2.5 stars
I spent the first third of Keep Her Secret wondering what the point was going to be for the rest of the book. Then I spent the second section of the book feeling like things were getting out of control but maybe it could still come together. Unfortunately, the last third of the book was so over the top that your belief didn’t just need to be suspended, it had to be non-existent. It was a train wreck for me. I know that this kind of thing is some people’s jam so, if that’s you, you’ll enjoy this book.
*Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the advance reader’s copy.

Great read from this author. Feel this is one of the best, if not the best, story from the author. Enough detail to make it believable and absorbing.

3.5 stars

Keep Her Secret by Mark Edwards is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Thomas & Mercer and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Matthew and Helena met at their college reunion, and after 20 years apart, they rekindled their relationship.  Helena's husband Lee had recently died, and Matthew was still single.   Perfect timing.

They decide to go on a trip to Iceland, where Helena almost dies.  This near-death experience prompts Helena to share a shocking confession, which Matthew agrees to keep secret.  

However, Matthew is not the only one to hear Helena's deepest secret, and when they arrive back home, a blackmailer appears on the scene.

Things go from bad to worse, and although Matthew's conscience occasionally bothers him, he sticks by Helena, and gets more involved than he thought he possible.


My Opinions:
This was quite good, although quite predictable (and a little over-the-top).   Sometimes I felt like it was slap-stick - and I'm not really a fan.  The plot was full of twists and turns.  Yes, 90% of them were predictable --- yet really entertaining.  I loved the ending

The book was about greed, and secrets, and abuse.  This premise usually works very well.  However, I didn't like ANY of the characters.  Not one of them.  This sometimes made for a hard read.  Not caring if any of them survive is difficult.

Thankfully the book was still entertaining, moved quickly, and ended up being a fast read.  This may not have been my favorite Mark Edwards book, but it was still good.

Excellent book again! What I love about Marks books is that he writes about ordinary people. It really helps the reader be able to imagine what is happening and you know it could happen to you! Poor Matthew in this book finds himself in a bizarre situation and of course makes some...bad decisions.

Incredibly well written and the twists really made me gasp!

Today is the publication day for a book I'm close to finishing as I write this. I was hoping to write a full review for today but I think what I've read so far can provide enough of an insight without risking any spoilers because I simply don't yet know how it ends.

Keep Her Secret is the first book I've ever written by Mark Edwards, but from what I can tell from the book community it's definitely not his first novel. His other books have some amazing reviews so I'm sure this release has been highly anticipated by his fans of previous works. Whilst I can't compare or say in my opinion whether this is; as good, better or not as good as previous titles, I can say that if you're new to his work like I am then this is as good a novel as any to begin with.

The book begins with two friends who have recently rekindled their connection heading off to Iceland as their first holiday as a couple. When they were younger they used to date, but life has happened in between (just how *much* has happened in Helena's life we can only prepare for).

Events happen during this week away, and it's like one near miss just rolls into other forms of *snowball incidents* - it really becomes the get-a-way that keeps on giving.

Helena opens up to Matthew about her past in a confessional that I doubt he was ready for, yet it doesn't phase him, is that the mark of true love holding hands with unapologetic acceptance, or is there another reason behind the sheer lack of 'I need to think about this'? I honestly don't know, I'm not at the end of the book yet.

As I'm reading the eBook version I'd say I got to around 40% before the pace quickened. So definitely stick with it because all is definitely not as it seems, and whilst at the start it may appear to be heading in one direction and seem to be resembling a calm chaos, it quickly pulls the rug from beneath you and sharply changes direction. My head definitely got a shake up, and I wanted to storyboard it out and tap into my inner Vera (ITV detective series) and see how this all plays out.

The character development is unexpected. The saying; 'You think you know someone ..' certainly comes to mind, as does "you don't know someone unless you follow them home...(or they follow you!) Helena seems to be a kind woman who happened to end up with the wrong man, and Matthew seems to be the one that got left behind, Lee (Helena's husband) seems a piece of work...and Devon (she was on the Iceland trip) seems just like an ordinary traveller who happens to be on the same guided trip as Helena and Matthew.

I used one key phrase there: SEEMS TO BE

All in all, I am enjoying this read, eagerly swiping the pages to get to the next chapter where I might uncover the plot ... and the extent to these secrets.



