Member Reviews
** I received this book in exchange for an honest review **
Fabulous thriller with gorgeous writing and suspense which led me to make several wrong guesses.
I rate using Book Roast's CAWPILE system, and here's a detailed breakdown:
CHARACTERS 7.5/10
Interesting and well written characters. We spend the book alternating between the views of Beth and Danielle, who are easily distinguishable fully formed characters. My one complaint is that I find Beth's motives for continuing to see Danielle a bit of a stretch.
ATMOSPHERE 10/10
Perfect. I was completely invested in this book and at one point actually let out a 'squeeeeee' sound, which is most unlike me. I could very clearly feel the author leading me through this roller coaster of a story, and I was constantly hungry for more information.
WRITING 9.75/10
I thought there was some really gorgeous writing in this story, from small details revealling much about the protaganist's personalities to lovely bits of atmospheric description. The writing about divorce, previous abuse and the threat of losing your children was both evocative and truthful.
My favourite quote:
"I notice a ketchup stain on the elbow of her blouse, dry and hard like an old splatter of blood."
PLOT 8/10
Fantastic slow burn plotting which quickly ramps up. The reveals were carefully paced, giving a drip of satisfaction and understanding that led me wanting more.
INTRIGUE 10/10
From the first 50 pages I was very reluctant to put the book down. I cared about both protagonists, and really felt worried for both of them that the scary outcomes foreshadowed by the author would happen. There were several points where I was watching a character make a choice and muttering "no no - don't do that" to my iPad, then voraciously reading on, on tenterhooks.
LOGIC 8.5/10
Apart from the one character choice by Beth that I found unbelievable, the whole book made sense. With thrillers you are always looking for the explanation, which has to be concealed from you, but still make sense at the reveal, and the author did a great job at accomplishing this without showing the work too much.
ENJOYMENT 9.5 /10
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which kept me guessing and invested throughout.
I Know Your Secret by Ruth Heald is a Thriller told in dual points of view of Beth and Danielle, two women who are living seemingly different lives until Danielle becomes a patient of Beth’s. Beth is a therapist who is going through some issues of her own, and when Danielle shows up on her doorstep, Beth is particularly vulnerable. But so is Danielle. One of the things I appreciated about this story was how the author was able to make me equally interested in both women’s lives. The chapters typically alternated between points of view, and most of the time, they ended with a revelation that had me desperate to get back to that character.
Beth is on the cusp of her marriage falling apart when this book begins, and as things progress, the repercussions of that, as she shares a child and home with her husband. I really liked Beth’s character. She had a habit of living in the past, and things hit her very hard, which is what made her so vulnerable. Danielle is a woman who you can tell has a secret from the moment you meet her. She’s clearly not being truthful with her therapist, but you don’t know how deep this goes. While I didn’t find Danielle nearly as likable as I did Beth, I was so curious about her life and what she was hiding. I could tell she was wily, but it was unclear to me whether or not she was evil.
As I mentioned before, each chapter ended with a sort of cliffhanger, and it made it so the pacing of this book never let up; I couldn’t put it down. There was more than one twist here, and they were all so interesting. They definitely surprised me. I will say the one issue I had with this book, is that I feel like one of these characters crossed the line in a way that I wish would have given her some comeuppance, but because I also felt for her, a part of me was glad she was able to just move on. The epilogue in this book was unexpected and poignant, and I loved the closure it offered.
I thought that I Know Your Secret was an exciting read that offered some exciting twists, and if you’re a fan of Mystery/Thriller, I think you’ll enjoy it.
Disclaimer: Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of this book. I have been sent a copy of this book for review purposes. This has not influenced or affected my opinions in this review.
I Know Your Secret is a thriller which had me instantly hooked. I went into this book not knowing much about it but I am pleasantly surprised. From the beginning I loved the writing style and I also loved the way the characters were fully fleshed out. The characters were so well fleshed out that the parallels between Danielle and Beth are so enjoyable. The two intertwining storylines were great as there were little hints dropped throughout the novel which made it all the more intriguing. At almost every point of the novel I was left with so many questions and an undeniable need to find out what happens. I Know Your Secret is a thriller filled with twists and turns you won’t see coming. I loved this book and I loved the way everything tied together in the end. I would recommend to anyone. Please buy it and read it. I highly recommend it!
*4 stars*
This book is in the view of Beth & Danielle. Beth is a therapist / councillor (previously a teacher) who works from home, her and her Husband Richard, have had issues since she found out he was cheating but tried to make it work. At the beginning of the book, Richard ends it and moves out of the house he shares with Beth and their son Charlie. Danielle goes to Beth for marriage counselling with her husband, but turns up alone. Her story continues and her and Beth become quite close before other situations happen.
