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We All Have Our Secrets
Emily made a mistake, a mistake midwifes can't afford to make. Escaping to her dad's home in Devon to regroup and check in on him – his dementia has been worsening, and her guilt along with it – she is surprised when a beautiful stranger answers the door. Francoise is her dad's new carer, but Emily's father seems to have deteriorated under her care.
Emily doesn't trust Francoise – but she doesn't trust herself either. Each has a secret. And one of them will kill to keep it . . .
A suspenseful, darkly emotive domestic thriller from the Sunday Times bestseller about what happens when family ties are pushed to breaking point.
Emily doesn't trust Francoise – but she doesn't trust herself either. Each has a secret. And one of them will kill to keep it . . .
A suspenseful, darkly emotive domestic thriller from the Sunday Times bestseller about what happens when family ties are pushed to breaking point.
381 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
77 people are currently reading
1560 people want to read
About the author
Jane Corry
16 books1,702 followersJane Corry is a Sunday Times and Washington Post best-seller. After working as a journalist for many years, she took a job as a writer in residence of a high-security male prison out of financial necessity. But she became hooked.
Novels include MY HUSBAND'S WIFE, BLOOD SISTERS, THE DEAD EX, I MADE A MISTAKE, I LOOKED AWAY, THE LIES WE TELL, WE ALL HAVE OUR SECRETS,COMING TO FIND YOU and I DIED ON A TUESDAY. Her next novel come out in June 2025. Title to be announced soon!
She is published by Penguin in the UK and Doubleday in Canada and the US.
You can find Jane on Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok, Threads and Facebook . Also on www.janecorryauthor.com
Novels include MY HUSBAND'S WIFE, BLOOD SISTERS, THE DEAD EX, I MADE A MISTAKE, I LOOKED AWAY, THE LIES WE TELL, WE ALL HAVE OUR SECRETS,COMING TO FIND YOU and I DIED ON A TUESDAY. Her next novel come out in June 2025. Title to be announced soon!
She is published by Penguin in the UK and Doubleday in Canada and the US.
You can find Jane on Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok, Threads and Facebook . Also on www.janecorryauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 374 reviews
July 25, 2022
EXCERPT: I begin to wonder if I have misjudged this woman. She's smart.
Like me.
Full of contradictions.
Like me.
Yet there is still a kindness to her.
Like me too.
We are partly bad. And partly good.
But only one of us killed our father.
Which means one of us is lying.
ABOUT 'WE ALL HAVE OUR SECRETS': Emily made a mistake, a mistake midwifes can't afford to make. Escaping to her dad's home in Devon to regroup and check in on him – his dementia has been worsening, and her guilt along with it – she is surprised when a beautiful stranger answers the door. Francoise is her dad's new carer, but Emily's father seems to have deteriorated under her care.
Emily doesn't trust Francoise – but she doesn't trust herself either. Each has a secret. And one of them will kill to keep it.
MY THOUGHTS: We All Have Our Secrets is my first book by Jane Corry, and I found it a disappointing experience. I would call this an entry level family drama.
I didn't find this to be at all suspenseful, nor thrilling. I expected the writing style to be a lot more polished than it is. I found the characters to be one dimensional, the dialogue stilted. The only element of mystery centred around Emily's mistake in her job as a midwife and, really, it's not much of a mystery.
There are are a couple of small twists, but nothing you won't see coming. And btw, Jane Corry, Hair analysis is done by evaluating hair structure and DNA from cells attached to the root of the hair. So cutting hair to send off for testing just isn't going to cut it.
There's a lot of repetition as we are told most events from both Emily's and Francois' points of view. I didn't get much from the occasional excerpts from Harold Gentle's diary either.
All in all, it's very superficial, no atmosphere, and I didn't connect with any of the characters. I felt no emotion whatsoever - I wanted to be suspicious, but I found I just didn't care.
⭐⭐.5
#WeAllHaveOurSecrets #NetGalley
I: @janecorry @penguinukbooks @pengionfigtree
T: @JaneCorryAuthor @FigTreePenguin
#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #mystery #romance
THE AUTHOR: Jane Corry is a writer and journalist who has spent time working as the writer in residence of a high security prison for men - an experience that helped inspire her Sunday Times bestsellers 'My Husband's Wife' and 'Blood Sisters'. Jane runs regular writing workshops and speaks at literary festivals all over the world. Many of her ideas strike during morning dog-jogs along the beach followed by a dip in the sea - no matter how cold it is!
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of We All Have Our Secrets by Jane Corry for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Like me.
Full of contradictions.
Like me.
Yet there is still a kindness to her.
Like me too.
We are partly bad. And partly good.
But only one of us killed our father.
Which means one of us is lying.
ABOUT 'WE ALL HAVE OUR SECRETS': Emily made a mistake, a mistake midwifes can't afford to make. Escaping to her dad's home in Devon to regroup and check in on him – his dementia has been worsening, and her guilt along with it – she is surprised when a beautiful stranger answers the door. Francoise is her dad's new carer, but Emily's father seems to have deteriorated under her care.
Emily doesn't trust Francoise – but she doesn't trust herself either. Each has a secret. And one of them will kill to keep it.
MY THOUGHTS: We All Have Our Secrets is my first book by Jane Corry, and I found it a disappointing experience. I would call this an entry level family drama.
I didn't find this to be at all suspenseful, nor thrilling. I expected the writing style to be a lot more polished than it is. I found the characters to be one dimensional, the dialogue stilted. The only element of mystery centred around Emily's mistake in her job as a midwife and, really, it's not much of a mystery.
There are are a couple of small twists, but nothing you won't see coming. And btw, Jane Corry, Hair analysis is done by evaluating hair structure and DNA from cells attached to the root of the hair. So cutting hair to send off for testing just isn't going to cut it.
There's a lot of repetition as we are told most events from both Emily's and Francois' points of view. I didn't get much from the occasional excerpts from Harold Gentle's diary either.
All in all, it's very superficial, no atmosphere, and I didn't connect with any of the characters. I felt no emotion whatsoever - I wanted to be suspicious, but I found I just didn't care.
⭐⭐.5
#WeAllHaveOurSecrets #NetGalley
I: @janecorry @penguinukbooks @pengionfigtree
T: @JaneCorryAuthor @FigTreePenguin
#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #mystery #romance
THE AUTHOR: Jane Corry is a writer and journalist who has spent time working as the writer in residence of a high security prison for men - an experience that helped inspire her Sunday Times bestsellers 'My Husband's Wife' and 'Blood Sisters'. Jane runs regular writing workshops and speaks at literary festivals all over the world. Many of her ideas strike during morning dog-jogs along the beach followed by a dip in the sea - no matter how cold it is!
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of We All Have Our Secrets by Jane Corry for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
February 26, 2022
3.5 rounded up.
We all have our secrets it’s true but 93 year old Harold Gentle, his midwife daughter Emily and his new carer Françoise have more than most. The story is told by Françoise and Emily in the present and by Henry from 1945.
