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Our Dark Secret
From the author of The Missing Girl, Jenny Quintana’s gripping novel, Our Dark Secret, tells the story of two girls, two deaths and two decades of silence . . .
The crazy girls, they called them – or at least, Elizabeth liked to think they did. As a teenager in the late 1970s, she was clever, overweight and a perfect victim for the bullies. Then Rachel and her family arrived in town and, for Elizabeth, it was as if a light had been switched on. She was drawn to the bright and beautiful Rachel like a moth to a flame.
Rachel had her own reasons for wanting Elizabeth as a friend, and although their relationship was far from equal, Elizabeth would do anything for Rachel.
Then the first body was discovered.
Twenty years on, Elizabeth wants nothing more than to keep the secrets of her teenage years where they belong: in the past. But another body has been found, and she can’t keep running from what happened.
Can she?
The crazy girls, they called them – or at least, Elizabeth liked to think they did. As a teenager in the late 1970s, she was clever, overweight and a perfect victim for the bullies. Then Rachel and her family arrived in town and, for Elizabeth, it was as if a light had been switched on. She was drawn to the bright and beautiful Rachel like a moth to a flame.
Rachel had her own reasons for wanting Elizabeth as a friend, and although their relationship was far from equal, Elizabeth would do anything for Rachel.
Then the first body was discovered.
Twenty years on, Elizabeth wants nothing more than to keep the secrets of her teenage years where they belong: in the past. But another body has been found, and she can’t keep running from what happened.
Can she?
Paperback
First published February 6, 2020
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About the author
Jenny Quintana
35 books69 followersJenny Quintana has become the 20th Curtis Brown Creative student to land a publishing deal, just days after her book was sent out to UK publishers by Conville & Walsh’s Sophie Lambert. On the eve of the London Book Fair, UK rights were bought at auction by Mantle Books, an imprint of Macmillan. German rights were snapped up by Goldmann after a hefty pre-empt, and Italian rights have also been sold already. Jenny workshopped her novel on our creative writing courses in Spring 2014, and we’re thrilled with the news of her success.
When Birds Forget to Sing (a title which we’re told may yet change) is the story of Anna, whose sister Gabriella disappeared years before as a teenager. When her mother dies, Anna returns home, reigniting her questions – and her quest to uncover the truth – about what happened to Gabriella. Sam Humphreys, Associate Publisher at Mantle, who bought Jenny’s book, has called it, “… a wonderful, wonderful novel: part whodunnit, part account of a life interrupted – not just Gabriella’s, but also Anna’s.”
Jenny is a teacher and mother of three who taught English in England, Spain and Greece before turning her hand to novel-writing.
When Birds Forget to Sing (a title which we’re told may yet change) is the story of Anna, whose sister Gabriella disappeared years before as a teenager. When her mother dies, Anna returns home, reigniting her questions – and her quest to uncover the truth – about what happened to Gabriella. Sam Humphreys, Associate Publisher at Mantle, who bought Jenny’s book, has called it, “… a wonderful, wonderful novel: part whodunnit, part account of a life interrupted – not just Gabriella’s, but also Anna’s.”
Jenny is a teacher and mother of three who taught English in England, Spain and Greece before turning her hand to novel-writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
June 23, 2020
Taking slow burn to a new level.
To be honest, I found the blurb of this misleading, it sounds like it’s going to be a juicy thriller... it’s not.
I was bored the first 220 of 300 pages but because it was short I kept thinking surely something is going to happen soon but I was wrong.
This is definitely a character driven book. It is all about Elizabeth and her life both now and past and how she was dealing with things going on in her personal life. I found the other characters to be a bit flat and think that might be part of why I felt so disconnected from this book.
This book actually has a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews on goodreads so clearly it just wasn’t for me.
To be honest, I found the blurb of this misleading, it sounds like it’s going to be a juicy thriller... it’s not.
I was bored the first 220 of 300 pages but because it was short I kept thinking surely something is going to happen soon but I was wrong.
This is definitely a character driven book. It is all about Elizabeth and her life both now and past and how she was dealing with things going on in her personal life. I found the other characters to be a bit flat and think that might be part of why I felt so disconnected from this book.
This book actually has a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews on goodreads so clearly it just wasn’t for me.
January 20, 2020
Well that was disturbing.
It took a while for things to happen so there wasn't a lot of suspense in this one. It was more about sad, pathetic Elizabeth and her obsession with Rachel, and their messed up family relationships. I gotta say, Elizabeth was not someone I enjoyed getting to know. She's incredibly insecure and her girl-crush on Rachel is super cringe-worthy. But you do really pity her and her naivety.
But let me back up.
Here's the lowdown:
1978: Elizabeth meets Rachel. Thinks she's an angel. Obsesses over trying to be her friend for the entire book. Meanwhile there's something strange going on with her parents but who has time for that drama when she's fat and sad?
1999: Elizabeth is still fat and sad and is now also a lost case. She's stealing cake, reminiscing about that sad childhood and hoping that the body that's just turned up can't be connected to her this many years later.
I mean, the setup is interesting. I definitely wanna know who owns the bodies, how they met their end, and how dear sweet Elizabeth is involved. But the first half of the book has no interest in crime and/or suspense and reads more like literary fiction as it discusses the breakdown of her parents' relationship and the awkwardness of navigating the relationships that are left. This will be fascinating for people who like to dwell on the tragic realities of broken homes and it really was quite heartbreaking, but in my case I was expecting a tense thriller so it threw me off a bit.
Once we got a bit more of a taste of the mystery though it was quite interesting and did keep me guessing. There was a lot going on so it was fun to work out what went where.
There's not a huge amount of depth to any characters beside Elizabeth, but I didn't really like what I saw anyway so that wasn't a deal breaker for me. The pace was really slow to start with but definitely picked up at the halfway mark and by the end I was pretty committed to the story.
Overall it was an interesting read but not really enough to be memorable for me. A unique story, but more mystery and drama than crime and suspense. This will be more enjoyable for those who want to dwell on motivations and far-reaching consequences, but people looking for a hard and fast thriller may find this a little slow.
With thanks to Macmillan AUS for my ARC. (Publishing 11/2/20)
It took a while for things to happen so there wasn't a lot of suspense in this one. It was more about sad, pathetic Elizabeth and her obsession with Rachel, and their messed up family relationships. I gotta say, Elizabeth was not someone I enjoyed getting to know. She's incredibly insecure and her girl-crush on Rachel is super cringe-worthy. But you do really pity her and her naivety.
But let me back up.
Here's the lowdown:
1978: Elizabeth meets Rachel. Thinks she's an angel. Obsesses over trying to be her friend for the entire book. Meanwhile there's something strange going on with her parents but who has time for that drama when she's fat and sad?
1999: Elizabeth is still fat and sad and is now also a lost case. She's stealing cake, reminiscing about that sad childhood and hoping that the body that's just turned up can't be connected to her this many years later.
