Cover Image: Can You Keep a Secret?

Can You Keep a Secret?

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

A great thriller told over two timelines so that we could see what happened to the friends then and how things have moved on, or not, since that fateful night.

Several times I was sure I knew what was going on, only to be blindsided, so a great thriller from that point of view and had lots of twists and turns to keep the reader intrigued. A great read.

Was this review helpful?

This was a brilliant read. As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. Highly recommended

Was this review helpful?

Omg talk about a roller coaster read wow this book kept me on the edge of my seat threw out I just couldn't put it down this writer keeps you hooked and once your hooked your not letting go I found this book thrilling the characters were fantastic and well thought out and the little clues all the way threw keep you guessing until the end this book stays with you long after you close the book this book is well worth the read I promise you wont be disappointed

Was this review helpful?

This book is AMAZING. What a stunner of a book that leaves you wanting more. The stellar cast of characters combined with the twister storyline makes this the perfect read. Simply brilliant.

Was this review helpful?

Really enjoyable read. Good characters and a Good story. Well worth a read. Think others will enjoy.

Was this review helpful?

Another great book by Karen Perry. Kept me guessing right up until the end. Would definitely recommend this one.

Was this review helpful?

Lindsay and Rachel haven't spoken to each other in twenty years.

Twenty years later, they meet up to discuss the past and say their goodbyes but what happened that night twenty years ago. Are they prepared to speak about it or should they be silent for ever!?

This story was told over two timelines.

I really enjoyed it.

I enjoyed the characters and getting to know them and their secrets.

It was a great book overall

Was this review helpful?

Can you keep a secret? is the latest psychological twisty school re-union gone wrong, chiller by Karen Perry, which is is the pen name of Dublin-based authors Paul Perry and Karen Gillece.

Was this review helpful?

A brilliantly clever psychological thriller set on dual timelines filled full with plenty of twists and suspense to keep you glued throughout.

Was this review helpful?

I am a big fan of Karen Perry books and was delighted to receive an e-copy for review.

This is a cleverly written story set in a dual timeline (1991 and 2017) in and around the childhood home of Lindsay's friends, Rachel and Patrick. It is a story about secrets, betrayals, shocking deeds and acts, mental illness and regrets. There are numerous twists and turns and a few surprises along the way.

I really enjoyed it. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and Messrs Karen Perry for the opportunity to read it.

Was this review helpful?

Can You Keep A Secret? by Karen Perry

Can You Keep a Secret follows Lyndsey, Rachel, Hilary, Marcus, Niall and Patrick, a group of school friends reunited years later at a place that holds many memories, some happy, some very dark, for them all.

We hear the story from the point of view of Lyndsey. Back in 1991 she was the 15 year old new girl at school and was befriended by Rachel whose family own an estate on which stands Thornbury, their grand and beautiful home. With them boarding and her family living further away, Lyndsey spends many a weekend and time during the school holidays with the Bagenal family. The others often stay there too, Niall and Marcus being friends with Patrick, Rachel’s brother.

Fast forward more than 20 years and Lyndsey is working as a forensic photographer. On her way home from a job she realises she is not far from Thornbury and decides, against her better judgment, to stop by and see what has become of the place.

She finds the place in almost a crumbling state and encounters Patrick, who now lives there alone and with whom she had a connection back in the day. As they embark on a relationship Patrick suggests a reunion of the old gang back at Thornbury. It is clear that something terrible happened back in the early nineties and Lyndsey is wary of the reunion but agrees for Patrick. She is particularly nervous of reuniting with Rachel with whom she was once such close friends.

What will this reunion of old friends and old places bring about? Will it bring happiness or should it never happen? Should old secrets be left to lie where they rest?

This book is brimming with tension throughout. Told from the present day with flashbacks to their youth, we are constantly aware of underlying issues amongst the group but always wondering what really happened back then.

The writing style is wonderful; almost lyrically descriptive of the surroundings of the house and with characters who become so vivid you feel you can truly see them in front of you. The sense of awkward uncertainly and impending trouble that you feel in reading this book is addictive. I was constantly compelled forward in my desire to know the truth. This all results in a fantastic read that will leave you feeling in parts. I highly recommend!

