all her little secrets | part one

[Lala, owner]

My edition has 371 pages and part one ends at page 216.
No spoilers for anything past part one!

How do you feel about the story so far?
How are you feeling about the pace?
Any characters that stand out to you?
A favourite scene?

[Jmckee69]

I'm liking this so far. it gives me female The Firm vibes.

[Paige]

So I completed this book in March because I was so deep in the hold line for The Paris Apartment. However, I took notes! 🤩

I love how the book really hits hard on the “new south” and how successful black people are “too black for one group but not black enough for another”. Being from the American southeast there is so much truth to this. I see it everyday, particularly because I work in Memphis, TN where there is a large black population. As the “good ole boys” are dying out it is getting better but sadly it will take many more generations to rectify the centuries of systematic racism and prejudice.

I love how this is set in Atlanta, being it is the “New York of the South”. Many outside our part of the country may not be fully aware of that fact. Places like Atlanta, Austin, Nashville, Memphis, etc are really starting to hit their stride when it comes to growth and development so it’s nice to see that being recognized.

The plot is really starting to form and my wheels are turning to see if there is a major conspiracy involving the firm Ellice works for. I smell something rotten and it’s not just the corpse of her dead boss/lover… 🧐

[Lea]

I love the plot and that we have nothing to go on other that Ellice POV. I'm thinking maybe the father's (hers and Sam's) are involved. The company is super sus and are in on what's going on.

[Becca]

I am really enjoying the book so far. I am enjoying the pacing and the detail about some things we are getting. Personally I really am curious to see what parts the wife Anna will play in further chapters. I enjoy this main character and how we have lots of questions about her past that get answers or partial answers from the flashback moments. I’m happy this book was not told in dual timelines instead with these small flashbacks.

[Kendra]

Okay so I’m on chapter 4 and I shouldn’t have but I literally loled at the part where Rudy was like what healthy well adjusted guy gets dressed for work packs a gun in his brief case and says to himself okay I’ll eat my gun here at my desk right after I read the Wall Street journal.
I’m so evil to laugh at that
And the facted that I reread it multiple times giggling
Yep evil I know but it was a funny statement

[Melissa]

I’m really liking the story. I’m listening to the audio book so it’s telling me chapters not page numbers but I’ll try not to say anything to specific. When she turned off the light and left like nope not my problem after finding Michael I laughed and thought mhmm don’t blame you. That sounds so bad. Then her quick promotion when she didn’t even accept it tells you somethings up. Not saying she wouldn’t be qualified but the circumstances and the quickness to announce her promotion when she hadn’t actually accepted yet makes you wonder why.

[Leigh]

I’m not entirely sure how i feel about this book yet. I feel like it’s building up to something great, but then I can also see the twist not being so shocking. I really like Ellice and I love how they add little chapters about her childhood. I’m a little suspicious of Hardy and Willow. Also, it’s really odd about her brother being connected to everything and then the old news article showing up…

[kailyn]

Really loving the book, and it’s pacing is awesome. The characters are interesting and real. I definitely get Viola Davis vibes from Ellice.

Being from the south, the book definitely shows the new south and the old south. Also the childhood of Ellice is not too different from the ladies I work with. I listen to their growing up stories. Their experiences are not too different with the good ole boys…

Especially Willie Jay.

Great book.

I’m starting part 2 later on in the day.

[Mallie]

I’m loving the book so far I’m listening to the audiobook and it’s really good love the narrator. I like pacing it keeps me eager to get the little bits of her passed and slowly learning what she’s hiding. I think there are just the right amount of those parts. I think my favorite scene is when she’s talking to her brothers friend because I can just really relate to it. Excited for the rest of the book!!!

[Danielle]

The first few chapters pulled me in, but towards the end of part 1 feels like the story is coming to a halt. I thought it was going to pick up when she went looking for her brother but not so much, it did add a little suspense to the story. I hope there is a twist soon to pull me back into the story. Would love to see that Anna plays a part in finding out what happened to Michael.

