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Secret Rage
Back by popular demand – an early, critically-acclaimed novel from the author of the Southern Vampire series -
Nickie Callahan is full of optimism when she moves to the sleepy town of Knolls, Tennessee. Her career as a New York City model may be over, but she plans to go back to college and become a writer. But the women of Knolls are not safe. There’s a violent incident at the college – and then another. And as Nickie gets swept up in a string of brutal crimes, she must take matters of justice into her own hands if she is to keep hold of her new, promising life . . .
This is a first time regular print hardcover previously available in a mass market edition.
Nickie Callahan is full of optimism when she moves to the sleepy town of Knolls, Tennessee. Her career as a New York City model may be over, but she plans to go back to college and become a writer. But the women of Knolls are not safe. There’s a violent incident at the college – and then another. And as Nickie gets swept up in a string of brutal crimes, she must take matters of justice into her own hands if she is to keep hold of her new, promising life . . .
This is a first time regular print hardcover previously available in a mass market edition.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1984
234 people are currently reading
2761 people want to read
About the author
Charlaine Harris
337 books36.8k followersCharlaine Harris has been a published writer for over forty years. Her first two books were standalones, followed by a long sabbatical when she was having children. Then she began the Aurora Teagarden book, mysteries featuring a short librarian (eventually adapted for Hallmark movies). The darker Lily Bard books came next, about a house cleaner with a dark past and considerable fighting skills.
Tired of abiding by the mystery rules, Harris wrote a novel about a telepathic barmaid that took at least two years to sell. When the book was published, it turned into a best seller, and DEAD UNTIL DARK and the subsequent Sookie books were adapted in Alan Ball's "True Blood" series. At the same time, Harris began the Harper Connelly books. Harper can find the bones of the dead and see their last minute.
When those two series wound to a close, the next three books were about a mysterious town in Texas, called Midnight.
A change in publisher and editor led to Harris's novels about a female gunslinger in an alternate America, Lizbeth Rose. The Gunnie Rose books concluded with the sixth novel.
She's thinking about what to write next.
Tired of abiding by the mystery rules, Harris wrote a novel about a telepathic barmaid that took at least two years to sell. When the book was published, it turned into a best seller, and DEAD UNTIL DARK and the subsequent Sookie books were adapted in Alan Ball's "True Blood" series. At the same time, Harris began the Harper Connelly books. Harper can find the bones of the dead and see their last minute.
When those two series wound to a close, the next three books were about a mysterious town in Texas, called Midnight.
A change in publisher and editor led to Harris's novels about a female gunslinger in an alternate America, Lizbeth Rose. The Gunnie Rose books concluded with the sixth novel.
She's thinking about what to write next.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 375 reviews
July 16, 2012
Charlaine Harris is the author of the hugely popular Sookie Stackhouse mysteries, the inspiration for HBO’s True Blood series. (Trust me, the books are better than the show!)
Before she was writing about psychics, werewolves, and vampires, though, she wrote “straight” mysteries, like the Aurora Teagarden series (called “cozies with teeth”) and the Lilly Bard series. But before even those…
Harris is a writer – and a rape survivor. How does a writer deal with major trauma? She writes about it. A Secret Rage was published more than twenty-five years ago. The stand-alone story describes Nickie, a model aged out of her career who has come back home to go to college and finally finish her education. A serial rapist has started to prey on the women associated with the college, and Nickie falls victim to him. Unable to stand not knowing who did this, Nickie joins forces with another survivor to track down their assailant. The rape itself is described, not in gruesome detail, but it is somewhat shocking and spares none of the violence, pain, damage, or terror that Nickie endured. The novel is fascinating, if painful, in its matter-of-fact discussion of the way Nickie tenaciously, determinedly, puts the pieces of her life back into place, refusing to be a victim, refusing to run from those who stare and gossip. This book was obviously written from the heart, and I applaud Ms. Harris’s example of a woman who will not allow a vicious crime to define her.
Before she was writing about psychics, werewolves, and vampires, though, she wrote “straight” mysteries, like the Aurora Teagarden series (called “cozies with teeth”) and the Lilly Bard series. But before even those…
Harris is a writer – and a rape survivor. How does a writer deal with major trauma? She writes about it. A Secret Rage was published more than twenty-five years ago. The stand-alone story describes Nickie, a model aged out of her career who has come back home to go to college and finally finish her education. A serial rapist has started to prey on the women associated with the college, and Nickie falls victim to him. Unable to stand not knowing who did this, Nickie joins forces with another survivor to track down their assailant. The rape itself is described, not in gruesome detail, but it is somewhat shocking and spares none of the violence, pain, damage, or terror that Nickie endured. The novel is fascinating, if painful, in its matter-of-fact discussion of the way Nickie tenaciously, determinedly, puts the pieces of her life back into place, refusing to be a victim, refusing to run from those who stare and gossip. This book was obviously written from the heart, and I applaud Ms. Harris’s example of a woman who will not allow a vicious crime to define her.
January 30, 2017
An okay read though very dated. The actions in the story were probably normal for when the book was published (1984) but wouldn't be acceptable now. The process that the two victims of the rapist used to reduce the suspect pool didn't make sense at all. The climax of the story; the identification of the bad guy was rushed and the method used to subdue him was almost comical.
January 28, 2018
5 stars. I love charlaine Harris my favorite female author. This novel was so good I loved all the characters and I didn’t figure out who did the crime until she revealed it.
August 12, 2016
You can certainly tell it was written in the 80's, but the story is appropriately horrifying... as it should be. You'll be mad as hell at many of the characters after reading it for several justifiable reasons, including but not limited to: Abundant Racism, sexism, and general ignorance. It'll definitely keep you guessing until the end.
Very difficult to read in some parts for hopefully obvious reasons. For potential reader's information: This entire book is one giant trigger warning.
It's a dated read at the beginning of the author's writing career, but for fans of Charlaine Harris, it's definitely a must-experience. One of her first mysteries and the beginning of the trend of very strong female characters who have been through hell and have come back tough as steel.
If you can't discern from the cover and the title itself - the main mystery is centered around a brutal Rapist who is assaulting the women of small town Tennessee. There are several very very intense scenes that were difficult to read for their sheer heinousness but whatever sick feeling you get in your stomach is meant to be there.
Racism and sexism are also rampant, though absolutely and appropriately cast in a filthy light by the author. We know where Harris stands in regards to human rights straight out the gate. This isn't a woman with whom you should share an off-colored racist joke. (Though I'd advise you just don't do that ever. With anyone. Ever. Ever. ) The human rights/equal rights themes are recognizable in all of her works following this.
I was so disturbed by the topic that I couldn't find it in me to appreciate the mystery, though I did very much appreciate the depiction of the many women who stepped up to take back control of their lives and finally bring the villain to justice themselves (with satisfyingly extreme prejudice).
I didn't enjoy this work as much as I enjoy Harris' later works but, as I mentioned before, any CH fan needs to experience this book. It feels much more raw than her later stories and is not in any way subtle.
Very difficult to read in some parts for hopefully obvious reasons. For potential reader's information: This entire book is one giant trigger warning.
It's a dated read at the beginning of the author's writing career, but for fans of Charlaine Harris, it's definitely a must-experience. One of her first mysteries and the beginning of the trend of very strong female characters who have been through hell and have come back tough as steel.
