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The Secret Keeper by Paul Harris

The Secret Keeper

by Paul Harris

  • Critics' Consensus (0):
  • Published:
  • Apr 2009, 336 pages
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for The Secret Keeper
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  • Kathy S. (DeForest, WI)
    The Secret Keeper
    This was a good book. I enjoyed that it was about a country I knew little about. This book may be a little too gruesome for book clubs, but suspense readers will like this novel.
  • Harriette K. (Weston, FL)
    The Secret Keeper
    When a journalist returns to Sierra Leone to uncover the cause and reason for the mysterious death of his former lover, he runs into danger wherever he turns. The story leads us to all the answers, but not before taking us and our protagonist through many harrowing experiences. While this is a good, fast read and at times suspenseful, the flashbacks and twists get very confusing. I had to turn back a few times to determine what year the story was in. The author is also a journalist making me hope that his next attempt at fiction will be a little better.
  • Pat M. (san antonio, TX)
    The Secret Keeper
    War correspondent, Danny Kellerman receives a brief note from his former lover in Sierra Leone. "I need you. I'm in trouble." At this time, Danny learns of her violent death. The reader follows Danny's journey back to this hellhole.. His path leads him into a world of deceit and greed. Civil war surrounds Danny as he tries to piece together the answer. The theme will stay with the reader long after the book has been put down.
  • Valerie (Chico CA)
    Hmmmm.......I hate to say it but.....
    Overall, I must say this is a pretty forgettable book. The storyline concept is good, but the writing does not flow, the main character is a bit lame, and all the characters lack depth. This book may appeal more to male readers....but there is no way I can recommend it. Sorry.
  • Cheryl (Angola NY)
    Split personality
    The Secret Keeper by Paul Harris is a difficult book to review since my reactions were varied. I knew very little about the historical background in Sierra Leone, and the author's journalistic experience presented this very well. However, the story was told in constantly changing time frames going from 2000 to 2004 and back again. Quite often I had to check the chapter heading to see what year it was because of the similarities. The story is good and the characters fairly interesting, but one has to really work while reading it.
  • Kate (Arvada CO)
    Strong story, average writing
    The story is interesting and fast paced. There are some nice twists and unexpected occurrences in the novel. That being said, I felt like I was reading a "novice" writer. In the hands of a more experienced author, I feel like it could have great potential. I liked the story but was a bit disappointed by the writing.
  • Joe (Port Orange FL)
    The Secret Keeper
    When I started this book I was very excited and started each chapter with much anticipation. However, after a few chapters I started losing my enthusiasm and began getting confused. As the book began jumping back and forth from 2000 to 2004 I found myself looking back and forth trying to figure out what year it was supposed to be. The author appears to be very knowledgeable of the subject matter but just couldn't put it into a format that I could understand and enjoy. By the time I got to the last chapter the story line had become tedious and I had lost all sympathy for the main character and just wanted the book to end.

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