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Secrets
Guardian
Top 25 Best Australian Books for 2025
A gripping family saga about three generations fractured by secrets, and the three strong women who must bring them into the light.
Ruth, the widowed matriarch of a grown family, has only months to live, and a secret she’s kept for sixty years. Now she must put things right before she dies. But as she has learned, the longer something is kept hidden, the harder it is to bring out of the shadows.
With her grandson in gaol and her family fractured, Ruth must address the past, present and future. She must reveal her secret, reconcile her family, and find a way to keep her beloved homestead, Cora, in the family – and her family in Cora.
A sweeping saga spanning more than half a century, Secrets has a cast of indelible characters whose lives have been devastated by racism, trauma, addiction, incarceration, loss and shame. Yet for all that their secrets break your heart, Ruth and her family ultimately leave it stronger. This spirited, compassionate novel is a testament to the power of truth-telling and the possibility of healing.
‘An instant Australian classic.’ Hayley Scrivenor
'A powerful debut of love and loss.’ Petronella McGovern
‘Epic, compelling and moving.’ Inga Simpson
A gripping family saga about three generations fractured by secrets, and the three strong women who must bring them into the light.
Ruth, the widowed matriarch of a grown family, has only months to live, and a secret she’s kept for sixty years. Now she must put things right before she dies. But as she has learned, the longer something is kept hidden, the harder it is to bring out of the shadows.
With her grandson in gaol and her family fractured, Ruth must address the past, present and future. She must reveal her secret, reconcile her family, and find a way to keep her beloved homestead, Cora, in the family – and her family in Cora.
A sweeping saga spanning more than half a century, Secrets has a cast of indelible characters whose lives have been devastated by racism, trauma, addiction, incarceration, loss and shame. Yet for all that their secrets break your heart, Ruth and her family ultimately leave it stronger. This spirited, compassionate novel is a testament to the power of truth-telling and the possibility of healing.
‘An instant Australian classic.’ Hayley Scrivenor
'A powerful debut of love and loss.’ Petronella McGovern
‘Epic, compelling and moving.’ Inga Simpson
- GenresAudiobook
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2025
18 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 18, 2025
A fierce, strong, truth telling story.
An amazing woman’s voice, speaking strongly to reach into the general Australian reading population to learn, listen and try and understand the lived reality of so many First Nations families.
I read this as an eaudiobook and will at some future point try finding a paper book copy.
It’s a fabulous read, and I admit my learned knowledge in the past decade has meant that most of the present facts and details making up Aboriginal custody truth were known to me.
The way the story comes together almost reads like two separate books in one, the first half is the lived life of the two main women, Ruth and Dawn, then the second half is focused deeply on the reality of the prison system here in Australia and at times almost has a feeling of becoming preachy - it is truth telling many many realities experienced by far too many people but it does become pretty heavy until the final couple of chapters.
In saying that I do really hope many many people will be willing to be confronted and will read the entire book, think about all that’s said and do further research and become supporters for change.
An amazing woman’s voice, speaking strongly to reach into the general Australian reading population to learn, listen and try and understand the lived reality of so many First Nations families.
I read this as an eaudiobook and will at some future point try finding a paper book copy.
It’s a fabulous read, and I admit my learned knowledge in the past decade has meant that most of the present facts and details making up Aboriginal custody truth were known to me.
The way the story comes together almost reads like two separate books in one, the first half is the lived life of the two main women, Ruth and Dawn, then the second half is focused deeply on the reality of the prison system here in Australia and at times almost has a feeling of becoming preachy - it is truth telling many many realities experienced by far too many people but it does become pretty heavy until the final couple of chapters.
In saying that I do really hope many many people will be willing to be confronted and will read the entire book, think about all that’s said and do further research and become supporters for change.
February 7, 2026
Welcome to the wonderful world of Australian storytelling, Judi! Your debut was deadly.
As an Aboriginal, Secrets resonated with me. I actually had no idea that it would focus so much on our culture and history. I certainly walked away enlightened and sorrowful for my ancestors.
Matriarch Ruth and Dawn were incredible voices. Despite the adversities both faced, in a never-ending cycle, I was glad that they were able to find each other before it was too late.
Secrets is so much more than a family saga. It's about bravery and belonging. Home and healing. Family connections, blood and found. For every not-nice situation discussed, there was eventual beauty to be found in the solution.
