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.
Rated of 5
by 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.
Rated of 5
by 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.
Rated of 5
by 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.
Rated of 5
by 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.
Rated of 5
by 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.
Rated of 5
by Katherine (Albuquerque NM)
A disappointment
I selected this book hoping to learn more about Sierra Leone while reading an engaging story, but I found the writing to be "flabby" as another reviewer accurately described it and the story to not be as compelling or tightly plotted as I would have liked. Overall, I can't recommend this one.
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