First and foremost I must apologize to all my review followers. I had boldly stated that Brenda Novak's THE SECRET SISTER was not part of a series. I mistakenly figured that Novak had come to a satisfying conclusion to what was a five star tale of dysfunctional families at its very best, but I should have definitely known better. THE SECRETS SHE KEPT is going to shake your world. The wound has been reopened, and Brenda Novak is making sure you are paying attention to details. Details that perhaps were left to ripen and mature in the first of the Fairham Island Books much like the characters.

THE SECRETS SHE KEPT by Brenda Novak builds on the excellent groundwork provided by THE SECRET SISTER. But it goes far beyond anything ever expected. In THE SECRETS SHE KEPT we are amazed by the profusion of secrets that made up the life and loves of Josephine Lazarow. Josephine was a cruel mother to most of her children, keeping them apart from any love. For the most part Keith and Maisey grew up in that world. When their sister Rocki returned after so many years of being missing the three siblings work hard to restart their family group. Even Josephine seemed to become a rather distant part.

Now the family is once again going to be thrown into a world of secrets and death. Josephine's death is originally labeled a suicide but Keith jumps into the fray immediately, and asserts himself into the investigation of what he firmly believes is a murder. Sure there were lots of people that didn't feel warm and fuzzy around Josephine -- but to hate enough to actually kill her. So many doubts. And yet so much didn't fit the puzzle that was Josephine. Keith's opinion of his mother was that she was proud and vain. Suicide wouldn't be a suitable decision for a woman who prided herself on reputation and perception. Suicide would be conceived as weak.

But everything looks like a suicide. Nothing points to anything else. There doesn't seem to be any clues or hints to point at any possible suspect. Suffice it to say the local law officer is going to have her work cut out for her and that's only if she starts to agree with Keith that his mother did not commit suicide.

Brenda Novak did quite a job lining up possible suspects. Some as familiar as family members -- some really strange deep family secrets here. Other suspects would need a devining rod to dig them up. But in THE SECRETS SHE KEPT digging up clues is the best part. Armchair detectives will need to bring their A-game to this page turner by Brenda Novak.