The atmospheric hub of Cora just bled from the pages. Ruth's garden would've been breathtaking to view if given the chance. I'm already looking forward to researching the interesting plants.
Impactful and powerful, Secrets is not to be missed.
5 🌟
As an Aboriginal, Secrets resonated with me. I actually had no idea that it would focus so much on our culture and history. I certainly walked away enlightened and sorrowful for my ancestors.
Matriarch Ruth and Dawn were incredible voices. Despite the adversities both faced, in a never-ending cycle, I was glad that they were able to find each other before it was too late.
Secrets is so much more than a family saga. It's about bravery and belonging. Home and healing. Family connections, blood and found. For every not-nice situation discussed, there was eventual beauty to be found in the solution.
The atmospheric hub of Cora just bled from the pages. Ruth's garden would've been breathtaking to view if given the chance. I'm already looking forward to researching the interesting plants.
Impactful and powerful, Secrets is not to be missed.
5 🌟
February 25, 2026
This book was absolutely amazing! Honestly I cannot rave about it enough - it was just so beautifully written and I think it should be considered a new Australian classic. The story is narrated by matriarch Ruth, who has just been given months to live and has held onto a secret for 60 years that she knows she has to share before she passes. We travel with her through her past, and see the way the actions of others made her the person she is, and also how actions of the past reverberate through generations.
Right from the start I was completely absorbed in the lives of Ruth and her family. It does deal with hard topics such as racism, incarceration, trauma and addiction, but these are things that feature in real life, and while sometimes difficult to read about, there was always a sense of hope associated with them which was lovely. Through Ruth’s narrative, we look at the treatment of Aboriginal Australians throughout the years and how there is still a way to go in terms of equality - something that is SO important and here it is easily digestible. If you enjoy family sagas you will LOVE this book. It is one that will stay with me, and one I think everyone should read.
Right from the start I was completely absorbed in the lives of Ruth and her family. It does deal with hard topics such as racism, incarceration, trauma and addiction, but these are things that feature in real life, and while sometimes difficult to read about, there was always a sense of hope associated with them which was lovely. Through Ruth’s narrative, we look at the treatment of Aboriginal Australians throughout the years and how there is still a way to go in terms of equality - something that is SO important and here it is easily digestible. If you enjoy family sagas you will LOVE this book. It is one that will stay with me, and one I think everyone should read.
February 14, 2026
A beautifully written epic debut novel. I was totally immersed in this story from beginning to end. A powerful story of strong women, white and indigenous, keeping secrets, fighting trauma and decisions beyond their control. Heartbreaking and uplifting, three generations of a family tell us of love,hate and the strength to make what is wrong right
February 27, 2026
A powerful and timely family saga. Featuring secrets, incarceration, addiction, racism, shame, loss and intergenerational trauma.
This is a great debut novel. I am keen to read more from Judi Morrison.
4.5 stars (rounded up)
This is a great debut novel. I am keen to read more from Judi Morrison.
4.5 stars (rounded up)
January 19, 2026
Excellent listen
January 31, 2026
4.5⭐️ Very confronting topics of historical racism, abuse, trauma, addiction...may be a triggering read
November 5, 2025
This is the kind of women’s fiction I live for—fierce, expansive storytelling that centres women and refuses to look away from serious issues.
SECRETS cracks open the most fractious wounds in our country—stolen generations, forced adoptions, deaths in custody, racism, incarceration—and refuses to reduce them to statistics or headlines.
Judi Morison's passion, her indignation, her love all leap from the page. Her characters are alive, flawed, complicated, and unforgettable. Her sense of place is so vivid you can smell the native flora in the air. And the sweep of time—more than half a century—is handled with such deft assurance.
A book like this is important because these issues are not “someone else’s issues”. These are our issues. Australia’s issues. We cannot heal as a nation without naming the harm.
SECRETS is gripping storytelling, urgent truth-telling, and exquisite craft. It's a must-read for those who seek women’s fiction that does not shy away from the ugly truth, while delivering something of profound beauty.
SECRETS cracks open the most fractious wounds in our country—stolen generations, forced adoptions, deaths in custody, racism, incarceration—and refuses to reduce them to statistics or headlines.