I'm awarding it 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ but it could easily grow to 4.5

Wow Edwards has written yet another gem that I have devoured in just one sitting. Keep Her Secret is deliciously dark and completely captivating.

Sometimes, you find an author and you just know they are fantastic. Mark Edwards is one of those authors. Every book delivers and each book gets better and better.

Helena and Matthew have rekindled their college romance. On a break away, Helena has admitted one jaw dropping secret. It has been completely spine chilling. This really sets off our story, we go on a journey with the characters as events unfold.

Keep Her Secret is perfectly paced and completely addictive. I’ve wanted more and more as I’ve read on. My jaw has dropped at specific moments in this book. It is completely unpredictable and will leave you shocked to the core.

I haven’t found Helena particularly likeable, but I have loved Matthew throughout this one. Helena is a character I have failed to trust as I’ve read this one. There are other characters who add to this in their own way.

Mark Edwards has a once again shown us why he should be on everyone’s TBR. Keep her Secret is one of those books that will keep you thinking, guessing and wanting more. Edwards is a hugely talented author and this book is written in such a way, as a reader; you are literally transported.

This is an absolute must read. A book worthy of all the stars and one I will be telling everyone to read.

Helena and Matthew once dated in college. A reunion come up and the both saw eat other again. They decided to give it another go.

They go on a trip and that’s when things start to take a turn.

A person can change, especially if it’s been since you have seen them.

Gave this book a 3 because it did keep me intrigued but it was a slow burn and some parts just fell flat.

I would recommend if I know this will be someone’s cup of tea. For me it was in the middle.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Thomas and Mercer for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Mark Edwards for an early copy of this book.

We start with Helena and Matthew on a group trip to Iceland when all nearly doesn’t end well and a shocking confession is made. Can Matthew #KeepHerSecret or will it spoil their rekindled college romance?

This book keeps you in suspense with plenty of twists you won’t see coming. Another great book from Mark and I was fortunate to read a bonus chapter as well which puts things into perspective from their college days.

This is another engrossing, fast-paced read from Mark Edwards, full of twists and turns, with a thrilling beginning in the picturesque Icelandic mountains. The jaw dropping opener, however, is just the first in what becomes a crazier and crazier chain of events. A very entertaining novel but the plot is preposterous and very predictable for the most part. I still really enjoyed it though.

I love this author, his books are always enjoyable! This one was a return to form for me, more of a psychological thriller than an action thriller. Some truly vile characters which are always wonderful to read about! Nothing is a coincidence here and the twists and turns are expertly plotted.

Wow! This book does not stop once it starts! There were so many twists and turns that I could not stop reading. Once you thought things could not get worse for Matthew and Helena, it did. There was also a twist that I did not see coming.

Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After twenty years apart, Matthew and Helena have rekindled their college romance and are away in Iceland on their first holiday together. Swept up in the romance on a mountain hike, one moment they are taking the perfect photo, the next Helena is hanging from the cliff edge. Terrified, Matthew almost misses Helena's sudden and shocking confession - but what he hears chills him to the bone. And when Helena reveals the full truth Matthew is horrified, not only by what she's done, but why she did it. Does he really know her at all?

Matthew and Helena have rekindled their romance and are on an impromptu holiday to Iceland to see the Nothern Lights. Helena has an accident where she makes a sudden and shocking confession. Now they are home and one of their fellow travelers arrives unexpectedly at Helena's door, But why are they there?

With secrets, abuse, romance, murder and plot twists, there's plenty going on in this book. Things start to spiral out of control as soon as Matthew and Helena get home. Things go from bad to worse. There's also a big surprise twist. I never knew how this story would resolve itself. You do have to suspend your beliefs whilst reading this book. It's a quick and easy read.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #AmazonPublishingUK and the author #MarkEdwards for my ARC of #KeepHerSecret in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the chance to read and review this great book. The story is like a snowball that just keeps rolling downhill and keeps getting bigger as it goes. On a trip to Iceland Helena nearly falls off a cliff and with Matthew's help she is pulled to safety. They recently reconnected after 20 years and are trying to rekindle their romance. Helena is a widow and her late husband Lee and Matthew knew but never liked each other. Back in their room Helena reveals a secret, shocking Matt. Once back home a fellow traveler shows up at Helenas house demanding money to keep the secret she overheard in Iceland. She indicated that she has recorded the secret with a backup recording on a thumb drive. From that point on as the story progresses things seem to go from bad to worse. The story is jam packed with abuse, secrets, murder, blackmail and revenge (the recipe for an excellent thriller). There is a big surprise twist and the book will keep you reading late into the night. I highly recommend this awesome thriller from Mark Edwards.