If you can't discern from the cover and the title itself - the main mystery is centered around a brutal Rapist who is assaulting the women of small town Tennessee. There are several very very intense scenes that were difficult to read for their sheer heinousness but whatever sick feeling you get in your stomach is meant to be there.
Racism and sexism are also rampant, though absolutely and appropriately cast in a filthy light by the author. We know where Harris stands in regards to human rights straight out the gate. This isn't a woman with whom you should share an off-colored racist joke. (Though I'd advise you just don't do that ever. With anyone. Ever. Ever. ) The human rights/equal rights themes are recognizable in all of her works following this.
I was so disturbed by the topic that I couldn't find it in me to appreciate the mystery, though I did very much appreciate the depiction of the many women who stepped up to take back control of their lives and finally bring the villain to justice themselves (with satisfyingly extreme prejudice).
I didn't enjoy this work as much as I enjoy Harris' later works but, as I mentioned before, any CH fan needs to experience this book. It feels much more raw than her later stories and is not in any way subtle.
August 4, 2011
Disclaimer: There is nothing of a supernatural tone in A Secret Rage
The Story
A suspenseful tale of rape and anger. Old, young, embarrassed, misunderstood angers. A series of brutal rapes are committed against a number of women from older teen to thirtyish. Students, professors, and administrators. All associated with the college established by Mimi Houghton's family.
Poor Nickie Callahan has peaked in her modeling career and after one phone call with Mimi, she has chosen to go back to college. Go back South. Go to Knolls, Tennessee and attend Houghton College and stay with Mimi in her grandmother's old house. Where she can fantasize even more about Cully Houghton. A just-divorced Cully.
The Characters
Nickie Callahan, a no-longer NYC model, has chosen to go back to school and get a degree as a writer. After missing the South for so long and its easy peaceful ways, Nicki is looking forward to the pace and safety of small town life.
Mimi Houghton is heavily involved with the college coordinating student and house activities. Twice-divorced, she's looking forward to some quality time with Nicki, a best friend she has known since Miss Beacham's Academy for Girls where they first met at 14.
Cully Houghton is Mimi's brother and the college counselor…and the object of Nicki's fantasies since she first met him. Nick has always thought that Cully never thought of her…ain't she surprised now!
Dr. Barbara Tucker is Nicki's faculty adviser at the College initially. After both rapes, Nicki and Barbara become friends. Theo Cochran is the college registrar. Alicia Merrit is an old friend of both Mimi and Nicki's and it takes a tragedy for Nicki to realize Alicia's true merits. Unlike Alicia's hubby!
My Take
Small town characters in an everyman town with their misconceptions and frustrations. Prejudices and understandings. Harris certainly brought a sense of drama with Barbara and Nicki's list of possibilities and I enjoyed how the ladies managed to whittle it down. Quite clever for two women who had never been called upon to rise up in this way.
I was a bit irritated that everything people did that Nicki didn't like automatically made them just awful people. It takes a lot of introspection and her own tragedy for Nicki to mellow out. [Why is it that so many people think that all comments and actions are negative and aimed at them?? It usually turns out that each of us interprets everything that occurs around them selfishly instead of thinking that maybe that person had a bad day or that we shouldn't be projecting our own insecurities onto others.-Kathy Davie]
Other than that, I did enjoy A Secret Rage. A nice trip down memory lane with growth along the way. And a fulfillment of a young, long-held fantasy.
The Cover
The cover is perfect! Main Street, U.S.A. with the unexpected tools of discovery above. The title is too, too accurate with the suspect indeed harboring A Secret Rage.
The Story
A suspenseful tale of rape and anger. Old, young, embarrassed, misunderstood angers. A series of brutal rapes are committed against a number of women from older teen to thirtyish. Students, professors, and administrators. All associated with the college established by Mimi Houghton's family.
Poor Nickie Callahan has peaked in her modeling career and after one phone call with Mimi, she has chosen to go back to college. Go back South. Go to Knolls, Tennessee and attend Houghton College and stay with Mimi in her grandmother's old house. Where she can fantasize even more about Cully Houghton. A just-divorced Cully.
The Characters
Nickie Callahan, a no-longer NYC model, has chosen to go back to school and get a degree as a writer. After missing the South for so long and its easy peaceful ways, Nicki is looking forward to the pace and safety of small town life.
Mimi Houghton is heavily involved with the college coordinating student and house activities. Twice-divorced, she's looking forward to some quality time with Nicki, a best friend she has known since Miss Beacham's Academy for Girls where they first met at 14.
Cully Houghton is Mimi's brother and the college counselor…and the object of Nicki's fantasies since she first met him. Nick has always thought that Cully never thought of her…ain't she surprised now!
Dr. Barbara Tucker is Nicki's faculty adviser at the College initially. After both rapes, Nicki and Barbara become friends. Theo Cochran is the college registrar. Alicia Merrit is an old friend of both Mimi and Nicki's and it takes a tragedy for Nicki to realize Alicia's true merits. Unlike Alicia's hubby!
My Take
Small town characters in an everyman town with their misconceptions and frustrations. Prejudices and understandings. Harris certainly brought a sense of drama with Barbara and Nicki's list of possibilities and I enjoyed how the ladies managed to whittle it down. Quite clever for two women who had never been called upon to rise up in this way.
I was a bit irritated that everything people did that Nicki didn't like automatically made them just awful people. It takes a lot of introspection and her own tragedy for Nicki to mellow out. [Why is it that so many people think that all comments and actions are negative and aimed at them?? It usually turns out that each of us interprets everything that occurs around them selfishly instead of thinking that maybe that person had a bad day or that we shouldn't be projecting our own insecurities onto others.-Kathy Davie]
Other than that, I did enjoy A Secret Rage. A nice trip down memory lane with growth along the way. And a fulfillment of a young, long-held fantasy.
The Cover
The cover is perfect! Main Street, U.S.A. with the unexpected tools of discovery above. The title is too, too accurate with the suspect indeed harboring A Secret Rage.
June 15, 2019
This was one of her first novels and unlike Harris' later work. There is nothing paranormal going on and it's a stand-alone.
I had no idea going in that it was about rape. I purchased the e-book simply because it popped as one of the few I have not read by her. I didn't read the synopsis and didn't look at the cover before beginning. I'm not complaining, but as I read, it occurred to me just how often Harris writes about rape. In almost every book or series there is at least some instance of rape. Not like Joyce Carol Oates, where every book and every scene is about rape even when there is no rape happening, but in a very realistic and knowledgeable way. This led me to the computer.
Turns out Harris was raped right after finishing college and this book was catharsis. I hadn't known and the more I thought about it, the more irritated with myself I became that I had never bothered to look into it. She writes about it from a very real perspective and now I know why. Nothing she puts to paper about it seems overly dramatic or made up. I like that writing helps her deal with it. As I read, I saw that women have thanked her over and over through the years for writing and understanding. She has helped them as she helped herself.
Even the final paragraph of this book, which you will need to read to understand, was so perfectly spot on. A woman has been raped, she has fought back and she and her friends are discussing whether or not her beau will be able to get past it. He has yet to kiss her, after all. And the women share a moment that made the entire book worth reading.
I love Charlaine Harris.
I had no idea going in that it was about rape. I purchased the e-book simply because it popped as one of the few I have not read by her. I didn't read the synopsis and didn't look at the cover before beginning. I'm not complaining, but as I read, it occurred to me just how often Harris writes about rape. In almost every book or series there is at least some instance of rape. Not like Joyce Carol Oates, where every book and every scene is about rape even when there is no rape happening, but in a very realistic and knowledgeable way. This led me to the computer.
