Tell me no secrets by Lynda Stacey.
Book 3 of secrets.
Every time Kate Duggan looks in a mirror she is confronted by her guilt; a long, red scar reminding her that she was ‘the one to walk away’ from the car accident. Not everyone was so lucky …
On the surface her fiancé Rob is supportive – but the reality is different. He’s controlling, manipulative and, if the phone call Kate overhears is anything to go by, he has a secret. But just how dangerous is that secret?
When Kate begins work at a firm of private investigators, she meets Ben Parker. His strong and silent persona is intriguing but it’s also a cover – because something devastating happened to Ben, something he can’t get over.
As Kate and Ben begin their first assignment, they become close. But, what they don’t realise is how close to home the investigation will bring them, or who will be hurt in the process …
A very good read with good characters. A great Story I couldn't put it. Read in 3 days. 4*.

Immediately drawn into the story, we get to know Kate Duggan whose life changed forever thirteen months ago. Intelligent and happy, Kate was working as a police officer in London, when she was involved in a devastating accident that left her brother dead and her twin sister Eve paralysed. Many believed that Kate was lucky walking away with only a scar on her face but guilt and grief have left Kate deeply scarred both inside and out and she struggles to connect with her parents who blame her for what happened.

Now over a year later, Kate is finally taking steps to start afresh with her fiancè Rob, and her new job as a private investigator with Parker and Son. But when Kate meets Ben, her colleague, she cannot help the spark of attraction that flares to life within her and makes her question her relationship with Rob which has been floundering for some time now. As Kate and Ben throw themselves into a new case, they forge a strong friendship and begin to trust each other with their pasts and their fears. But when danger gets a lot closer to home, Kate must find the strength to face it head on even if the truth may shock everyone to their core.

With family drama, shady characters, drama, suspense and some romance thrown in for good measure, TELL ME NO SECRETS by Lynda Stacey is a thoroughly gripping tale from start to finish and I devoured it within a few hours. The characters are engaging and make you care about them - especially Eve who I really wanted to see find happiness, as well as Kate. TELL ME NO SECRETS is perfectly-paced and it had just the right balance of romance and suspense to hold my attention throughout. So if you enjoy a thrilling romantic suspense with a loveable group of main characters then TELL ME NO SECRETS by Lynda Stacey is the perfect book for you.

Three and a half star rating.
Kate, her twin Eve and brother James were in an accident and she not only blames herself, but thinks everyone else does too. Her fiancé Rob has a secret and when she starts a new job as a Private Investigator meets Ben, who is everything Rob isn't. This book has a great cover, easy style of writing and is a real pot pourri - romance by the bucket, crime, deceit, grief and tragedy. A perfect, light summertime read with some nice and some not so nice characters. Enjoy it whilst lounging around near the pool or on the beach!

Every morning when Kate Duggan looks in the mirror she is reminded of the worst day in her life. Riding with her twin sister and her brother James driving, the car veers off the road, and rolls. When Kate comes to, she's lying in the grass and rocks with her sister beside her. She doesn't remember how they got out of the car. Her brother is dead and her sister, Eve, is paralyzed as a result of being dragged out of the car. Kate, herself, is left with a huge facial scar. Her parents blame Kate for everything.

Kate has been living with her boyfriend, Rob, for a year. Things aren't going well in that direction ... he's become secretive, having whispered telephone conversations, and disappearing sometimes for days at a time.

Once upon a time, Kate had been a lawn enforcement officer. She would like to stay in that field of work, and decides to become a private investigator. Joining a well established firm, Kate is thrown in the path of Ben Parker, son of the owner. She has a lot to learn and Ben is more than happy to train her. But Ben has secrets ...something has happened to him in the past ... something he's not quite willing to share with Kate.

As a Romantic Suspense, this book has a very good story line with characters that are deftly defined. Kate's mother is the mother from hell, intrusive, sarcastic, and a very sharp tongue. She's the character you love to hate. There are twists, but not noticeable until parts of the story start to meld together. This is a light, easy read.

Many thanks to the author / Choc Lit / Netgalley for the digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

This is a very enjoyable read. The writing is excellent, the characters are well crafted and it has a intriguing plot. I enjoyed the humor and wit the author blended so well to the story. It is the perfect combination of elements that make a perfect read.

Following a car accident, Kate's family has been left broken and destroyed. A former police officer in the Met, she is trying to start afresh in Yorkshire with a new job as a private investigator where she is working for, and with, Ben, the owner's son, who too has been grieving for the past four years. Working on a case involving drug dealing, they become close as the case turns dangerous, threatening Kate and those close to her.
Not much to say about this. I thought it was ok and it held my attention, but I wasn't fully won over. It's a nice enough romantic suspense story, but both, the romance and the suspense, were a bit tame for me.
I never fully believed the entire setup and the characters were just a little too cookie-cut and easily forgettable.
I think this will appeal more to readers who are looking for a very light read. It was all very convenient and works if you're looking for a bit of unchallenging escapism. Didn't hate it, didn't love it.
I received an ARC via NetGalley.

This was an intriguing story full of secrets and twists and turns. Kate is struggling with the aftermath of a car crash which shattered her family leaving her scarred and considered to be the ‘lucky one’. Her low self-esteem leads her to believe she’s lucky to have the handsome Rob her fiancé but she’s no idea how dangerous his supposed love will become. When she starts work as a private investigator in Ben’s family agency she’s intrigued by him but he’s weighed down by his own secrets. As they become close and the investigation they’re working on deepens the story takes a dark turn and everything is on the line. I enjoyed this suspenseful story and look forward to reading more by this author.