[Rachel]

Just finished part one and I’m really liking it so far! The pacing is perfect for me…it kind of reminds me of The Firm. I love our main character and her brother, and I’m glad he’s showing up more. I’m also really curious about Anna’s character and hoping she shows up more as the story progresses. I really liked the scene when Ned first started repeating himself. That was a fun wtf moment

[Stina]

I haven't finished the first section yet, as I bought the book only yesterday, but I just had to share that I met the author this morning and she is absolutely lovely. And Mia Manansala was kind enough to take our photo, with me wearing the Literally Dead Book Club t-shirt. Wanda was delighted to learn that Kayla picked her book for this month's discussion.

[Stina]

She just won the Lefty Award for Best Debut Novel!

[Amber]

The story is good but it’s not grabbing me. I don’t feel an urgency to rush through to figure out what’s happening.

For some reason, I think Rudy knows more than he lets on even though he loves to gossip.

I think my favorite character is Vera from Elise’s childhood. She does what she can to help Elise and Sam.

[morgan]

This is looking like a quick read! Pacing is good, pages flying by.
I like Ellice and her POV, also liking the childhood flashback chapters. I have guesses of where this is going, but I'm hoping for an awesome twist.

[L.J.]

I like the book so far. It sucks that things really slowed down near the end of this section, though. I was really getting into it at about 30-40% (I am reading on Kindle and don't look at the page count, only percentage). Things were escalating quick and I needed to know what would happen. I was particularly concerned about her brother. But near the 55% mark, things just became... dull. Also, I don't find her brother's response to things believable. Everyone at her work is sus but now I am questioning how genuine her brother is too.

[Venessa]

I’m only on page 54 and getting WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING vibes. The way Nate and Willow are behaving is just off.

[Venessa]

@Stina that is so cool. Was it a random meeting?

[Kristin]

Ahh, I am just now starting this! I want to be apart of this book club so bad. Time to read! 😁

[Levinia]

I’m enjoying this book so far. The pacing is fast but … slow? Lol it has its moments but it’s been keeping me interested. The more we find out, the more I wanna know. Morris definitely got living in Atlanta as a poc down to the t lol all the different types of people you come across and it’s obviously the older people stuck in how they were raised. Sucks none the less but honestly, everything is pointing to Jonathan which obviously is a misdirect. At this point I have my suspicions but I’m not really sure about anything. Hoping part 2 will give me more answers. I already read the first page and it looks like the pov is switching to Sam which would be interesting I hope.

[Sally]

If I weren't reading this for the book club, I'm pretty sure I would have DNF'd by now. I think I've reached the point where I've read too many of these types of thrillers and I've started to get irritated by the ways it's obvious that it's not written for me. She'll be describing a situation where most non-white people would understand instantly that there is racism involved, so when the author takes another sentence or two to explain that this is racist, I instantly feel like she isn't writing this for me. I wish I had noted the specific sentences, but definitely in the party scene, the shopping scene, and another scene or two after that. At least with other books within this space that I like (When No One Is Watching, for example), it didn't feel as much like they were writing primarily for a white audience. It becomes frustrating, then, to stay engaged in a story where the main character is making silly decisions.

And why IS she still at a job where there are no other Black people and the person who brought her there has now been murdered? Ever since the friend asked her that and she had no answer, I cannot stop thinking about it. Of course, it's because there would be no book, but give me a compelling reason within the story!

All of that said, the book itself is fine on the whole. I'm just experiencing fatigue around this particular issue in thrillers with a social lens where some are just clearly written more to ensure that white people get it. I'll keep reading if only to get to the twist(s) and see if it feels worth it.

[Sandra]

Started today and flew through part one… great writing and truly relatable characters. The last chapter made me sad for the siblings and their relationship. I have a bad feeling someone will not make it.

[Samantha]

Sally wrote: "If I weren't reading this for the book club, I'm pretty sure I would have DNF'd by now. I think I've reached the point where I've read too many of these types of thrillers and I've started to get i..."

100% agree with you on several points. As a white person, I felt very much like it was "Black characters for white readers" in some spots, particularly the shopping scene and the party scene. And no logical person would still be in that company as soon as they found out their boss was killed and it wasn't suicide.

That said, I like the overall plot of this. A corporate political thriller set in the south from a Black woman's perspective is a great plot. Also, I'm listening to the audiobook and the narrator is top-notch.