Turns out Harris was raped right after finishing college and this book was catharsis. I hadn't known and the more I thought about it, the more irritated with myself I became that I had never bothered to look into it. She writes about it from a very real perspective and now I know why. Nothing she puts to paper about it seems overly dramatic or made up. I like that writing helps her deal with it. As I read, I saw that women have thanked her over and over through the years for writing and understanding. She has helped them as she helped herself.
Even the final paragraph of this book, which you will need to read to understand, was so perfectly spot on. A woman has been raped, she has fought back and she and her friends are discussing whether or not her beau will be able to get past it. He has yet to kiss her, after all. And the women share a moment that made the entire book worth reading.
I love Charlaine Harris.
March 18, 2011
I really enjoyed this book, one of Charlaine Harris' earlier works (originally published in 1984 - pre-Sookie, I believe). It was a quick read (or "listen", in my case) - it felt almost like a short story, though there was decent character development for a full-length book.
I liked how Harris had the characters work together to narrow down the list of subjects; it helped heighten the sense of suspense. And in the end I was surprised at the identity of the attacker, so Harris did a good job maintaining the suspense throughout.
I also appreciated Harris' handling of the subject matter, and telling the story from the victims' point of view. This made for a few rough (unsettling/disturbing) scenes, so readers, be forewarned. The writing is at times intense, emotional, and violent. Even in those scenes, however, I could appreciate Harris' skill, and literary turns-of-phrase.
I liked how Harris had the characters work together to narrow down the list of subjects; it helped heighten the sense of suspense. And in the end I was surprised at the identity of the attacker, so Harris did a good job maintaining the suspense throughout.
I also appreciated Harris' handling of the subject matter, and telling the story from the victims' point of view. This made for a few rough (unsettling/disturbing) scenes, so readers, be forewarned. The writing is at times intense, emotional, and violent. Even in those scenes, however, I could appreciate Harris' skill, and literary turns-of-phrase.
June 19, 2021
I read this 10 years ago. I still love it!
March 10, 2013
This had .the makings of a better book. While I found the basic plot okay, I felt like the story was barely fleshed out: too long for a short story, not long enough for a novel. Ms Harris keeps things moving along so this is a light read: I felt like I'd had a light snack and realized I craved a heartier meal.
March 18, 2020
RATING: 3 STARS
A Secret Rage is Harris's second (standalone) mystery novel. This novel is so much better than her first novel. Nickie Callahan has just been dropped by her agent (for modelling), and cannot get her novels published. Deciding on what to do next, her childhood best friend, Mimi calls to tell her she is getting a divorce for the second time. She is also moving into her late grandmother's home, and asks Nickie to come move in. The home is close to the college in small southern town, so Nickie decides to leave New York to get her college degree. While on campus she hears about a student being raped on campus in the sleepy safe town. Days later, someone from the faculty is attacked and raped. It looks like there is a serial rapist in town, and it has to be someone they know.
The characters were a bit wooden and seemed one dimensional, and some seemed stereotyped. This does make it easier to figure out who the rapist is. The story was stronger and more interesting.
The following is how I felt about race as I read Harris's books:
This novel is written in 1984 so there are some things that are dated, but work with the story and are entertaining. However, I did feel a bit uncomfortable with the way Harris describes characters of African American heritage. I do get that she is trying to look at racism, but it doesn't really seem to deplore racism. It rather tries to justify the notion of old white southern people just act like that. When I read it in Sweet and Deadly (which actually has more of this) I kept cringing, but did not mention/address it in my review. I was almost buying into the it's just the "racist old white" person thing of the time, but after reading this one, I needed to say something. Maybe, being a person of colour myself, I am being too sensitive. And, maybe not being black, I am not not being sensitive enough. Thinking back to the Aurora Teagarden series (set in 1990s), I could see a bit of this but not to the same extent. I am going to try the first book in the Lily Bard series, and decide whether I move forward. Or maybe try one of her newer series.
A Secret Rage is Harris's second (standalone) mystery novel. This novel is so much better than her first novel. Nickie Callahan has just been dropped by her agent (for modelling), and cannot get her novels published. Deciding on what to do next, her childhood best friend, Mimi calls to tell her she is getting a divorce for the second time. She is also moving into her late grandmother's home, and asks Nickie to come move in. The home is close to the college in small southern town, so Nickie decides to leave New York to get her college degree. While on campus she hears about a student being raped on campus in the sleepy safe town. Days later, someone from the faculty is attacked and raped. It looks like there is a serial rapist in town, and it has to be someone they know.
The characters were a bit wooden and seemed one dimensional, and some seemed stereotyped. This does make it easier to figure out who the rapist is. The story was stronger and more interesting.
The following is how I felt about race as I read Harris's books:
This novel is written in 1984 so there are some things that are dated, but work with the story and are entertaining. However, I did feel a bit uncomfortable with the way Harris describes characters of African American heritage. I do get that she is trying to look at racism, but it doesn't really seem to deplore racism. It rather tries to justify the notion of old white southern people just act like that. When I read it in Sweet and Deadly (which actually has more of this) I kept cringing, but did not mention/address it in my review. I was almost buying into the it's just the "racist old white" person thing of the time, but after reading this one, I needed to say something. Maybe, being a person of colour myself, I am being too sensitive. And, maybe not being black, I am not not being sensitive enough. Thinking back to the Aurora Teagarden series (set in 1990s), I could see a bit of this but not to the same extent. I am going to try the first book in the Lily Bard series, and decide whether I move forward. Or maybe try one of her newer series.
January 16, 2020
I hope there will be a sequel and I will get to read about Nickie and Cully getting married. Also Mimi and Charles. It was over much too quick.
May 11, 2011
Okay well first off had I been smart and read the reviews I would've known that this book involves rape and I HATE READING ABOUT RAPE. But, I refuse to hold that against the author. I thought this book was handled well considering the difficult nature. The rape does occur in the book and you get to read about it as it is happening to the victim. I thought everything was done well except one part the part where the H screws the Hero after a couple of weeks to feel alive. Ok I could almost buy that but then it happens again and its love b/c she's loved him since the first time she saw him and well hey why not. The rape never plays a role in this until one time he puts his hand over her mouth and then she freaks. Other than that she is aroused A Lot by him. I just don't get it. I would think something that traumatic would maybe prevent you from wanting to but hey thank God I have never been in that situation so I don't know. Needless to say not my favorite book. The parts I did like was the victims getting together to figure out who did this to them that was a nice therapy for them...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2009
I was warned about this book. It's really nothing like Harris' current writing style, but I also have to remember this was one of her firsts written in 84. So it's your typical run of the mill mystery, not to my favor. I will have to say that for the time she touched on a very taboo topic, she also let us in on how rape-- violent rape to boot-- affetcts not only the person but everyone incvolved. That insight was ahead of the times. If you're a Harris fan and can borrow the book, it's worth the read, but if not, don't bother.
