The Family Secret is the second installment in the Cat Carlisle series following Cat and Thomas. I haven’t read the first book and I feel like this can be read as a standalone. However, I would very much like to read the first novel.

The twists and turns in this novel are fantastic. I was surprised at every corner and that is what makes a great mystery. Terry Lynn Thomas knows how to write a compelling mystery for sure.

I enjoy the POV switches from character to character because it keeps the mystery going. You get an incomplete view of what’s going on, which is important to keep you guessing.

I really enjoyed The Family Secret. With themes of war, growing up, love, greed, betrayal and family, this book has a lot going on. It’s fast-paced and I read it in one sitting. I recommend this one!

THE FAMILY SECRET by Terry Lynn Thomas was an engaging and very compelling novel.

This was the second book in a series however, I had no problems reading this book independently as the relevant backstory was deftly woven throughout by the author. The setting, the pacing and the plot were all excellently done. The aspect of the book that really stood out for me was the characters' personalities. All of the characters had their own pasts that I was fully invested in from the beginning. With plenty of lies, mystery and duplicity, there was always a lot going on in this fascinating and gripping read.

THE FAMILY SECRET by Terry Lynn Thomas was a great work of captivating and absorbing historical fiction and I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my own request from the publisher via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

I really couldn’t get into this book! It was a disappointment, though potentially I struggled because I haven’t read the first book therefore found it hard to bios relationships with the characters

thank you for allowing me to read this book. it was very easy to read. i enjoyed the story line and the characters. look forward to reading more from this author.

I enjoyed The Family Secret so much I immediately purchased the first book. Having said that, I think the cover is a bit misleading. It's more of a romance than a history saga.


Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

A beautifully writtwn domestic drama, sure to tug on your heartstrings and make you appreciate your relationships more . Will definitely read more book by this author.

I got this thinking it was a historical mystery which I don’t quite agree with. I would say this is more in the romance genre. I did end up enjoying the book though but this is a once in a lifetime; I might read a romance novel every couple of years or so. The story was fairly innocuous set in the English countryside and most importantly away from London where the Germans had started bombing.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

This book will appeal to anyone who likes historical novels
The setting, the pace and the plot of this book are very good but it’s the characters who make this book so enjoyable
This is the second book in a series but could be read as a stand-alone book
An amazing read

A great read, loved the way the characters intertwined. The mystery and intrigue kept you wanting more. My first novel by this author and I will definitely be looking out for more. Thoroughly enjoyable!

This was a fun, well written mystery. I enjoyed it very much, I thought the characters were well drawn and the mystery was engaging. A perfect light read for the beach.

Well-written and suspenseful, Terry Lynn Thomas tells the intriguing tale of Cat Carlisle and Thomas Charles who descend upon a small English village to solve a murder under the guise of writing a book about rural architecture. Set just before WWII and the second in a series, Thomas’s The Family Secret, can be read as a stand alone without sacrifing an appreciation of the context or the characters. It is an easy and effortless book to read and fits well within the cozy mystery/light read category or genre. I am now a fan and look forward to reading more of Terry Lynn Thomas’s work.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for this honest review.

I recently finished The Family Secret by Terry Lynn Thomas. It's the second title in the Cat Carlisle series. It was easy to read as a standalone, but I think you would understand more of the characters' histories if you read the first novel, The Silent Woman (which I have not yet read.) I was vaguely expecting this to be "historical drama", and was surprised when it actually was a bit more mysterious. It focused on an investigator and his romantic interest, in their small town escape from London. Rather than being the main backdrop for the events and going-ons, the war actually loomed distantly on the horizon, influencing decisions (i.e. evacuating from London.) (This surprise is all on me - it was definitely touted as historical mystery.)

All that said, I was not disappointed in this read. It was well-written and colourfully descriptive. Characters were developed enough that even though you were invested in their doings, you didn't necessarily love them. Spoiled teens, entitled adults, nosy neighbours... you'll find them all. The plot - the actual mystery - was engrossing and intriguing, the character backgrounds giving them a bit more depth, and I loved the dramatic climax.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley with thanks to the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own. Full review posted on my blog 4/16/19:
https://lifelovelaughterlinds.home.blog/?p=714

The Family Secret is a great mystery that is well written and I enjoyed the characters. I didn't read the first book, but it didn't really of too much. I will go back and read the first.

