Little Deadly Secrets by Pamela Crane was a wild story! I normally only read thrillers and this is more of a domestic thriller. I very much enjoyed getting to know all of the 3 main characters. Lily, Mackenzie, and Robin all met in college and have stayed best friends. Lily is separated from her husband but the other two are married and have kids. Each one has a “deadly” secret. The story started a little slow as I tried to sort out who was who. Then it picked up with a fury and was so exciting! I will definitely read more by this author. Fans of Big Little Lies will love this book. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Whew, that was a rollercoaster ride! Little Deadly Secrets reminded me of a book I read last year that I also loved, What You Did by Claire McGowan, if you’re looking for another book in the same vein. So many heartbreaking events that spiraled out into conclusions I didn’t see coming. It grabs you from the beginning and is a thrilling ride until the very end. Really only one thing was slightly irritating with the entire book – the nonchalant way several characters discussed murder. Not just like “ha, we totally could do *insert murder weapon/instance of choice*” but people you wouldn’t even expect join on the murder train – it was a little off.

Of the three friends, the one I had the most difficulty connecting with was Lily. As a wife and mother, there were numerous truths and feelings from both Mac and Robin that I shared. The events of the book are a perfect storm, which feeds on itself until it can’t anymore and spirals apart into several frayed lives. I would not want to live their lives but it really does highlight just how much people are willing to endure for their friends and how twisted and how twisted and ugly life can get. Few characters remain unscathed in this twisty and drama-filled journey.

I would highly recommend Little Deadly Secrets to readers who enjoy murder, mystery, and domestic drama. A huge thank you to William Morrow, NetGalley, and Pamela Crane for the opportunity to read this whirlwind of a book – all opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book. This is my first book by this author and I will be looking for more from them. This is a suspenseful story that I had a hard time putting down. I had no problems connecting with the characters as they brought the story to life. They made the story engaging and easy to read. The twists and turns left me turning pages fast just waiting to see what happens next. This is a well written story that I highly recommend. I dont regret picking up this book and niether will you.

Mackenzie, Robin, and Lily have been inseparable forever, sharing life’s ups and downs and growing even closer as the years have gone by. They know everything about each other or so they believe. They each have families of their own. There is an incident between Robin’s son and Mackenzie’s daughter that could potentially jeopardize Mackenzie’s relationship with Robin. This is filled with a lot of secrets, some parts are predictable, but overall a suspenseful and intense story! Thank you to William Morrow, Pamela Dane, and NetGalley for an ebook ARC. This is my honest review.

I think that this is the fastest that I have read a book in a long time. Once I got into it, I honestly couldn’t put it down. The first third or so of the book was like a visit down Memory Lane to Peyton Place, for anyone old enough to remember that book. There is a lot of scandal and angst and drama...a lot! Three college friends live near each other and share secrets with each other, some left over from their college days. Robin is married to pediatrician Grant and has four children. Robin has a hole in her heart that she tries to fill with shopping. Lily is separated from the love of her life and tries to fill the hole in her heart with pills. Finally, Mackenzie has a secret in her life that is too hard to share but even more difficult to hide. She tries to fill the hole in her heart by pretending that it doesn’t exist. At first, as I was reading this book, I felt like I was reading some kind of pulp fiction that would normally not appeal to me. But I discovered as I read more that Pamela Crane has created a deeply moving book about themes that all women may face sometime in their lives, whether personally or with a family member. The theme of enduring friendship resonated throughout the book as did the secrecy that could not be maintained forever. I must say that I did not expect to enjoy this novel, but I did. I really did! The salacious details were not so graphically described that they were off-putting to me. They were a part of a story that was creatively and skillfully woven so that hidden details were revealed little by little. Upon completing the story of these three friends, I wanted more, which to me is the sign of a really good book. Fans of women’s fiction will want to grab this book and devour it, just as I did.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from William Morrow Books via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

This story was easy to read and engaging. I recommend to anyone who enjoys a good book. I was sad to see it end and I look forward to seeing what else I can find from this author.

Pamela Crane is a new author to me, but I will definitely keep my eye out for more of her books. This book has everything I am looking for a little romance, grief, confrontation, fighting, conflict and mystery. I thought that I knew where this was going, who did what , when and how. But the author kept the twist coming through out the novel that I just gave up on trying to figure out what was going on, and enjoy the ride. At one point I was reading, and my heart was racing and I was holding my breathe because I did not know what was going on or what was going to happen next. This is what a good book does to you, what a good author does to you, causes you to have physical reactions to their words.