May 11, 2022
I wouldn’t really recommend this book. Characters aren’t particularly well developed and there are scenes of rape which might really affect some readers. The ending had an unfortunate and unintentional element of farce that really didn’t work with the seriousness of the subject matter. Overall 👎🏻
November 19, 2024
2.5 ⭐️
April 14, 2020
brief synopsis:
New York model Nickie comes home to Tennessee expecting an easy life but finds one person there is actually feeding his rage and victimizing women.
setting:
New York
Knolls, Tennessee
named personalities:
Nichola Lynn 'Nickie', 'Nick' Callahan aka Miss Martyr - a twenty-seven-year-old washed-up model and a frustrated writer
Jesus - Callahan's doorman
Nellie Jean - a name Nickie used when talking to herself in the mirror
Jane Austen - an English novelist
Elinor Dashwood - a fictional character in Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility
Miriam Celeste 'Mimi' Houghton - Nickie's deft and quick, small-boned and dark, black-haired best friend
Richard - Mimi's ex-husband
Celeste - Mimi's grandmother who died recently
Cully Houghton - Mimi's psychologist brother; a Houghton student counselor
Miss Beacham - the eponymous ? of Miss Beacham's Academy for Girls
Elaine Houghton - Mimi's attractive mother
Don Houghton - Mimi's kind father who owns a big insurance business; a silent partner in many Knolls businesses
Jay Chalmers - Nickie's mother's new husband
Elvis Presley - an American singer and actor
Maureen and Bob Pitts - proprietors of Maubob Motel
Heidi Edmonds - a freshman student who was raped on the Houghton campus
Attila the Hero - a schizophrenic orange tabby who was found by Mimi when he was a starving kitten
Mao - Mimi's siamese; the smaller of the two cats
Jeff Simmons - the wheat-blond, cowardly and charming college president
Rachel - Cully's ex-wife from New York
Barbara Tucker - Nickie's Houghton faculty adviser
Theo Cochran - Houghton's registrar
Don Quixote - a fictional character who read so many chivalric romances that he lost his mind and decided to become a knight-errant to revive chivalry and serve his nation
Stanley 'Stan' Haskell - Barbara's shy lover
Chaucer - Geoffrey Chaucer, an English poet and author
Alicia Merritt - Nickie and Mimi's heavily accented and efficient neighbor with legendary energy
Ray Merritt - Alicia's light-complexioned, sandy, and solid salesman husband
Mrs Harbison - Nickie and Mimi's next-door neighbor; a white-haired, church-minded widow
Charles Seward - a young, tall, brown-haired, light-blue-eyed lawyer who owns a pickup; a Knolls local who's afraid of blood
Acidstar - a name for a rock star's proposed baby via Mimi
Mario Andretti - an Italian-born American racing driver
Mrs Percy - Mrs Harbison's acquaintance
Nell - Theo's little girl afflicted with leukemia
Sarah Chase Beacham Cochran - Theo's wife; Miss Beacham's niece
Gerald - Mimi's first husband
Marsha - Elaine's friend
Jesus - Jesus Christ, a first-century Jewish preacher and religious leader
Cole - Mimi's doctor
John Tendall - a gray-haired detective who knew both Barbara and Nickie
Markowitz - a heavy, brown-eyed, brown-haired detective
Emma - Emma Woodhouse, a fictional character by Jane Austen
Susannah - a tiny girl
Cotton Meers - a criminal who is out on work release
Dan Kirby - a vet from Hill Run (originally from Arkansas) taking Victorian Prose class
Paul Scotti - a vet studying at Houghton
Mr McCluskey - Nickie's postman
Jeffrey Tabor - a cashier
Randy Marquette - an English professor
JR Smith - ditto; a jovial individual
Jerry Lee Lewis - an American musician with sculpted waves hairstyle
Ralph Merritt - Ray's mother
the Carters - Nickie and Mimi's neighbors
Celia Anley - Alicia's mother
Cindy - Houghton's admissions office employee; married Randy
Macbeth - a fictional general in the army of King Duncan who became king of Scotland
Shakespeare - William Shakespeare,an English poet, playwright, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist
Elsie Smith - a fictional blood bank employee Nickie came up with
Johnny Carson - the host of The Tonight Show who is responsible for the decline of southern accents
Martha - Sarah's aunt
Orrin Sherwood - Don's employee who got into an accident
Miss Pearlie - Elaine's acquaintance, possibly gossip-buddy
Sugar Plum Fairy - a character in the Russian ballet The Nutcraker
Wonder Woman - a fictional superhero
Robin Hood - a legendary heroic outlaw
Maid Marian - the love interest of Robin Hood
Clarabelle - a fairy
Sally - Charles' ex-girlfriend who lives three blocks away from Nickie and Mimi
Hitler - Adolph Hitler, a German politician and leader of the Nazi Party
Tarzan - a fictional archetypal feral child
Miss High School Sweetheart - a lean dark woman who was Cully's high school sweetheart
Mike - a name Sally used to refer to Nickie
Mr Rainham - possibly a firewood supplier
I can see how the Southern Vampire series came to be.
He raged at the world, at his family, at his life. But mostly he just raged.
--Raging Goblin flavor text
New York model Nickie comes home to Tennessee expecting an easy life but finds one person there is actually feeding his rage and victimizing women.
setting:
New York
Knolls, Tennessee
named personalities:
Nichola Lynn 'Nickie', 'Nick' Callahan aka Miss Martyr - a twenty-seven-year-old washed-up model and a frustrated writer
Jesus - Callahan's doorman
Nellie Jean - a name Nickie used when talking to herself in the mirror
Jane Austen - an English novelist
Elinor Dashwood - a fictional character in Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility
Miriam Celeste 'Mimi' Houghton - Nickie's deft and quick, small-boned and dark, black-haired best friend
Richard - Mimi's ex-husband
Celeste - Mimi's grandmother who died recently
Cully Houghton - Mimi's psychologist brother; a Houghton student counselor
Miss Beacham - the eponymous ? of Miss Beacham's Academy for Girls
Elaine Houghton - Mimi's attractive mother
Don Houghton - Mimi's kind father who owns a big insurance business; a silent partner in many Knolls businesses
Jay Chalmers - Nickie's mother's new husband
Elvis Presley - an American singer and actor
Maureen and Bob Pitts - proprietors of Maubob Motel
Heidi Edmonds - a freshman student who was raped on the Houghton campus
Attila the Hero - a schizophrenic orange tabby who was found by Mimi when he was a starving kitten
Mao - Mimi's siamese; the smaller of the two cats
Jeff Simmons - the wheat-blond, cowardly and charming college president
Rachel - Cully's ex-wife from New York
Barbara Tucker - Nickie's Houghton faculty adviser
Theo Cochran - Houghton's registrar
Don Quixote - a fictional character who read so many chivalric romances that he lost his mind and decided to become a knight-errant to revive chivalry and serve his nation
Stanley 'Stan' Haskell - Barbara's shy lover
Chaucer - Geoffrey Chaucer, an English poet and author
Alicia Merritt - Nickie and Mimi's heavily accented and efficient neighbor with legendary energy
Ray Merritt - Alicia's light-complexioned, sandy, and solid salesman husband
Mrs Harbison - Nickie and Mimi's next-door neighbor; a white-haired, church-minded widow
Charles Seward - a young, tall, brown-haired, light-blue-eyed lawyer who owns a pickup; a Knolls local who's afraid of blood
Acidstar - a name for a rock star's proposed baby via Mimi
Mario Andretti - an Italian-born American racing driver
Mrs Percy - Mrs Harbison's acquaintance
Nell - Theo's little girl afflicted with leukemia
Sarah Chase Beacham Cochran - Theo's wife; Miss Beacham's niece
Gerald - Mimi's first husband
Marsha - Elaine's friend
Jesus - Jesus Christ, a first-century Jewish preacher and religious leader
Cole - Mimi's doctor
John Tendall - a gray-haired detective who knew both Barbara and Nickie
Markowitz - a heavy, brown-eyed, brown-haired detective
Emma - Emma Woodhouse, a fictional character by Jane Austen
Susannah - a tiny girl
Cotton Meers - a criminal who is out on work release
Dan Kirby - a vet from Hill Run (originally from Arkansas) taking Victorian Prose class
Paul Scotti - a vet studying at Houghton
Mr McCluskey - Nickie's postman
Jeffrey Tabor - a cashier
Randy Marquette - an English professor
JR Smith - ditto; a jovial individual
Jerry Lee Lewis - an American musician with sculpted waves hairstyle
Ralph Merritt - Ray's mother
the Carters - Nickie and Mimi's neighbors
Celia Anley - Alicia's mother
Cindy - Houghton's admissions office employee; married Randy
Macbeth - a fictional general in the army of King Duncan who became king of Scotland
Shakespeare - William Shakespeare,an English poet, playwright, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist
Elsie Smith - a fictional blood bank employee Nickie came up with
Johnny Carson - the host of The Tonight Show who is responsible for the decline of southern accents
Martha - Sarah's aunt
Orrin Sherwood - Don's employee who got into an accident
Miss Pearlie - Elaine's acquaintance, possibly gossip-buddy
Sugar Plum Fairy - a character in the Russian ballet The Nutcraker
Wonder Woman - a fictional superhero
Robin Hood - a legendary heroic outlaw
Maid Marian - the love interest of Robin Hood
Clarabelle - a fairy
Sally - Charles' ex-girlfriend who lives three blocks away from Nickie and Mimi
Hitler - Adolph Hitler, a German politician and leader of the Nazi Party
Tarzan - a fictional archetypal feral child
Miss High School Sweetheart - a lean dark woman who was Cully's high school sweetheart
Mike - a name Sally used to refer to Nickie
Mr Rainham - possibly a firewood supplier
I can see how the Southern Vampire series came to be.