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of #CanITellYouASecret in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Tana French is one of my favorite authors, so if she says a book is good, I will read it.

Karen Perry has delivered a cleverly written novel full of twists and turns. I enjoyed reading this a lot and I am looking forward to see what she comes out with next!

Was this review helpful?

Wow. Great characterisation and story development throughout. A number of unexpected twists which kept me guessing

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin UK-Michael Joseph for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had read one of the author's previous books and was eager to read this one. The premise of the book sounded so intriguing and I was thrilled to be approved for it.

This was an enjoyable read with a tone of menace echoing throughout the book. It took me a while to get around to reading it but once I started, I was hooked. It is a really good mystery and I would definitely recommend it to readers who love twisty thrillers as there are quite a few in this book.

Was this review helpful?

An interesting psychological thriller which I enjoyed. The story centres around a country estate just outside Dublin and alternates and interweaves between 1991 and 2017.

I liked the deep, dark twists and turns and found the story very intriguing and quite sinister. The book was well written and the suspense kept throughout. Some of the characters are not likeable but I found them compelling. I enjoyed the ending which did shock me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This story is set at Thornbury Hall, just outside Dublin. When Lindsey is nearby for part of her job as a forensic photographer, she is vividly reminded of her teenage years. Back then she spent most weekends staying there, on leave out from boarding school with Rachel, the daughter of the house. She can't resist going back to see the place. She meets Patrick- the son of the house and they become close.

When Lindsey is on long term sick leave Patrick decided it is time to sell Thornbury Hall, but before it goes wants to gather old friends for a reunion weekend. That doesn't prove to be such a good idea!

With alternating chapters between 1991 & present day we look into the dark corners of Thornbury Hall and the people that have stayed there.

This was an interesting story, although for me it missed out on being a great one-I'm not sure why. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

Was this review helpful?

Set in Ireland. Friends meet after about twenty years for a weekend of reminiscing. Lots of secrets that are a danger to each and every one of the party members.

I liked the writing. The topic was slightly 'meh', predictable and nothing inventive

Was this review helpful?

This is the first book I have read by Karen Perry, a writing duo I have never heard of before.

First off I didn’t realise the novel was set in Ireland, and was super excited much of its location was - County Carlow, close to where I live.

The narrative flits between 2017 and 1991. Lindsey, a forensic photographer is in County Carlow for work and drops in at the home (read mansion) Rachel, her childhood friend. Lindsey has not been there since her Rachel’s father committed suicide in 1992. The novel flits between the current day time line with the selling of the house, and the return of the group of former friends, and the events leading up the father’s suicide.

I found myself getting to about half way through the novel, wondering where it was going, when it takes off in another direction. Unfortunately for me it just didn’t take off enough. I found people were behaving in a way I found baffling, and I was left at the end thinking that I was not sure what had gone on. I had to flip back and re read the last couple of chapters.

The crumbling family pile adds a certain atmosphere to the novel, there is an awful lot going on and sometimes I felt characters did not act in a way that I thought they would. The self-help clean living guru Hilary vaping away, and Lindsay, being a forensic photographer letting someone leave the scene of a crime.

Enjoyable three star read. Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the advance ARC in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

The book alternates between events in 1991and 2017 and features the Bagenall family, and in particular the friendship between Rachel Bagenall and Lindsey. In 1991 they were 15 years old and enjoying weekends and holidays at Thornbury Hall with the Bagenall family accepting Lindsey as one of the family. Rachel’s father, Peter Bagenall dies suddenly and Lindsey meets up with Rachel’s brother, Patrick, at Thornbury Hall and they fall in love. Patrick is selling the family home and decides to hold a reunion weekend. Things start to go wrong and all sorts of betrayals and secrets are revealed. This is a very gripping and tense book with quite a lot of twists and turns. An interesting read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Was this review helpful?

This is the first book i have read by this author/s. I enjoyed it a great deal and liked the dual time aspect. If you like a well written, atmospheric and has lots of twists and turns, this book is for you. Will hopefully be reading more by this writing duo 👍

Was this review helpful?