I really liked Beth's character, and I felt sorry for her. Going through a breakup, being a single mum and trying to work she struggles and everyone around her, doubts her. But I wanted the best for her. I couldn't warm to Danielle's character, and if I hadn't of changed my mind on her I'd have probably rated the book lower. I didn't like the lies she continuously told about her past and the people in her life. She had issues but they all seemed to be down to her. I literally felt like this until towards the end, and I truly did feel sorry for her and understood why she acted the way she did.
I really enjoyed this book! I did suspect some of the outcome and some of the connections but was still surprised by some parts!
This was very addictive to read and read it in one evening!
I didn't really feel like I connected with the characters that well, I can't explain why really, except that the introductions to them felt rushed and without much depth at first.
I predicted what was going on from the very beginning, and knew how it was going to pan out.
Regardless the story was well written and I did enjoy it
Thank you NetGalley for the digital copy
Beth is a marriage guidance councillor whose own marriage is in trouble. She has a young son, Charlie. Beth's husband, Richard walked out on her after having a short fling. Danielle booked an appointment with Beth. She's desperate for a baby but her husband, Peter is reluctant. Danielle has bad facial scars from an accident. Both women have secrets.
Oh what a twist goes web we weave..... is an apt way to describe this story. Both women have led complex lives. The story unfolds revealing more about Beth and Danielle's pasts. The more that gets revealed, the more you get sucked into the book and you won't be able to put it down. There's a fee good twist and turns. The chapters alternate between Beth and Danielle's point of views. The pace is fast in this gripping page turner. The tension builds throughout. This is the best book that I've read so far by the author. I highly recommend this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Ruth Heald for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review -
Danielle seeks out therapist Beth for help -knowing that she knew her previous and wants revenge. Beth doesn't recognize her. The sessions continue but things don't seem to add up - what is going on in Danielle's life? And to top it off - Beth's life isn't going great either?
As Beth's life slowly begins to crumble - she begins to believe Danielle is the one making it happen - but why?
This is an awesome psychological thriller that will keep you turning the pages!
This is a twisty thriller written from the points of view of Beth and Danielle.
These two women seem unconnected but as they get to know one another it appears that they have more in common than they thought.
As the book moves on you discover that their relationship is very different and that their motives for wanting to stay in touch with each other are far from innocent,
Although I guessed the twist of how they are actually connected it is still a great storyline. Unique and heartbreaking.
Danielle’s mother is an interesting character and again she shows her true colours at the end.
Wow! Such a good thriller, kept me guessing the whole way through trying to work out what was going to happen next and how the story would end... Speaking of which, I loved the ending, I felt it really gave closure and couldn't of imagined a better ending!
Ruth never disappoints with her books. This is another exciting thriller about Beth a therapist who’s new client is getting under her skin and she doesn’t know why. As she is dealing with her marriage falling apart she is also starting to feel like she is being followed. Is she loosing her mind or is something more suspicious going on and why does she feel so ill at ease with her new client. This book is edge of your seat exciting and I couldn’t put it down.
I Know Your Secret is about two women living drastically different lives that have been intensely intertwined, unbeknownst, for years. I Know Your Secret has a duel-perspective writing style starting with Beth, a therapist who is struggling to cope with her failing marriage. Danielle, a newly met client of Beth’s, begins to seek therapy due to growing tensions with her husband and her unreciprocated desire to have a baby with him. Throughout this story, the reader begins to see aspects of Beth and Danielle’s past that are implicitly linked to their present lives. I Know Your Secret is ultimately a story of family betrayal and revenge. How these two characters are interconnected will leave readers guessing, until Beth and Danielle’s ultimate secrets are exposed.
Ruth Heald’s newest novel has a seamlessly strewn together chain of events that sucks the reader in and leaves them wanting more. Ruth has a writing style that staggers perspectives between the two main characters of the book. While this was an interesting way to hear the two perspectives of the novel, I found it to be a bit difficult to adjust to upon first starting this book. Overtime, once I learned who the main characters were, I began to really like the way Ruth Heald wrote this book. I found myself trying to get through each chapter because I just wanted to see what was happening next to Beth and Danielle. I really enjoyed Ruth Heald’s strong character development for Beth and Danielle. Ruth Heald created a story where her characters morph from the innocent women that they were into two people with the most sinister secrets, right before your eyes.