He raged at the world, at his family, at his life. But mostly he just raged.
--Raging Goblin flavor text
July 27, 2023
Espero traer la reseña el fin de semana
Quizás haya leído libros que he calificado de 5⭐ escritos mejor que este no lo sé. Me ha gustado la forma en la que esta escrito. Descarnada. Crítica. Me ha dejado huella. Creo que sus protagonistas se quedarán conmigo
Charlaine Harris me tiene acostumbrada a los libros de Sookie o True Blood, estos libros tienen su crítica, ironía, y tienen como protagonistas a personajes sobrenaturales. Pero antes de esos libros o los de Harper Conelly, o Aurora Teagarden, está este libro "La rabia oculta", escrito en 1984. No me ha parecido "outdated" aunque es cierto que tiene partes que reflejan el sur de los Estados Unidos en aquellos años, aunque no se si los diálogos cambiarían tanto si fueran escritos hoy en día.
En la sinopsis se nos dice “Charlaine Harris lanza un impactante thriller sobre los castigos que padece la mujer sureña… y su venganza”.
El libro tiene como protagonista a Nickie Callahan. Ella ha trabajado como modelo en NY y decide volver a su pueblo Knolls, Tennesse, donde compartirá casa con su amiga del colegio, Mimi, y retomará sus estudios universitarios con la intención de dedicarse a la escritura. Mimi tiene relación con la universidad porque fue fundada por su abuelo, creo recordar, o bisabuelo, y lleva su apellido. Viven en una zona residencial y es un pueblo pequeño donde todos se conocen.
Nickie y Mimi están poniéndose al día de sus cosas cuando Mimi le cuenta a su amiga, sorprendida y con miedo, que una joven estudiante fue violada en el campus de noche cuando salía de la biblioteca (parece que las violaciones siempre deben suceder de noche). Entonces, ¿¡Quién pudo haber hecho algo así!? ¿Alguien conocido? Impensable.
Entonces, vuelve a suceder, y la víctima es una mujer trabajadora de la universidad. Una mujer cercana a Mimi y a Nickie. No se detendrá ahí. Habrá más víctimas, .
Primero decir que hasta donde yo recuerdo, de todas las violaciones que he visto o leído en el cine, series de televisión, libros de thriller, este es el primer libro que leo que está escrito por una mujer, y se nota la diferencia. Es un libro que puede ser desgarrador aunque no se recrea en los ataques. Si que en el caso de la violación de la vivimos a través de sus ojos, que esta sintiendo, que esta pasando, no es un libro fácil, tiene algunas escenas que te dejan descompuesta, la verdad.
Lo hemos leído en Lectura Conjunta y algunas de las chicas no estaban convencidas de leer un libro que tratase este tema, pero me parece que su lectura es necesaria.
El libro incide y resalta el tema de las víctimas de violación, o como la autora dice supervivientes de violación. Las reacciones de los allegados, los conocidos de siempre, vecinos, ¿Qué hizo para que le pasara aquello? ¿Estaba sola de noche, quizás fue demasiado atrevida al no cerrar la puerta con llave, provocó o dijo algo que incitase a alguien? ¿Os suena? Cuántas veces las víctimas son juzgadas, casi acusadas, como si las culpables fuesen ellas. Pero, los únicos culpables son los violadores.
La primera mujer que es atacada se ha ido del pueblo, pero la segunda víctima la conocemos, ya se nos ha presentado este personaje. Sabemos que trabaja en la universidad, mantiene una relación amorosa, cómo es su carácter, etc. Ella decide llamar a la policía, esto es, decide denunciar la agresión (también se descubre que el número de víctimas es mayor pero que no todas acudieron a la policía, la autora también resalta este tema, el no acudir a la policía o denunciarlo tampoco es motivo de acusar a la víctima, no sabemos por qué ha decidido no denunciar, en qué situación se encuentra por ejemplo, con quién vive). Al principio la gente casi la rehuye,
Pero no será lo último que me sorprenda. A través de los ojos de Nickie experimentamos su horrible ataque, sus reacciones, la actuación de la policía. Me alegró mucho cuanto se vuelcan tanto Mimi como Cully, el hermano de Mimi. Este se mudará a la casa para que así Nickie nunca esté sola y las dos mujeres se sientan más tranquilas. No así la madre de estos dos que (casi) acusa a Nickie de haber sido violada y de haber atraído al violador a la casa de Mimi. Cómo si el haber trabajo de modelo en Nueva York lo justificara de alguna forma. Eso me dejó de una piedra.
Luego está el tema de que el violador nunca puede ser un hombre normal o alguien conocido, parece que debe ser un enfermo mental o en palabras de algunas vecinas un negro de los suburbios. Pero, todas las mujeres que han sido atacadas coinciden en algo, ese hombre, que no es ningún animal o monstruo, es blanco y es de la zona, porque las conocía por nombre y conocía también aspectos de sus vidas.
Ahí es cuando tratando de rehacer sus vidas, de seguir adelante, se dan cuenta de que no pueden, sus vidas jamás volverán a ser las mismas. Llega a ser asfixiante en las primeras páginas después de lo sucedido cuando Nickie revive las imágenes y es asaltada en sueños por lo sucedido. Las chicas están de verás asustadas pensando quién ha podido ser, quien de su vecindario. Ahí es cuando deciden urdir un plan y al menos reducir la lista de sospechosos de alguna forma.