I mean, the setup is interesting. I definitely wanna know who owns the bodies, how they met their end, and how dear sweet Elizabeth is involved. But the first half of the book has no interest in crime and/or suspense and reads more like literary fiction as it discusses the breakdown of her parents' relationship and the awkwardness of navigating the relationships that are left. This will be fascinating for people who like to dwell on the tragic realities of broken homes and it really was quite heartbreaking, but in my case I was expecting a tense thriller so it threw me off a bit.
Once we got a bit more of a taste of the mystery though it was quite interesting and did keep me guessing. There was a lot going on so it was fun to work out what went where.
There's not a huge amount of depth to any characters beside Elizabeth, but I didn't really like what I saw anyway so that wasn't a deal breaker for me. The pace was really slow to start with but definitely picked up at the halfway mark and by the end I was pretty committed to the story.
Overall it was an interesting read but not really enough to be memorable for me. A unique story, but more mystery and drama than crime and suspense. This will be more enjoyable for those who want to dwell on motivations and far-reaching consequences, but people looking for a hard and fast thriller may find this a little slow.
With thanks to Macmillan AUS for my ARC. (Publishing 11/2/20)
February 8, 2020
Our Dark Secret was another holiday read for me, one that I read in a day. It was slow to begin but definitely worth sticking with. Once the story gets going it is a twisty and dark story that you just need to keep reading. It was not what I expected at all but it is definitely a unique storyline with strongly written characters that you will want to know more about.
Told in dual time periods of 1978 and 1999 we learn the story behind Elizabeth and Rachael's relationship - from Elizabeth's point of view. In 1978 she was overweight and lonely. All she wants is a friend. When she meets Rachael she becomes obsessed and will do anything for her. In Elizabeth's mind they are best friends but it is a lopsided relationship. Her loyalty is tested in a way she never imagined.
In 1999 an old neighbour calls and tells Elizabeth that a body has been found in town. Panic sets in, will her secret be revealed? Nothing much has changed for her - she is still overweight, lonely and insecure. She has let the past define her and now she is terrified. Will the secrets come out?
Thanks to MacMillian Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
Told in dual time periods of 1978 and 1999 we learn the story behind Elizabeth and Rachael's relationship - from Elizabeth's point of view. In 1978 she was overweight and lonely. All she wants is a friend. When she meets Rachael she becomes obsessed and will do anything for her. In Elizabeth's mind they are best friends but it is a lopsided relationship. Her loyalty is tested in a way she never imagined.
In 1999 an old neighbour calls and tells Elizabeth that a body has been found in town. Panic sets in, will her secret be revealed? Nothing much has changed for her - she is still overweight, lonely and insecure. She has let the past define her and now she is terrified. Will the secrets come out?
Thanks to MacMillian Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
June 20, 2021
This was a deliciously dark and creepy read about two schoolgirls, Elizabeth and Rachel, drawn together due to circumstances beyond their control. When a body is found near to where they used to hang out it forces Elizabeth and Rachel to remember a past they had both tried all too desperately to forget.
Set over two timelines; 1978 and 1999 and told entirely from Elizabeth’s perspective, this was definitely a slow burner of a book but I found that added to the disconcerting sense of unease and wonder as to how the plots could be linked together. Excellent writing, very evocative descriptions and location and a brilliant narrator for the audiobook all combined to make this a really enjoyable experience.
Set over two timelines; 1978 and 1999 and told entirely from Elizabeth’s perspective, this was definitely a slow burner of a book but I found that added to the disconcerting sense of unease and wonder as to how the plots could be linked together. Excellent writing, very evocative descriptions and location and a brilliant narrator for the audiobook all combined to make this a really enjoyable experience.
October 22, 2021
I liked the plot of this book but I found that I didnt connect to the characters.
A very slow burner which affected my rating, for me it lacked the suspense and thrill factor. Thats what I really like in a book and thats my opinion.
For me it was a book about family relationships. I was disappointed at first as the plot grabbed me as soon as I saw it.
It has a past and present timeline 1978-1999.
Thank you to Pan Mac Millan for sending me this book to review.
A very slow burner which affected my rating, for me it lacked the suspense and thrill factor. Thats what I really like in a book and thats my opinion.
For me it was a book about family relationships. I was disappointed at first as the plot grabbed me as soon as I saw it.
It has a past and present timeline 1978-1999.
Thank you to Pan Mac Millan for sending me this book to review.
January 9, 2026
A bittersweet and heartbreaking thriller - in this story of two girls, two deaths and two decades of silence.
Ideal if you enjoy dark mysterious stories that explore secrets and lies that can either bind or haunt.
Ideal if you enjoy dark mysterious stories that explore secrets and lies that can either bind or haunt.
February 27, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Jenny Quintana’s second novel following the release of The Missing Girl, is another heart-breaking thriller. Our Dark Secret is a tale of complicated teen relationships, family relations, the past, silence and death. This slow burn style mystery novel issues a sense of dread from the opening to the close of this absorbing tale.
Our Dark Secret tracks back to the 1970s where we meet two teenage girls. The first is Elizabeth, a studious girl, clever but the target of school bullies. When Elizabeth encounters Rachel, who has just arrived in the area, Elizabeth’s life begins to look up. Together, these two very different souls become friends, each taking what they need from the other. However, it soon becomes clear that this is an uneven friendship, with Elizabeth sacrificing a great deal to secure her friendship with Rachel. Elizabeth goes above and beyond for Rachel. When a body is discovered, it will have far reaching effects for years to come. Twenty years later, Elizabeth is a grown woman, who does not want to revisit her troubled past. She believes her difficult teen years should stay buried in the past. But when another dead body appears, Elizabeth realises it is high time that she confronted the harsh truth of her past.
I reviewed Jenny Quintana’s debut novel, The Missing Girl back in late December 2017. It is great to see this author produce a brand new thriller, which again focusses on the mechanics of tenuous family relations and the domestic front. Quintana’s emphasis on the psychology of difficult lives and human frailty is again employed in Our Dark Secret.
I was initially drawn to Our Dark Secret by the intriguing synopsis and my appreciation for this author’s previous work. Our Dark Secret is well written and is characterised by some solid storytelling skills. The prose is descriptive and very atmospheric. I felt deeply entrenched in the happenings of this book. The characters were both vividly drawn, but also mysterious, so I was never quite sure if I could trust them or not. Our Dark Secret is not a fast paced suspense style thriller, it reads as an introspective study of human nature. The tension builds at a gentle pace, with little clues thrown in for the reader to place.
Within Our Dark Secret Quintana delves into a number of affecting themes. From tenuous family relations, to complicated friendships, obsession, intent, teen issues, bullying, self-esteem, love, separation, divorce, infidelity, secrets, silence and abuse. Some of these issues may bring a sense of understanding, while others may make the reader quite uncomfortable. However, Quintana does approach to each of her resounding themes is touched with sensitivity and psychological insight.
I did find a great deal to appreciate about Our Dark Secret, I liked the overall structure of the book, which is concurrently set between 1999 and the late 1970s, along with some glimpses into 1969. These year references are clearly signposted for the reader at the opening of each chapter, which I found useful in guiding me through the unfolding story.
