Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

Helena and Matthew dated twenty years ago in college. After a chance meet up at a reunion, they embark on a trip to Iceland. On the last day Helena has a traumatic accident and cheats death, later that night she confesses her darkest secret to Matthew.

Somebody overheard and then tries to blackmail her.

The initial build up to the blackmail was fantastic. I found the second part onwards unbelievable and far fetched. I still enjoyed the book but I found parts predictable.

Matthew and Helena dated in college and recently became reacquainted after seeing each other at a reunion. They go on a brief getaway to Iceland where Helena almost has a tragic accident, and she confesses a crime to Matthew. Once all of the drama passes, she explains in greater detail and is worried that now she'll lose him for good. Thus, he's left with the decision to turn her in or keep her secret. I'm sure you know what he'll decide, especially if you're used to this author's writing. The male characters are typically pretty wimpy but hey, he likes to write nice guys, which is a change from the typical domineering and secretive men of late in these types of stories. I always picture the author as the main character of his books, I just can't help it!

Anyway, it gets worse once they get back to England. As the synopsis states, Helena is blackmailed by one of their fellow travelers who overheard her confession to Matthew. Now things get interesting because your boyfriend is one thing, but a complete stranger knowing what you did? And this person doesn't even care about why she did what she did, but there's a reason for that which eventually adds another element to the story which by this point has become a big tangled mess. There really doesn't appear to be any easy way out for Helena and Matthew. You're reading the story like "wow, this is going to blow up in their faces' but you can't look away or stop reading because you just have to see how it ends. And boy does it end!

I really enjoyed this story and I think it's one of Mark Edwards's better books, and I've read them all. I get disappointed when you can easily see where a story is headed and this one wasn't like that. It doesn't need all the hoopla of big twists - something other authors should take note of. The author is a master of authentic storytelling and his books speak for themselves. This is one you should not miss!

Such an intriguing, unique premise.

Matthew and Helena were college sweethearts, who have recently reconnected romantically.

While hiking on the last day of their dream holiday in Iceland, Helena slips and falls over the side of a cliff, but is prevented from falling to her death by the metal strap of her rucksack.

When Matthew tries to leave to get help, Helena begs him not to go, and then goes on to say that she deserves to die, that this is her punishment for what she did to him.

Before she can explain further, rescue arrives, and Helena is pulled to safety.

Back at their cabin Helena confesses all to Matthew.

The secret is a big one.

But, Matthew will go to any lengths to protect Helena. And his loyalty and devotion is about to be tested.

Wow, this psychological suspenseful domestic thriller definitely delivered plenty of nail biting twists, and the tension and excitement never let up from start to finish. It was a tad predictable during the last half, but the story was fun and engrossing, and I was utterly invested in Matthew and Helena’s messed-up, train-wreck predicament, and the many crazy ways their situation escalated. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It was also an easy, hassle-free read, perfect for those with busy lives, who want to read, but don’t have much time to devote to reading.

Mark Edwards is always an author whose book/s I look forward to every year, and Keep Her Secret did not disappoint. If you enjoy John Marrs’ mind-bending psychological thrillers then this novel is definitely in the same vein.

I’d like to thank Netgalley UK, Amazong Publishing UK – Thomas & Mercer, and Mark Edwards for the e-ARC.

Publication Date: 30th May, 2023.

Keep Her Secret is yet another great page turner from Mark Edwards. I loved the setting for the start as it was in Iceland. Helena and Matthew have very recently rekindled their teenage romance just months after Helena’s husband, Lee, died in an accident. Lee was part of the school friendship group and not liked by Matthew but he didn’t say anything when he found that Helena had married him several years later. While on a walk in a remote part of Iceland there is a slip and Helena is left in a precarious situation. Believing she is about to die she mutters something alarming which sets the whole rest of the book off at a very fast pace with non-stop tension and twists and turns.

It was one of those plots that constantly left me wondering how anything was every going to be resolved in a satisfactory manner. I was quite happy with the ending but then there was an epilogue that threw things again. A sequel?

Catalyst For Catastrophe..
The rekindling of a former romance becomes a catalyst for catastrophe in this swiftly moving, tension fuelled domestic psychological suspense as this author returns to his old stomping ground with a fanfare. For Helena and Matthew, a trip to Iceland means an opportunity to properly reconnect but when a near death experience prompts a confession events soon begin to escalate out of all control. Deftly drawn characters populate a pacy plot with an undercurrent of menace, fraught with tension and twists and turns aplenty, as it leads to a, perhaps, unexpected denouement. Bravo!

Helena and Matthew who were a couple at college when they were young meet up at a reunion and decide to get back together again but a lot of things have happen during the time they were apart and their past is about to catch up with them.
A fast paced thriller that I couldn’t put down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Mark Edwards for my ARC of 'Keep Her Secret' in return for an honest review.

I have read several of this author's novels and have always enjoyed them. This one was superb.