This book is insulting to both women and Southern women. I'm 3/4 through it and will finish it, but the language and everything about this is terrible. This book was so incredibly unrealistic. I'm disgusted with the entire thing. Every male in it is generic and trite. Every woman has a stereotypical flaw. Really? How is this being published?

I received this via NetGalley and so I read it on my Kindle reader. I really liked it and will want to check out more books by Pamela Crane! I liked how the book moved between characters and you saw things from their side of the story. Many, many topics were covered by this book: rape, spousal abuse, substance abuse - but it wasn't too heavy. This was a quick, enjoyable read. When I say it was a quick read, it's because I didn't want to put it down.

Pamela Crane knows how to keep up the pace in a novel and hold your attention with a firm grip! Initially, I had a difficult time trying to keep the characters straight; this story is told from three different perspectives and each has its own set of personal ties and inner family turmoil - how those storylines overlap with the others is a lot to keep straight! But after a handful of chapters I eventually was able to recognize the character and their perspective. I definitely think this book was appropriately categorized as a domestic suspense book - there was a fair share of drama that I was expecting and enough unpredictable associations that held my attention. I felt like the story was very focused on the sexual relationships, what consent means, and the complexities of rape. It was a well written account of the trauma that surrounds rape and how it can leave lasting impacts on all involved. I think the way Crane touched on each perspective was very well done! I would definitely recommend this book and I think it would be a great selection for a book club - there are so many wheels turning in this storyline that there is a lot to talk about! 4/5!

This review can also be found on my instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thealc0ve

*updated review* The author took time out of her day to explain the things I thought unbelievable. They are inspired by real events! It’s just so crazy to me but obviously things happen all the time that may seem unbelievable to some yet others are actually experiencing it. As Pamela told me, truth is stranger than fiction.
She is no way asked me to update or change my review. I am doing that of my own free will as she answered all of my questions when she didn’t have to. For that, I am changing this review to 5 stars.
I enjoyed this book overall. It definitely kept me intrigued and wanting to read more. I also like how one of the characters was reading a preview Pamela Crane book. Made me chuckle a little.
For the most part, this book was good. There were a few spots that seemed a little unbelievable. There were also times where the characters drove me nuts and I just wanted to shake them. Some of the things they did, said or the way they acted aggravated me. if it hasn’t been for those few things, this book would have been 5 stars. The plot twists were good. There were some I didn’t see coming.
Also - the ending - is there going to be a second book?!?

Okay I’ll start with the good. I loved the fact that these three women’s lives were so interwoven, pretty much from the time they came together in college. They all share secrets, whether from each other or ones that two of them know that the third doesn’t. The problem with secrets is that they have a way of festering, which is what happens with this book.

The problem, though, is that each character is very one-dimensional. Mackenzie is the woman that looks like she has it all together, but her husband beats her. Robin is the woman with the big family but staggering debt whose husband is cheating on her. And Lily, well, Lily is the lone wolf with the addiction that always seems to be screwing things up.

This book, I think, tried to tackle too much. Spousal abuse, addiction, rape. I wanted to be involved in the story but it just kept jumping around so much that it made my head spin. It did do a good job of keeping my attention but at the end there were so many different strings that needed to be tied up and honestly, I felt like this book could have been multiple books to really fill in the characters.

So while I did enjoy this book it was both too much and not enough all at the same time.

Wow I loved this book so much!! I read it basically in one day. I loved the writing and the different POV! I want to read more from this author!

I thought it was great. Fast paced with plenty of drama involving three best friends from college Robin, MacKenzie and Lily. All have secrets including Robin and Mackenzie husbands, but whose secret may tear the group apart including the relationship between the Robin and Mackenzie kids Ryan and Aria bestfriends from childhood. Life challenges they each are facing has the women contemplating their individual choices and decisions made in the past. Lily who the most outspoken taking no prisoners is separated from her husband Tony struggling with prescription addiction from past injury. Robin with a husband and 4 kids, so tired from domestic duties and sleep deprivation must come to terms with secrets of what happened to her in college and resulting consequences of her life now. Mackenzie the southern belle who married the first man she met who is abusive and overbearing has so little self worth and people pleaser dealing with life choices and secrets she held and told. One incident sets everything in motion, but once the secrets are revealed, can the bestfriends still be friends after all is revealed. Received ARC from Willam Morrow Books, Scene of the Crime Facebook Group and NetGalley for an honest review.