The novel starts really strongly and once Emily returns to Cornwall from her job in London (for reasons which soon become apparent) you could cut the atmosphere with a knife as the presence of Françoise is somewhat of a surprise. Emily‘s feelings of lack of trust, suspicion and certainly jealousy are very well done and her hostility to Françoise comes across loud and clear. She feels like a cuckoo in her own nest. There are some tantalising secrets hanging over them all which are unsettling and there are some chilling frissons as if there’s icy cold breath on the back of your neck. Some characterisation is very good, I like the complexity of Harold and to a certain extent Emily and the uncertainty surrounding Françoise. There are some interesting confrontations as lives begin to intertwine and guilt becomes part of the mix and a she said/she said scenario unfolds.
So far so good, it’s shaping up well and then we get the Françoise perspective and that’s when it starts to drift away from the very strong first half. The plot begins to get a bit overloaded, I enjoy the power-play between Emily and Françoise but so many things then get chucked into the mix it gets rather dizzying. The alternating points of view of Emily and Françoise also lead to repetition which is unnecessary. I’m not keen on the ending as there’s a lot of 180° twists and turns and it just feels too nice after all the angst.
Overall, it’s a more than a decent read but in my opinion not as strong as the authors previous work however, there are sufficiently strong elements to push it into a four star rating.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin General for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
We all have our secrets it’s true but 93 year old Harold Gentle, his midwife daughter Emily and his new carer Françoise have more than most. The story is told by Françoise and Emily in the present and by Henry from 1945.
The novel starts really strongly and once Emily returns to Cornwall from her job in London (for reasons which soon become apparent) you could cut the atmosphere with a knife as the presence of Françoise is somewhat of a surprise. Emily‘s feelings of lack of trust, suspicion and certainly jealousy are very well done and her hostility to Françoise comes across loud and clear. She feels like a cuckoo in her own nest. There are some tantalising secrets hanging over them all which are unsettling and there are some chilling frissons as if there’s icy cold breath on the back of your neck. Some characterisation is very good, I like the complexity of Harold and to a certain extent Emily and the uncertainty surrounding Françoise. There are some interesting confrontations as lives begin to intertwine and guilt becomes part of the mix and a she said/she said scenario unfolds.
So far so good, it’s shaping up well and then we get the Françoise perspective and that’s when it starts to drift away from the very strong first half. The plot begins to get a bit overloaded, I enjoy the power-play between Emily and Françoise but so many things then get chucked into the mix it gets rather dizzying. The alternating points of view of Emily and Françoise also lead to repetition which is unnecessary. I’m not keen on the ending as there’s a lot of 180° twists and turns and it just feels too nice after all the angst.
Overall, it’s a more than a decent read but in my opinion not as strong as the authors previous work however, there are sufficiently strong elements to push it into a four star rating.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin General for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
June 28, 2022
It was all a bit mediocre!
A serious incident on the job sees Midwife Emily Gentle fleeing to her childhood home in Cornwall to care for her ailing father – Harold Gentle. But, when Emily arrives, she is greeted by an unwelcome surprise – her father has hired a career, Francoise Alarie. She’s young and pretty, and Emily’s disturbed by the close, unnatural relationship she witnesses between Francoise and her father. There’s just something about her Emily doesn’t trust. What secrets is she hiding? Because Emily knows all about secrets. So does Harold.
Based on past experience, a Jane Corry psychological thriller is a guaranteed multi-layered mystery with phenomenal twists that keep me guessing right up until the last page. Unfortunately, We All Have Our Secrets was more domestic family drama, parent/child relationships, with a side romantic subplot than suspenseful thriller, and the drama was average at best. There were unpredictable twists, but they were kind of meh, and after finishing I was like, “Is that It?”
POV’s alternated between Emily and Francoise, with Part 1 narrated by Emily, Part 2, Francoise, etc. There were also italicised diary entries penned by Harold Gentle dating back to 1945 when German occupied France. Having both Emily and Francoise as POV’s didn’t really work for me, as they tended to overlap in regards to the reveal of secrets, resulting in repetitive plot points. I also thought this novel was overly long especially towards the end.
The writing was Jane Corey’s usual high standard, and just because this one didn’t work for me, doesn’t mean I’d give up on her. The first three books I read by her were 5 star reads, and the fourth, a four, so she is definitely a talented author. Here’s hoping her next book is a return to form, and is more thriller than drama.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Penguin UK, and Jane Corry for the e-ARC.
Out now!
A serious incident on the job sees Midwife Emily Gentle fleeing to her childhood home in Cornwall to care for her ailing father – Harold Gentle. But, when Emily arrives, she is greeted by an unwelcome surprise – her father has hired a career, Francoise Alarie. She’s young and pretty, and Emily’s disturbed by the close, unnatural relationship she witnesses between Francoise and her father. There’s just something about her Emily doesn’t trust. What secrets is she hiding? Because Emily knows all about secrets. So does Harold.
Based on past experience, a Jane Corry psychological thriller is a guaranteed multi-layered mystery with phenomenal twists that keep me guessing right up until the last page. Unfortunately, We All Have Our Secrets was more domestic family drama, parent/child relationships, with a side romantic subplot than suspenseful thriller, and the drama was average at best. There were unpredictable twists, but they were kind of meh, and after finishing I was like, “Is that It?”
POV’s alternated between Emily and Francoise, with Part 1 narrated by Emily, Part 2, Francoise, etc. There were also italicised diary entries penned by Harold Gentle dating back to 1945 when German occupied France. Having both Emily and Francoise as POV’s didn’t really work for me, as they tended to overlap in regards to the reveal of secrets, resulting in repetitive plot points. I also thought this novel was overly long especially towards the end.
The writing was Jane Corey’s usual high standard, and just because this one didn’t work for me, doesn’t mean I’d give up on her. The first three books I read by her were 5 star reads, and the fourth, a four, so she is definitely a talented author. Here’s hoping her next book is a return to form, and is more thriller than drama.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Penguin UK, and Jane Corry for the e-ARC.
Out now!
June 25, 2022
The latest thriller from Jane Corry We All Have Our Secrets began on a very high note…thrilling scenario of a young woman playing the role of a carer for a geriatric man, and the daughter suspecting something amiss had all the hallmarks of a gripping story. Being Jane Corry, I had expected the emotional journey along with the thrill ride. Even though the premise is quite intriguing, the story failed to live up to my expectations, and truth be told, the expectation is way up there which could be the reason why I felt excited reading this but did not suffer any bungee-jumping adrenaline rush.
Told majorly thru POVs of the daughter Emily and the carer Francoise, there are also chapters that take the reader to the past of Emily’s father Harold Gentle. The family dynamics were efficiently drawn, one can see Emily’s intense need to be the sole concerned member for her father, and having a young woman who all of sudden becomes more important than Emily herself tilts her axis upside down. Emily, Francoise, and Harold are all hiding secrets and this is what drives the story forward when misgivings and doubts raise their head.
