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The Darkest Secret

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The Darkest Secret

By: Alex Marwood
Narrated by: Imogen Church
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About this listen

Apologies for the general email, but I desperately need your help. My goddaughter, Coco Jackson, disappeared from her family's holiday home in Bournemouth on the night of Sunday/Monday, August 29/30, the bank holiday weekend just gone. Coco is three years old.

When identical twin Coco goes missing during a family celebration, there is a media frenzy. Her parents are rich and influential, as are the friends they were with at their holiday home by the sea. But what really happened to Coco?

Over two intense weekends - the first when Coco goes missing and the second 15 years later, at the funeral of her father - the darkest of secrets will gradually be revealed....

Taut, emotive and utterly compelling, a pause-resisting, 'ripped from the headlines' novel that you will want to talk about with everyone you know.

2017, Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, Long-listed

©2015 Alex Marwood (P)2015 Hachette Audio Crime Thrillers Fiction Mystery Police Procedurals Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction Thriller Crime Exciting Scary

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All stars
Most relevant  
There are a lot of twists, but the characters are portrayed as clichéd. Not every rich property tycoon is a controlling narcissist, and not all teenagers are easy prey. But the plot is a good one, and the final twist ........

wow

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If you could sum up The Darkest Secret in three words, what would they be?

A bit disappointed as had so enjoyed The Wicked Girls, and I had figured the outcome of this long before the finish of the book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Darkest Secret?

Nothing really

Which character – as performed by Imogen Church – was your favourite?

Claire

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, but certainly kept my interest throughout.

Any additional comments?

This author is not a 'wham bam' type author. More like Ruth Randell or - I think - William Trevor. Its a slow unfolding of characters and situations, but I just found that i knew what the outcome would be and wasn't wrong.........would very much have liked to have been, but wasn't.

Not as good as The Wicked Girls but pretty good

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Really well narrated. such a moving story in so many ways , so shocking too but what an ending!!! Such believable characters. Moving and sad and a really well thought out drama. I never saw the end coming. Great book.

OMG, wow, what an ending!

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Would you listen to The Darkest Secret again? Why?

This book was a strange read for me. Initially, I found it really hard going and I almost abandoned it about a third of the way through. I decided to stick with it and ended up gripped by the story towards the end.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I found many of the characters unlikeable to begin with, almost pantomime-like, which is why I think I found this a difficult listen to begin with. I did, however, warm to Mila as a character.

Any additional comments?

I loved the narrator of this book and would definitely listen to more of her work.

Worth holding out for!

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I really enjoyed the book and the narration but found the ending a bit abrupt and felt like I wanted more. Enjoyed the book anyway a good listen.

Gripping book poor ending

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This is the third novel I have read by author Alex Marwood, herself a former Fleet Street journalist. The plot of this book centres around the dysfunctional Jackson family, who are rocked by the 'disappearance' back in 2004 of patriarch, Sean's toddler twin daughter, Coco. When Sean is found dead in a hotel room many years later, one of the twins from his first marriage, Milla, re-aquaints herself with her younger half-sister, Coco's twin, Ruby, who is living with her mother, Sean's second wife, Claire in rural obscurity.

It's a confusing story featuring a myriad of stepmothers, half-sisters, twins and an array of awful moneyed selfish individuals. Once I'd worked out who was who, it was much easier to understand. One of the main issues I encountered was that it was difficult to empathise or have any sympathy with anyone. There is also the hints at the Madelaine McCann case.

The Narrator, Imogen Church was excellent throughout. She seems to have cornered the market in thrillers of this oeuvre.

The Darkest Secret

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I honestly didn't want to stop listening to this book; break times nearly overran several times. You're left questioning everyone that you thought had no motive. Can't wait to experience more of her work

Just brilliant

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Five stars ! I enjoyed this audiobook very much, it's chilling and very addictive. It took me a while to get used to the changes in time from 2004 to present, you really have to pay attention or you get confused as to what year you're in, also theres a lot of character building at the start but stick with it , that's all for a reason , the book is very good, well worth a listen .

Excellent listen

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thought I had worked it out early on but I was so wrong really enjoyed it .listen to all three books by this author well worth getting

a good story good characters and very well read

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Didn’t want it to end but when it did I was still shocked and hadn’t guessed any of the plot or twists - there’s room for a sequel?!??

Wonderful narrator and fab story

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