Judi Morison's passion, her indignation, her love all leap from the page. Her characters are alive, flawed, complicated, and unforgettable. Her sense of place is so vivid you can smell the native flora in the air. And the sweep of time—more than half a century—is handled with such deft assurance.
A book like this is important because these issues are not “someone else’s issues”. These are our issues. Australia’s issues. We cannot heal as a nation without naming the harm.
SECRETS is gripping storytelling, urgent truth-telling, and exquisite craft. It's a must-read for those who seek women’s fiction that does not shy away from the ugly truth, while delivering something of profound beauty.
February 23, 2026
This was the first read of the year for my online book club. It’s published by an Indigenous focused imprint of Simon & Schuster Australia. I didn’t know anything about it before getting it from my library to read for the discussion but I did really love the cover. Very eye catching, with a lot of subtle details that I think the reader probably only picks up on after reading the story.
The first portion of the book focuses on Ruth, a woman coming to the end of her life, having been diagnosed with a terminal illness. She’s been keeping a secret for many years, decades and she knows the time has come to confess it, clear the air and protect the future of her children, grandchildren and the family farm. We go back in time to Ruth’s teen years, the boy she fell in love with, the consequences and the steps her parents took. And then we meet Dawn, a child adopted who finds herself at 14, living rough in Brisbane, trying to discover the truth of her parents. The things that happen to Dawn drive her down a certain path and it will be many years before she can extricate herself.
This book dives into just a fraction of the issues that Indigenous Australians have faced in semi-recent times, not just the general stigma but the white population, forced into marginalised communities, assaulted, arrested at a higher rate, indentured work, forced adoption of Indigenous children to white Australian couples, etc but moving through into deaths in custody, the intergenerational trauma that continues to impact Indigenous people in the current day, including problems with drugs and alcohol that are often an attempt to cope with some of the things that have happened to them and their family members. It also looks at addiction itself, as one of Ruth’s grandchildren is struggling and is currently incarcerated due to actions undertaken whilst in the throes of a drug dependency. Most people in the family seem to have washed their hands of him but Ruth and her granddaughter Em, a lawyer, are the two family members that still staunchly want to support him, continue to see him whilst in jail and want to make sure that he will have a space for when he is released.
Ruth was at times, a difficult character to connect with, she feels somewhat remote, even from her own family (with the potential exception of her grandchildren?) but as her story unfolds, you see the reason why she seems so disconnected. Some of the things she went through have impacted upon her greatly in lasting ways and the secret she carries is as well, something that I think makes her a little more remote, she’s kind of had to force emotions and devastation deep down and it’s carried over into the relationships she’s had with several of her daughters.
This is a more unflinching look at some of the atrocities that have been committed – not the massacres, although there were plenty of those too, but just the systematic way in which government processes attempted to basically eradicate the Indigenous population. Not just by forcing them into certain areas, restricting their access to work and education, but also by removing their children and giving them to white parents in an attempt to have them raised in a household that would adhere to a different set of values. This was something that also happened to teenage mothers, they were forced or manipulated into signing adoption papers, often whilst under the influence of drugs during the birth. Often mere minutes would elapse between the birth and being harassed. People often looked the other way whilst Indigenous people were assaulted but if they fought back, they were often immediately arrested. They even now, make up a tiny portion of the population but are extremely overrepresented within the prison population.
This made for a good book club conversation. I enjoyed the writing and the family saga style of the story. It provided a few surprises, like why Ruth’s grandson was in prison and the ending felt satisfactory.
The first portion of the book focuses on Ruth, a woman coming to the end of her life, having been diagnosed with a terminal illness. She’s been keeping a secret for many years, decades and she knows the time has come to confess it, clear the air and protect the future of her children, grandchildren and the family farm. We go back in time to Ruth’s teen years, the boy she fell in love with, the consequences and the steps her parents took. And then we meet Dawn, a child adopted who finds herself at 14, living rough in Brisbane, trying to discover the truth of her parents. The things that happen to Dawn drive her down a certain path and it will be many years before she can extricate herself.