In the end, I consider Our Dark Secret to be a compelling slow burn domestic thriller. The strong underlining focus on the psychological aspects of a tumultuous friendship, a problematic family life and the weight of tightly held secrets bears down hard on this novel. Do check this one out if you appreciate introspective thrillers.
*Thanks extended to Pan Macmillan for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Jenny Quintana’s second novel following the release of The Missing Girl, is another heart-breaking thriller. Our Dark Secret is a tale of complicated teen relationships, family relations, the past, silence and death. This slow burn style mystery novel issues a sense of dread from the opening to the close of this absorbing tale.
Our Dark Secret tracks back to the 1970s where we meet two teenage girls. The first is Elizabeth, a studious girl, clever but the target of school bullies. When Elizabeth encounters Rachel, who has just arrived in the area, Elizabeth’s life begins to look up. Together, these two very different souls become friends, each taking what they need from the other. However, it soon becomes clear that this is an uneven friendship, with Elizabeth sacrificing a great deal to secure her friendship with Rachel. Elizabeth goes above and beyond for Rachel. When a body is discovered, it will have far reaching effects for years to come. Twenty years later, Elizabeth is a grown woman, who does not want to revisit her troubled past. She believes her difficult teen years should stay buried in the past. But when another dead body appears, Elizabeth realises it is high time that she confronted the harsh truth of her past.
I reviewed Jenny Quintana’s debut novel, The Missing Girl back in late December 2017. It is great to see this author produce a brand new thriller, which again focusses on the mechanics of tenuous family relations and the domestic front. Quintana’s emphasis on the psychology of difficult lives and human frailty is again employed in Our Dark Secret.
I was initially drawn to Our Dark Secret by the intriguing synopsis and my appreciation for this author’s previous work. Our Dark Secret is well written and is characterised by some solid storytelling skills. The prose is descriptive and very atmospheric. I felt deeply entrenched in the happenings of this book. The characters were both vividly drawn, but also mysterious, so I was never quite sure if I could trust them or not. Our Dark Secret is not a fast paced suspense style thriller, it reads as an introspective study of human nature. The tension builds at a gentle pace, with little clues thrown in for the reader to place.
Within Our Dark Secret Quintana delves into a number of affecting themes. From tenuous family relations, to complicated friendships, obsession, intent, teen issues, bullying, self-esteem, love, separation, divorce, infidelity, secrets, silence and abuse. Some of these issues may bring a sense of understanding, while others may make the reader quite uncomfortable. However, Quintana does approach to each of her resounding themes is touched with sensitivity and psychological insight.
I did find a great deal to appreciate about Our Dark Secret, I liked the overall structure of the book, which is concurrently set between 1999 and the late 1970s, along with some glimpses into 1969. These year references are clearly signposted for the reader at the opening of each chapter, which I found useful in guiding me through the unfolding story.
In the end, I consider Our Dark Secret to be a compelling slow burn domestic thriller. The strong underlining focus on the psychological aspects of a tumultuous friendship, a problematic family life and the weight of tightly held secrets bears down hard on this novel. Do check this one out if you appreciate introspective thrillers.
*Thanks extended to Pan Macmillan for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
February 2, 2020
This beautifully written story plays out in two timelines. Then and now. All the characters are sensitively developed as what happened to tie two unlikely girls bonding together forever, is revealed. Partly a sad family drama and partly a poignant look at the challenges facing children who come from broken and dysfunctional families, the story weaves together the lives of people who, true to human nature, are often misjudged. Don't judge a book by its cover comes to mind, as the reader is taken on a journey predominantly by awkward main character Elisabeth, whose father checks out of the marriage to her mother and takes up with Charlotte, mother of the beautiful Rachel. Rachel is the object of Elisabeth's infatuation and idolisation.
I read this story in the Pigeon Book club and many readers complained about the pace of the story, but I did not agree. By the end of the book, all loose ends had been tied up and all that remained was for the reader to decide whether or not either or both girls were ever discovered and convicted for the dark secret which they shared. 5 Stars!
I read this story in the Pigeon Book club and many readers complained about the pace of the story, but I did not agree. By the end of the book, all loose ends had been tied up and all that remained was for the reader to decide whether or not either or both girls were ever discovered and convicted for the dark secret which they shared. 5 Stars!
February 2, 2020
⭐⭐⭐1/2
"...devil's and demons not only hid amongst the trees, they sometimes hid inside the hearts of people."
My Dark Secret is a story about Elizabeth.
The Past - She was not one of the cool kids at school and she struggled with her weight. Her parents were also having problems. Then she met Rachel and her whole life is turned upside down in more then ons way.
The Present - Elizabeth gets a call from her old neighbor. A skeleton has been discovered in the fields. Will her secret be discovered......
I found this a slow read. There is not a lot of nail-biting suspence. It is well written but it could have done with a bit more oemf.
"...devil's and demons not only hid amongst the trees, they sometimes hid inside the hearts of people."
My Dark Secret is a story about Elizabeth.
The Past - She was not one of the cool kids at school and she struggled with her weight. Her parents were also having problems. Then she met Rachel and her whole life is turned upside down in more then ons way.
The Present - Elizabeth gets a call from her old neighbor. A skeleton has been discovered in the fields. Will her secret be discovered......
I found this a slow read. There is not a lot of nail-biting suspence. It is well written but it could have done with a bit more oemf.
January 9, 2020
This book evidences some good, solid storytelling by the author but where it fell a little short for me was in its originality and memorability. I didn’t find the story specifically original, and it seemed to lack any dynamite. For this reason I also didn’t find it very memorable. I enjoyed the story and I felt that for most of the book the tension was building nicely and I was psyching myself up for a great ending…and then, boom, the final sentence of the book arrived and I turned the page expecting more because the ending felt so flat…but there wasn’t any more. It just ended. Just like that. No big reveal, no twist, no dynamite. Okay, so with that said, the book felt slightly simple to me. Did it tell a story? Yes. Was it gripping? Mostly yes. Did it end with a bang and leave you mesmerized? Unfortunately not.
So, if you’re the type of reader that doesn’t need a big reveal or a “Wow” moment, and you’re happy with good storytelling and a somewhat straightforward story, then this one will be for you and you should give it a try. It’s a story that focuses on some topics that many people will connect with from their teenage years, namely being liked, being popular, wanting to get into the “cool” group at school, and so on. It’s also a story about very adult topics like divorce, broken homes, affairs and the effect of all this on the children. This is not a young adult title and it is indeed an adult thriller but for most of the book the lead character, Elizabeth, is thinking back to her childhood and the way her life unfolded at that time. And I generally love books that alternate between time lines. And I did like this one. I read it word for word and finished it. It was solid. But as I’ve said above, not specifically memorable for me personally
So, if you’re the type of reader that doesn’t need a big reveal or a “Wow” moment, and you’re happy with good storytelling and a somewhat straightforward story, then this one will be for you and you should give it a try. It’s a story that focuses on some topics that many people will connect with from their teenage years, namely being liked, being popular, wanting to get into the “cool” group at school, and so on. It’s also a story about very adult topics like divorce, broken homes, affairs and the effect of all this on the children. This is not a young adult title and it is indeed an adult thriller but for most of the book the lead character, Elizabeth, is thinking back to her childhood and the way her life unfolded at that time. And I generally love books that alternate between time lines. And I did like this one. I read it word for word and finished it. It was solid. But as I’ve said above, not specifically memorable for me personally
February 18, 2020
Our Dark Secret is beautifully written story that plays out in two timelines, the 'then' (1979) and 'now' (1999). All of the characters are deftly developed by
Jenny Quintana
as the events that bond two unlikely girls together forever, are revealed. This story is a lovely combination of a sad family drama whilst taking a poignant look at the difficulties facing children coming from broken and dysfunctional families. In doing so, the story successfully interlaces the lives of people who are frequently misjudged.
