Deadly Secrets

What Unspeakable Truths Lurk Beneath the Lies?

Fiction - Thriller - Political
358 Pages
Reviewed on 10/30/2020
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

I live in Adelaide, Australia and Deadly Secrets, my debut conspiracy thriller/mystery novel, is available as a paperback or in eBook format.
Several of my short stories have been published: one in the UK anthology ‘When Stars Will Shine’ (9 Dec 2019), one in the Australian anthology ‘Fledglings’ and 3 in the UK Writers’ and Readers’ Magazine (Sept/Oct 2020, Jan 2020 and Oct 2019.

My long and successful public service career spanned roles as diverse as: Management trainer, Team Facilitator, Statistician, and Laboratory assistant. I have been scribbling story snippets and scenes all my life, but in 2011 I got serious and completed a Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing, at Adelaide University. I had taken a variety of writing courses at Writers SA and WEA over the years. My original degree is a Bachelor of Science (majoring in Chemistry).

My other passions are travelling, which includes writing a travel journal and taking copious photos. These also inspire scenes for my stories e.g. Deadly Secrets begins in Paris and has scenes set in Normandy, Nice and Barcelona before returning to Australia. I also enjoy live theatre, art and of course, reading.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

Deadly Secrets: What Unspeakable Truths Lurk Beneath the Lies? by H.R. Kemp is a political thriller that will keep you on your toes. The main character, Shelley Ormond, is an average person--a civil servant just doing her job. Her friend is a refugee and dies under mysterious circumstances, prompting Shelley to go after the truth. Shelley isn't the heroine type. She's just a regular person. But sometimes when the truth is at stake, it can create a boldness within you that you never knew you had. This is the case with Shelley. She suspects a conspiracy, but how can she prove it, and what will happen to her if she exposes it and the players involved? She is torn between keeping her mouth shut and revealing deadly secrets.

I like that Kemp has chosen an ordinary person to be the protagonist. Shelley could be any one of us caught up in a life or death scenario that we don't quite understand. Using Shelley is a smart move by the author that draws you into the story in a personal way. You care about Shelley because she is someone you could know in your life, and you want to get to the bottom of things right along with her. Kemp's style is magnetic, and you find yourself going deeper into the plot of immigration, cover-ups, conspiracy, and things carried out behind the scenes. The deadly secrets lead to powerful politicians, but Shelley knows she has to keep uncovering.

There is some romance that adds another dimension to the story. The author keeps the reader engaged with impressive writing, energetic dialogue, a searing plot, and current concerns we can relate to like immigration and the environment. Some of the characters you will like--others you will not like. But that's what makes the novel so entertaining. For a page-turning conspiracy thriller, seize your copy of Deadly Secrets by H.R. Kemp today.