Book info

• Title Secret Smile
• Author Nicci French
• Year 2003
• Genre Thriller

Miranda Cotton thinks she's put boyfriend Brendan out of her life for good. But two weeks later, she discovers that he's intimately involved with her sister, and what began as an embarrassment becomes threatening. And then utterly terrifying... Because Brendan will stop at nothing to be part of Miranda's life - even if it means taking it from her...

Thoughts

The chill that went through me whilst reading almost all of this was incredible. It has tension almost from the first page, particularly as much of it is describing mundane things - painting houses, going for a run, picking up groceries, a boy meeting a girl then going out with her sister instead.

It’s the intricate details that make this so sinister. Also I was reminded of another Nicci French book, wherein the protagonist is the only one who isn’t fooled by the antagonist’s behaviour, and even the police won’t listen.

I must say, the ending confused me because it felt abrupt and uncomfortable and out of place, but then the final few paragraphs made more sense of why that was. Well crafted, not quite completely satisfying, but a great read nevertheless.

Rating: 3 / 5