"Keep Her Secret" by Mark Edwards is a captivating thriller that skillfully weaves elements of romance, secrets, and mystery. With Iceland as one of its atmospheric settings, this novel takes readers on a thrilling journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. Edwards masterfully combines the intensity of a suspenseful thriller with the emotional depth of romance, creating a unique and engaging reading experience. I extend my gratitude to Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer for providing me with the opportunity to read and immerse myself in this gripping tale.

I’d like to thank Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Keep Her Secret’ by Mark Edwards in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Following the ending of their relationship twenty years ago, Helena and Matthew meet again at a reunion and on the spur of the moment decide to spend a week in Iceland together. When Helena is rescued after falling from a cliff top she reveals a secret that shocks Matthew but he vows to keep it to himself as he still loves her. Back home in England, Helena learns that her confession was overheard by a fellow traveller who decides to pay her a visit and blackmail her.

‘Keep Her Secret’ is a dark and deadly thriller where one event, one lie, escalates until it’s impossible for the main characters to avoid the unthinkable and they find themselves getting deeper into an unexpected predicament. It has a story that’s in three parts, each subsequent part more chilling than the previous one, and a well-written complex plot that’s full of suspense and intrigue. I’ve been totally gripped from page one and so engrossed with the events happening that I’ve been unable to stop reading. This is a thoroughly entertaining thriller that I can wholeheartedly recommend.

3.5 stars rounded up. I’m a huge fan of this authors books but this one just didn’t quite grab me. It started off well but I felt it dragged along a bit in the middle. The ending was great and took a big turn which was unexpected and enjoyable.

This is unreliable narrator and twisted storytelling done right. I’ve been a fan of Mr. Edwards for a while now and this book is a prime example of why! He knows how to hook you and keep you burning through pages until the very end!
Helena and Matthew are college sweethearts who reconnect at a reunion and decide on a whim to go on holiday to Iceland. While they are away, Helen nearly has a fatal accident while taking in the beautiful sights. This leads her to make a confession to Matthew which starts a chain of events that leads to more than anyone could have ever anticipated. Leads you to question just how well you really know anyone.
This is a fast paced popcorn thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Every time you think you have everything figured out, a new twist comes in and throws it all out the window.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

Wow! That's all I can really say about this book lol. I actually kept putting it towards the bottom of my reading pile and have serious regrets about not jumping on is sooner. It's a quick and easy read, completely engaging with so many twists and turns that you can't even catch your breath. I love thrillers like this!!! And because it's a fiction then were not going to focus on whether it's realistic or not because I'm here for entertainment and escapism, not to read about real life. I just loved it, it's the perfect book for when you've an afternoon to spare or when you're on the plane and want something that will have you completely lost in the story! Amazing

Absolutely loved it! Another great thriller from Mark Edwards with loads of twists and turns. Kept me guessing the whole way through

Mark Edwards has done it again! In Keep Her Secret, he has combined his always brilliant domestic suspense with a high-octane action thriller!
Web designer Matthew is on holiday in Iceland with Helena, their romance rekindled after 20 years! During their last evening there, she confesses a huge secret, and Matthew is now faced with a moral dilemma regarding whether this secret will hurt the prospect of them having a future together.
Back in England they are confronted by a blackmailer, a devious estate agent and a couple more nefarious characters. The action kicks into high gear, and the plot twists and winds to a stunning conclusion—or does it??
Matthew is Edwards’ quintessential nice, upbeat, ordinary guy who finds himself caught in a tangle of women, murder and cover-ups. As he muses, “I’m an ordinary man stuck in a nightmarish situation.” Helena is complicated and deceptive, but Matthew can’t be deterred from helping her for the sake of love and his innate goodness. Quintessential Edwards!
Mark Edwards is at the top of his game with this smashing new novel!

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.