I really enjoyed reading The Family Secretby Terry Lynn Thomas!
I loved her main character, Cat Carlisle, what a vivacious name, and vivacious she is! Her personality keeps the story moving and her attention to detail and helping others makes her admirable.
There’s a bit of romance woven into the story as well with Cat and Thomas. Thomas seems a great fit for Cat due to their shared interests and desire to work a lead.
There are many family secrets hidden from the reader and they play out through the young adult children of the families. I found myself trying to read as fast as possible to find out what the secrets are in each of the storylines!

I would rate this book as 5 stars, it was extremely enjoyable to read and was paced well with endearing characters.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.

The Family Secret by Terry Lynn Thomas.
It would have been so helpful to know that this was the second installment in a series.
I went into this book completely unaware and unfamiliar with the characters,
I found myself really wanting this book to end. It wasn't bad at all, just not really that interesting to me.
Characters were likable, the story was good. Just not my cup of tea.

three stars.

WWII London is turning into a dangerous place, Cat Carlisle is eager to get out. But the mysteries in her childhood village of Rivenby make for a more interesting stay. Not having read the first installment, I was not familiar with these characters, but they are well developed and sensitive. I may look for the first book.

I really enjoyed this novel and found it intriguing and a very easy read, which isn’t a bad thing. This isn’t your usual Detective story. Set at the break out of the 2nd World War, Cat Carlisle returns to her home town and , having been in the press for investigating and uncovering her husbands killer, she is soon asked to investigate the suspicious car accident of a local resident. Although this is the second book in the Cat Carlisle series, I didn’t feel as though I was missing out on anything, however I do now want to read the first installment as I’d like to know a little more about the Cat and Thomas and their relationship.

Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy of this publication.

Cat Carlisle's friend Thomas Charles returns into her life and suggests she move back to Rivenby, her childhood village, While the request is cloaked with her safety in mind, Cat learns that Thomas has other intentions in mind. In fact, he's investigating a murder and suspects Cat's friend Beth. Cat joins in the investigation to clear her friend's name, but she's also caught in the midst of a village secret. Who is guilty? Who is innocent?

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Cat Carlisle is a very likable character, and the book is a fun read with an interesting angle, tying into WW2 and refugees. It's also fast-paced and well written. However, it isn't super engaging. And there are numerous characters to keep track of, which was confusing. "The Family Secret" does stand alone, but it might have been easier to get into if I had read the first book in this series. Note: the book contains some mild cursing.

I found this book an easy read, it was pleasant.
The main protagonists were likeable characters.
It didn't excite me, but I found myself wanting to see how it all wrapped up in the end.
The ending was adequate.

I can see that there's a market for this style of books. Agatha Christie style mysteries, easy to read, clean mysteries.

Thanks to NetGalley, Terry Lyn Thomas and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A compelling story with engaging characters, THE FAMILY SECRET by Terry Lynn Thomas is sure to please historical fiction and WWII fiction fans everywhere.

​On the brink of war, Thomas Charles has been given another assignment by Sir Reginald which appeals to Thomas for one reason - he gets to whisk Cat away from the dangers of London to the country village of Rivenby where she grew up. He loves Cat and will do whatever it takes to be near her. But this quaint little place is not as quiet as he had hoped when murder rears its ugly head again and again.
Cat is delighted to see Thomas again and jumps at the chance to spend more time with him and return to her childhood home. But as she becomes embroiled in a murder investigation, can she uncover the truth before it is too late?

The setting, plot, and pace of this story are excellently handled but it is the characters that really make THE FAMILY SECRET shine. While this is the second book in this series, you can easily read this book independently as their backstory is deftly woven throughout. All of the characters have their own unique history that pulls you in but I really loved the two young girls, Edythe and Carmona, and their friendship which is so genuine and heartfelt. There is plenty of mystery, subterfuge, and lies to keep readers on their toes and there is never a dull moment in this gripping read.

THE FAMILY SECRET by Terry Lynn Thomas is an excellent example of how captivating and absorbing historical fiction can truly be and I highly recommend it!