Overall, I Know Your Secret was a very interesting book to read. Although it took me some time to get into the writing style of it, I am happy that I stuck through it because I was taken on an emotional rollercoaster through this book. I Know Your Secret leaves readers guessing and thirsty for more at each chapter. The only downside to this book that I found was that, there was such a great intensity in the plot leading up to the climax, and even the climax was extreme, but afterwards the book seemed to just end. It seemed like there was such a strong buildup to the climax that readers should’ve been let down for the ending of the book a little more gently. However, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it to be a fun and easy read.
I found this one had a slow start with an ominous atmosphere. I loved that I wasn’t sure who to trust, it makes for a fun read. I enjoyed the twist but the explanation of it was a bit drawn out. I still really enjoyed this one.
Revenge is a dish best served cold, in this case 15 years cold but for Danielle its been worth the wait
Beth has no idea as she welcomes her new client for ‘counselling’ just who she is inviting into her home and what is going to happen to her life in the following months
Danielle is not who she says she is
But then Beth isen’t as honest as she pretends either
Both are linked via their past, a past that comes hurtling back with a vegenance
No complaints from this well delivered psychological thriller, all the nuts and bolts are there that make it a good ample thrilling read, a lot of surprises and a lot of ‘so that makes sense now’ reader moments as the book progressed
Both main characters were believable if not over lovable and the extras played interesting parts that made them stand out as more than just fillers
A very quick, too quick, ending would be my only criticism of an otherwise sturdy read
8/10
4 Stars
Very clever! Told alternately by Beth, a therapist, and Danielle, her client, this is the story of two women with big secrets and traumatic pasts. No spoilers! Both women have marital problems- Beth's husband had an affair, Danielle's is abusive. Beth has a child, Danielle wants to be a mom. They're linked to one another in another way as well. It's so hard to review this without giving the secrets away but trust that you will be surprised. Both women are well written, the plot is suspenseful, and you'll be wanting to talk out loud to them. Thanks to Netgalley for the ArC. A good page turner.
I Know Your Secret by Ruth Heald
Rating: 3/5 stars
Ruth Heald is a talented writer, there was tension throughout the whole book. As more of the information was revealed about the characters, it felt very suspenseful in the beginning, but slowly grew less so throughout the book. The character development was interesting, and I liked the deep dive into who they were as characters. I thought the book had a great set up.
Unfortunately, I guessed the twist at the beginning of the book, so watching everything unfold made it less enjoyable to read. The dynamic between the characters was interesting to see unfold, especially between Beth and Danielle. The ending of the story was really well done and had such high stakes. It was very suspenseful. If I hadn’t guessed the twist so early this probably would have been rated higher. I would recommend this to readers who want a quick read.
I like the cover. The story is so dark that a simple cover is needed!
When I got to the first bit of darkness within the story I gasped. It takes a lot for me to gasp while reading a thriller. I Know Your Secret is full of those gasp out loud moments. I couldn’t believe what was happening! Ruth Heald has a sick, crazy mind!
The relationship between Beth and Danielle and the crossed wires of client / friend was done in a fantastic way. The pushing from Danielle to know more was incredibly done as well! Also liked how realistic it feels for both of them having their issues and crazy lives.
Always a positive when the twists start early!
I describe a lot of books as gripping but I Know Your Secret is next level amazing! I sat down to read it and the next time I looked up I was on 83%! I missed my birthday get together I was so busy reading! And after completing I can say I regret nothing!
5/5!
Yet another book written from the perspective of two different characters who have alternate chapters in which they offer their perspective on the emerging story. In this case both are women - Beth the therapist whose marriage is falling apart and Danielle who comes for therapy and has facial burns.
The story rattled along at good pace - there are some excellent twists and the outcome is ultimately satisfying. The main characters are all women, none of the men feel real in the same way. But it’s a good relationship-based thriller and I downloaded the author’s two previous books on the strength of reading this one, so NetGalley giving me a free copy in return for a fair review certainly worked in this case!
I wasn’t a huge fan of this book- it ended up being just an okay read for me. I had trouble getting into it, and I felt like it was kind of boring. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for review.
3.5/5
I love a good mystery and this one was GREAT! So many twists and turns, you think you have it figured out but in the end you don't. Thank you so much for the ARC. This is fantastic and I would recommend it to everyone!
I enjoyed this book by Ruth Heald. The alternating chapters/viewpoints were well executed and the domestic backdrop was convincing. I found the reveal to be a little drawn out, thevtension