Es un libro que me ha marcado la verdad, al leerlo además conjuntamente hemos podido ir comentando lo que ha ido pasando durante el libro, no puedo esperar al domingo para el comentario final. Se que volveré a leerlo, y lo presté de la biblioteca pero espero sumarlo pronto a mi colección de Charlaine Harris. Pude ver y escuchar a la autora en el Celsius hablando de sus otros libros fuera de la saga de True Blood, y me volví con ganas de leer todo lo que ha escrito la verdad. También mencionó este libro, así como la saga de libros de Lily Bard (que espero adquirir pronto) y como siendo escritora el crear a protagonistas como Nickie o Lily, ambas supervivientes de violación la ayudó a superar lo que la había pasado, y al mismo tiempo como es habitual en la autora ofrecernos una crítica de como la sociedad trata a las mujeres que son violadas.
Lo único que no me ha gustado del libro aunque entiendo que el contexto del libro es el que es, hay un tema de una infidelidad que no entiendo como alguien del libro puede pasar por alto o querer perdonarlo.
Para terminar os copio un fragmento del libro, no es fundamental en la trama simplemente quiero compartiros mi reflexión cuando lo leí:
"Cully había ido a la universidad a ponerse al día con su papeleo. La mayoría de los estudiantes habían vuelto a casa el día anterior. Su secretaria estaba en casa. Anhelaba la paz y la tranquilidad, me había dicho cuando le pregunté si no le daba reparo estar a solas en todo el edificio de Psicología. Me miró con aire extrañado. Claro que los hombres no tenían por qué tener miedo. No era necesario"
Ese inocente párrafo me hizo detenerme y pensar por un momento, ¿Cómo debe ser? ¿Cómo debe sentirse un hombre? El volver a casa solo, de noche, y no tener miedo. Imagino que no lo piensan porque lo dan por hecho. Para ellos no debe ser un privilegio o raro volver a cualquier hora o andar en la calle de noche y no tener que andar mirando de un lado a otro, escudriñando los rostros de las personas con los que se cruza, alerta a los ruidos, quizás llevando las llaves en la mano o el móvil. Ellos no son educados/aleccionados desde pequeños que en la noche pasan cosas “malas”, que hay que tener cuidado, que es mejor no andar sola.
Quizás haya leído libros que he calificado de 5⭐ escritos mejor que este no lo sé. Me ha gustado la forma en la que esta escrito. Descarnada. Crítica. Me ha dejado huella. Creo que sus protagonistas se quedarán conmigo
Charlaine Harris me tiene acostumbrada a los libros de Sookie o True Blood, estos libros tienen su crítica, ironía, y tienen como protagonistas a personajes sobrenaturales. Pero antes de esos libros o los de Harper Conelly, o Aurora Teagarden, está este libro "La rabia oculta", escrito en 1984. No me ha parecido "outdated" aunque es cierto que tiene partes que reflejan el sur de los Estados Unidos en aquellos años, aunque no se si los diálogos cambiarían tanto si fueran escritos hoy en día.
En la sinopsis se nos dice “Charlaine Harris lanza un impactante thriller sobre los castigos que padece la mujer sureña… y su venganza”.
El libro tiene como protagonista a Nickie Callahan. Ella ha trabajado como modelo en NY y decide volver a su pueblo Knolls, Tennesse, donde compartirá casa con su amiga del colegio, Mimi, y retomará sus estudios universitarios con la intención de dedicarse a la escritura. Mimi tiene relación con la universidad porque fue fundada por su abuelo, creo recordar, o bisabuelo, y lleva su apellido. Viven en una zona residencial y es un pueblo pequeño donde todos se conocen.
Nickie y Mimi están poniéndose al día de sus cosas cuando Mimi le cuenta a su amiga, sorprendida y con miedo, que una joven estudiante fue violada en el campus de noche cuando salía de la biblioteca (parece que las violaciones siempre deben suceder de noche). Entonces, ¿¡Quién pudo haber hecho algo así!? ¿Alguien conocido? Impensable.
Entonces, vuelve a suceder, y la víctima es una mujer trabajadora de la universidad. Una mujer cercana a Mimi y a Nickie. No se detendrá ahí. Habrá más víctimas, .
Primero decir que hasta donde yo recuerdo, de todas las violaciones que he visto o leído en el cine, series de televisión, libros de thriller, este es el primer libro que leo que está escrito por una mujer, y se nota la diferencia. Es un libro que puede ser desgarrador aunque no se recrea en los ataques. Si que en el caso de la violación de la vivimos a través de sus ojos, que esta sintiendo, que esta pasando, no es un libro fácil, tiene algunas escenas que te dejan descompuesta, la verdad.
Lo hemos leído en Lectura Conjunta y algunas de las chicas no estaban convencidas de leer un libro que tratase este tema, pero me parece que su lectura es necesaria.
El libro incide y resalta el tema de las víctimas de violación, o como la autora dice supervivientes de violación. Las reacciones de los allegados, los conocidos de siempre, vecinos, ¿Qué hizo para que le pasara aquello? ¿Estaba sola de noche, quizás fue demasiado atrevida al no cerrar la puerta con llave, provocó o dijo algo que incitase a alguien? ¿Os suena? Cuántas veces las víctimas son juzgadas, casi acusadas, como si las culpables fuesen ellas. Pero, los únicos culpables son los violadores.
La primera mujer que es atacada se ha ido del pueblo, pero la segunda víctima la conocemos, ya se nos ha presentado este personaje. Sabemos que trabaja en la universidad, mantiene una relación amorosa, cómo es su carácter, etc. Ella decide llamar a la policía, esto es, decide denunciar la agresión (también se descubre que el número de víctimas es mayor pero que no todas acudieron a la policía, la autora también resalta este tema, el no acudir a la policía o denunciarlo tampoco es motivo de acusar a la víctima, no sabemos por qué ha decidido no denunciar, en qué situación se encuentra por ejemplo, con quién vive). Al principio la gente casi la rehuye,
Pero no será lo último que me sorprenda. A través de los ojos de Nickie experimentamos su horrible ataque, sus reacciones, la actuación de la policía. Me alegró mucho cuanto se vuelcan tanto Mimi como Cully, el hermano de Mimi. Este se mudará a la casa para que así Nickie nunca esté sola y las dos mujeres se sientan más tranquilas. No así la madre de estos dos que (casi) acusa a Nickie de haber sido violada y de haber atraído al violador a la casa de Mimi. Cómo si el haber trabajo de modelo en Nueva York lo justificara de alguna forma. Eso me dejó de una piedra.
Luego está el tema de que el violador nunca puede ser un hombre normal o alguien conocido, parece que debe ser un enfermo mental o en palabras de algunas vecinas un negro de los suburbios. Pero, todas las mujeres que han sido atacadas coinciden en algo, ese hombre, que no es ningún animal o monstruo, es blanco y es de la zona, porque las conocía por nombre y conocía también aspectos de sus vidas.
Ahí es cuando tratando de rehacer sus vidas, de seguir adelante, se dan cuenta de que no pueden, sus vidas jamás volverán a ser las mismas. Llega a ser asfixiante en las primeras páginas después de lo sucedido cuando Nickie revive las imágenes y es asaltada en sueños por lo sucedido. Las chicas están de verás asustadas pensando quién ha podido ser, quien de su vecindario. Ahí es cuando deciden urdir un plan y al menos reducir la lista de sospechosos de alguna forma.