[Shani]

I'm liking it so far, I think... It's not like a favorite or anything but I'm pretty intrigued. It is rather fast-paced but I feel like it slowed down a little in the middle so I'm hoping, it will get more interesting soon. I like the main character, Ellice and Vera sounds cool. The flashbacks to what happened in the past are very interesting too. Something really fishy is going on in that company and I really need to get to the bottom of it, Sam's involvement in this mess is also really strange. I'm suspicious of Rudy for some reason, I think he knows more than he is saying. It might be because I've been in a slump lately but I'm not fully into the book yet though, but hopefully, I will get into it soon.

[Nichole]

Levinia wrote: "I’m enjoying this book so far. The pacing is fast but … slow? Lol it has its moments but it’s been keeping me interested. The more we find out, the more I wanna know. Morris definitely got living i..."

I definitely understand your comment about the pacing! I see it as 'the build up' and then 'the action', which is always much faster. I think it's a good mix though and has kept me reading.

I think I like the book as a whole so far (I love the chapters that dip into Ellice's past), but sometimes the writing can be a little...cliché (ie. the party and some of the interactions/reactions Ellice has)? And having your boss murdered at work? Nope nope nope. I would be looking for a new job! Haha.

[Justin]

I'm really enjoying part 1—it's building at a pretty even pace (definitely wouldn't call this a fast-paced book), leaving new bread crumbs consistently every time I feel like the plot is slowing down.

The commentary on passive racism is a little on the nose, but I'm not too bothered by it. And I'm a big fan of corporate intrigue so thus far this is right up my alley.

[Kristin]

It is hard for me to like the main character because she is so stubborn. But I understand why she is. I think she is starting to let loose a little though.

[Stavroula]

So far the book is just OK for me. The pacing is slower than I'd prefered but I like Ellice. My favourite character however is Vera. I like how she took care of the two siblings. Favourite scene is definitely when Ellice went to Sam's house. I hope the story will get more interesting at the second part.

[Emily]

I could cry of relief; I never thought I was making it part 2 at the rate I'm going. It's been very slow going so far. I'm invested in finding out what's going on in the company but I'm constantly annoyed by how nonchalant Ellice is being about everything. I wanted to rip hairs out when she went to talk to Sam about serious things happening and instead she decides to chill and eat a hot dog. There was a similar scene when Ellice and her friend went shopping to take her mind off of things. Giiirrrrrlll shopping is not going to distract you from the fact that your boss/lover was murdered and you found his body. I honestly could see myself being into legal dramas going forward I just hope this picks up in part two. I'm thinking this is going to hit at about a 3/5 stars for me.

[Emily]

I forgot to mention I really like the "Get Out" vibes that some of the work scenes have. I almost wish the author would have leaned into that aspect a bit more and made it more creepy.

[Autumn]

I'm not sure I vibe with the corporate thriller aspect. I like Ellice, but I feel like the Chillicothe parts are too slow. Otherwise, I'm interested to find out what happened to Michael and more details about how Sam is involved.

[Mandy]

I don’t know how I feel about this book. What is this book about really? What does it want to portray?

It is a book where it feels like nothing is happening and too much is happening at the same time?

It has taken me almost a month to get through part one and I still have no idea how to feel. I’m not, not enjoying it, but it’s not my favorite either.

I too feel like, yelling, “woman! You’re only ally in this flipping company was killed, they offered you his job, you know you’re a token, come on! You can do better and you deserve more!”

Now you’re in over your head with some shady stuff and people and you should have ran when you had the chance.

Fudge.

Anyways. That’s my main gripe is trying to understand her motivation for sticking around. If she’s as smart as the book tells us she is, she should have noped right out of there.

[Lisa]

I agree Mandy. I finished and through the whole book, I was thinking, if she is so smart and Ivy League educated, why the frog is she staying there??

[Melanie]

So far I'm liking this. The pacing is great, and I feel like I'm flying through it.
I too was confused about why she would stay in the company after the murder, and take the position?
Obviously someone from her past is connected to all this. Has to be. I think Jonathan is a red herring. We'll see. Hoping I'll get done before the live show.

[Angeliki]

I can say I am enjoying reading this book so far because it's easy to read even though the pace is slow. My favorite character is Ellice because she is strong. The story is really interesting and I want to read part two. My favorite scene is when Ellice met Michael's wife.