Book Review: I Know Your Secret by Ruth Heald

"It’s not his fault, but I still feel angry. It’s symptomatic of the problems in our entire relationship. We both work so hard we’ve almost become strangers. And when we are together, we argue.”

― Ruth Heald, I Know Your Secret

A shockingly engrossing book about the dark secrets we're reluctant to reveal and the extent individuals will go to get retribution. Fans of K.L. Slater, My Lovely Wife, and The Wife Between Us  will be tearing through the pages of this riveting page-turner, screaming at the turns, and reeling from the shocking conclusion.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

'You're not who you say you are. Neither is she.'

She thinks she knows me. She believes my marriage is falling apart at the seams, that my husband can barely look me in the eyes. She thinks I’m desperate for a baby, that my longing for a family keeps me up at night. As much as I hate to admit it, all of this is true. She thinks I listen to her advice, that I care about her opinion. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Because she has no idea who I am. She has no clue that I know everything.

I know her secret. I know that she did the unforgivable. I know how many lives she ruined.

I know exactly what she did. And I’m here for her.

My reaction to this novel... 

I like thriller novels, particularly those with surprising ending twists. I've read a lot of nice things about this, so I have high expectations. I must admit that the first half of the chapters left me a little perplexed since there were instances where the author did not carry the momentum into the subsequent chapter. I feel like I'm missing certain things. However, it struck me after reading the first half of the book. Even if I had accurately predicted the plot, my own prediction did not minimize the shock and apprehension I had when the twist was revealed. I truly want to express that this book exceeded some of my expectations and that I'm satisfied with it. It makes me really pleased.

The author expertly crafts a dark tale about one woman's fixation with revenge and another woman's story of suffering and previous sins. This was my first novel that I've read from her collection of works. The notion that the author wants the readers to see is brilliant, even though there are points when the plot slows down and I was able to guess the scenario. I adore how the plot unfolds, and her conception of the narrative is just what I look for in a thrilling book. Maybe if she speeds up the plot, readers like myself will find it more stunning and unforgettable. It was like being on a slow roller coaster ride where I could predict the next loop despite being blindfolded, yet at the end of the ride I was both satisfied and astonished.

I Know Your Secret will screw your mind, with exhilarating twists and turns, unexpected disclosures, and plenty of stunning moments as the pieces fall into place. It was beautifully bound. The plot developed slowly and discreetly. The narrative has such a sinister and unsettling feel to it. The last page will hold you there till the end of this spine-tingling book. It was an amazing delight to read this book which I heartily suggest to everyone searching for thriller novels to sate their cravings. It is a real psychological thriller in every meaning of the term.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)