Cat Winthorpe, an entitled woman who married her boss, is nervous about her husband, William's, new employee, Neena Ryder, who also moves in next door with her own husband. Like Cat, Neena also improved her life by marrying up. Neena's plan is to ultimately ditch her loving husband and hook up with handsome William, and she does everything she can to make it happen. Meanwhile, Cat, who suspects what's going on, is equally determined to make sure it doesn't happen. With alternating chapters told from the pov of each lady, the book speeds along and generates some suspense as you wonder which woman will ultimately achieve her goal. However the story's general lack of substance, and the negative nature of virtually all of the characters, may make some readers give up on the novel halfway through.
Every Last Secret is what I refer to as TVature, "literature" inspired more by television -- such shows as Pretty Little Liars, for instance -- than by real-life, although I have no doubt superficial women like Cat and Neena exist, lord save us (not that William is any better). Ms. Torre's writing is competent (if undistinguished) but it is alarming when she writes in her author's note that she loves (italics hers) these characters, as Cat and Neena are both borderline sociopaths. The mental universe they inhabit is ultimately pathetic. However, Every Last Secret has a very satisfying conclusion and the book will be a page-turner for some.
Verdict: No great classic by any means but some readers will undoubtedly be entertained by the twists and turns of the plot. ***.
Love a good novel, has been a long time since I have read any fiction. Obsessed with biographies for too many decades now!
ReplyDeleteYes, I love biographies as well but I think my first love is fiction, especially in the suspense genre.
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