This Secret Thing

A Novel

By: Marybeth Mayhew Whalen

Narrated by: Joshilyn Jackson

Out of love. Out of protection. Out of fear. Everyone has a reason to lie.

Everyone in Raleigh, North Carolina, is talking about Norah Ramsey, the single mother accused of being a suburban madam. But Norah's not the only one keeping secrets.

After her mother's arrest, Norah's teenage daughter, Violet, is devastated and alone. She has no one to turn to until her grandmother Polly arrives. Polly, long estranged from Norah, is running from her own troubles. Down the street, Bess, once Norah's best friend, desperately tries to hide secrets while Casey, Bess's daughter, flees college after a traumatic event, only to find that home isn't the safe haven she expected. And Nico, the detective who has doggedly pursued Norah Ramsey in hopes that she will lead him to his missing brother, is drawn further into these women's lives while facing his own domestic disturbance.

Scandal has brought each of them to a crossroads. Now, as they delve into Norah's secrets, they must come to terms with secrets of their own - ones that still have the power to hurt or to heal.

©2020 Marybeth Mayhew Whalen (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Author + Narrator = Great Combination!

I think these two are a good combination. I loved listening to Joshilyn Jackson’s performance. Thought she was great! A very talented performer AND writer as well, who narrates her own work. Always a real treat! ☺️

The story itself was good, but seemed to be missing the mark somewhere along the way. It became somewhat tiring at some point. The ending did wrap up well, though, clearing up all the loose ends with some fun “aha” surprises.

Interesting story

I got really involved in the story but found it distracting when the narrator announced the name of the person the story was now about. Lots of characters! I did get used to it & enjoyed the book.

Another good book

This was a good story and never too predictable. I'd listen again. Good book and voice

More Than 5 Stars?

Loved the story!
Loved, Loved, LOVED the Narrator- definitely need more than just 5 Stars!
Loved the story!!!!
What a way to empower females.
Thank you for this good story. It was a pleasure to listen to.

This Secret Thing

I loved this book! Characters came alive by Narrator Joshilyn Jackson.
The captured the spirit of them.

Secrest and Lies, Oh My!

I honestly didn't have any expectations going into this book and sometimes that's the greatest thing because you're not let down or disappointed if the book doesn't go your way. Then there are times that you find a really good book, and you have nothing but this feeling of euphoria at finding this beautiful gem. That's exactly what happened with This Secret Thing for me! It was a beautifully hidden little gem!

I hadn't previously read anything written by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen and I had actually been holding on to this book for quite some time so I was pleasantly surprised at her writing ability and loving the story! It definitely was not your ordinary cookie-cutter mystery novel. The storyline is new, exciting and interesting and totally takes you somewhere you never expected to go. Those adventures are the best adventures!

This Secret Thing is narrated by Joshilyn Jackson. She hasn't always been my favorite narrator, but honestly I felt like she fit this book wonderfully and did a great job, which was a welcome change!

Overall, this was an excellent read that has an ending that you won't quite expect!

potato chip through and through

Get ready for some fluff... this one is fun but it's dumb, even if it is trying to put independence out there as an ideal.

Great story!

I love Joshilyn Jackson’s voice and listen to pretty much anything that she narrates. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the characters.

A very enjoyable read

What a great story! well written, so full of secrets and enjoyable characters. The narrator did a wonderful job. I definitely recommend this book.

Really good story & narration

I bought this book because I love the narrator, and I was happy to find the story was as good as the narration.