In Our Dark Secret, I was taken on a wonderful journey predominantly by the rather awkward and frumpy main character, Elizabeth, whose father walks away from his marriage to her mum, and gets involved with Charlotte, mother to the strikingly beautiful Rachel. Rachel becomes the object of Elizabeth's infatuation and also an obsession. This extremely well-written tale was also a gripping murder-mystery that had me captivated from the first page, and trying to guess the killer's identity certainly held my attention. Although the pace of the story was a little slow, the succinct chapters made this a quick read and I still really enjoyed Our Dark Secret.
Reading this novel has inspired me to seek out a copy of Jenny Quintana's well received début, The Missing Girl.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Pan Macmillan/ Mantle via NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
In Our Dark Secret, I was taken on a wonderful journey predominantly by the rather awkward and frumpy main character, Elizabeth, whose father walks away from his marriage to her mum, and gets involved with Charlotte, mother to the strikingly beautiful Rachel. Rachel becomes the object of Elizabeth's infatuation and also an obsession. This extremely well-written tale was also a gripping murder-mystery that had me captivated from the first page, and trying to guess the killer's identity certainly held my attention. Although the pace of the story was a little slow, the succinct chapters made this a quick read and I still really enjoyed Our Dark Secret.
Reading this novel has inspired me to seek out a copy of Jenny Quintana's well received début, The Missing Girl.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Pan Macmillan/ Mantle via NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
January 14, 2020
I really wanted to like this book! But unfortunately, I did not connect with the characters and i found it very slow. Nothing really interesting happens in the first half part of the book.
Our Dark Secret is told in two timelines from the perspective of Elizabeth, a girl with weight issues who seems to be obsessed with another girl called Rachel. When they are kids, the body of a woman is found near the orchard where Elizabeth likes to spends her time. Fast-forward a decade, and another body is found at a near-by location, but the identity of the victim is unclear. The only thing that is clear to the reader is that Elizabeth knows who the victim is and she is afraid of the death being traced back to her.
* Thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for providing me advanced access to the arc via NetGalley.
Our Dark Secret is told in two timelines from the perspective of Elizabeth, a girl with weight issues who seems to be obsessed with another girl called Rachel. When they are kids, the body of a woman is found near the orchard where Elizabeth likes to spends her time. Fast-forward a decade, and another body is found at a near-by location, but the identity of the victim is unclear. The only thing that is clear to the reader is that Elizabeth knows who the victim is and she is afraid of the death being traced back to her.
* Thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for providing me advanced access to the arc via NetGalley.
April 10, 2020
Nothing really happened and the ending was pretty poor. Not really worth reading!
June 4, 2024
Setting: UK: Chelmsford (1979) & Oxford (1999).
The story is narrated by Elizabeth, unattached, overweight and in a series of dead end jobs even though she is in her mid-thirties - and still haunted by the events from her teenage years in Chelmsford, especially when a neighbour from back then informs her that a skeleton has been discovered on wasteland near her former home. A discovery that doesn't really come as a surprise to Elizabeth...
Flashback to 1979 and Elizabeth's teenage years - already overweight and the victim of bullying at school, Elizabeth finds solace in the attentions of new girl Rachel, who appears to be everything that Elizabeth aspires to. But, after Elizabeth's father runs off with Rachel's mother, events take a dark turn. Firstly, with the discovery of a local woman's body behind a nearby barn nine months after she disappeared and then with some shocking revelations from Rachel about her father, which have violent repercussions.....
This was another slow-burner from this author but, on this occasion, I didn't really relate so well to the characters, particularly Elizabeth herself, as she tells the story of her teenage years that gradually lead to the 1999 discovery. The events of 1979 were largely unpredictable but I was disappointed with the ending and the way the story was left. So only a 3-star rating for me on this occasion - 6/10.
The story is narrated by Elizabeth, unattached, overweight and in a series of dead end jobs even though she is in her mid-thirties - and still haunted by the events from her teenage years in Chelmsford, especially when a neighbour from back then informs her that a skeleton has been discovered on wasteland near her former home. A discovery that doesn't really come as a surprise to Elizabeth...
Flashback to 1979 and Elizabeth's teenage years - already overweight and the victim of bullying at school, Elizabeth finds solace in the attentions of new girl Rachel, who appears to be everything that Elizabeth aspires to. But, after Elizabeth's father runs off with Rachel's mother, events take a dark turn. Firstly, with the discovery of a local woman's body behind a nearby barn nine months after she disappeared and then with some shocking revelations from Rachel about her father, which have violent repercussions.....
This was another slow-burner from this author but, on this occasion, I didn't really relate so well to the characters, particularly Elizabeth herself, as she tells the story of her teenage years that gradually lead to the 1999 discovery. The events of 1979 were largely unpredictable but I was disappointed with the ending and the way the story was left. So only a 3-star rating for me on this occasion - 6/10.
March 10, 2020
Crime Fiction themes do have a tendency to come in waves, but the past having a direct impact on somebody's present and future is a particularly rich field when tilled well, and Jenny Quintana has done that with considerable skill in OUR DARK SECRET.
Based around the character of Elizabeth Constance Valentine, the storyline moves from Elizabeth's 70's childhood, an only child, awkward, shy, clever, tending towards a bit frumpy and overweight. She adored her father Ted (of the wandering eye) but had a more complicated relationship with her more uptight mother Phyllis, particularly after Ted ran away with the mother of Rachel, the girl that Elizabeth wishes she was, or wishes she could be best, closest friends with.
Moving backwards and forwards through time OUR DARK SECRET takes you through Elizabeth's adult life, drifting from nothing job to nothing job, it's 25 years now since something happened that changed Elizabeth's life completely - and that wasn't just her father running off. A body found in the woods near her childhood home obviously has significance for Elizabeth, and the reader watches, as a slow motion car crash of the present day, becomes the out of control freight train which turned Elizabeth, Rachel and their families lives upside down all those years ago.
The character of Elizabeth is particularly well executed. A scruffy, sort of a no-hoper initially, Elizabeth's stronger, and smarter than readers might think. The influence of a broken home, of teenage friendships, of the sheer mind-altering intensity of friendships sought, lost and kept, had and continues to have a profound impact on Elizabeth. Something happened back in those important, formative years that have stunted her emotional growth ever since then, but she's not a victim, or a figure of derision. There's something overwhelmingly good, compelling and engaging about this woman. Rachel, on the other hand, is more ephemeral, the story of Elizabeth works it's way around her, she's a catalyst maybe, but what happened, what is the secret here, is tricky to nail down until this author is more than ready for you to understand just what happened all those years ago.
