On the plus: The book was well written, gripping, had me on edge and I liked the ending, but...
I have read all of Mr. Robotham's books to date and I was expecting something different. This book had the feel as if he had written it with his eye on the market, i.e. what sells? Answer: Girl on the Train, etc. So I wasn't wholly satisfied while reading it. Oh yeah, a mummy blogger, really?

I am a big fan of this author's Joseph O'Loughlin series. This book is rather different.
I enjoyed The Secrets She Keeps but it did not leave me on the edge of my seat. The story is written with the two main characters giving their POV in alternate chapters. This means that the reader is always aware of what each protagonist is up to all the time - thus no real stress! I also felt that the side story about Meg and Simon was superfluous and was resolved in a rather weak fashion.
Okay, done with the criticism! None of the former comments mean I did not like the book. It was well written as this author's books always are. It was clever in its concept and always interesting - not a book to be put down easily. The two main characters were developed beautifully and it was very difficult to take sides as there was nothing black and white about their feelings and consequent actions.
Recommended to anyone who likes this genre but especially if you like your books intriguing but not too tense.

4,5 Stars

Robotham delivers a very intense psychological thriller. Halfway through the book I was still wondering how the story will develop. For quite a while I had no clue what was going to happen. So I was very curious and that kept me reading.

For my taste it was a little bit too slow. A lot of other readers say it was fast paced. I did not feel that way. For me it was a bit of a slow burner. But it kept me curious and I want to know where the story was heading to.

At first I disliked Agatha very much. But the more I got to know her the more I felt for her. This book is very much character driven. It was also interesting to look deeper intor the oh-so-perfect family of Meg. There are no dead bodies in the cellar but some unpleasant and realistic problems.

I am not sure if I ever read a book from Michael Robotham, although I was familiar with his name. But I enjoyed this suspense thriller very much. At first I was a bit irritated because it was so slow and I had no idea what was going on. But the further I read the more I got engaged. This is a unique and high quality thriller I can recommend strongly to everybody.

<b> 4.5 Stars

From the moment I picked up The Secrets She Keeps I was sold. This story grips you from the start and I found it impossible to put down until as this was a psychological thriller that exceeded my expectations and I think 2017 has really put good psychological thrillers back on the shelf.</b>

<i>A riveting suspense novel about the unlikely friendship between two pregnant women that asks: how far would you go to create the perfect family</I>

This was my first novel by Michael Robotham and I was really impressed by his writing as the characters were real and complex and the plot suspenseful and devious. I read this over a very busy few days and I found myself itching to escape from company on many occasions over the weekend to delve deeper into the lives of Agatha and Meghan and uncover their secrets.

This is a character driven, skilfully plotted page turner that I thoroughly and I can't wait to read more by Robotham. I think readers who have enjoyed books like

<I> My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

The Secrets She Keeps was a fab book that I couldn't put down.
It is written from the perspectives of Meghan and Agatha both pregnant and looking for happy endings.
An easy 5 stars from me.
This is my first book by Michael and certainly will not be my last.
Beware hours will go by before you realise, it will hook you in.

How do you define CRAZY???? Have you ever thought about the saying "grass is always greener on the other side" well this book really makes you think about those things.

The story about Agatha has been a sad one and at times it was difficult t keep reading. I felt for her, not getting the one thing she wanted most in her life - love. I would liked to have more background information to Agatha's life, especially her childhood. But even without that, it was clear, that there was not one person in her life not leaving her a some point or giving her the feeling of unconditional love. The character of Meghan wasn't really lovable to me. She didn't appreciate her life or every one in it. I have to agree with Agatha on this. And she didn't learn anything from this incident. She was still lying to her husband, making him feel bad for his cheating. When she wasn't innocent either. Tricked Simon into a false DNA swab. One would think that she got a little more humbled after an experience like this. And then there is Hayden. He was just as sick as Agatha and I would have wanted to know how his story ends. "The Secrets She Keeps" is a great psychological thriller, which I would love to see made in to a movie. I think it would make for great entertainment. Highly recommended! I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK!

