Every Secret Thing

Kate is a journalist working in the UK when she’s approached by an old man who has a story he wants to tell her. An old murder, but one still deserving of justice, he says -- before he’s hit by a car. His death spurns Kate on to investigate, and she soon realises that by asking questions she is putting not only herself in danger.

I stayed up far too late reading this. There were a lot of things I loved: the sense of danger, the descriptions of scenery and places, the history -- the story about what happened during WWII, the mystery, the romantic moments. But I think the story could have worked just as well if fewer people had been murdered in the present.

It needn’t have diminished the tension in any way, and would have been more show more satisfying. I keep brainstorming what should have happened instead! And there are complications which heighten the tension but also make it difficult to, satisfyingly, serve justice.

All the murders reminded me of why I tread warily around contemporary mysteries. (Not my cup of tea.) That said, I’d read any number of books with extra murder if they were written by Kearsley. I really like how she writes.

I couldn’t see the lighthouse, but I saw the long, straight line of Lisbon’s harbour wall stretched like an arrow pointing out to the Atlantic, to the whitecaps faintly visible beyond the mirror stillness of the bay. Even the clouds didn’t dare venture past that stillness. They kept farther out, like great plumes of spray tossed in the air by the ocean, enraged that it couldn’t come near. show less

Susanna Kearsley Doesn't disappoint! Great interesting story filled with mystery, secrets and even a love story. A blended story what starts with a young Canadian journalist during an assignment in London, meets an older man who says he has a story of a murder that hasn't met justice. She thinks it a random meeting meeting until he says she has her grandmother's eyes- moments later he is killed in a hit run accident. What happens next is a series of events that appear to be coincidences that don't add up - She has been thrown into an investigation having no idea what she is doing or who was murdered and how did he know her grandmother. With every clue, someone ends up being killed and her life is in danger with no one she can trust. show more Lots of twists and turns that make this an unusual but brilliant story. show less

This was an amazing story that shifts seamlessly from the present to the past and back again. Kate Murray is a Canadian journalist in London to cover a trial when she is approached by an elderly gentleman who wants to tell her a story about a murder that was never solved. Preoccupied with her laptop, she doesn't pay much attention to the stranger. She does agree to meet him the next day to hear his story. Then he takes his leave, remarking that she has her grandmother's eyes. Moments later, Kate watches as the man dies in a hit and run accident that happens right in front of her.

Feeling guilty, Kate decides to attend Andrew Deacon's funeral where she meets his nephew who seems to believe that Andrew and Kate had met and Andrew had told show more her his story. He mentions a report that Andrew wrote and sent to Whitehall and to Lisbon. He thinks that Kate had read it and was going to write a book or an article to make things right.

When the nephew is killed in what looks like a home invasion and Andrew's house is ransacked, Kate becomes intrigued about the mystery that he wanted to share with her. But she's on her way back to Toronto and doesn't know what to do next. When she tells her grandmother about Andrew Deacon's death, she finally learns secrets she had never known about her grandmother's past during World War II when she worked for British Intelligence in New York and Washington. Then, while they are talking, shots are fired into her grandmother's kitchen killing her and sending Kate on the run.

This action-packed story switches seamlessly from the present to World War II as we learn what happened in New York and Lisbon those many years ago and whose murder needs to be solved. And who still, sixty years later, wants to keep all the secrets well-buried and is willing to leave a trail of bodies behind.

I loved this story. I loved that it was often told from Kate's viewpoint in the first person which I found very engaging. I mostly listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it though I did think the narrator got a little too excited at a few very dramatic parts of the story. The story really engaged my emotions and I found myself near tears many times as I was reading it. show less

The first book I've read by Emma Cole (AKA Susanna Kearsley) and I am really enjoying her as an author. A very well written and researched novel - has everything I like in a good suspense spy type murder mystery - the intrigue, the locations (all around the place including Toronto Ontario!) The heroine Kate is a spunky, no nonsense kind of woman reporter who meets an older gentleman, Andrew Deacon, while waiting for the verdict on a trial she's following in London, England. He wants to share a story with her about a murder and when she attempts to brush him off, he asks her to remember him to her grandmother. He asks her to possibly meet him the next day to talk and then she witnesses his hit and run death. She attends his funeral and show more speaks with his nephew who then gets killed as well. She heads back to Toronto to speak with her grandmother who then tells her how she knows Andrew Deacon. While they are sitting in the kitchen, shots are fired through the kitchen window and her grandmother is killed. Kate then is on the run with the help of a few trusted friends, trying to discover just what is so important that everyone she seems to speak with is getting killed for....I strongly recommend this as a great suspense spy type thriller for anyone who is interested in the Canadian and British spy involvement (Intrepid)in World War 2. show less

Quite different from her other stories but yet, still that Kearsley flair and gift of storytelling.