It's a fascinating study in damage, obsession, affection and distrust. It's an interesting study of parental failings and teenage stuff ups, and the complications that secrets create. Because there's more than one secret here, and each of them is as damaging and confronting as the last.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
Based around the character of Elizabeth Constance Valentine, the storyline moves from Elizabeth's 70's childhood, an only child, awkward, shy, clever, tending towards a bit frumpy and overweight. She adored her father Ted (of the wandering eye) but had a more complicated relationship with her more uptight mother Phyllis, particularly after Ted ran away with the mother of Rachel, the girl that Elizabeth wishes she was, or wishes she could be best, closest friends with.
Moving backwards and forwards through time OUR DARK SECRET takes you through Elizabeth's adult life, drifting from nothing job to nothing job, it's 25 years now since something happened that changed Elizabeth's life completely - and that wasn't just her father running off. A body found in the woods near her childhood home obviously has significance for Elizabeth, and the reader watches, as a slow motion car crash of the present day, becomes the out of control freight train which turned Elizabeth, Rachel and their families lives upside down all those years ago.
The character of Elizabeth is particularly well executed. A scruffy, sort of a no-hoper initially, Elizabeth's stronger, and smarter than readers might think. The influence of a broken home, of teenage friendships, of the sheer mind-altering intensity of friendships sought, lost and kept, had and continues to have a profound impact on Elizabeth. Something happened back in those important, formative years that have stunted her emotional growth ever since then, but she's not a victim, or a figure of derision. There's something overwhelmingly good, compelling and engaging about this woman. Rachel, on the other hand, is more ephemeral, the story of Elizabeth works it's way around her, she's a catalyst maybe, but what happened, what is the secret here, is tricky to nail down until this author is more than ready for you to understand just what happened all those years ago.
It's a fascinating study in damage, obsession, affection and distrust. It's an interesting study of parental failings and teenage stuff ups, and the complications that secrets create. Because there's more than one secret here, and each of them is as damaging and confronting as the last.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
February 1, 2020
http://jessjustreads.com
Our Dark Secret is a psychological thriller about buried secrets, hidden pasts, and the bond between two girls who are hiding a dark secret.
The story follows a dual timeline and switches between 1978 and 1999, slowly revealing the story behind Elizabeth and Rachel’s friendship. From Elizabeth’s point of view, we understand that in 1978 she was lonely, overweight and in desperate need of friendship and companionship.
When she meets Rachel, she grows obsessive — watching her, following her, and desperately trying to find common ground with her. The two do become friends, over time, but it’s not out of loyalty. It’s out of shared trauma and eventually, a terrible crime that ties them both together forever.
In 1999, Elizabeth is similar to how we knew her before. She’s still overweight, lonely and anxious. She receives a phone call from an old neighbour. A body has been found in her old town, and the police suspect foul play. Elizabeth is terrified.
“People around me narrow their eyes as though I’ve done something terribly wrong. Usually it’s my size that affronts them. Sometimes it’s my clothes: mid-calf skirts and buttoned-up blouses. (I’ve never known how to dress).”
Elizabeth is an unreliable narrator — she lies a lot, twisting the truth to capture the attention of her father. And Rachel feels like a mythical character. We never really feel that we understand her because we only meet her through Elizabeth’s POV. Rachel seems to keep to herself, both in the physical sense and also in the social sense. She functions alone, and she doesn’t need companionship like Elizabeth does.
Elizabeth’s characterisation has the most depth, but she’s also the most flawed character. Her parents split up, her dad runs off with another woman, but Elizabeth only seems to care about herself and her non-existent friendship with Rachel. She’s not a great person, and not one that you’d want to be friends with, but I did enjoy reading about her in the book.
The mysteries within the book are enough to keep you engaged and interested in the story. A body has been found in Elizabeth’s hometown and slowly, we find out how Elizabeth and Rachel are connected to that character. Do I think this is the best crime/thriller novel I’ve read in this past year? No. I thought it was fine, but it wasn’t amazing. This is the kind of book you’d pick up at an airport and read on a flight.
“I was still angry with Melissa — the way she’d insulted me. She was only nine. Who did she think she was? It was bad enough at school when people my own age called me names, and then there was the stuff about Mum. Dad would be furious if he knew Mrs Wright had called her prissy.”
Personally, I felt that the 1999 storyline was unnecessary and didn’t add any value to the story. The majority of the book takes place in 1978 and if anything, the 1999 storyline (when it did happen) just detracted from the tense, fast-paced action of the other timeline.
Recommended for fans of thriller, crime and mystery novels.
Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Our Dark Secret is a psychological thriller about buried secrets, hidden pasts, and the bond between two girls who are hiding a dark secret.
The story follows a dual timeline and switches between 1978 and 1999, slowly revealing the story behind Elizabeth and Rachel’s friendship. From Elizabeth’s point of view, we understand that in 1978 she was lonely, overweight and in desperate need of friendship and companionship.
When she meets Rachel, she grows obsessive — watching her, following her, and desperately trying to find common ground with her. The two do become friends, over time, but it’s not out of loyalty. It’s out of shared trauma and eventually, a terrible crime that ties them both together forever.
In 1999, Elizabeth is similar to how we knew her before. She’s still overweight, lonely and anxious. She receives a phone call from an old neighbour. A body has been found in her old town, and the police suspect foul play. Elizabeth is terrified.
“People around me narrow their eyes as though I’ve done something terribly wrong. Usually it’s my size that affronts them. Sometimes it’s my clothes: mid-calf skirts and buttoned-up blouses. (I’ve never known how to dress).”
Elizabeth is an unreliable narrator — she lies a lot, twisting the truth to capture the attention of her father. And Rachel feels like a mythical character. We never really feel that we understand her because we only meet her through Elizabeth’s POV. Rachel seems to keep to herself, both in the physical sense and also in the social sense. She functions alone, and she doesn’t need companionship like Elizabeth does.
Elizabeth’s characterisation has the most depth, but she’s also the most flawed character. Her parents split up, her dad runs off with another woman, but Elizabeth only seems to care about herself and her non-existent friendship with Rachel. She’s not a great person, and not one that you’d want to be friends with, but I did enjoy reading about her in the book.
The mysteries within the book are enough to keep you engaged and interested in the story. A body has been found in Elizabeth’s hometown and slowly, we find out how Elizabeth and Rachel are connected to that character. Do I think this is the best crime/thriller novel I’ve read in this past year? No. I thought it was fine, but it wasn’t amazing. This is the kind of book you’d pick up at an airport and read on a flight.
“I was still angry with Melissa — the way she’d insulted me. She was only nine. Who did she think she was? It was bad enough at school when people my own age called me names, and then there was the stuff about Mum. Dad would be furious if he knew Mrs Wright had called her prissy.”
Personally, I felt that the 1999 storyline was unnecessary and didn’t add any value to the story. The majority of the book takes place in 1978 and if anything, the 1999 storyline (when it did happen) just detracted from the tense, fast-paced action of the other timeline.