Lynda Stacey’s Tell Me No Secrets is an edgy suspense romance. It is filled with twists that seemed unconnected but by the end of the story all are woven together. Kate Duggan has survived a car accident that left one paralyzed and one dead. She was not without injury either. Her entire family was changed by this. Kate cannot count on them now since it is a totally dysfunctional unit. However, I liked her strength to go on with life even when she wanted to give up. Ben Parker also has suffered losses but he makes a great work partner for Kate in her new job.

It is as she begins working that the story really takes off. What looks to be one investigating job, turns out to have many connections to the characters. There is more than one nil biting scene as Kate tries with Ben’s help to piece it all together. Through it all he remains a strong loyal friend. Despite the villains all is resolved.

The last chapter reads more like an epilogue since it happens a year late. It shows the two main characters finally getting their HEA which they both rightly deserved. Still, I liked the friendship only between Ben and Kate during the main story since she was in a relationship with Rob, murderous sorry person that he not withstanding.

Romance suspense readers will love this one. The first book that I have read by Lynda Stacey but I want to read more now especially since she wrote that this is the second book published but the first book she wrote. I predict she is only going to perfect her writing craft even more.

Strong characters and a gripping story right from the start. Lynda Stacey has surpassed her debut novel - House of Secrets . A five star read

I really enjoyed this book. Poor Kate has been through quite a tough time, eventually learning that the person she thought she loved wasnt the person she believed him to be. Bit of action towards the end, and a nice ending for poor Kate. Look forward to reading more of Lynda Stacey.

This is a nice easy read. Kate starts her new job as a private investigator after a year of being our of action after a car accident where she lost her brother and her sister was left paralysed. Kate is living with her boyfriend Rob, however he doesn't treat her with a lot of respect, and Kate knows she needs to make a change to be happy. Meeting Ben she discovers feeling she hasn't had in a long time. No-one would want her with her horrible scar though would they. Ben and Kate work together untangling a web of deceit. A good story, easy to read with a nice ending.

A feel good book to curl up with. An easy to follow plot with just the right amount of romance. This was a lovely way to spend an afternoon. I would definitely recommend this book as a pick me up and I would read another book by this author.

Lovely cover design that makes you want to read the book. I’m sure I joined with other readers at the beginning of the novel in wanting the heroine, Kate to get a better deal with her mother, boyfriend and self-image. Immediately warmed to Kate’s new boss and loved the first scene with Kate and Ben together. The story takes you on a journey through twists and turns with its various sub-plots. I got to one point where I kept sneaking away to read more to find out what would happen in the end. I enjoyed the use of different points of view to enable you to gain insights from different angles. I found myself getting quite tense towards the climax of the story. Gloria and Eric were my favourite sub-characters.

This was a fantastic read had me sucked in right from the start and i could not put it down cannot wait to try more from this author would recommend to all.

Excellent book. Great main characters and plot. I would recommend this book.

I loved this well written book. The plot offers a little bit of everything romance, guilt, loss and secrets. I highly recommend.

What a brilliant second novel from Lynda Stacey. I say this many a time, but Choc Lit has done it again!

Kate’s story is one that will resonate with many; how long can you allow yourself to be in the dark when someone you love has secrets that are damaging your life? I adored Kate, she was hard-working, had sound morals, and above all cared about those in her life. Her history was tragic, and in taking care of her twin sister Eve, paralysed from a car accident that killed their brother James and left only Kate walking away without serious injury, you can feel her survivor’s guilt seep off the page, and makes you root for her.

In walks Ben; (oh Ben, what a guy!) the Son of the ‘Parker & Son’ where Kate begins her new job in the world of Private Investigating, she begins to really accept how out-of-control her relationship with her fiance Rob has turned. Suspicious of his secrecy, and lack of warmth, their current investigation turns personal, and Ben is there to hold her up, and make her understand how badly she is being treated. Ben was a superb hero for our story, and I loved seeing how their individual healing processes developed after they met each other.

With twists and turns, mystery turning into a dangerous game of life and death, Tell Me No Secrets had me racing to the finish line, desperate to see how my new friends would fare in the war against drugs. Lynda Stacey made the situation feel so real by including a number of brilliantly created secondary characters, who you could relate to, or at least recognise from day-to-day life. Eric and Eve’s story was one that had me grinning from ear to ear, and I really enjoyed seeing the inner turmoil of Isobel, who even if you don’t like, you’ll see as a real human being with true emotions and fears.

A brilliant 5 Star read from Lynda Stacey!

This is my first book by Lynda Stacey and I was not disappointed. I loved her writing style and how she brought the characters to life. I loved her characters working at Parker and Son and initially did not really like Kate's mother because I can't see how a parent can treat their kids like how she treated Kate.
A great read that keeps you reading until the end.
Highly recommended
Thank you Choc Lit and Netgalley for the copy.

I loved this book for a bit of escapism. You see a families torn apart through tragedy learning to love life again and on top of that you have the detective agency and the plot surrounding that. Really enjoyed the book

Lynda Stacey knows how to mesh multiple themes in her novel as this one was packed with lies, anguish, romance, secrets and just enough danger thrown in to keep things interesting. Despite it being a suspenseful thriller that will have you flipping pages faster than you can breathe there was some humorous moments to add some balance.

From a psychological point of view I found this very interesting because it allows you to view how Kate is handling the stages of grief which in her case is particularly hard as she was the one who didn’t die in the accident. I felt that Stacey did a great job with the character development for the all of the characters, the relationships seemed realistic and moved at a logical pace and she made you care about their journey.

Her debut novel House of Secrets put her on the map as an author to watch when it came to this genre and thankfully her follow up helps keep her there.

I’ve also learned through many other books that Choc Lit Publishing is proving itself to be one of my favorites because I have yet to read a bad novel under their label. I was glad to see Stacey is continuing to aid in that reputation.