This book dives into just a fraction of the issues that Indigenous Australians have faced in semi-recent times, not just the general stigma but the white population, forced into marginalised communities, assaulted, arrested at a higher rate, indentured work, forced adoption of Indigenous children to white Australian couples, etc but moving through into deaths in custody, the intergenerational trauma that continues to impact Indigenous people in the current day, including problems with drugs and alcohol that are often an attempt to cope with some of the things that have happened to them and their family members. It also looks at addiction itself, as one of Ruth’s grandchildren is struggling and is currently incarcerated due to actions undertaken whilst in the throes of a drug dependency. Most people in the family seem to have washed their hands of him but Ruth and her granddaughter Em, a lawyer, are the two family members that still staunchly want to support him, continue to see him whilst in jail and want to make sure that he will have a space for when he is released.
Ruth was at times, a difficult character to connect with, she feels somewhat remote, even from her own family (with the potential exception of her grandchildren?) but as her story unfolds, you see the reason why she seems so disconnected. Some of the things she went through have impacted upon her greatly in lasting ways and the secret she carries is as well, something that I think makes her a little more remote, she’s kind of had to force emotions and devastation deep down and it’s carried over into the relationships she’s had with several of her daughters.
This is a more unflinching look at some of the atrocities that have been committed – not the massacres, although there were plenty of those too, but just the systematic way in which government processes attempted to basically eradicate the Indigenous population. Not just by forcing them into certain areas, restricting their access to work and education, but also by removing their children and giving them to white parents in an attempt to have them raised in a household that would adhere to a different set of values. This was something that also happened to teenage mothers, they were forced or manipulated into signing adoption papers, often whilst under the influence of drugs during the birth. Often mere minutes would elapse between the birth and being harassed. People often looked the other way whilst Indigenous people were assaulted but if they fought back, they were often immediately arrested. They even now, make up a tiny portion of the population but are extremely overrepresented within the prison population.
This made for a good book club conversation. I enjoyed the writing and the family saga style of the story. It provided a few surprises, like why Ruth’s grandson was in prison and the ending felt satisfactory.
February 24, 2026
Secrets by Judi Morison is a beautifully layered, emotionally resonant novel that quietly draws you in and refuses to let go.
Morison handles family dynamics and hidden histories with real sensitivity and authenticity. The characters feel deeply human — flawed, vulnerable and believable and the unfolding revelations are paced perfectly, adding tension without ever feeling forced.
The prose is elegant and restrained, allowing the emotional weight of the story to shine through. Rather than relying on drama, the novel builds its power through nuance and carefully revealed truths.
Secrets is a thoughtful, compelling exploration of love, memory and the cost of silence. A moving and memorable read.
Morison handles family dynamics and hidden histories with real sensitivity and authenticity. The characters feel deeply human — flawed, vulnerable and believable and the unfolding revelations are paced perfectly, adding tension without ever feeling forced.
The prose is elegant and restrained, allowing the emotional weight of the story to shine through. Rather than relying on drama, the novel builds its power through nuance and carefully revealed truths.
Secrets is a thoughtful, compelling exploration of love, memory and the cost of silence. A moving and memorable read.
December 3, 2025
A wonderful read that adds layer upon layer of family history and dynamics as you move through. This is an important story that has played out in many Australian families over the past century and has impacted our society and culture in countless ways. Thank you Judi for the rich characters and detailed descriptions of the environment and trees/plants you have woven throughout this story.
I look forward to reading your next book!
I look forward to reading your next book!
January 17, 2026
I couldn't put this book down. It was gripping, heartfelt, powerful, heartwrenching, raw and emotional with real true to life characters.Topics such as racism, resilience, social injustices, homelessness, police brutality, trust, mistrust, lying, shame, bigotry, trauma, healing powers of kindness, black deaths in custody and recidivism. I felt all the emotions and found myself in tears in several places. what a great 5 star read!
January 31, 2026
In the book club questions, Morison highlights the various social injustices woven through this novel, such as "dispossession, disenfranchisement, judicial corruption, police brutality, harassment of indigenous, homelessness, forced adoption and intergenerational trauma". This is a broad scope for one work of fiction to tackle, and while occasionally the research is on show, this book is an important part of the truth-telling canon, particularly for those who wish to learn more.
February 4, 2026
Hopefully this will become an Australian classic. If you enjoyed Radiance, Beneath Clouds and My Place then this is for you!
I loved Morison’s writing style and I also loved the pacing. The characters were extremely well rounded and explored in depth. There were at times when I felt there was a lot of telling - especially with the dialogue being so text book like at times. But overall I found myself really drawn into Ruth’s past and really barracked for her to be able to sort out her truths before it’s too late.
