‘Keep Her Secret’ by Mark Edwards

Published by Thomas & Mercer,
1 June 2023.
ISBN: 978-1-66250893-6 (PBO)

When Matthew and Helena’s romance is rekindled twenty years after they graduated, they embark on a hiking holiday in Iceland with a small group of others. Whilst they are there, Helena makes a terrible confession to Matthew. Unfortunately, Devon, a much younger girl in the group who had joined the holiday to spy on Helena, records Helena confessing that she murdered her husband, Lee, by sending him swimming after drugging him with Rohypnol.

Back in England Devon arrives at Helena’s house and attempts to blackmail Helena. Matthew and Helena lock Devon in the basement whilst they each visit Devon’s flat in an attempt to obtain the copies Devon has made of Helena’s confession. Devon shares the flat with Robin who eventually traces Devon to Helena’s house.

In the meantime, Lee’s old business partner, Henry, tells Matthew and Helena that his life is in danger unless they give him money.

In Keep Her Secret little can be taken at face value.  An ordinary, youngish couple, not to forget the cat Druella, end up bound together by a series of extraordinary happenings and adversities that are somehow redolent, though much more sophisticated, than the suspense stories of my youthful reading. Unlike those more innocent stories the reader should be aware that, whether the protagonists deserve it or not, the suspense continues.  No easy solutions here.  Mark Edwards does not leave anyone feeling comfortable. I’m not sure if there will be a sequel to Keep Her Secret, if not, you may be tempted to write your own.
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Reviewer: Angela Crowther

 

Mark Edwards writes psychological thrillers in which scary things happen to ordinary people and is inspired by writers such as Stephen King, Ira Levin, Ruth Rendell and Linwood Barclay. Mark lives in the West Midlands with his wife, and their three children He says he loves hearing from readers and always responds. He can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: markandlouise@me.com

Angela Crowther is a retired scientist.  She has published many scientific papers but, as yet, no crime fiction.  In her spare time Angela belongs to a Handbell Ringing group, goes country dancing and enjoys listening to music, particularly the operas of Verdi and Wagner.