Recommended for fans of thriller, crime and mystery novels.
Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 3, 2020
1978 - All Elizabeth had ever wanted was to be like every other fourteen year old girl,she didn't want to be lonely,weak,ignored Elizabeth. She wanted a best friend,someone she could share gossip with about boys and the make up and fashion tips that she got from My Guy and Oh Boy magazines. Then in the summer of 1978,which was also coincidentally the year before they found the first body, Elizabeth had her first encounter with beautiful, red headed Rachel. An encounter that would swiftly turn into an obsession and be the catalyst for a chain of events that would still be haunting Elizabeth's conscience twenty one years later.
1999 - Elizabeth is shocked when her old neighbour informs her that a second body has been discovered on the wasteland where Elizabeth used to have a secret den when she was younger. She knows that it is only a matter of time before the body is identified and the dark secret that she has kept hidden for so long will be revealed. So she decides that it's time to tell the truth about what happened all those years ago.
This mesmerising story is narrated by adult Elizabeth and flips back and forth between 1978 and 1999,there was also a couple of chapters that were set in 1969 and 1977. There was also references to the pop culture of the late 1970s like My Guy and Oh Boy (I preferred Jackie myself) and The Generation Game which brought back memories of my youth. Poor Elizabeth had quite a few striking similarities to myself when I was younger, I also felt like a outcast both at home and at school, the one who never got chosen during games and no one wanted to sit next too during school lessons. Events in her home life also mirrored what happened when I was younger so I couldn't help feeling a close connection with the teenage version of Elizabeth. We only get to know Rachel from Elizabeth's perspective so you have no idea what her opinion was of Elizabeth and if she actually thought of her as a friend or wether she was just using her for her own means.
Our Dark Secret is a extremely well written tale of relationships and also a gripping murder mystery that had me totally captivated from the first page, the mystery of who the killer was and the identity of the second body discovered in the wasteland kept me guessing and frantically turning the pages. The characters were vivid and diverse, a number of them were no who they appeared to be. I read this outstanding thriller in one sitting,I just couldn't put it down. This is my first favourite read of this year, worth far more than five stars and very very highly recommended
Many thanks to Mantle/Pan McMillan and Jenny Quintana for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
1999 - Elizabeth is shocked when her old neighbour informs her that a second body has been discovered on the wasteland where Elizabeth used to have a secret den when she was younger. She knows that it is only a matter of time before the body is identified and the dark secret that she has kept hidden for so long will be revealed. So she decides that it's time to tell the truth about what happened all those years ago.
This mesmerising story is narrated by adult Elizabeth and flips back and forth between 1978 and 1999,there was also a couple of chapters that were set in 1969 and 1977. There was also references to the pop culture of the late 1970s like My Guy and Oh Boy (I preferred Jackie myself) and The Generation Game which brought back memories of my youth. Poor Elizabeth had quite a few striking similarities to myself when I was younger, I also felt like a outcast both at home and at school, the one who never got chosen during games and no one wanted to sit next too during school lessons. Events in her home life also mirrored what happened when I was younger so I couldn't help feeling a close connection with the teenage version of Elizabeth. We only get to know Rachel from Elizabeth's perspective so you have no idea what her opinion was of Elizabeth and if she actually thought of her as a friend or wether she was just using her for her own means.
Our Dark Secret is a extremely well written tale of relationships and also a gripping murder mystery that had me totally captivated from the first page, the mystery of who the killer was and the identity of the second body discovered in the wasteland kept me guessing and frantically turning the pages. The characters were vivid and diverse, a number of them were no who they appeared to be. I read this outstanding thriller in one sitting,I just couldn't put it down. This is my first favourite read of this year, worth far more than five stars and very very highly recommended
Many thanks to Mantle/Pan McMillan and Jenny Quintana for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
February 1, 2020
Beautifully written this a languid tale of friendship, self esteem, parent-child relationships and the dark and terrifying effects of abuse.
Elizabeth struggles at school to fit in. She is clever but overweight and therefore invisible as a person with the exception of being a prime target for bullying and hurling insults at.
The story is set in the late 1970s, the decade I was born in, and so the portrayal of society then resonated strongly with me. Flares, platforms and no social media!
Elizabeth is naive for her age, at least compared to today's standards of teenage behaviour and because she is so lonely she often retreats into fantasy in order to cope with life's overwhelming challenges.
She has to cope with loss and seems emotionally adrift which might explain why she becomes so desperate to latch onto Rachel, a slightly older girl unwittingly connected to Elizabeth via the behaviour of their families.
Unfortunately Rachel has a terrible secret and it is this secret that ultimately binds Elizabeth and Rachel together forever.
This sensitive portrayal of the hideous things we humans can do to each other, all in the name of 'love,' which of course doesn't always come in the unconditional, caring form we would all like it to be, seesaws between 1979 and 1999. As present day Elizabeth looks back at the past, we discover the lengths we can go to and the dark places our motivations can take us to.
I will definitely read another Jenny Quintana book. I think there is one entitled The Missing Girl so off to take a look at that.
Elizabeth struggles at school to fit in. She is clever but overweight and therefore invisible as a person with the exception of being a prime target for bullying and hurling insults at.
The story is set in the late 1970s, the decade I was born in, and so the portrayal of society then resonated strongly with me. Flares, platforms and no social media!
Elizabeth is naive for her age, at least compared to today's standards of teenage behaviour and because she is so lonely she often retreats into fantasy in order to cope with life's overwhelming challenges.
She has to cope with loss and seems emotionally adrift which might explain why she becomes so desperate to latch onto Rachel, a slightly older girl unwittingly connected to Elizabeth via the behaviour of their families.
Unfortunately Rachel has a terrible secret and it is this secret that ultimately binds Elizabeth and Rachel together forever.
This sensitive portrayal of the hideous things we humans can do to each other, all in the name of 'love,' which of course doesn't always come in the unconditional, caring form we would all like it to be, seesaws between 1979 and 1999. As present day Elizabeth looks back at the past, we discover the lengths we can go to and the dark places our motivations can take us to.
I will definitely read another Jenny Quintana book. I think there is one entitled The Missing Girl so off to take a look at that.
August 29, 2021
Alltså. Jag är så otroligt besviken på den här boken.
Jag har varit extremt intresserad av att läsa den här boken sen den kom ut i inbundet någon gång förra året, så jag har liksom längtat tills den skulle komma ut i pocket i princip.
Men. Men men men.. den är inte bra. Historien är så långsam så jag skrev till en kompis att hon kunde skippa 100 sidor utan att nämnvärt inte hänga med i historien. Vänskapen mellan Elisabeth och Rachel är ytterst oklar, och för mig är det knappt en vänskap utan mer där ena parten är besatt av den andra. Själva spänningen med morden är inte alls spännande över huvud taget.
Nej, det enda positiva med den här boken är dess omslag - för jädrar vad snyggt det är.
Jag har varit extremt intresserad av att läsa den här boken sen den kom ut i inbundet någon gång förra året, så jag har liksom längtat tills den skulle komma ut i pocket i princip.