Matthew and Helena dated at university and are now on holiday in Iceland after meeting up at a reunion recently. Although they haven't been together long this time they have rekindled their romance. A fluke event occurs and Helena nearly dies, As a result of this she makes a confession to Matthew which completely floors him. he agrees to keep the secret.

On their return from holiday they discover somebody else overheard the confession and intends to blackmail Helena. This unleashes a chain of events which blew me away.

Highly recommended.

Wow, this book was amazing. Matthew and Helena rekindle their romance after twenty years apart and go to Iceland together. Helena confides in Matthew about a terrible thing she has done. When they are back in England they discover someone heard her confession. This is one of Mark's best books and I highly recommend it.

If you are looking for a fast paced psychological thriller you have found your book! I could not put this book down! Mark Edwards has a way of taking everyday situations and turning them into the most exciting and sometimes terrifying events that will stay with you for days. This is a book I would reread to make sure I had not missed any details as the plot was twisting and turning! I can't wait to see what comes next ...

Absolutely crushed it! Loved the story, love how you think it is one person then another not really knowing who! Definitely a 5* read for me

Mark Edwards' books, like a favorite singer or band, always go on my buy/listen to/read immediately list because I always know I'm going to love whatever the newest work is. Keep Her Secret did not disappoint, it's a master class in tension building and drew my favorite reactions to suspenseful reads like screaming at characters and watching the dominoes of bad decisions snowball, without making me dislike the characters or question the believability of the plot. It's a fine line that has to be walked when writing stories like this, and it was incredibly entertaining to watch all the separate facets come together for the climax of the book. Absolutely great read!!

..Another Fantastic book from Mark Edwards. I could not put it down.From beginning to end.Everything just fell into place perfectly. So,well written like seeing it as a movie in your head. Definitely a must read!

I did not love this one as much as I wanted to.

While I was curious about the blackmail aspect, I quickly realized that I hated everyone and wanted everyone to die. I mean…there was no one to root for.

The situations they get themselves into were kind of silly to me and my logic sensors kept sounding alarms at every turn.

I finished the book and found parts of it entertaining, but it wasn’t something I loved.

• ARC via Publisher

Loved the opening of this with the beautiful Icelandic backdrop, and then it was full throttle into peak Edwards territory with a twisted love story that goes very, very wrong. Brilliant.

Edward’s is on top form in this novel, whilst not as dark as earlier books the revelation early in the story sets up a compelling series of events and revelations with plenty of plot twists to keep you guessing. Loved the central characters, settings and pace, a great read.

I just love Mark Edwards books, I didn't need to read the blurb before requesting this book. Once approved, I got straight to it. This book didn't disappoint. Fast paced from the start and keeps you gripped right to the end. Loved the twist and turns throughout. I would highly recommend this book.

This book grabbed me right away. Matthew and Helena are old sweethearts newly reunited and taking an impromptu trip to Iceland. While separated from their tour group, Helena almost dies. She survives but reveals a devastating secret to Matthew. When they return home, they are surprised that someone heard that secret. This book is about the lengths they go to in order to keep that secret.

This is a quick read with expected twists and turns although there were some reveals at the end that I definitely didn’t see coming. My main problem with the book is believability. Matthew and Helena just happen to meet at a college reunion and in short order they are taking a trip together. Then when Helena realized what is at stake, Matthew is willing to risk a lot to “Keep Her Secret”. I could jot relate to the awful decisions literally everyone in the book made. But it was a nice twisty thriller that I would recommend. The conclusion was open ended and a little too convenient.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I liked this one. It was overall fairly unique & kept my interest. albeit it was a little slow and dry at times. I liked the characters and felt like the dynamics between each were well-casted & described by Edwards. There were times I felt empathy for most characters. which is a by-product of good writing (considering some were hard to empathize with tbh lol). I found the ending to be a little anti-climactic but was ultimately happy that the storyline was wrapped up neatly.

Mark Edwards does it again!


I was so excited when I got this ARC last week. I love Mark’s writing style and each new adventure is so enthralling. This book really kept me guessing how more than who up up until the end. The twist at the end came out of nowhere but changed the story for the better I believe. 5/5 stars!

Keep your eyes peeled for 05/30 for this book to drop!

A deadly secret turns a couples romance into a nightmare but their not the only ones who know the truth.
After 20 years apart Matthew and Helena have rekindled their college romance and are on their first holiday together in Iceland. Swept up in the romance of it all on a mountain hike,one minute they are taking the perfect picture the next Helena is falling over the edge.
Terrified Matthew nearly misses Helena's sudden shocking confession but what he does hear chills him to the bone and when she reveals the full truth he's left horrified not for what she's done but why and his left wondering if he knows her at all.
Back in England they discover someone else overheard her confession and plans to blackmail her.
As things spiral out of control just how far will he go to protect her.
Had me enthralled from beginning till the end.
Another winner from Mark Edwards.
Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC.