefitted from understanding them more before the fatal accident where they lost their daughter and in the aftermath. The side story of the missing girl from thirty years ago helped contribute to Meg seeming mentally unbalanced but I think it distracted from the main story. This didn’t have many surprises in it but there was an undercurrent of tension that built up well throughout and a highly complex character in Jeanette.
September 4, 2023
I really enjoyed this book ,full of secrets and surprises .Meg and Marc lose their child in a terrible hit and run and both blame themselves for what happened .They decide to move away from London to a cottage that Marc's Rock Star Father has left him in his will .they hoped they would have a peaceful quiet life but how wrong they were .Lots of twists and turns great characters a little creepy and I did guess who was not what they seemed but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of this great read .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC
September 12, 2023
When Meg and Marc lost their daughter their world fell apart. Meg stopped functioning but gradually with the help of a therapist managed to start coping again.
So when the chance to move away to a small town came up they took it. Then Meg saw Janette in the small town, and Meg felt better that she had a friend.
But things were not as they seem - who could Meg and Marc trust anymore? Was Janette a friend or a therapist?
Good read, although a little bit predictable.
Thanks to @netgalley for the advance copy.
So when the chance to move away to a small town came up they took it. Then Meg saw Janette in the small town, and Meg felt better that she had a friend.
But things were not as they seem - who could Meg and Marc trust anymore? Was Janette a friend or a therapist?
Good read, although a little bit predictable.
Thanks to @netgalley for the advance copy.
September 25, 2023
A great premise for a story- the therapist who becomes too involved and the family suffering from a heartbreaking tragedy, with a famous father, a girl missing for decades and a creepy village guy thrown into the mix. Unfortunately for me the 2 main characters were too similar in their outlook and far too easily fooled to the point of becoming very frustrating. I think the book would have read better if one of the pair could see the truth but perhaps couldn't change it. There were also one too many threads running through the story for it to flow nicely.
September 30, 2023
I've read Mel McGrath's books before and was looking forward to this one. Trying to cope with the sudden death of their six year old daughter in a hit and run accident, Meg and Marc need a new start. When Marc's father dies leaving Marc his cottage, it seems a perfect opportunity for a fresh start. At first all is well but a cold case of another child's death comes intwined with the present. The book deals with how indivivual grief is and how keeping secrets affects the characters.
I guessed the 'bad guy' very soon into the story but the twists come in the way the two murders become inclined. Worth a read
I guessed the 'bad guy' very soon into the story but the twists come in the way the two murders become inclined. Worth a read
October 29, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. After the devastating loss of their daughter in a hit and run collision Meg and Marc turn to a grief counsellor, Janette for support. When they decide to move to a village where no one knows them for a fresh start, they are surprised and delighted to bump in to Janette who says she is looking for a retirement place. Soon she becomes a fixture in their lives, gradually taking over and making them question themselves. This is a real page turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat to the end.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
April 4, 2024
*audible sigh* it genuinely pains me giving one star reviews as I appreciate the amount of work that must go into writing a book...
That being said, there is nothing remotely redeemable about this book. Story written at the pace of a snail (check), lots of pointless, descriptive, boring writing (check), characters with no intrigue who are predictable and dull as dishwater (check)...
My little brain makes me finish books even when I know they aren't good. As the book went on, the pace picked up slightly and thought the end might salvage it somewhat to afford at least two stars but NOPE!
That being said, there is nothing remotely redeemable about this book. Story written at the pace of a snail (check), lots of pointless, descriptive, boring writing (check), characters with no intrigue who are predictable and dull as dishwater (check)...
My little brain makes me finish books even when I know they aren't good. As the book went on, the pace picked up slightly and thought the end might salvage it somewhat to afford at least two stars but NOPE!
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