Men. Men men men.. den är inte bra. Historien är så långsam så jag skrev till en kompis att hon kunde skippa 100 sidor utan att nämnvärt inte hänga med i historien. Vänskapen mellan Elisabeth och Rachel är ytterst oklar, och för mig är det knappt en vänskap utan mer där ena parten är besatt av den andra. Själva spänningen med morden är inte alls spännande över huvud taget.
Nej, det enda positiva med den här boken är dess omslag - för jädrar vad snyggt det är.
May 7, 2021
I kept reading, thinking something would eventually happen. Unfortunately, it never did.
February 7, 2022
This book was really really slow, I skipped a few chapters and missed nothing. 😐
Could have been so much more, but sadly disappointing
Could have been so much more, but sadly disappointing
June 15, 2023
As thrillers go, it’s very slow paced which some might find off putting but its worth sticking to it because the ending is quite exciting.
April 22, 2021
Having recently enjoyed Jenny Quintana’s most recent book, The Hiding Place, I knew I had to catch up on her previous books. Our Dark Secret has a really intriguing premise. Twenty years ago, Elizabeth did something terrible. She is determined to make sure that secret stays buried. She’s moved on with her life, and Elizabeth doesn’t want anything to upset that. But with the discovery of a body in her hometown, where she grew up, she knows she will have to face the uncomfortable truth. But what really happened twenty years ago?
What I like about Jenny’s writing is that she pulls you in from the very first page. Before I knew it, I’d finished the entire book. This isn’t a fast-paced thriller, and I would describe her books as slow-burners, but they are utterly absorbing. I wanted to find out more about the characters and the secret that bound them together.
We meet Rachel, who is a bit of a loner and a target for school bullies. Then she meets Elizabeth a girl, who she thought at first, she would never be friends with. I was really intrigued by Rachel and Elizabeth’s friendship. If you saw the two girls in the street, you would never have thought that they would be friends. It’s hard to talk about how they end up getting to know each other without giving the plot away.
Jenny Quintana creates a foreboding atmosphere as we go back in time, and we get to see events in the past unfold. I felt I connected with Elizabeth, and I felt sorry for her. I felt glad for her when Rachel came into her life as it made me think that now she had someone she could talk to. As Rachel and Elizabeth get to know each other more, they make a horrifying discovery when they find the body of a woman. But what connection does this body have to the body which is found twenty years later? A body which Rachel and Elizabeth hoped would never be found?
There are some heartbreaking revelations as Jenny Quintana gradually begins to reveal what happened in the past. I couldn’t believe what I was reading as what happened in those years was explained. It’s what makes this book such a heartbreaking read as well.
Jenny Quintana’s writing is so absorbing, and her books are beautifully written. If you haven’t yet discovered her work, then you need to add her books to your TBR pile. Now, I need to catch up on reading her first novel.
What I like about Jenny’s writing is that she pulls you in from the very first page. Before I knew it, I’d finished the entire book. This isn’t a fast-paced thriller, and I would describe her books as slow-burners, but they are utterly absorbing. I wanted to find out more about the characters and the secret that bound them together.
We meet Rachel, who is a bit of a loner and a target for school bullies. Then she meets Elizabeth a girl, who she thought at first, she would never be friends with. I was really intrigued by Rachel and Elizabeth’s friendship. If you saw the two girls in the street, you would never have thought that they would be friends. It’s hard to talk about how they end up getting to know each other without giving the plot away.
Jenny Quintana creates a foreboding atmosphere as we go back in time, and we get to see events in the past unfold. I felt I connected with Elizabeth, and I felt sorry for her. I felt glad for her when Rachel came into her life as it made me think that now she had someone she could talk to. As Rachel and Elizabeth get to know each other more, they make a horrifying discovery when they find the body of a woman. But what connection does this body have to the body which is found twenty years later? A body which Rachel and Elizabeth hoped would never be found?
There are some heartbreaking revelations as Jenny Quintana gradually begins to reveal what happened in the past. I couldn’t believe what I was reading as what happened in those years was explained. It’s what makes this book such a heartbreaking read as well.
Jenny Quintana’s writing is so absorbing, and her books are beautifully written. If you haven’t yet discovered her work, then you need to add her books to your TBR pile. Now, I need to catch up on reading her first novel.
June 15, 2025
Was quite a slow start to begin with as it did take me a while o get right into our dark secret.
The plot was good.
The selection of characters were good as well.
Will look into more from this author in the future, as this one did help me through the day.
The plot was good.
The selection of characters were good as well.
Will look into more from this author in the future, as this one did help me through the day.
January 8, 2021
Vänskap över alla gränser. Två tjejer som blandas ihop via sina föräldrar eller via dyrkan och beundran. Finns det mer bakom fasaden och attityden? Oftast.
July 12, 2022
slow but good, twisty ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
July 7, 2025
Listened to on audio. Easy read, decent story that switched between what happened in 1979 and 1999 linking two dead bodies. New author for me, will read more though.
February 16, 2020
Originally posted on my blog.
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2020 is the year of broadening my reading horizons and it's really paying off! My preferred genre is YA contemporary, sci-fi and fantasy, but I've received a couple of 'grown-up' thrillers from the fabulous team at Pan Macmillan Australia and thought I should check them out. The result? WINNING. Just like 'Big Lies In A Small Town', this is another addictive read with a compelling character-driven storyline.
A body has been discovered in the dip in the wasteland beyond the orchard, formerly the protagonist Elizabeth's childhood stomping ground, and she knows exactly who it is and how they ended up there. We dip into different time periods as Elizabeth pieces together her history for us, unspooling hints and clues along the way relating to the titular 'dark secret' and periodically returning to the present day in 1999 while she reflects on her next move. This storytelling format isn't reinventing the wheel, but it's highly effective in developing her character, propelling the plot and keeping the reader hooked. It's the perfect recipe for a page-turner where people keep thinking 'just one more chapter' and then end up binging it in one go because you just HAVE to find out what happened!
The pacing may be a bit slow for some readers as this is largely focused on Elizabeth's personal life and the greater impact of her choices. There are certainly surprising twists and turns, but it's more akin to a cozy mystery than a story driven by breathless adrenaline-packed gimmicks. I really enjoyed the no-frills approach that the author chose, eschewing melodrama and frantically escalating stakes in favor of a character study of a normal plain dumpy girl with self-esteem issues who becomes infatuated with the pretty new girl in town.
Not everyone will warm to Elizabeth - she's painfully realistic as a lonely, willful child blind to the problems she causes out of a desire for attention, then as a teenager, it's cringe-worthy how desperate she is for Rachel's friendship, fawning over her and very blatantly making up pretexts to show up at her house in an attempt to inveigle herself into Rachel's life. But I have a spot spot for 'unlikable' female protagonists - I rooted for her to find security and happiness even as I shook my head in despair at her fumbling social awkwardness (I related a little too much at points).
Friendships between young girls can be frighteningly all-consuming and with an obsessive personality like Elizabeth's, the tension builds throughout the story as we wait to see what tragedy unfolds and how Rachel is involved since we know that Elizabeth will do anything for her, anything at all. I twisted myself in knots waiting for the final reveal and it was absolutely satisfying once the author revealed all at last.