We All Have Our Secrets has the trademark entanglements between family members that make it hard for the reader to sympathize with one character or another and all of them are humans with shades of grey and everything in between. The author is exceptional in creating situations that make you feel the uneasy and disturbing atmosphere and once the unexpected death occurs, the reader waits to know how the drama would unfold and the twists keep coming even in the final epilogue chapter.
The past story which captures the horror endured by Harold during World War II strikes a chord and as the author points out thru Nick in the story, it is easy for us to be blissfully unaware of the sacrifices made by so many of them and enjoy the freedom that we are granted.
Touching in many ways and a story that proves that blood needn't be shared to form a familial bond, We All Have Our Secrets engages the reader thoroughly.
Many thanks to Net Galley, Penguin Random House UK, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
This review is published in my blog Rain'n'Books, ##Goodreads, ##Amazon India, ##Book Bub, ##Medium.com, ##Facebook, ##Twitter.
Told majorly thru POVs of the daughter Emily and the carer Francoise, there are also chapters that take the reader to the past of Emily’s father Harold Gentle. The family dynamics were efficiently drawn, one can see Emily’s intense need to be the sole concerned member for her father, and having a young woman who all of sudden becomes more important than Emily herself tilts her axis upside down. Emily, Francoise, and Harold are all hiding secrets and this is what drives the story forward when misgivings and doubts raise their head.
We All Have Our Secrets has the trademark entanglements between family members that make it hard for the reader to sympathize with one character or another and all of them are humans with shades of grey and everything in between. The author is exceptional in creating situations that make you feel the uneasy and disturbing atmosphere and once the unexpected death occurs, the reader waits to know how the drama would unfold and the twists keep coming even in the final epilogue chapter.
The past story which captures the horror endured by Harold during World War II strikes a chord and as the author points out thru Nick in the story, it is easy for us to be blissfully unaware of the sacrifices made by so many of them and enjoy the freedom that we are granted.
Touching in many ways and a story that proves that blood needn't be shared to form a familial bond, We All Have Our Secrets engages the reader thoroughly.
Many thanks to Net Galley, Penguin Random House UK, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
This review is published in my blog Rain'n'Books, ##Goodreads, ##Amazon India, ##Book Bub, ##Medium.com, ##Facebook, ##Twitter.
June 10, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up
Emily made a mistake, a mistake midwifes can't afford to make.
escaping her dad's home only to regroup and check in on him - his dementia has been worstening, and her guilt along with it - she is surprised when a beautiful stranger opens the door. Francoise is her Dad's new carer, but Emily's father seems to have deteriorated under her care. Emily doesn't trust Francoise - but she doesn't trust herself either. Each has a secret. And one of them will keep it....
Emily discovers that her father has a carer called Francoise. Emily is immediately suspicious of Francoise. We also get some backstory from World War II that entwines together seamlessly with the current one. The story is told from Henry, Emily and Francoise's perspectives. The characters are complex. This is a story of forgiveness and understanding. It's also an easy book to read. This twisty read held my attention throughout.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #PenguinGeneralUk and the author #JaneCorry for my ARC of #WeAllHaveOurSecrets in exchange for an honest review.
Emily made a mistake, a mistake midwifes can't afford to make.
escaping her dad's home only to regroup and check in on him - his dementia has been worstening, and her guilt along with it - she is surprised when a beautiful stranger opens the door. Francoise is her Dad's new carer, but Emily's father seems to have deteriorated under her care. Emily doesn't trust Francoise - but she doesn't trust herself either. Each has a secret. And one of them will keep it....
Emily discovers that her father has a carer called Francoise. Emily is immediately suspicious of Francoise. We also get some backstory from World War II that entwines together seamlessly with the current one. The story is told from Henry, Emily and Francoise's perspectives. The characters are complex. This is a story of forgiveness and understanding. It's also an easy book to read. This twisty read held my attention throughout.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #PenguinGeneralUk and the author #JaneCorry for my ARC of #WeAllHaveOurSecrets in exchange for an honest review.
July 6, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up. Emily is a hard working midwife who loves her job. But then a mistake causes her to flee to her family home, to see her ailing father and lick her wounds. But when she arrives there she takes an instant dislike to her father’s new career, Francoise.
Is Francoise all she seems? Or is she hell bent on fleecing Emily’s father out of his fortune? Emily will do everything she can to stop this.
As usual, with any Jane Corry books, the easy style of her writing means that you’re immediately drawn into the story. The plot weaves effortlessly and as hints of Francoise’s personality are revealed I still didn’t know whether to trust her or not, which definitely enhanced the intrigue.
Told from alternating perspectives (Emily & Francoise) this was an interesting character led story. I actually preferred Francoise’s character to Emily’s - she was a quirky and unique individual, I think I’d have liked to learn even more about her, given the chance.
Compelling and clever, it’s a story that starts off in two parts but fuses together perfectly by the end.
Is Francoise all she seems? Or is she hell bent on fleecing Emily’s father out of his fortune? Emily will do everything she can to stop this.
As usual, with any Jane Corry books, the easy style of her writing means that you’re immediately drawn into the story. The plot weaves effortlessly and as hints of Francoise’s personality are revealed I still didn’t know whether to trust her or not, which definitely enhanced the intrigue.
Told from alternating perspectives (Emily & Francoise) this was an interesting character led story. I actually preferred Francoise’s character to Emily’s - she was a quirky and unique individual, I think I’d have liked to learn even more about her, given the chance.
Compelling and clever, it’s a story that starts off in two parts but fuses together perfectly by the end.
April 3, 2022
A standalone thriller from author Jane Corry. This is an excellent read and had me guessing throughout.
Midwife Emily made an unforgivable mistake, a mistake and decides to visit her father in Devon, who is suffering from dementia in an effort to escape the stress of work. On her arrival at his house she is met by a beautiful woman named Francoise who is now caring for her father. Emily starts to feel guilt for not spending more time with her father whose heath is rapidly deteriorating as well as wondering about Francoise and her motivation.
There was so much going on this story and I was constantly changing what I thought was going to happen. Excellent characters and an addictive plot made this an exciting read.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Penguin UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Midwife Emily made an unforgivable mistake, a mistake and decides to visit her father in Devon, who is suffering from dementia in an effort to escape the stress of work. On her arrival at his house she is met by a beautiful woman named Francoise who is now caring for her father. Emily starts to feel guilt for not spending more time with her father whose heath is rapidly deteriorating as well as wondering about Francoise and her motivation.
There was so much going on this story and I was constantly changing what I thought was going to happen. Excellent characters and an addictive plot made this an exciting read.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Penguin UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
April 4, 2022
Emily is a midwife and after a mistake on the ward she is suspended from work and goes back to her family home to see her father. She is surprised that her father has employed a carer to look after him as his health is failing.
A story of secrets, lies and misunderstandings.
I enjoyed the first half of this book but then I felt the story became muddled.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
A story of secrets, lies and misunderstandings.
I enjoyed the first half of this book but then I felt the story became muddled.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2024
**3.5 Stars**
This is a tale about family and what actually makes a family.