Es un libro que me ha marcado la verdad, al leerlo además conjuntamente hemos podido ir comentando lo que ha ido pasando durante el libro, no puedo esperar al domingo para el comentario final. Se que volveré a leerlo, y lo presté de la biblioteca pero espero sumarlo pronto a mi colección de Charlaine Harris. Pude ver y escuchar a la autora en el Celsius hablando de sus otros libros fuera de la saga de True Blood, y me volví con ganas de leer todo lo que ha escrito la verdad. También mencionó este libro, así como la saga de libros de Lily Bard (que espero adquirir pronto) y como siendo escritora el crear a protagonistas como Nickie o Lily, ambas supervivientes de violación la ayudó a superar lo que la había pasado, y al mismo tiempo como es habitual en la autora ofrecernos una crítica de como la sociedad trata a las mujeres que son violadas.
Lo único que no me ha gustado del libro aunque entiendo que el contexto del libro es el que es, hay un tema de una infidelidad que no entiendo como alguien del libro puede pasar por alto o querer perdonarlo.
Para terminar os copio un fragmento del libro, no es fundamental en la trama simplemente quiero compartiros mi reflexión cuando lo leí:
"Cully había ido a la universidad a ponerse al día con su papeleo. La mayoría de los estudiantes habían vuelto a casa el día anterior. Su secretaria estaba en casa. Anhelaba la paz y la tranquilidad, me había dicho cuando le pregunté si no le daba reparo estar a solas en todo el edificio de Psicología. Me miró con aire extrañado. Claro que los hombres no tenían por qué tener miedo. No era necesario"
Ese inocente párrafo me hizo detenerme y pensar por un momento, ¿Cómo debe ser? ¿Cómo debe sentirse un hombre? El volver a casa solo, de noche, y no tener miedo. Imagino que no lo piensan porque lo dan por hecho. Para ellos no debe ser un privilegio o raro volver a cualquier hora o andar en la calle de noche y no tener que andar mirando de un lado a otro, escudriñando los rostros de las personas con los que se cruza, alerta a los ruidos, quizás llevando las llaves en la mano o el móvil. Ellos no son educados/aleccionados desde pequeños que en la noche pasan cosas “malas”, que hay que tener cuidado, que es mejor no andar sola.
March 7, 2019
Nickie Callahan is getting old for her modeling career in New York and her agent is letting her go. After talking with her best friend from her youth, Mimi, she decides to return home to Knolls, Tennessee and go back to college, possibly write a book. She thinks it will be a nice and cozy return to her old hometown that is until she finds out from Mimi that a student from the college was raped. Not only do friend's of hers and Mimi's get attacked, but Nickie is also assaulted. With help from another victim that is friend, they try to narrow it down and figure out who the bastard is, even if it's someone they knew.
The writing feels very dated and some of the aspects felt cliche such as Nickie having a potential love interest with her best friend's brother. It does deal with an important issue of rape culture. Mimi's own mother's mentality about Nickie being a victim is that she should run away from the gossip and that she asked for it. It is disturbing and disgusting the way the people in this town respond. There is also quite a bit of racism. Charlaine Harris introduces the charm of small southern towns, but shows the darker of the south with this tense mystery. It is a quick, interesting read that I did not hate and found it to be an important story for Harris to tell, but it is not a favorite. Though, to be fair, I'm not a huge mystery.
The writing feels very dated and some of the aspects felt cliche such as Nickie having a potential love interest with her best friend's brother. It does deal with an important issue of rape culture. Mimi's own mother's mentality about Nickie being a victim is that she should run away from the gossip and that she asked for it. It is disturbing and disgusting the way the people in this town respond. There is also quite a bit of racism. Charlaine Harris introduces the charm of small southern towns, but shows the darker of the south with this tense mystery. It is a quick, interesting read that I did not hate and found it to be an important story for Harris to tell, but it is not a favorite. Though, to be fair, I'm not a huge mystery.
April 6, 2011
Great writing and well-constructed suspenseful murder mystery by Charlaine Harris. In the small college town of Knolls, Tennesse, with all its southern manners and prejudices, a rapist has gone on the ramage. Instead of a frighteningly gory slasher story, A Secret Rage explores how rape changes a woman's feelings about herself and her position in her community. There is still building tension and horrible violence in the story but the details are described without sensationalism. The secret rage of the title is perhaps the rage that drives the rapist to attack or the rage of his victims who try to discover who their rapist is, at first as a device to help them deal with the personal effects of the rape and then as a duty to protect other women who might be his next target. I really like the insights that Charlaine Harris has into her characters and life. Her writing makes me think. Take for instance this quote: "The dreams fed you as a child are almost impossible to dislodge. Those dreams can be very comforting when just being an adult is a burden." And I like this one: "Love is a habit as well as an emotion."
January 18, 2011
I'm a big fan of Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse novels, and have enjoyed the Harper Connelly mysteries as well, so I had high hopes for this little novel. "A Secret Rage" didn't quite live up to my expectations, yet was not all bad. Starting off slow, and building to a violent climax, this story is an easy read, with enough bumps in the road to keep the reader interested. Harris is an expert at writing a fight scene, as any reader of the Sookie books knows, and that talent does not go to waste here. Her characters are not quite as full-formed as one might hope, but I did care enough about them to keep reading.
As for the "whodunnit" aspect, well, I was kept guessing right up until the end, and just for that, I give the book an extra star!
As for the "whodunnit" aspect, well, I was kept guessing right up until the end, and just for that, I give the book an extra star!
September 23, 2022
I was interested to read this example of Ms. Harris’ early work. It has come along way since then, and how some of the language used here has also come a long way, Ms. Harris with it. The narrative was engaging, the characters were interesting, there was an element of suspense, and there are references that fans of Ms. Harris’ more recent work will definitely recognize. That said, for modern audiences, this book absolutely needs a content advisory warning, for first-person narrative of violent sexual assault, and conservative/shaming attitudes portrayed (vividly) about sexual assault victims, by one character in one scene in particular.
April 29, 2016
Contrary to it's cover art, I wouldn't call this a 'cozy' mystery. The plot elements include some pretty difficult to read descriptions of rape and racism, and a high body count. It's quite good, but I wanted to include this warning for those readers easily triggered. Be warned.
All characterizations could have been deepened. Definitely villain's motivations would have improved with more development.
All characterizations could have been deepened. Definitely villain's motivations would have improved with more development.
June 22, 2009
I found this book, aside from being a compelling mystery, to be a horrifying insight into rape. Despite this, the satisfying ending, that does not often happen in reality, mitigated the misery of the story itself. It did address a lot of the misconceptions about rape and the after effects both individual and societal. I feel it's imporatant that people recognize and understand these problems.
October 27, 2011
Never a disappointment, Charlaine Harris comes through again. This stand alone was a quick, easy read on a serious subject, rape. My favorite local bookseller said she thinks Harris doesn't get enough credit for her work, and I agree. I think she's great and have enjoyed her entire series except Snookie Stackhouse. Just not into the vampires.
June 10, 2018
This book had the potential to be good. It provided a means through which to discuss the subject of rape and its effects on victims. And then the victim immediately jumped into a happy sexual relationship within days of the rape occurring, with a new partner, and it devolved into some warped murder mystery full of racism. It was a disappointment to say the least.
