The Secrets She Keeps

 

The Secrets She Keeps – by Michael Robotham

A new author for me, and based on one book, a pretty darn good one. We plow right into the story.  We meet Agatha. We’re told she’s having a baby and works as a stocker in a grocery store. Based on what we’re told, she seems pretty far along. That can never be a good thing if one is working as a stocker and is ‘very’ pregnant.  Of course we also learn that her personal life isn’t ideal. Her “boyfriend” is in the royal navy, hasn’t communicated with her in over 8 months and, therefore, doesn’t know about the pregnancy. One gets the impression he doesn’t want to come back to her regardless.

As Agatha works in the grocery store, she has made it a habit to look out the window and visually stalk another very pregnant woman who frequents the village shops across the street. This woman is named Meg. Meg seems to have everything that Agatha does not. Meg has money, a stable family, nice friends, and she already has two adorable children.  Agatha envies Meg.  Just because one envies another, however, doesn’t mean one should stalk them. Agatha is quite obsessed. We learn that her snooping is much more involved than staring at her out the store window while she meets for coffee with her well-off friends.

So we then get to meet Meg. Her life isn’t quite as rosy as Agatha imagines.  Just because one has money and an attractive family doesn’t always equate happiness.  Meg’s husband Jack, who is some sort of tv personality, comes across as a rather officious jerk.  PSA – When your wife is pregnant, you never ever call her ‘fat’.  In fact, don’t call her ‘fat’ when she’s not pregnant either.

Each chapter in this story alternates between Agatha and Meg. The chapters are told in first-person narrative. Their brief and never boring.  They can be sad, though.  After Agatha stalks Meg for quite a while, she then arranges an “accidental” meeting.  Agatha really wants to meet and get to know Meg better.

At this point I need to stop describing the plot as I don’t want to spoil anything.  In fact, if my review has piqued your interest, I would ask that you don’t read any other reviews.  Just pick this one up and start reading. The problem with a lot of book and movie reviews is they tell you way too much of the plot before you begin the story, so you know what’s going to happen way before the incident happens in the narrative. (I never saw the Tom Hanks movie ‘Castaway’, but I remember that the theatrical previews told the viewer that he does, in fact, get rescued off this island at some point.  Seriously? During the PREVIEW?  What gives ????) 

Let’s just say that this book is intense. It’s a page turner. It’s a great thriller.  There were times when it was hard for me to read some of the latter chapters word for word because I kept wanting to look away; similar to when you watch an intense scene in a movie. You WANT to see what happens next, but your heart is pounding rather quickly, and you nervously sit on the edge of the seat wanting to shield your eyes because of what might be coming.  This book is like that.  That’s a good thing.

I’ve heard that this author is famous for his “thrillers” and this book was somewhat of a diversion for him in terms of style. I dunno. I thought this thing was pretty darn thrilling.  You wouldn’t think a book about two women expecting a child could be described as such, but trust me, this thing is intense.

Looking forward to reading more by this author.