It is mainly about two women, plus Harold Emily’s Dad
Harold
He is Emily’s Dad and he is getting on in age and he has failing health. He also fought in a war that he was underage for but, he has secrets of his own. He still lives in the family home on the coast In Cornwall.
Emily
She is a midwife in London and got distracted by one of the doctors that she was due to go on a date with. During a delivery she makes a mistake that could put an end to her life as a midwife, something that is part of her and there is one specific reason why she has always wanted to be a midwife.
François
She is younger than Emily and she arrives at Emily’s family home for a reason. She ends up caring for Harold. When Emily comes back to Cornwall and finds François looking after Harold sparks and accusations fly.
All three are carrying secrets and as the story unfolds how will they cope as secrets are being revealed.
Unbeknownst to them all they will soon discover the true meaning of the word family…..
This is a tale about family and what actually makes a family.
It is mainly about two women, plus Harold Emily’s Dad
Harold
He is Emily’s Dad and he is getting on in age and he has failing health. He also fought in a war that he was underage for but, he has secrets of his own. He still lives in the family home on the coast In Cornwall.
Emily
She is a midwife in London and got distracted by one of the doctors that she was due to go on a date with. During a delivery she makes a mistake that could put an end to her life as a midwife, something that is part of her and there is one specific reason why she has always wanted to be a midwife.
François
She is younger than Emily and she arrives at Emily’s family home for a reason. She ends up caring for Harold. When Emily comes back to Cornwall and finds François looking after Harold sparks and accusations fly.
All three are carrying secrets and as the story unfolds how will they cope as secrets are being revealed.
Unbeknownst to them all they will soon discover the true meaning of the word family…..
July 12, 2022
Leaving this book on my to-read shelf for 5 months was an error as once started I couldn't put it down! It features 93-year-old Harold Gentle, his midwife daughter Emily and his new carer Françoise Alarie. The story is told from their viewpoints over different periods of time - by Françoise and Emily in the present and by Henry in 1945. I can recommend this one to anyone who enjoys an evenly-paced, completely unpredictable, psychological-style thriller. A great read with an addictive plot about family, secrets, guilt and misunderstanding.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Penguin UK via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Penguin UK via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
July 18, 2022
We all have secrets is a domestic suspense that is centred around three people Emily, her father Harold and his live in carer Francoise. The dynamic between all three is what makes this book a page turner. Emily travels to Devon after a mistake at her work leaves her job in jeopardy, to her surprise Francoise opens the door of her fathers house. Harold is wealthy and clearly lonely so it's no surprise that Emily is worried Francoise is up to no good, They are all hiding something the question is what?
I really enjoyed this book and cannot believe that I kept it on my tbr list for so long, I'm glad i finally got round to it. Each character brought something to the story, I couldn't stop wondering what it was each of them was hiding. Emily is our protagonist, I couldn't help but wonder why I felt we were missing something with her story. As we know from the beginning about her troubles with work but it felt like much more and let's say it was worth the page turning to get to the truth.
Harold's story spends a lot of time in flashbacks when he was in the war, I kept wondering what the link was to the modern day. Actually that was the least interesting part of his story. I found myself close to tears, so i totally recommend a box of tissues.
Francoise was my favourite character in this book. I couldn't help but question what her secrets where and I did manage to guess correctly but the fall out was amazing. The way Harold is with Francoise is exactly why I didn't like his character. clearly using her to get jealous. But the way she is with Emily also made me realise there was more to her story.
As all three characters interlink we get to read the story from their POV, with Emily and Francoise's being the most dominate. I found it hard trying to figure out their instant dislike for one another but as the storyline unfolds you begin to understand more. I enjoyed that we got to hear from both points of view which was great as we can see how things got misinterpreted on both sides. It was actually great!!! This was one of the main reasons i really enjoyed the story actually.
Honestly I really like Jane Corry, she writes extremely well and she has the domestic suspense genre down to a tee. She writes so well and the way that the book jumps from characters POV, as well as time lines made the story more intense and I was constantly waiting for the next bomb to land on the page. Honestly my emotions were all over the place when I was reading this but I couldn't put it down.
It's a hard book to review without giving out far too many spoilers, so I'll say this, trust no one, expect an emotional rollercoaster and get ready to be reading all night. I enjoyed this book so much the prologue is the advert for the home help it is one of the funniest adverts I've ever read, i was actually laughing out loud!!! It just got better from then on out. If you have read any of Jane's previous works then you will enjoy this one! 3.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley, Jane Corry and the publishers for the ARC of we all have secrets in exchange for my far and honest opinions.
I really enjoyed this book and cannot believe that I kept it on my tbr list for so long, I'm glad i finally got round to it. Each character brought something to the story, I couldn't stop wondering what it was each of them was hiding. Emily is our protagonist, I couldn't help but wonder why I felt we were missing something with her story. As we know from the beginning about her troubles with work but it felt like much more and let's say it was worth the page turning to get to the truth.
Harold's story spends a lot of time in flashbacks when he was in the war, I kept wondering what the link was to the modern day. Actually that was the least interesting part of his story. I found myself close to tears, so i totally recommend a box of tissues.
Francoise was my favourite character in this book. I couldn't help but question what her secrets where and I did manage to guess correctly but the fall out was amazing. The way Harold is with Francoise is exactly why I didn't like his character. clearly using her to get jealous. But the way she is with Emily also made me realise there was more to her story.
As all three characters interlink we get to read the story from their POV, with Emily and Francoise's being the most dominate. I found it hard trying to figure out their instant dislike for one another but as the storyline unfolds you begin to understand more. I enjoyed that we got to hear from both points of view which was great as we can see how things got misinterpreted on both sides. It was actually great!!! This was one of the main reasons i really enjoyed the story actually.
Honestly I really like Jane Corry, she writes extremely well and she has the domestic suspense genre down to a tee. She writes so well and the way that the book jumps from characters POV, as well as time lines made the story more intense and I was constantly waiting for the next bomb to land on the page. Honestly my emotions were all over the place when I was reading this but I couldn't put it down.
It's a hard book to review without giving out far too many spoilers, so I'll say this, trust no one, expect an emotional rollercoaster and get ready to be reading all night. I enjoyed this book so much the prologue is the advert for the home help it is one of the funniest adverts I've ever read, i was actually laughing out loud!!! It just got better from then on out. If you have read any of Jane's previous works then you will enjoy this one! 3.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley, Jane Corry and the publishers for the ARC of we all have secrets in exchange for my far and honest opinions.
March 12, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
I’ve been a long time fan of Jane Corry (Blood Sisters and My Husbands Wife) but this one left me disappointed.
Emily works in London as a midwife, her elderly father lives alone in Cornwall - she rings him every day to check in.
When something goes wrong and she is suspended from her job, she returns to Cornwall to visit her father.
On arrival she discovers he has hired a young French woman to act as his career/companion. Francois and Emily immediately butt heads, and they are both keeping secrets.
The secret elements were good, but it read more like a family drama than the thriller I was expecting. I didn’t really like either of the main characters which made things difficult.
Not one of her best for me sadly.
