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The Secret Keeper

The Secret Keeper
by Paul Harris
Published in USA Apr 2009,
336 pages.

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Rated 4 of 5 of 5 by Rosemary
The Secret Keeper
Even though this novel can sometimes be confusing bouncing back and forth between a four year time frame, it is full of information about a country we often only receive snippets about in our national news. For the most part, the story moves at a brisk pace but does seem to bog down in areas. As a first time novel, I found the book an interesting and enjoyable read.

Rated 2 of 5 of 5 by Katherine
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.

Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Cheri
Sometimes escaping from your zone can be rewarding
I, like many of the other reviewers, was unsure about this novel. I read to forget and achieve a sense of calm... and this book did not do that for me. It was fast-paced and the language kept me intrigued. I was horrified by the slums and constant warfare, but also felt it was described to help the story not bring shame to a country. I enjoyed this author and the many twists and turns his story afforded. I would highly recommend it to even the non-adventure espionage reader... sometimes escaping from your comfort zone can be rewarding! And this is a perfect example...try to read the first chapter and walk away!

Rated 3 of 5 of 5 by Joe
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.

Rated 4 of 5 of 5 by 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.

Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Hilary
Many Secrets to keep
This book captured my attention immediately. I've read books taking place in other African countries but not Sierra Leone - the author has done an excellent job of making you feel as if you are there - the heat, destructive forces of many types, the people - both powerful and powerless, the stress of wartime and the awful use of children in war, but also romance and friendship. The book is exciting and terrifying at the same time. I will look forward to other books by Paul Harris.
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