Recommended for fans of slow-burn psychological thrillers, family drama and languid character studies with a dark underbelly.
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Disclaimer: Physical copy provided by publisher free for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
--
2020 is the year of broadening my reading horizons and it's really paying off! My preferred genre is YA contemporary, sci-fi and fantasy, but I've received a couple of 'grown-up' thrillers from the fabulous team at Pan Macmillan Australia and thought I should check them out. The result? WINNING. Just like 'Big Lies In A Small Town', this is another addictive read with a compelling character-driven storyline.
A body has been discovered in the dip in the wasteland beyond the orchard, formerly the protagonist Elizabeth's childhood stomping ground, and she knows exactly who it is and how they ended up there. We dip into different time periods as Elizabeth pieces together her history for us, unspooling hints and clues along the way relating to the titular 'dark secret' and periodically returning to the present day in 1999 while she reflects on her next move. This storytelling format isn't reinventing the wheel, but it's highly effective in developing her character, propelling the plot and keeping the reader hooked. It's the perfect recipe for a page-turner where people keep thinking 'just one more chapter' and then end up binging it in one go because you just HAVE to find out what happened!
The pacing may be a bit slow for some readers as this is largely focused on Elizabeth's personal life and the greater impact of her choices. There are certainly surprising twists and turns, but it's more akin to a cozy mystery than a story driven by breathless adrenaline-packed gimmicks. I really enjoyed the no-frills approach that the author chose, eschewing melodrama and frantically escalating stakes in favor of a character study of a normal plain dumpy girl with self-esteem issues who becomes infatuated with the pretty new girl in town.
Not everyone will warm to Elizabeth - she's painfully realistic as a lonely, willful child blind to the problems she causes out of a desire for attention, then as a teenager, it's cringe-worthy how desperate she is for Rachel's friendship, fawning over her and very blatantly making up pretexts to show up at her house in an attempt to inveigle herself into Rachel's life. But I have a spot spot for 'unlikable' female protagonists - I rooted for her to find security and happiness even as I shook my head in despair at her fumbling social awkwardness (I related a little too much at points).
Friendships between young girls can be frighteningly all-consuming and with an obsessive personality like Elizabeth's, the tension builds throughout the story as we wait to see what tragedy unfolds and how Rachel is involved since we know that Elizabeth will do anything for her, anything at all. I twisted myself in knots waiting for the final reveal and it was absolutely satisfying once the author revealed all at last.
Recommended for fans of slow-burn psychological thrillers, family drama and languid character studies with a dark underbelly.
--
Disclaimer: Physical copy provided by publisher free for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 1, 2020
Meet the narrator of Our Dark Secret, Elizabeth Valentine. Despite her great name she is a highly complex character, who invokes your sympathy when the author introduces her, detailing her background and home life. Set in the late 1970’s it’s clear from the beginning that Elizabeth is one of life’s misfits, destined to forever be watching from the sidelines. Bullied for her size from an early age, she cuts a sad lonely figure, not helped by her tendency to tell lies.
This is a beautifully written novel, evoking memories for those of us who well remember the era but the pace is slow with the author preferring to drip feed details. I think this is what is commonly known as a slow burner of a book but may well lose the interest of some. Certainly the promising beginning caught my interest and I was intrigued to discover Elizabeth’s dark secret. The author has captured beautifully the pain Elizabeth and her mother endure when her dad leaves them for another woman. Clearly this occupies much of Elizabeth’s day to day thoughts as we witness her home life falling apart with her mother destroyed by the betrayal. I found this heartbreaking although Elizabeth isn’t the only victim here since elder daughter Rebecca is left behind when Mrs Wright absconds with her younger daughter Melissa to start a new life with Elizabeth’s father. To be abandoned by someone you love (she’s a daddy’s girl) is made even harder when they choose another child over their own flesh and blood. You can feel the sorrow and anguish in Elizabeth’s words as she grapples with her new unwanted circumstances, feelings that will resonate with many. Her father, a bit of a ladies man definitely doesn’t deserve her adoration and made me quite angry at how easily he casts her aside. However as the storyline develops I found myself losing patience with Elizabeth as her self pitying and self centred nature seems to intensify along with her creepy obsession with Rachel. Obviously this sad lonely girl just wants a friend, desperately so, someone to love and the fact she’s never fit in is so well conveyed in these pages.
The past haunts present day Elizabeth, with the reader left to guess for the most part what this dark secret is. All we know is a skeleton has been found on the wasteland near Elizabeth’s former home but who is it and why is it there? Dark it is indeed as all the threads come together, finally making sense and I found myself enjoying the ending, having started to lose interest halfway through. Elizabeth definitely redeems herself in my eyes in these last pages (sorry no spoilers here!) which are again sensitively written, offering perhaps some light after years of darkness.
Whilst the slow pace may not be to everyone’s liking I urge fellow readers to pick this novel up to appreciate the beautiful prose. It’s a sensitive novel capturing teenage angst, love, friendship and a disturbing dark secret.
My thanks as always to the author and publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read in exchange for an honest review.
This is a beautifully written novel, evoking memories for those of us who well remember the era but the pace is slow with the author preferring to drip feed details. I think this is what is commonly known as a slow burner of a book but may well lose the interest of some. Certainly the promising beginning caught my interest and I was intrigued to discover Elizabeth’s dark secret. The author has captured beautifully the pain Elizabeth and her mother endure when her dad leaves them for another woman. Clearly this occupies much of Elizabeth’s day to day thoughts as we witness her home life falling apart with her mother destroyed by the betrayal. I found this heartbreaking although Elizabeth isn’t the only victim here since elder daughter Rebecca is left behind when Mrs Wright absconds with her younger daughter Melissa to start a new life with Elizabeth’s father. To be abandoned by someone you love (she’s a daddy’s girl) is made even harder when they choose another child over their own flesh and blood. You can feel the sorrow and anguish in Elizabeth’s words as she grapples with her new unwanted circumstances, feelings that will resonate with many. Her father, a bit of a ladies man definitely doesn’t deserve her adoration and made me quite angry at how easily he casts her aside. However as the storyline develops I found myself losing patience with Elizabeth as her self pitying and self centred nature seems to intensify along with her creepy obsession with Rachel. Obviously this sad lonely girl just wants a friend, desperately so, someone to love and the fact she’s never fit in is so well conveyed in these pages.
The past haunts present day Elizabeth, with the reader left to guess for the most part what this dark secret is. All we know is a skeleton has been found on the wasteland near Elizabeth’s former home but who is it and why is it there? Dark it is indeed as all the threads come together, finally making sense and I found myself enjoying the ending, having started to lose interest halfway through. Elizabeth definitely redeems herself in my eyes in these last pages (sorry no spoilers here!) which are again sensitively written, offering perhaps some light after years of darkness.
Whilst the slow pace may not be to everyone’s liking I urge fellow readers to pick this novel up to appreciate the beautiful prose. It’s a sensitive novel capturing teenage angst, love, friendship and a disturbing dark secret.
My thanks as always to the author and publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read in exchange for an honest review.
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