I’ve been a long time fan of Jane Corry (Blood Sisters and My Husbands Wife) but this one left me disappointed.
Emily works in London as a midwife, her elderly father lives alone in Cornwall - she rings him every day to check in.
When something goes wrong and she is suspended from her job, she returns to Cornwall to visit her father.
On arrival she discovers he has hired a young French woman to act as his career/companion. Francois and Emily immediately butt heads, and they are both keeping secrets.
The secret elements were good, but it read more like a family drama than the thriller I was expecting. I didn’t really like either of the main characters which made things difficult.
Not one of her best for me sadly.
June 30, 2022
I love a domestic thriller and Jane Corry writes them very well. I've always enjoyed her books and We All Have Our Secrets is no exception.
The novel is told from the points of view of Emily and Françoise. Emily is a midwife in her mid-thirties and following a mistake at work, she is suspended and decides to go back to stay with her elderly father for a while whilst she waits for an inquest.
When she arrives at Willowmead House, her childhood home, she is surprised to find Francoise, a French woman in her twenties, looking after her father. Harold Gentle had put an ad out for a carer.
The two women have a problem with each other from the beginning. Emily thinking that Françoise is there to extort her old father for money and Françoise thinking that Emily does not appreciate all that she has. Both women and Harold himself all have secrets that they are keeping from each other. After Harold's death, there is a lot to uncover.
Corry writes twists very well and this book kept me guessing throughout. I love how fleshed out the characters are, especially Nick's son Billy and his little facts. A great read!
The novel is told from the points of view of Emily and Françoise. Emily is a midwife in her mid-thirties and following a mistake at work, she is suspended and decides to go back to stay with her elderly father for a while whilst she waits for an inquest.
When she arrives at Willowmead House, her childhood home, she is surprised to find Francoise, a French woman in her twenties, looking after her father. Harold Gentle had put an ad out for a carer.
The two women have a problem with each other from the beginning. Emily thinking that Françoise is there to extort her old father for money and Françoise thinking that Emily does not appreciate all that she has. Both women and Harold himself all have secrets that they are keeping from each other. After Harold's death, there is a lot to uncover.
Corry writes twists very well and this book kept me guessing throughout. I love how fleshed out the characters are, especially Nick's son Billy and his little facts. A great read!
July 11, 2022
Emily made a mistake, a mistake midwifes can't afford to make. Escaping to her dad's home in Devon to regroup and check in on him – his dementia has been worsening, and her guilt along with it – she is surprised when a beautiful stranger answers the door.
I really enjoyed this book, it keeps you on your toes as you are not sure what is exactly happening and why, you keep reading wondering where the plot is taking you. To me this is always the sign of a great read, I like to be kept guessing and wondering whether I will figure out what is really going on. I have read other books by this author and have enjoyed them immensely, this book left me feeling exactly the same. If you have not taken up the opportunity to read one of Jane Corry's books I suggest you do, I am sure you will get as much enjoyment as I have.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book, it keeps you on your toes as you are not sure what is exactly happening and why, you keep reading wondering where the plot is taking you. To me this is always the sign of a great read, I like to be kept guessing and wondering whether I will figure out what is really going on. I have read other books by this author and have enjoyed them immensely, this book left me feeling exactly the same. If you have not taken up the opportunity to read one of Jane Corry's books I suggest you do, I am sure you will get as much enjoyment as I have.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2023
Emily is a midwife who suffers a serious incident at work. She returns to Cornwall to care for her ailing father Harold, his dementia has been worsening along with her increase in guilt. But when Emily arrives she is greeted by an unwelcome surprise - her father has hired a carer Francoise.
Francoise is a beautiful French lady who claims that Harold had advertised for help, but Emily is instantly suspicious as Harold has never asked for help in the past and she is jealous of their closeness.
Emily does not trust Francoise but she doesn't trust herself either, as each of them have a secret and one of them will do anything to keep it!!
I love Jane Cory's other books and this one did not disappoint. A great read full of twists that kept me fully engaged throughout.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Francoise is a beautiful French lady who claims that Harold had advertised for help, but Emily is instantly suspicious as Harold has never asked for help in the past and she is jealous of their closeness.
Emily does not trust Francoise but she doesn't trust herself either, as each of them have a secret and one of them will do anything to keep it!!
I love Jane Cory's other books and this one did not disappoint. A great read full of twists that kept me fully engaged throughout.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2022
I'm a mood reader and this story came at the right moment for my cravings for suspenseful stories.
Intriguing from the beginning, the characters are not likeable at all, in my opinion.
I felt like Emily deserved more my sympathy for caring more than she let out for her father and his well-being, even if she had to stay away for a longer time.
My first impression of Francoise was that this is one is up to no good. And that's probably the way the author wanted us to believe as well.
Rounding up, none of them are trustworthy and while their secrets and interaction are reliable enough, that long expected twist at the end felt really flat for me, unfortunately.
An intriguing story with unlikeable characters that kept me invested enough to read it in one sitting.
Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley
Intriguing from the beginning, the characters are not likeable at all, in my opinion.
I felt like Emily deserved more my sympathy for caring more than she let out for her father and his well-being, even if she had to stay away for a longer time.
My first impression of Francoise was that this is one is up to no good. And that's probably the way the author wanted us to believe as well.
Rounding up, none of them are trustworthy and while their secrets and interaction are reliable enough, that long expected twist at the end felt really flat for me, unfortunately.
An intriguing story with unlikeable characters that kept me invested enough to read it in one sitting.
Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley
June 14, 2022
Well the title is certainly rather apt, there are secrets galore in this story. To the extent that you are never quite sure whether to believe the character you are currently reading or not.
For nothing is quite as it seems, and we given information on a need to know basis.
The story switches between Emily and Francoise's view points, and it was completely unpredictable. I didn't guess the truth behind who actually killed Harold. We do though get occasional snippets of his life as a young soldier during WW2 and from that we can see how it clearly shaped the rest of his life.
At times I really liked both leading ladies and felt sorry for them, at others I just didn't trust them, and wasn't sure what to believe about either of them. My mind was changing rather frequently.
I do like a book that keeps me on my toes, and I was certainly invested in the story and wanted to find out the truth. Well written, this had me thinking, and does really ask the question what would you do for a loved one, in their end stages of life.
Thank you to Penguin and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily
For nothing is quite as it seems, and we given information on a need to know basis.
The story switches between Emily and Francoise's view points, and it was completely unpredictable. I didn't guess the truth behind who actually killed Harold. We do though get occasional snippets of his life as a young soldier during WW2 and from that we can see how it clearly shaped the rest of his life.
At times I really liked both leading ladies and felt sorry for them, at others I just didn't trust them, and wasn't sure what to believe about either of them. My mind was changing rather frequently.
I do like a book that keeps me on my toes, and I was certainly invested in the story and wanted to find out the truth. Well written, this had me thinking, and does really ask the question what would you do for a loved one, in their end stages of life.
