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Geralynn
Exciting Story
I enjoyed this book. It caught my interest from the beginning and didn't let go. I could tell the author, who is also a journalist, was very knowledgeable about the location and people. I recommend this book to those who enjoy a fast paced thriller or story of intrigue.
Brenda
A New View on An Old Subject
Having read several accounts on the RUF, all harrowing, I appreciated the new slant given by Paul Harris. The subject is so disturbing, and when told from a person on the "sidelines" rather than personal involvement, the story takes on a whole new scary, sad, and sometimes exhilarating depiction on an event that we can't really understand.
Why would a reporter even venture into any war-torn area, let alone one whose soldiers are baby-faced? How can anyone grasp family and community fears and challenges and still remain "unbiased" especially after losing the one person he loves to the so-called effort? When the
…more truth of his lover's death is finally unraveled, the choices left are not easy or morally straightforward.
I read this book in a few days and its message still haunts me. It would be a shame to miss out on a new view on this most recent, and possibly still ongoing, event. (less)This book was a very enjoyable read on several levels. I knew nothing about Sierra Leone prior to "living" it through the book's characters. There was action, intrigue and a remarkable ending. Although the writing isn't as polished as an experienced author’s, I will definitely read Paul Harris’ next book. A book club would have many topics for discussion: relationships, morality, life under tyrannical rule, treatment of children in other societies, etc.
Gerald
A well-crafted fast moving first novel
This is a well-crafted fast moving first novel dealing with an African country between 2000 and 2004. Although it is fiction I have no doubt that everything in the book could have, and probably did happen. The main characters are appealing and the villains are appropriately cold-blooded. There are enough twists and turns to satisfy any adventure genre reader. I did find some continuity problems in the switching from 2000 to 2004 in every other chapter. I'll never think of "long-sleeved or short-sleeved" in the same way again.
Bonnie (Mukwonago, WI)
Next Step: Screenplay
The matter-of-fact journalistic style of Paul Harris catches your interest from the start of his first novel, The Secret Keeper. Possibly better suited as the pre-write for a movie screenplay, readers will be inclined to visualize interactions among the characters throughout the book. While not the lesson on Sierra Leone you may have expected, a good story nonetheless.
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.
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