Don't be taken in by this book's innocent looking cover because the story inside is a very dark one! The cover automatically makes me think about Desperate Housewives and if, like me, you were a fan of the show, then you'll know just how dark some of the storylines were, so for me, the cover is a perfect choice for this captivating psychological thriller.

Mackenzie, Robin and Lily have been firm friends since meeting at college. Now many years later, despite having husbands and / or children they still retain their close friendship - or so they think!

Each one of them has a secret which they've kept to themselves, but as we all know, secrets don't always stay secret forever as this group of friends is about to discover. The trust that they've built up between them over the years is about to be tested to it's absolute limit and who knows if any of their relationships will be able to stay strong.

One Perfect Morning (or Little Deadly Secrets if you're in the US) is a tangled web of lies and deceit which kicks off with a real bang - murder and goes on to include adultery, drug misuse and rape, this book really does have it all. Told in alternating chapters between the three women, I loved learning about their backgrounds and discovering the skeletons in their closets. Each woman thinks that they're doing the right thing by keeping their secret, never thinking for one minute that it would ever come to light, until one particular event causes a major ripple effect and someone needs to start telling the tuth.

I was hooked from the outset, I couldn't click the pages on my kindle fast enough and I think I inhaled it rather than read it! Packed full of twists and turns. this is a psychological thriller that truly fits into the genre and does what it says on the tin!

This was the first book I've read by Pamela Crane and I will definitely be seeking out her other books after reading this little beauty and I was delighted to discover that there's a plethora of them for me to look forward to. Congratulations on a fantabulous book Ms Crane, you've just gained yourself a new fan! 😉

If you are into unlikable characters, this is the book for you. In some instances, the author put in backstories to give a reason for why the character is so unappealing, but mostly I just plain didn't like them. That said, this book is about three women who are long time friends from college where a tragedy strikes not only one but two of the women. The effects of those years play out into their lives, unhealthily bonding them to one another.
A mixture of past issues seemingly repeating themselves into the next generation, abusive spouse, cheating spouses, cheating friends, opiod additiction, and maybe murder. It's a lot between three families.
What wasn't explored much is the dynamic of the children which for me was the most interesting part of the book.

Thank you to Netgalley for an early e copy. All opinions are mine.

Usually when with thrillers I like to use the term rollercoaster ride this however was a non stop runaway train Headed straight for a town. I don’t know if I need a stiff drink or a therapist. There was always an array of everything going on from the first page to the last, the twists of complexity of relationships never stopped. I went through so many emotions and times I didn’t know if I loved or hated certain characters and the build up was insane. I loved it and couldn’t put it down highly recommend.

!!Triggers!! Might be to real for some readers. Captivating from page one. Get lost in other people’s lives for awhile. Emotional in many ways. Brings strong feelings about different subjects to the forefront. Absolutely got lost in the story line. Surprise ending!

This isn't my typical genre, but I decided to give the book a try. As some positives, I will say that the book has a great sense of pacing and some plot points (while a little ridiculous) carry tension and interest very well. The characters were all unlikable (intentionally, of course) but at times felt too one-dimensional, especially the men. There was a lot of internalized misogyny throughout.

Unfortunately, I could not get beyond the book's poor handling of one of the central subjects, which involves sexual assault. In the age of MeToo, I think the way characters react to the assault rings especially poorly, and the end of the book makes it even worse. Sexual assault (especially the way it is described in this book) isn't some gray area of tension to toss around to make a book more exciting or scandalous and yet that's the way it read for me in this novel. Very disappointing and it really tainted the entire book for me.

Three friends, close since college maintain their friendship after college. Problem is, looks are deceiving. Things are not always what they appear to be to the outside world. And then there are the secrets, lies, and betrayals that happen along the way. There are some very dark secrets that can tear even the closest of friends apart...a very emotional book. I loved it!!!! Pamela weaves another great story as only she can do. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.