Thank you to Penguin and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily
February 7, 2022
Another page-turner from one of my favourite authors. The story was compelling, the characters interesting and the secrets come tumbling out as the story unfolds. Jane Corry is masterful in weaving the stories of individual characters together so it all comes together in the end. Just brilliant.
June 19, 2022
You know she's lying...
But so are you.
Emily is a midwife living in London and, after being suspended from work due to an incident, she decides to flee back to her childhood home, Willowmead House on the Cornish coast, the only place she really feels safe, and spend some time with her 93 year old father who is showing signs of dementia, but she's not prepared when a beautiful young woman opens the door claiming to be Harold's carer and Emily sets out to uncover Francoise's reasons for being there, but some secrets are best left alone...
We All Have Our Secrets is a two part domestic thriller with alternating chapters narrated by Emily and Francoise, occasionally peppered with scenes also from Harold's time in France during the war in 1945. The main characters are all very complex, each of them with secrets to hide and some to uncover. I spent most of the time not knowing who to believe throughout this story, as both women were very plausible. I enjoyed the scenes during 1945 as it explained why Harold acted how he did, switching personalities at the drop of a hat, clearly still affected by the war, even after all this time. I was torn between Emily and Francoise, both wanting to get to the truth, not knowing how the outcome would affect them when all was revealed. It's a well written, compelling read which grabbed me from the start and held my attention throughout, with many twists that I didn't see coming. This is the fifth book I've read by this author, which I finished in less than a day and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.
I'd like to thank Penguin for inviting me to read this, I will post my review on Goodreads and Amazon.
But so are you.
Emily is a midwife living in London and, after being suspended from work due to an incident, she decides to flee back to her childhood home, Willowmead House on the Cornish coast, the only place she really feels safe, and spend some time with her 93 year old father who is showing signs of dementia, but she's not prepared when a beautiful young woman opens the door claiming to be Harold's carer and Emily sets out to uncover Francoise's reasons for being there, but some secrets are best left alone...
We All Have Our Secrets is a two part domestic thriller with alternating chapters narrated by Emily and Francoise, occasionally peppered with scenes also from Harold's time in France during the war in 1945. The main characters are all very complex, each of them with secrets to hide and some to uncover. I spent most of the time not knowing who to believe throughout this story, as both women were very plausible. I enjoyed the scenes during 1945 as it explained why Harold acted how he did, switching personalities at the drop of a hat, clearly still affected by the war, even after all this time. I was torn between Emily and Francoise, both wanting to get to the truth, not knowing how the outcome would affect them when all was revealed. It's a well written, compelling read which grabbed me from the start and held my attention throughout, with many twists that I didn't see coming. This is the fifth book I've read by this author, which I finished in less than a day and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.
I'd like to thank Penguin for inviting me to read this, I will post my review on Goodreads and Amazon.
June 23, 2022
A compelling story that packs an emotional punch!
I never need to read the blurb for a Jane Corry book as she is a go-to author for me. I love her work and respect her for the wonderful writer that she is! Some people write a book and some people tell a story. In my eyes, Jane is a master at storytelling!
After making a terrible mistake at work Emily decides to get away from London and head home to her father Harold who still resides in her childhood home on the Cornish coast. Hoping to focus on caring for her elderly father and forget what happened in London, Emily is shocked to arrive and find somebody else has moved in as her father’s carer!
Francoise is young, beautiful and alluring. Why would this French beauty want to care for Emily’s father? Pretty sure that she is a gold digger Emily is determined to find out what Francoise is up to and get her out of the house!
Emily, Francoise and Harold are all harbouring secrets that will surface as the story is told. The chapters alternate between the two women with intermittent chapters taking us back to Harold’s past in 1945. I did not know who to trust throughout this book, both women gave enough reasons for me to doubt them and I even began to wonder if we could blame the dementia for the way Harold blows so hot and cold or if he was just being clever!
In true Jane style, I was drawn into the story from the start and intrigued throughout. I have to say I did start to wonder at one point where it was going and how things would play out, but I needn’t have worried as it all comes together at the end, and what a perfect ending it is. I loved it!
What I love about Jane’s stories is how they are written with so much feeling. We still get the twists and the suspense that we love but we also get drawn in emotionally. This is yet another of her books where I’ve had a tear in my eye come the end. After not being sure about Emily and Francoise for part of the story, I felt a real connection with them both by the end.
I would describe this as a drama rather than a thriller yet it still has a psychological aspect to it. I feel Jane has created her own genre, I really enjoy reading her books and look forward to reading more.
Thank you to Jane Corry, Penguin and NetGalley for my copy of this book.
I never need to read the blurb for a Jane Corry book as she is a go-to author for me. I love her work and respect her for the wonderful writer that she is! Some people write a book and some people tell a story. In my eyes, Jane is a master at storytelling!
After making a terrible mistake at work Emily decides to get away from London and head home to her father Harold who still resides in her childhood home on the Cornish coast. Hoping to focus on caring for her elderly father and forget what happened in London, Emily is shocked to arrive and find somebody else has moved in as her father’s carer!
Francoise is young, beautiful and alluring. Why would this French beauty want to care for Emily’s father? Pretty sure that she is a gold digger Emily is determined to find out what Francoise is up to and get her out of the house!
Emily, Francoise and Harold are all harbouring secrets that will surface as the story is told. The chapters alternate between the two women with intermittent chapters taking us back to Harold’s past in 1945. I did not know who to trust throughout this book, both women gave enough reasons for me to doubt them and I even began to wonder if we could blame the dementia for the way Harold blows so hot and cold or if he was just being clever!
In true Jane style, I was drawn into the story from the start and intrigued throughout. I have to say I did start to wonder at one point where it was going and how things would play out, but I needn’t have worried as it all comes together at the end, and what a perfect ending it is. I loved it!
What I love about Jane’s stories is how they are written with so much feeling. We still get the twists and the suspense that we love but we also get drawn in emotionally. This is yet another of her books where I’ve had a tear in my eye come the end. After not being sure about Emily and Francoise for part of the story, I felt a real connection with them both by the end.
I would describe this as a drama rather than a thriller yet it still has a psychological aspect to it. I feel Jane has created her own genre, I really enjoy reading her books and look forward to reading more.
Thank you to Jane Corry, Penguin and NetGalley for my copy of this book.
July 4, 2022
She's done it again!!
Love a bit of Jane Corry! Her books are always great thrillers and this one was no exception.
This book was unlike any of Corry's previous books. It felt so much more epic. It spanned many locations and was a really intriguing slow burn.
I was hooked from the start!
I loved the different perspectives and the different timelines- this just added to the intrigue.
Perfect thriller - would make a great beach read!
Love a bit of Jane Corry! Her books are always great thrillers and this one was no exception.
This book was unlike any of Corry's previous books. It felt so much more epic. It spanned many locations and was a really intriguing slow burn.
I was hooked from the start!
I loved the different perspectives and the different timelines- this just added to the intrigue.
Perfect thriller - would make a great beach read!
February 3, 2022
Jane Corry We All Have Our Secrets Penguin 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for this uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review.