October 19, 2021
ALL of the content warnings for this book. This book has one of the darkest and most graphic rape scenes that I've ever read. I was really disturbed while reading it and it's not one of my triggers at all. While this book is disturbing, I thought both the plot and characterizaton in this novel were really weak. Charlaine Harris's early works are not the best.
December 12, 2016
A much different mystery than the usual ones by Charlaine Harris. And the weird thing is: I knew whodunnit. I couldn't tell you why but for once I got it. And about halfway through the book. I'm surprised it wasn't a red herring I fell for because I trip over them every single damn time.
April 22, 2012
I read the first few pages of this and realized that Ms Harris has improved A LOT since her first books. This one is not worth my time.
June 9, 2025
Something about Charlaine Harris is so comforting to read. It may be the southern roots of her characters, or the way she delivers a story to the reader - but I find it to feel “cozy”.
I started this book as a quick beach read on a girls trip and it captured my attention immediately. It may be seen as “dated” nowadays, and there was some questionable usage of racist vernacular, but having read many other Harris novels that were released after this one, I’m assuming the slurs were received poorly by the readers of that time as well. I’ve never noticed her using racial slurs to “set the southern scene” in her books written post 2000.
Anyways - Nickie wasn’t insufferable! A rare quality to find. She was at first, just for the first chapter or so. Like wow you’ve had pretty privilege your whole life. But given her childhood, it was really all she had going for her. She undergoes an inspiring transformation from NYC model to hometown college student.
Cully, interesting name, perhaps also dated? He was a unique male character, but was necessary to add a touch of love to this story, so I’ll take it. And of course his psychologist knowledge was helpful. Which- I know he meant well, and that this was Harris’s way of explaining certain aspects of being a rape victim, but there were a few moments I felt like he was mansplaining.
All in all, a great mystery. I fully expected the rapist/murderer to be Charles, but I was proven incorrect. Now knowing who did it, their behavior in the novel obviously makes way more sense. I also think this book was important for the times when it came out. Not many people were writing about rape and bringing light to the impact and frequency with which it occurs, so I have to give props to Harris for discussing a difficult subject in a time when no one wanted to talk about it.
Which brings me to another thing- and really it’s more of a thought and question I found myself pondering. Nowadays, the way in which rape was discussed in this novel would have been labeled as sensitive content, with a trigger warning page in the beginning, and I don’t think books today casually reference rape the way Harris does. That being said, I think that Harris’s approach is more realistic to the way rape infiltrates and lives with victims in their day to day life. You can’t shy away from the word rape because it evokes negative feelings. It is real and it happens every single day. We need to talk about it and read about it because it’s really happening and if we keep shying away from the thought of it, we leave millions of victims in the dark to face a reality that everyone is too afraid to look at. Not to say a trigger warning page isn’t a good thing, I think that is helpful for readers gauging what topics they’re willing to read about. But Harris’s way of portraying the impact on victim’s lives, specifically their relationships with others, in my opinion, is pretty accurate.
I started this book as a quick beach read on a girls trip and it captured my attention immediately. It may be seen as “dated” nowadays, and there was some questionable usage of racist vernacular, but having read many other Harris novels that were released after this one, I’m assuming the slurs were received poorly by the readers of that time as well. I’ve never noticed her using racial slurs to “set the southern scene” in her books written post 2000.
Anyways - Nickie wasn’t insufferable! A rare quality to find. She was at first, just for the first chapter or so. Like wow you’ve had pretty privilege your whole life. But given her childhood, it was really all she had going for her. She undergoes an inspiring transformation from NYC model to hometown college student.
Cully, interesting name, perhaps also dated? He was a unique male character, but was necessary to add a touch of love to this story, so I’ll take it. And of course his psychologist knowledge was helpful. Which- I know he meant well, and that this was Harris’s way of explaining certain aspects of being a rape victim, but there were a few moments I felt like he was mansplaining.
All in all, a great mystery. I fully expected the rapist/murderer to be Charles, but I was proven incorrect. Now knowing who did it, their behavior in the novel obviously makes way more sense. I also think this book was important for the times when it came out. Not many people were writing about rape and bringing light to the impact and frequency with which it occurs, so I have to give props to Harris for discussing a difficult subject in a time when no one wanted to talk about it.
Which brings me to another thing- and really it’s more of a thought and question I found myself pondering. Nowadays, the way in which rape was discussed in this novel would have been labeled as sensitive content, with a trigger warning page in the beginning, and I don’t think books today casually reference rape the way Harris does. That being said, I think that Harris’s approach is more realistic to the way rape infiltrates and lives with victims in their day to day life. You can’t shy away from the word rape because it evokes negative feelings. It is real and it happens every single day. We need to talk about it and read about it because it’s really happening and if we keep shying away from the thought of it, we leave millions of victims in the dark to face a reality that everyone is too afraid to look at. Not to say a trigger warning page isn’t a good thing, I think that is helpful for readers gauging what topics they’re willing to read about. But Harris’s way of portraying the impact on victim’s lives, specifically their relationships with others, in my opinion, is pretty accurate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2018
This is an early Charlaine Harris book, written before Sookie, Harper or Midnight, Texas. There is nothing supernatural or romantic about the story. While the book is over 30 years old, it still sounds fairly current and avoids sounding too dated as many contemporary fictions written pre-Internet and pre-mobile phones do.
The book deals with rape. And while some of the details about the plot made no sense like the subtext about a child dying of cancer in a hospital in a distant city that the parents never go see, the rape itself was realistic and painful to read. The main characters were pretty well developed, although none were terribly likable. That is largely due to their "southern-ness". Harris characters are always southern and that usually doesn't bother me, but it was emphasized so much it was just annoying. Another issue I had was the developing relationship between the main character and a man she has always had a crush on. He is a therapist. He counsels the other rape victims professionally. I understood why he would not counsel someone he knew as a family friend, but he didn't recommend she get help, and he sleeps with her. A little morally ambiguous.
What the book get's right is the ending. There is closure, the rapist is caught, the victims get to deliver actual, physical revenge upon him and then they discuss it, signifying they are starting the healing process. And yet there is no happy ending. The main character gets the man she has always dreamed of, but there is real doubt that she will keep him and he may be attracted to her because she is wounded. And her best friend evidently stays with the man who has an obsessive fixation on her, yet sleeps around and has gotten physically violent with her.
Wait a minute. I liked this book? Well, the narrator, Johanna Parker was magnificent, as usual.
The book deals with rape. And while some of the details about the plot made no sense like the subtext about a child dying of cancer in a hospital in a distant city that the parents never go see, the rape itself was realistic and painful to read. The main characters were pretty well developed, although none were terribly likable. That is largely due to their "southern-ness". Harris characters are always southern and that usually doesn't bother me, but it was emphasized so much it was just annoying. Another issue I had was the developing relationship between the main character and a man she has always had a crush on. He is a therapist. He counsels the other rape victims professionally. I understood why he would not counsel someone he knew as a family friend, but he didn't recommend she get help, and he sleeps with her. A little morally ambiguous.
What the book get's right is the ending. There is closure, the rapist is caught, the victims get to deliver actual, physical revenge upon him and then they discuss it, signifying they are starting the healing process. And yet there is no happy ending. The main character gets the man she has always dreamed of, but there is real doubt that she will keep him and he may be attracted to her because she is wounded. And her best friend evidently stays with the man who has an obsessive fixation on her, yet sleeps around and has gotten physically violent with her.
Wait a minute. I liked this book? Well, the narrator, Johanna Parker was magnificent, as usual.
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