Michael Robotham’s latest book introduces us to two pregnant young women, married Meghan and single Agatha, and the story unfolds from their alternating points of view. Agatha seems to have a slightly unhealthy interest in Meghan; she’s never met her, but envies her happy marriage and perfect life. Apart from that, both seem fairly ordinary and they eventually become friends. I thought I was reading chic lit to start with... But this is Robotham, and soon enough we learn that all is not what it seems and he plunges us into a story of grand-scale deception and its horrendous consequences. He builds the tension and suspense as he gradually reveals more about the past and the book really picks up pace as it races towards its conclusion. Well-written with some great humour (I loved the depiction of Agatha’ supermarket boss, and how she managed him).

The Secret She Keeps was a compelling and thoroughly addictive read that I enjoyed while on vacation. I had previously read another book by Michael Robotham, which was quite different, to be honest. What I liked the most about this one were the two distinct voices. I greatly appreciate when an author makes me care for a character who isn't a really good person. The way this book was written, you couldn't help but feel sorry for them.

As for the plot, I can't say the book was particularly original. I had read similar stories in the past and I was almost glad that the "twist" was revealed at about 40%, as I had suspected it from the beginning. The second part of the book was less psychological and more "classic thriller", so I knew there wouldn't be any surprises left, which was kind of a disappointment.

Still, I enjoyed reading this one a lot and I explained the entire plot to my friends, so I think that's a pretty good sign even though it didn't feature a unique storyline.

Excellent Psychological Thriller! Agatha wants what Meg has because Meg has enough with her already perfect life. Meg's life is far from perfect however and it's about to get a whole lot worse! Couldn't put it down! Highly recommend!

Meg has it all- so thinks Agatha. A husband, a family, a nice home and a nice life. Sitting in the cafe talking to other mothers, and all of the other activities parents take for granted or moan about. Agatha works in the local supermarket and is badly treated, dreaming of a new life with a husband and children of her own. There are twists in this almost from the outset. I won’t spoil anything but even the first one made me sit up. A tale where you just know something is going to happen but not quite what. One to keep you guessing whilst giving you that uncomfortable feeling of anticipation. A powerful tale, and quite disturbing in parts. A story of minds and wishes, of hopes and dreams. Of what went before and of those dreams shattered before they have even begun. A very well written book that will stay with me awhile.I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased

Wow. This is one of those rare thrillers that actually lived up to its hype. Meg and Agatha are fascinating. I loved the use of their alternating voices as it allowed the tension to build. There are an incredible number of secrets and lies here (making it hard to review because of spoilers). Robotham spools them out slowly- I was not surprised by some but others were unexpected. It's a page turner for sure; perfect for travel or the beach (or the couch on a rainy day for that matter.). I really enjoyed this one and you will too if you like suspenseful tales where not everything is what it seems. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC!

I don't give 5* easily but this deserves them all. I am not sure how to explain how I loved the writing style. In one chapter I knew I was in for a good read. The story of Meghan and Agatha from different walks of life. All they have in common is they are expecting babies at the same time. Written in both their voices, you really feel you know each character, their flaws and their differing feelings on their pregnancies. I had to double check the author was male as they are so excellently written... Some great characters on the side and excellent twists. Loved this book.

A fantastic read! Thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish, particularly as the story was told from both main characters point of view. I felt alternately sympathetic and disturbed as the tale unfolded. Brilliant.

Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. a brilliant book. From the first page I was hooked and I was kept hooked right to the end!! A fantastic psychological thriller. I would definitely recommend it and cant wait to read more by Michael Robotham. You won't be disappointed!!