Jane Corry dares to end her often complex, character driven novel with satisfyingly pleasant endings. To accomplish this in a way that is plausible, keeping the characterisation intact and maintaining the story theme is what has brought me back to Corry, from my first reading of her work. I have mixed responses to my previous experiences, really appreciating The Lies We Tell, and feeling less enthused about I Made a Mistake. However, We All Have Our Secrets, gathers all the best aspects of her writing. Corry has devised particularly complicated characters for this novel and uses a compelling mix of show and tell to achieve her aims. Observation of characters’ convolutions while they interact with other characters and during their brief internal monologues as they measure their and others’ behaviour as well works well with authorial intervention. The plot is intricate but devoid of holes. Past, present and future are brought together in an engaging narrative that sustains interest to the last word.
Emily is thirty-five, a midwife involved in a difficult birth, and about to go on a date with an attractive consultant. Her family has lived at Willowmead, a large house in Cornwall, for all Emily’s life, and she returns when disaster strikes at work. Her father, Harold, alone since his wife’s death, needs care, and Emily seeks his advice, while returning to offer him assistance, as a way of escaping her career problems. However, Emily is thwarted in both aspirations - Francoise has taken up residence as Harold’s carer – much to her father’s joy and Emily’s displeasure.
The story revolves around the two women’s competition for a place in the house and their concerns about each other’s honesty, at the same time as keeping their own secrets. Harold, whose story is told in brief flashbacks, and through Emily’s recall of the past as a family, also has secrets. Zorro, the dog also has a role to play in the jealous interaction between Emily and Francoise, providing subtle clues to the relationships in the house. Joe, the gardener, neighbours and local businesspeople are worth watching too. After all, who is telling the truth? Is there one truth or many? With whom should the reader sympathise in the maelstrom of feelings; actions that can be misinterpreted, or perhaps not; and even scientific information which may not be all it seems.
As well as the personal stories of the main characters, Emily, Francoise and Harold, there is a broader role for the characters. They raise issues about past war experiences, casting soldiers’ relationships in occupied territory as having an impact on the future; and the domestic relationships between women and men which seemingly only cry out for understanding but demonstrate the lasting impact of gender inequality. Women’s role in keeping the peace domestically provides a subtle background to the more forthright relationship between Emily and Francoise.
Jane Corry has written a satisfying, and gripping novel of psychological warfare in a domestic setting.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for this uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review.
Jane Corry dares to end her often complex, character driven novel with satisfyingly pleasant endings. To accomplish this in a way that is plausible, keeping the characterisation intact and maintaining the story theme is what has brought me back to Corry, from my first reading of her work. I have mixed responses to my previous experiences, really appreciating The Lies We Tell, and feeling less enthused about I Made a Mistake. However, We All Have Our Secrets, gathers all the best aspects of her writing. Corry has devised particularly complicated characters for this novel and uses a compelling mix of show and tell to achieve her aims. Observation of characters’ convolutions while they interact with other characters and during their brief internal monologues as they measure their and others’ behaviour as well works well with authorial intervention. The plot is intricate but devoid of holes. Past, present and future are brought together in an engaging narrative that sustains interest to the last word.
Emily is thirty-five, a midwife involved in a difficult birth, and about to go on a date with an attractive consultant. Her family has lived at Willowmead, a large house in Cornwall, for all Emily’s life, and she returns when disaster strikes at work. Her father, Harold, alone since his wife’s death, needs care, and Emily seeks his advice, while returning to offer him assistance, as a way of escaping her career problems. However, Emily is thwarted in both aspirations - Francoise has taken up residence as Harold’s carer – much to her father’s joy and Emily’s displeasure.
The story revolves around the two women’s competition for a place in the house and their concerns about each other’s honesty, at the same time as keeping their own secrets. Harold, whose story is told in brief flashbacks, and through Emily’s recall of the past as a family, also has secrets. Zorro, the dog also has a role to play in the jealous interaction between Emily and Francoise, providing subtle clues to the relationships in the house. Joe, the gardener, neighbours and local businesspeople are worth watching too. After all, who is telling the truth? Is there one truth or many? With whom should the reader sympathise in the maelstrom of feelings; actions that can be misinterpreted, or perhaps not; and even scientific information which may not be all it seems.
As well as the personal stories of the main characters, Emily, Francoise and Harold, there is a broader role for the characters. They raise issues about past war experiences, casting soldiers’ relationships in occupied territory as having an impact on the future; and the domestic relationships between women and men which seemingly only cry out for understanding but demonstrate the lasting impact of gender inequality. Women’s role in keeping the peace domestically provides a subtle background to the more forthright relationship between Emily and Francoise.
Jane Corry has written a satisfying, and gripping novel of psychological warfare in a domestic setting.
January 30, 2022
I've enjoyed Jane Corry's previous books, so appreciated the opportunity to read an advance copy of her latest, We All Have Our Secrets. It started promisingly, with midwife Emily facing trouble over an incident at work. Emily returns home to her elderly father, Harold, only to find to her chagrin that French carer Françoise has moved in. Everybody, of course, has their secrets...
The Emily/Françoise/Harold storyline occupies the rest of the book and unfortunately this didn't really work for me. The storyline and characters never really convinced, it became confusing at times (rather too many secrets popping out all over the place) and I found myself plodding to the end. Even the flashbacks to Harold's wartime experiences, although more engaging than the present-day shenanigans, didn't really hold my interest. We hear from three different people's perspectives but they are all written in short sentences and paragraphs which made it all seem a bit disjointed. To be honest, the whole thing felt a bit rushed.
I do like this author despite this rather negative review, and I will eagerly look out for her future work. I'm sure many will enjoy this book but on this occasion it didn't work for me. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review!
Note: at least twice, the word "slither" is used when it should be "sliver". ("A sharp slither is poking out...") One of my current pet hates!
The Emily/Françoise/Harold storyline occupies the rest of the book and unfortunately this didn't really work for me. The storyline and characters never really convinced, it became confusing at times (rather too many secrets popping out all over the place) and I found myself plodding to the end. Even the flashbacks to Harold's wartime experiences, although more engaging than the present-day shenanigans, didn't really hold my interest. We hear from three different people's perspectives but they are all written in short sentences and paragraphs which made it all seem a bit disjointed. To be honest, the whole thing felt a bit rushed.
I do like this author despite this rather negative review, and I will eagerly look out for her future work. I'm sure many will enjoy this book but on this occasion it didn't work for me. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review!
Note: at least twice, the word "slither" is used when it should be "sliver". ("A sharp slither is poking out...") One of my current pet hates!
April 30, 2022
We All Have Our Secrets begins with Emily delivering a baby in her role as a midwife in a London hospital which results in her suspension. After a fall from her bicycle during which she sustains a head injury, she gets a phone call from Harold, her elderly fathe,r asking her to visit him in Cornwall. When she arrives the door is opened by a stranger, Francoise, a Frenchwoman who says she is acting as a carer to Emily's father. But who is Francoise really and is she too close to Harold, pushing Emily away?
