The Secret of Lies

Barbara Forte Abate
Dog Ear Publishing (2010)
ISBN 9781608444182
Reviewed by Tiffany Schlarman for Reader Views (07/10)


For Stephanie (Stevie) Burke, the entire year is spent in anticipation of summer at her Aunt’s Beach house in Long Island, New York. Stevie and her sister Eleanor can’t wait to leave their small town for a magical summer at the beach. Unaware this is her last summer Stevie’s world is turned upside down when the summer abruptly ends due to tragedy. The keeper of secrets, Stevie is haunted by her past. Now married, Stevie discovers the full disclosures of that horrific summer. The truth propels Stevie into desperation to overcome her tortured past. She abandons her home, husband, and seemingly happy life in search of a remedy to rid herself of her memories of the past. This act threatens Stevie’s life as she knows it, but she must take the chance if she can ever hope to be truly happy.

This book was overwhelmingly predictable. It didn’t take more than eight chapters for me to figure out what was going on and what would happen in the future of the book. None of the events shocked or surprised me. Instead I felt myself wanting to fast forward just to confirm what I already knew. It seemed the characters took so much longer to figure everything out than the reader. While the story had good flow, drama, thought and ability to make the reader understand the characters and their feelings, it was at times a little slow. It seemed impertinent information was given that made sections of the book drag.

One of the main qualities I look for in a book is re-readability. If I am going to spend money on the book or add it to my permanent library, I want to be able to read it over and over. This book simply did not do that for me. However, it was a good one-time read that I do not regret choosing. I simply am not in love with it, nor do I hate it. I would suggest you read “The Secret of Lies” because it is interesting and a mix of many genres. It holds love, romance, travel, tragedy, suspense and mystery. I would personally save it for a rainy day, it is not your summer beach read.

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