I loved Morison’s writing style and I also loved the pacing. The characters were extremely well rounded and explored in depth. There were at times when I felt there was a lot of telling - especially with the dialogue being so text book like at times. But overall I found myself really drawn into Ruth’s past and really barracked for her to be able to sort out her truths before it’s too late.
February 5, 2026
This.book touched my heart. Judi tackled many subject in the book including babies being taken from their mothers at birth, addiction, racism and a few more. She w as able to weave them into the book skilfully. A cry alert on this one - it brought tears to my eyes in a few places as well as giving me much food for thought for mind and soul. Looking forward to Judi’s next novel which I believe is due out in January 27.
January 29, 2026
Morison’s moving novel provides a look at deep buried secrets in Australia from the abuse of aboriginals people, to interracial relationships as well how unwed mothers were treated. It is a true book about intergenerational trauma and post traumatic stress disorder. Thank you for shredding light on these issues- many still present today.
January 17, 2026
Beautifully written story about family and country, with lots of beautiful flora & fauna descriptions of rural Australia, contrasted with the cityscape of Sydney & Brisbane. I enjoyed this book immensely, despite its at times sad commentary of indigenous treatment.
February 1, 2026
This is a story that is going to stay with me for a very long time. I was triggered by the abuse & then not being believed so it brought up the past for me. These women & men have my heart, my sympathy & my love.
December 5, 2025
I loved this book.
The FMCs were strong and flawed and real. Their character development over the book was great to follow as a reader and I was so invested in their story.
The book was a fantastic recounting of Australia’s dark history and the connection I had to the characters as a reader made the message of the book hit even harder.
10/10 would recommend.
The FMCs were strong and flawed and real. Their character development over the book was great to follow as a reader and I was so invested in their story.
The book was a fantastic recounting of Australia’s dark history and the connection I had to the characters as a reader made the message of the book hit even harder.
10/10 would recommend.
January 5, 2026
Wow! I loved this book & look forward to more from Judi Morison
January 9, 2026
Great Read! Them folks pissed me off though!!
January 10, 2026
A fantastic book. I really enjoyed reading this story. Congratulations Judi on great debut novel.
January 21, 2026
Great book!
January 25, 2026
Congratulations to Judi Morison on an extremely thought provoking, moving novel.
As the cover byline reads: 'A gripping family saga about three generations fractured by secrets"
As the cover byline reads: 'A gripping family saga about three generations fractured by secrets"
September 13, 2025
🌿 Secrets by Judi Morison is a powerful and heartfelt debut that explores the hidden truths carried across three generations. This moving family saga follows strong women whose lives have been shaped by silence, loss and shame — and the courage it takes to finally bring those secrets into the light.
Morison’s writing is emotional and compelling, drawing you into the lives of her characters and holding you there until the very end. A story of love, resilience and hope, Secrets is a novel that lingers long after the last page is turned.
If you love Australian fiction that’s rich in emotion and family drama, this one deserves a spot on your TBR. 💛
Morison’s writing is emotional and compelling, drawing you into the lives of her characters and holding you there until the very end. A story of love, resilience and hope, Secrets is a novel that lingers long after the last page is turned.
If you love Australian fiction that’s rich in emotion and family drama, this one deserves a spot on your TBR. 💛
October 1, 2025
Ruth is forced to give up a baby in a racist Australia of the 1950s. Eventually moving forward with her life - although never giving up the memory of her lost child - she carves out a life with her husband and family at Cora, a property in rural Queensland. Here she tends to her garden and nurses her husband in his final years.
When Ruth is given a terminal diagnosis, she knows she has to right her perceived wrongs and maintain Cora as the heart of her family. But how will she reveal her secret, and how will it be taken by her daughters?
This was an engaging and interesting read. The narrative is easy and comfortable, and the awful truth of the treatment of our First Nations people is, yet again, an embarrassing past to reconcile.
When Ruth is given a terminal diagnosis, she knows she has to right her perceived wrongs and maintain Cora as the heart of her family. But how will she reveal her secret, and how will it be taken by her daughters?
This was an engaging and interesting read. The narrative is easy and comfortable, and the awful truth of the treatment of our First Nations people is, yet again, an embarrassing past to reconcile.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews