“If there has been a better mystery-suspense story written in this decade, I can’t think of it . . . transcend[s] the genre.” —Stephen King“A cruel and cunning mystery . . . Plot-twisting, mind-altering and monstrously funny.” —The New York Times Book ReviewThe latest gripping psychological thriller from Edgar Award winner Alex MarwoodWhen a child goes missing at an opulent house party, it makes … missing at an opulent house party, it makes international news. But what really happened behind those closed doors?
Twelve years ago, Mila Jackson’s three-year-old half-sister Coco disappeared during their father’s fiftieth birthday celebration, leaving behind her identical twin Ruby as the only witness. The girls’ father, Sean, was wealthy and influential, as were the friends gathered at their seaside vacation home for the weekend’s debauchery. The case ignited a media frenzy and forever changed the lives of everyone involved.
Now, Sean Jackson is dead, and the people who were present that terrible night must gather once more for a funeral that will reveal that the secrets of the past can never stay hidden. Perfectly paced all the way through its devastating conclusion, The Darkest Secret is one that fans of Gillian Flynn and Liane Moriarty won’t be able to put down.
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The writing was terrific. I felt I knew and understood each of The characters. I’m happy, however, to have read it on my Kindle which allows me to retrieve information about each of the many characters…it was difficult in the beginning to keep track.
Too much irrelevant detail which seemed its only purpose was to fill pages rather than add to the story. Did not begin to engage the reader until the last quarter of the book. Not an attention grabber.
I had my suspicions about the identity of the perpetrator as the story unfolded, but there were many twists and turns that kept me interested until the end. Lots of juicy unlikeable characters and dysfunctional couple/family relationships. I liked the narrative provided by many varied viewpoints. It seems wrong to say that it was funny because the subject is definitely not funny, but some of the characters had a good sense of humor that was reflected in the dialogue. I definitely recommend it for a stay in your seat and finish it reading.
Only got to page 115. It was boring and confusing with poorly developed characters. Well worth passing up.
This book was so wonderfully twisted with surprises around every corner. It starts with estranged sisters who live fairly opposite lives and openly despise each other. When the husband of the first sister dies in a mugging, the wife’s life begins to unravel and she can only redeem herself via working with her sister and coming to terms with their shared past. This book is gory at moments and deals with heavy emotional issues like abuse and kidnapping. Definitely a recommendation if you enjoy gripping dramas.
The premise of this book seemed very interesting. It reminded me a bit of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
“Oh, what tangled webs we weave, when we practice to deceive.”
So many lies. SO. MANY. LIES. Told by everyone in this book. Literally, every character is a liar. Most of their lies are borne of self-preservation, but I, personally, don’t find that to be a good reason to be dishonest.
You literally don’t get the truth about what happened to little Coco until the last two pages of the entire book. I don’t really appreciate it when an author does that. Like, “BAM! You thought you were smart but I’M the AUTHOR… And I just changed everything!!!”
Give me a break
Fast paced. Kept my attention.
Pretty good. I enjoyed the suspense