The Secret Birthday

A stunning novel by the author of The Forgotten Garden.

1959
On a sweltering summer's day, as her family goes picnicking at the creek on their Suffolk farm, teenage Laurel hides in her childhood treehouse, fantasizing about a boy named Billy, an escape to London, and a grand future she eagerly awaits. However, before that idyllic afternoon ends, Laurel will witness a terrifying crime that will change everything.

2011
Now a celebrated actress, Laurel is overwhelmed by the shadows of her past. Haunted by memories and the mystery of what she saw that day, she returns to the family home and begins to unravel every corner of her memory in search of that story. A story of three strangers from very different worlds - Dorothy, Vivien, and Jimmy - who meet in London during the World War II years and whose lives will be tragically and inexorably intertwined.

Alternating between the 1930s, the 1950s, and the present, The Secret Keeper is a fascinating tale of mysteries and secrets, theater and farce, murder and enduring love.

Reviews:
«An enigmatic family drama exploring a mother's youthful secrets, which resurface impressively when her teenage daughter witnesses an unexpected crime. Kate Morton, a masterful storyteller with immaculate prose, skillfully delves into the eternal unknowns of love, betrayal, and reconciliation.»
María Dueñas

«It makes you think that the only important things that happen in life happened in our childhood [...] The inaction and guilt of parents in their children's lives underlie the novel.»
El País

From the blogs...
«Kate Morton's return couldn't have been more satisfying. The author has once again showcased the style that brought her success with The Forgotten Garden to give us an addictive and surprising story in its final pages.»
Blog De todo un poco

«The Secret Keeper is a fascinating story about mistakes, second chances, forgiveness, redemption, love, and failed plans. With constant twists and surprises, the novel takes us through different eras as we witness a succession of episodes marked by hatred, revenge, obsessions, disillusionment, passion, misunderstandings, betrayals, tragedy, and, above all, the whims of destiny.»
Blog Me gustan los libros

«Through intense, dynamic, clean, extremely careful, and very visual prose, The Secret Keeper delves into that dark zone of the human being where fears and ambitions that lead to inexplicable, sometimes extreme, behaviors are harbored. A story of second chances with which Morton manages to investigate the capacity of memory to play with oneself until deceiving oneself.»
Todoliteratura.es