The story of Emily's strained relationship with her father and consequently with Francoise is complex and more so after Harold's death when Emily questions why her father has left his house to someone he has only known for a short time, and also whether his death was hastened. Then she herself becomes a suspect all the while knowing that she may be about to lose her midwifery status.
Both Emily and Francoise have their voices heard and the unravelling of Harold's life and the part Francoise played in it is very well portrayed. Not so sure about the love interest, which seemed superfluous. Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK for the opportunity to read and review another excellent Jane Corry book.
The story of Emily's strained relationship with her father and consequently with Francoise is complex and more so after Harold's death when Emily questions why her father has left his house to someone he has only known for a short time, and also whether his death was hastened. Then she herself becomes a suspect all the while knowing that she may be about to lose her midwifery status.
Both Emily and Francoise have their voices heard and the unravelling of Harold's life and the part Francoise played in it is very well portrayed. Not so sure about the love interest, which seemed superfluous. Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK for the opportunity to read and review another excellent Jane Corry book.
March 13, 2022
I enjoyed this suspense-filled family drama. You might start off thinking it's going to be a crime-laden thriller, but it's more subtle than that (which may not be for everyone).
Emily is a midwife who, after a terrible mistake a work, runs back home to her 93-year-old father's house in Devon. She's shocked to find he's being cared for by a young French woman, Francoise, who is obviously not pleased at Emily's sudden arrival. Everyone has secrets to hide, including her father. But who will kill for them?
It's a story about family and secrets, misunderstandings, and even forgiveness. While we start off with Emily's POV, the story changes later to allow us to see Francoise and even her father's point of view too. It could get confusing here, but I enjoyed the different perspectives and they allowed the story to change in a way I hadn't expected (not a twist, as such, but showing me new insights).
I do think there's a chance you could pick it up thinking there's going to be a lot of focus on the midwife drama or a possible suspense angle there - but in this book it's the family in Devon that's very much at the centre of the tale, and it's better for it.
Emily is a midwife who, after a terrible mistake a work, runs back home to her 93-year-old father's house in Devon. She's shocked to find he's being cared for by a young French woman, Francoise, who is obviously not pleased at Emily's sudden arrival. Everyone has secrets to hide, including her father. But who will kill for them?
It's a story about family and secrets, misunderstandings, and even forgiveness. While we start off with Emily's POV, the story changes later to allow us to see Francoise and even her father's point of view too. It could get confusing here, but I enjoyed the different perspectives and they allowed the story to change in a way I hadn't expected (not a twist, as such, but showing me new insights).
I do think there's a chance you could pick it up thinking there's going to be a lot of focus on the midwife drama or a possible suspense angle there - but in this book it's the family in Devon that's very much at the centre of the tale, and it's better for it.
May 8, 2022
Emily is a midwife, who made a mistake. Running away from her problems, she goes to her father's house, which is her safe place, or so she thought. When she knocks on the 93 year old Harold's door, she's met face to face with Françoise, who is her father's care taker.
Both women already don't get along from the moment they met, but it all seems to get worse when they are suspicious of each others activities. And this is where the good part in book ends.
'till Harold dies author has left reader to guess what actually happened, did anyone kill him or was it a natural death. But let me tell you, the ending of the book is so disappointing, that I actually wish that one of the sisters would have killed their father, just for the sake of it because it would have made more sense. And Emily getting back together with her high school sweetheart? Really? I feel like the author got bored or didn't have enough time to properly finish the book, so she just wrote something so you could say that the book is finished.
What started off so well and interesting, ended in a disppointment. :(
Both women already don't get along from the moment they met, but it all seems to get worse when they are suspicious of each others activities. And this is where the good part in book ends.
'till Harold dies author has left reader to guess what actually happened, did anyone kill him or was it a natural death. But let me tell you, the ending of the book is so disappointing, that I actually wish that one of the sisters would have killed their father, just for the sake of it because it would have made more sense. And Emily getting back together with her high school sweetheart? Really? I feel like the author got bored or didn't have enough time to properly finish the book, so she just wrote something so you could say that the book is finished.
What started off so well and interesting, ended in a disppointment. :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2022
A fantastic new thriller from Jane Corry.
At the beginning this book felt slow and I wasn't sure if it was going to pick up the pace but it definitely did.
I wasn't convinced on the plot at first. It seemed pretty tame at first but it definitely became more interesting as the story went along.
This book is full of twists and turns. I've not read a book in a long time which kept me on my toes as much as this one did.
The plot was really engaging. I was constantly trying to guess what was going to happen next but it was impossible to keep up.
It was a very engaging and interesting thriller which kept me hooked till the very very end.
I've read a few of Jane Corry's books before but having read this one, it definitely makes me want go back and read her other books, highly recommend!
At the beginning this book felt slow and I wasn't sure if it was going to pick up the pace but it definitely did.
I wasn't convinced on the plot at first. It seemed pretty tame at first but it definitely became more interesting as the story went along.
This book is full of twists and turns. I've not read a book in a long time which kept me on my toes as much as this one did.
The plot was really engaging. I was constantly trying to guess what was going to happen next but it was impossible to keep up.
It was a very engaging and interesting thriller which kept me hooked till the very very end.
I've read a few of Jane Corry's books before but having read this one, it definitely makes me want go back and read her other books, highly recommend!
February 12, 2022
I read We All Have Our Secrets in two sittings - which is very unlike me. I found this tale of two women utterly compelling. Midwife Emily has gone home to Cornwall to stay with her retired lawyer father, needing some comfort and wise council when she is suspended from the job she loves, only to find that her father has an attractive new carer, Francoise, a frenchwoman. Emily tries to get to the bottom of the relationship, while feeling increasingly alienated from her dad. Francoise has a very different agenda. But who is good and who is bad? It's twisty and intriguing, and with the added mystery of a tragic incident during World War II which impacts on the present day, told in backstory, it kept me hooked to the end.
September 24, 2025
A tale of family secrets and lies. An ok read but nothing sparkling.
June 19, 2022
This is a great thriller centred around Emily and Francoise.
Emily makes a mistake and is suspended from her job as a midwife.
She decides to go and stay with her Dad but is shocked to find a live in carer there.
Emily is immediately suspicious of Francoise and whilst she knows deep down she should have visited her Dad more, she thinks Francoise is taking over.
When she finds out her Dad has terminal cancer Emily wants to be there for him, but so does Francoise, who has her own reasons to get to know Harold.
Both Emily and Francoise have secrets and it was great to see them sparring with each other but neither of them really knowing what they were up against.
This is a great read that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Penguin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Emily makes a mistake and is suspended from her job as a midwife.
She decides to go and stay with her Dad but is shocked to find a live in carer there.
Emily is immediately suspicious of Francoise and whilst she knows deep down she should have visited her Dad more, she thinks Francoise is taking over.
When she finds out her Dad has terminal cancer Emily wants to be there for him, but so does Francoise, who has her own reasons to get to know Harold.
Both Emily and Francoise have secrets and it was great to see them sparring with each other but neither of them really knowing what they were up against.
This is a great read that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Penguin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
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