Secrets to the Grave: Book summary and reviews of Secrets to the Grave by Tami Hoag

Secrets to the Grave Summary

Marissa Fordham had a past full of secrets, a present full of lies. Everyone knew of her, but no one knew her.

When Marissa is found brutally murdered, with her young daughter, Haley, resting her head on her mother's bloody breast, she sends the idyllic California town of Oak Knoll into a tailspin. Already on edge with the upcoming trial of the See-No-Evil killer, residents are shocked by reports of the crime scene, which might not have been discovered for days had it not been for a chilling 911 call: a small child's voice saying, "My daddy hurt my mommy."

Sheriff's detective Tony Mendez faces a puzzle with nothing but pieces that won't fit. To assist with his witness, Haley, he calls teacher-turned-child advocate Anne Leone. Anne's life is hectic enough - she's a newlywed and a part-time student in child psychology, and she's the star witness in the See-No-Evil trial. But one look at Haley, alone and terrified, and Anne's heart is stolen.

As Tony and Anne begin to peel back the layers of Marissa Fordham's life, they find a clue fragment here, another there. And just when it seems Marissa has taken her secrets to the grave, they uncover a fact that puts Anne and Haley directly in the sights of a killer: Marissa Fordham never existed.

Secrets to the Grave Reviews

"Newcomers will have no trouble getting into this suspense novel rich in pre-DNA detecting methods." - Publishers Weekly

"Fans of literate mysteries will appreciate the complex but realistic story, the satisfying resolution and the descriptive writing." - Kirkus

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Secrets to the Grave Reader Reviews

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Rated of 5 by Diane S.
Secrets to the Grave
I really enjoyed this novel as a whole, liked the characters and the story but the ending tried to cram to many bad things happening in too short a period of time. Loved Anne the child advocate and her little charge Halley, who had been through and seen things no four year old should ever have to experience. Would definitely have rated this book a five if not for the ending which stretched credibility.

Tami Hoag Author Biography

Tami Hoag was born Tami Mikkelson on the 20th of January 20, 1959 in Cresco, Iowa, and grew up in Minnesota. She completed high school and married her high school boyfriend, Daniel Hoag, in 1977. She spent the ten years after high school graduation working a variety of jobs, such as photographer’s assistant, showhorse trainer, typist, and salesperson. In 1988 she had her first publication; a romance in the Bantam Books Loveswept Line. After much success in the romance genre she switched to thrillers, where she was equally, if not more, successful and hit the New York Times Bestseller list thirteen consecutive times. More than 22 million copies of her books are in print. She currently lives in California.

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