Our main character, Kate Murray, learns of a decades old murder from someone quite unassuming. Using her skills as a reporter, Kate sets out on a quest to uncover the truth and hopefully find justice. In a surprising twist, she learns that the story is so much larger, closer to home and suddenly she is thrust in the center of things.

I particularly loved the bittersweet story Kate uncovers when she takes the time to listen and really see back through memories to a time of spies, duty, lost love, and war.

How many times have I personally been surprised by these type of mind-blowing stories. For instance, when a frail, older gentleman wanted show more to chat in the bookstore where I worked. We were standing in the military history section and I asked him if I could assist. He kindly stated he did not but then asked me quietly if I had ever heard of D-Day. "Absolutely, a very important battle during WWII", I responded. His sad smile punctuated his next comment inquiring if Id ever heard of Omaha Beach. I had. He then began to tell me what it was like to be unloaded on that beach, running scared but doing his duty in uniform. He was there. "First wave to hit the beach."

I felt so blessed to hear whatever he had to tell me, as history and sacrifices were made that day. I had to make the time because his story...he...was important. Ill never forget it.

As a younger woman, I didn't appreciate age like I do now. In the way of appreciating a person's story and how it is seasoned with the life miles and not the number of years of life. Kate's character had no idea how her life would change meeting this quiet man with intelligent eyes and a huge secret. And Kate's grandmother having stories of her own. This present / past story embodies how one can casually interact with someone older and yet, have no clue the amazing experiences, good, bad, bittersweet, life-changing, pivotal moments...these gems one can absolutely miss because one simply fails to see. I loved this reminder, that moment are days, and days are years, and years are, or should be, treasured if we only stop to listen and appreciate.

The author has a talent for keeping you engaged. I certainly hope she writes more of these (Kate Murray #2? Yes, please!). show less

Highly recommended by some of my GR friends, this is the first book I have read by this author, who generally writes under the name [a:Susanna Kearsley|486812|Susanna Kearsley|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1245008341p2/486812.jpg]. It has dual intersecting timelines - contemporary and World War II - and is set in London, Toronto, New York, Lisbon and Washington. The different timelines and the range of settings give the book something of the feel of an epic, although it is not one. Rather, it combines traditional (albeit low-key) thriller with history and romance.

I very much enjoyed a number of aspects of this novel. The author writes clean, lucid prose, without flourishes but elegant nonetheless. The connections between the show more timelines are interesting and well done. In addition, the author is able to create a good sense of time and place: crucial to readability given that the novel is set in two time periods and in multiple locations. The romance element is sweetly and poignantly realised, as is the recurrent theme of the need to pay attention to the stories and experiences of older people.

There are aspects of the novel which I enjoyed somewhat less. In particular, the plot piled coincidence upon coincidence in a manner which at times strained my very earnest willingness to suspend disbelief. In addition, the author used my least favourite plot device: that is, a lengthy and detailed confession of misdeeds given by the baddie to the investigator. It's probably just a personal quirk of mine .... but it drives me insane whenever I come across it!

All in all, this was a most enjoyable read. My enduring memory of the book will be the character of Andrew Deacon, only briefly seen alive at the beginning of the novel, but vividly recreated through the recollection of other characters. A lovely creation indeed. show less

I loved this espionage story of a young Canadian reporter who stumbles across a mystery and murder that happened in the later days of World War II. Her search for the truth takes her to Lisbon, as she uncovers a secret between a man, Andrew Deacon and her grandmother. Their story together, posing as husband and wife is bittersweet and at times so poignant. I really need to get a hold of the song they dance to "Make Believe!" I thought this was a great and suspenseful tale, it's twisty turney mystery had me enthralled and I could barely put this book down. A real treat and a surprise. I wish the author would write more in this series. Would make a great movie too!