Wow, this was one emotional read! The author managed to get right under my skin, pressed all the right buttons and literally swept me away with his tight plotting.
To look at her, Meghan has it all. A loving, handsome and successful husband, two perfect children, a wonderful home, great social circle and a popular blog. Agatha on the other hand works a low paid job, has an absent boyfriend, estranged from her mother, and lives in relative squalor. What does connect them however is that both are pregnant, due about the same time. When Meghan pops into her shop for a few bits, Agatha plucks up the courage to talk to her for the first time. To make the connection with Meghan who she has been watching for a while. Little does Meghan realise that this "chance" encounter will be the catalyst for some rather harrowing times to come. It will bring on events that will turn her life completely upside down and inside out.
Oh my word. Once I started reading this book, I had to put aside everything in order to finish it. It had me totally and completely hooked and in its power throughout. The more I read, the more I needed to find out how it would all end. And when I turned the final page, I was completely emotionally spent.
The more I got to know Agatha, the more my feelings were turned around. From the glimpses into her childhood, what she had to endure, what made her the person she has become, I found myself completely sympathising with her. Well, up to a point. As her present truth started to come out, as I realised what she was doing, my emotions went into overdrive. Similarly with Meghan. As her perfect-on-the-outside, notsomuch-on-the inside life was explained, she also had me feeling for her and at the same time unsympathetic towards her. It's that old adage that however well you think you know someone, what goes on behind closed doors is often a completely different story. Her husband Jack is not the perfect husband that he seems to be. Hayden, Agatha's on/off Naval boyfriend is also quite a surprise in the way he acts throughout and I found him to be a very credible character.
What really impressed me the most was what Agatha did and how she did it. Oh my, I can't/won't go into any detail here due to spoilers but wow! She really had it all planned out and I can't help but applaud her for that. You learn quite early on what the score is but it is the aftermath and the slow, psychological fallout and subsequent explanation that really is the hook in this book. Suspense builds slowly but before long it becomes quite claustrophobic in nature and it ends up being akin to a car crash. You don't want to look but you are powerless to stop yourself.
All in all, an extremely well plotted, well executed book containing very complex but very credible characters that left me completely satisfied and totally spent at the end.

My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Michael Robotham is one of those authors that has always been on my radar and I have a vague memory of reading 'The Night Ferry' many years ago and enjoying it. So when this came up on Netgalley I thought it was a great time to try another.

The chapters are told in alternating views between Meghan and Agatha, both these women are pregnant and due around the same time. Meg is going through her third pregnancy, she and her husband Jack already have a boy and a girl and this baby was an 'accident'. Meg also has a successful 'Mummy Blog' which Jack views with disdain. Meanwhile, Agatha works in the local supermarket and flies under the radar as a shelf stacker but one day Meg and Agatha strike up a conversation about their pregnancies. And this is where it starts to become blurred as the reader starts to realise that Agatha is more than a little obsessed with Meg's life.

I really thought I knew where this story was going but every now and then little twists and turns would have me second guessing myself and keep turning those pages. The alternating chapters where very easy to follow as we get inside the characters heads but my heart was in my mouth every time they both dug themselves deeper and deeper with their lies.

I'll certainly look for more of the authors works in future. Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy to read and review

The blurb to The Secrets She Keeps says it is "a riveting suspense novel about the unlikely friendship between two pregnant women that asks: how far would you go to create the perfect family?" The story is told from the alternating point of view of the two women. Meghan has the perfect family, a loving husband and a boy and girl child. Agatha is single, pregnant and working a mundane job in a supermarket. The highlight of her week is catching a glimpse of Meghan. Both women have secrets they need to hide to protect themselves.

The plot is mostly clever and the book is a compelling read. The characters are well developed and gradually reveal more about themselves which helps keep the reader interested and invested in them and the story. This was not the most suspenseful novel I have ever read but once it caught me it was riveting and I had to race to the end.
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love this author. I have enjoyed every one of his books. Can't recommend him highly enough.

Thanks to Net Galley and Little Brown Book Group for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. Wow another top read - brilliant psychological thriller.
The story is told by 2 woman, both of whom are pregnant. Meghan, who is married to Jack, a TV presenter and Agatha, who is divorced and single, her boyfriend has finished their relationship and is back at sea.
Agatha has been watching Meghan very closely, she knows she is mum to 2 children, married to Jack, writes a mummy blog, has a nice home and really the life that Agatha would like for herself.
Agatha works in the local supermarket, and lives in her flat alone. All she wants is to be a mother and a wife. This is not her 1st pregnancy, The story will tell of Agatha's childhood and marriage to Nick, the heartbreak of loosing their baby. The story tells the desperate lengths Agatha will go to to have a child and to encourage her old boyfriend Hayden to come home from the Navy for the birth.
I don't like a review to give too much of the story away, if you enjoy a fast paced psychological thriller then this is a must read. This is the 2nd book I have now read by this author and I will definitely be reading more.