Review: One Little Secret by Cate Holahan

Title: One Little Secret

Author: Cate Holahan

Published: July 2019, Crooked Lane Books

Format: ARC E-copy, 320 pages

Source: Netgalley via Publisher

Summary: 

Everyone has a secret. For some, it’s worth dying to protect. For others, it’s worth killing.

The
glass beach house was supposed to be the getaway that Susan needed.
Eager to help her transplanted family set down roots in their new town –
and desperate for some kid-free conversation – she invites her new
neighbors to join in on a week-long sublet with her and her workaholic
husband.

Over the course of the first evening, liquor loosens
inhibitions and lips. The three couples begin picking up on the others’
marital tensions and work frustrations, as well as revealing their own.
But someone says too much. And the next morning one of the women is
discovered dead on the private beach.

Town detective Gabby
Watkins must figure out who permanently silenced the deceased. As she
investigates, she learns that everyone in the glass house was hiding
something that could tie them to the murder, and that the biggest
secrets of all are often in plain sight for anyone willing to look.

A
taut, locked room mystery with an unforgettable cast of characters, One
Little Secret promises to keep readers eyes glued to the pages and
debating the blinders that we all put on in the service of politeness.

My thoughts:  I first discovered Cate Holahan when I read Lies She Told, which I absolutely loved. I knew after reading that book that I would be reading whatever else she read, so when I saw her new book available on Netgalley, I immediately requested it.

One Little Secret is a fun, locked room mystery that really keeps you engaged from start to finish. I loved how while this does start off a bit slow, it really picks up and becomes more and more intriguing as it moves on. As we get to know the couples and see how their stories intertwine and learn their secrets and lies, it becomes quite devious and downright delicious, and really kept me guessing right up to the very end. 

I like when I don’t necessarily love all the characters and that is exactly what I found here in this book. There were some really awful characters here, but then there were some that you definitely find yourself rooting for. I like that kind of mix…it makes the book so much more enjoyable, in my opinion.

I liked how the story was structured – the back and forth between the days after the murder and the time leading up to it. This really kept the story moving and you guessing. I kept thinking I had it figured out, but let me tell you – I didn’t even come close!

This is a fun beach read. It’s a quick, easy read that provides great entertainment, with some serious Big Little Lies vibes going on. I definitely recommend adding this to your beach bag this summer!