Rated of 5
by Shelby Trudging through
In the hands of a better writer this could be a great first novel rather than just average. The author's style reminds me of the repeat novels of many of today's mass produced authors, full of cliche and soppy sentiment.
It's not that the plot isn't good and you do get a good sense of the characters and life in war torn Sierra Leone but the writing got in the way of my fully enjoying this novel. If I didn't feel a commitment to finish it I would have closed it mid-sentence and moved on.
Rated of 5
by 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.
Rated of 5
by Eileen The aftermath of war
This book has all the makings of a compelling novel. It is clearly written and contains an intriguing mixture of war journalists, child soldiers, corrupt officials and blood diamonds. Sadly, it doesn’t quite live up to its promising premise. I found it difficult to sympathize with any of the characters and at no point was I tempted to skip ahead to find out what was going to happen. However, it does raise enough interesting questions that it would make a great discussion book.
Rated of 5
by Patricia Read it in one sitting
This novel moves back and forth between 2000 and 2004 in the US and Sierra Leone as a civil war rages - one that we all read about in the newspapers. This spell binding book brings the history to life as Danny, the American journalist, discovers that what's on the surface belies the secrets hidden away and tries to find the answers. I was caught up in this well written first novel and read it in one sitting, feeling the oppressive wall of heat, the restlessness and corruption of many of the characters, and the sacrifices of others. The Secret Keeper brings to life what the newspapers didn't and would make a great movie. I look forward to more novels by Paul Harris.
Rated of 5
by Ruth Harris Impressive Debut
I had my doubts about liking this book - Sierra Leone, murder and child soldiers, but the author does an excellent job of capturing the readers interest immediately. The Secret Keeper is a fast read with interesting characters and a satisfying conclusion. Well done!
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News Corp will officially split into two companies June 28(May 24 2013) As expected, News Corp has announced it will officially split its publishing and entertainment businesses on 28 June.
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Its board approved the...
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