'The Secrets She Keeps' by Michael Robotham is a psychological thriller that delves into the lives of two pregnant women, Meghan and Agatha, who form an unlikely bond. As their due dates draw near, secrets unfold, leading to a sinister and suspenseful tale of obsession, envy, and deception. The author skillfully weaves a multi-layered plot, showcasing the complexities of human nature and the unexpected twists that challenge the readers' perceptions.

Characters:

The characters are richly developed, showcasing their flaws and humanity, which evokes empathy despite their morally questionable actions.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is character-driven with alternating perspectives, effectively revealing the emotional and psychological nuances of the characters.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around two pregnant women from starkly different walks of life, their lives intertwining through shared experiences and dark secrets, culminating in an intense climax.

Setting:

The setting in suburban London reflects class disparities and societal expectations, intensifying the character interactions.

Pacing:

The pacing begins slowly as it builds character depth, accelerating into a gripping and suspenseful conclusion.

I am not the most important person in this story. That honor belongs to Meg, who is married to Jack, and they are the perfect parents of two perfect children, a boy and a girl, blond and blue-eyed and...

Notes:

The Secrets She Keeps is Michael Robotham's twelfth novel and received a 5-star rating from reviewers.

The book features two pregnant women, Agatha and Meghan, from very different backgrounds, exploring themes of envy and secrets.

Agatha works as a grocery store shelf stacker while Megan is a popular mommy blogger with a seemingly perfect life.

Both women's lives intertwine as they are due to give birth around the same time, leading to surprising consequences.

The story is narrated from the alternating perspectives of Agatha and Meghan, adding depth to their characters.

The book has been called emotionally charged, with a mix of dark humor and intense drama.

Michael Robotham is known for creating strong, complex female characters, which surprises some readers given that he is male.

The pacing of the book is slow in the first half but intensifies in the second half, leading to a gripping conclusion.

Robotham's writing style has been compared to that of authors like Karin Slaughter and Paula Hawkins.

The audiobook version is narrated by Lucy Price Lewis, who is praised for her expressive and engaging performance.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes themes of stalking, mental illness, rape, and discussions of trauma, which may be triggering for some readers.

From The Publisher:

"Two terrific female characters, both with secrets. Add Michael Robotham's clean prose and whipcrack pacing. The result? A book you won't be able to put down, although you may occasionally want to hide your eyes." -Stephen King

"A premium delivery." -People

Meghan doesn't know Agatha, but Agatha knows Meghan. And the one thing Agatha looks forward to each day is catching a glimpse of her, the effortlessly chic customer at the grocery store where she works stocking shelves. Meghan has it all: two adorable children, a handsome and successful husband, a happy marriage, a beautiful house, and a popular parenting blog that Agatha reads with devotion each night as she waits for her absent boyfriend, the father of the baby growing inside her, to return her calls.

Yet if Agatha could look beyond the gloss and trappings of Meghan's "perfect life," she'd see the flaws and doubts. Meghan has her secrets too, especially one that she dare not ever tell. Soon the lives of these two women will collide in the most spellbinding and intimate of ways, until their secrets are exposed by one shocking act that cannot be undone. From internationally bestselling author Michael Robotham, The Secrets She Keeps is a dark, exquisite, and twisted page-turner so full of surprises, you'll find it impossible to put down.

Ratings (12)

Incredible (3)
Loved It (4)
Liked It (3)
Did Not Like (2)

Reader Stats (23):

Read It (12)
Want To Read (7)
Not Interested (4)

1 comment(s)

librally

Liked It

2 months

I really wanted to like this one, but I HATED Agatha too much. I found myself constantly feeling frustrated.

What can you read after
The Secrets She Keeps?

See the list (100 books)

About the Author:

Michael Robotham is a former investigative journalist whose psychological thrillers have been translated into twenty-three languages. In 2015, he won the prestigious UK Gold Dagger for his novel Life or Death, which was also shortlisted for the 2016 Edgar Allan Poe Award for best novel. Michael has twice won a Ned Kelly Award for Australia's best crime novel for Lost in 2015 and Shatter in 2008. He has also twice been shortlisted for the CWA UK Steel Dagger in 2007 for The Night Ferry and 2008 with Shatter. He lives in Sydney with his wife and three daughters. His recent novels include When She Was Good; The Secrets She Keeps; and Good Girl, Bad Girl.

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.

The Secrets She Keeps

Michael Robotham