Little Deadly Secrets by Pamela Clare is a 2020 William Morrow publication.

I have not read a book by this author in ages- but it seems as though I have a several of her books on my Kindle that need to be read- this being one of them. Crane’s style of suspense is somewhat addictive, and I’m glad I reconnected with her, because this is one wild and crazy saga- very hard to put down!

The opening scene sets the stage with a murder in progress...

Then the story shifts back to the nine days prior to this shocking event- unpacking years of turmoil, lies and of course, deadly secrets.

While stories of female friendships are very common, they aren’t normally like this group of women...

Robin, Mackenzie, and Lily have been friends for a very long time, but suddenly their bonds are tested by a string of events that could unravel everything they have ever meant to one another.

Cheating husbands, lies, secrets, addiction, rape and murder… it's all here.

While it that sounds sensational and soapy, be aware that the story examines the murky depths of psychological abuse, controlling behavior, misogyny, the demands of motherhood, the toll and pain of addiction, and the question of consent.

I can’t say I found the book, especially suspenseful, but there is a mystery I wasn’t expecting, and some very nice twists along the way. It is heavy duty on the drama, which was fine with me, and I liked the ending, though some of it was a little too pat.

Overall, this is a dark, twisted tale, which examines many heavy topics, but is well-balanced between the characters, so that, while it is often tense, it is not too hand handed.

I liked it a lot and am now eager to tackle the other books I have on my Kindle by Pamela Crane! ( )

Little Deadly Secrets is not my first novel to read by Pamela Crane, but it is my first one to review. I enjoyed A Second Hand Lie, so when I got the opportunity to read Little Deadly Secrets, I was more than happy to.

Three women: Lily is a born leader, Robin is an organizer and planner (I can relate to that) and MacKenzie is always there, rock solid. They met in college and became best friends. They called themselves the Spicier Girls. Lily is the Adventure Spice, Robin is the Homemaker Spice and MacKenize is the Doctor Spice. They are bonded for life…by a secret. But, we all know, secrets do not stay buried. They have a way of coming back and biting you…

“With this bracelet I do vow

To these two girls forever bound.

Through life and love, through thick and thin Until that day when death will win

When I got to Chapter 4, a light bulb went off. I think I know where this is going and I am engrossed. Betrayal, grudging discontent. So much going on. Not sure if I care for one of the adults and the jury is still out on the kids…at least one of them. I love characters that evoke emotions of any kind, even the bad kind. What a bunch of messed up people and I love it.

Lies, betrayal, rape, domestic abuse, addiction, murder, vigilante justice…

Pamela Crane is great at throwing in those ‘little’ things, like Nico.

To sum it up, these are some of the most damaged people I have met, but the resolution of the story can give us all hope. Even though it is so far out there, sometimes I had to keep reminding myself it was fiction. It is not a new storyline for me, but I loved it.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Little Deadly Secrets by Pamela Crane.

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Whew, that was a rollercoaster ride! Little Deadly Secrets reminded me of a book I read last year that I also loved, What You Did by Claire McGowan, if you’re looking for another book in the same vein. So many heartbreaking events that spiraled out into conclusions I didn’t see coming. It grabs you from the beginning and is a thrilling ride until the very end. Really only one thing was slightly irritating with the entire book – the nonchalant way several characters discussed murder. Not just like “ha, we totally could do *insert murder weapon/instance of choice*” but people you wouldn’t even expect join on the murder train – it was a little off.

Of the three friends, the one I had the most difficulty connecting with was Lily. As a wife and mother, there were numerous truths and feelings from both Mac and Robin that I shared. The events of the book are a perfect storm, which feeds on itself until it can’t anymore and spirals apart into several frayed lives. I would not want to live their lives but it really does highlight just how much people are willing to endure for their friends and how twisted and how twisted and ugly life can get. Few characters remain unscathed in this twisty and drama-filled journey.

I would highly recommend Little Deadly Secrets to readers who enjoy murder, mystery, and domestic drama. A huge thank you to William Morrow, NetGalley, and Pamela Crane for the opportunity to read this whirlwind of a book – all opinions are my own. ( )

Robin, Lily and McKenzie have forged their friendships at college, and have made a lifelong pact since.
Nonetheless, along their journey together, each of them has her own skeleton in the closet; and one night of the trio’s reunion has got them into an irrevocable trouble. Layers upon layers of complicated problems have pulled these three women into a dark odyssey of entwined web of secrets and lies, which would threaten to shatter their companionships entirely..
One doesn't know his/her acts in the past would have what kind of influence in shaping his/her destiny in the future.
Pamela Crane has adeptly written this enthralling LITTLE DEADLY SECRETS that is jam-packed intensely with suspense, and some realistic characters, each with her/his own flaws and secrets to hide. I enjoyed tremendously this thriller, and highly recommend it to fans of psychological thrillers.
I would like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow/HaperCollins Publishers for this gripping eARC.
#NetGalley
#LittleDeadlySecrets ( )

Mackenzie, Robin, and Lily have been friends since college. They have shared secrets and heartaches. Even now that they are married and living different lives, they still depend on each other to help them through their problems...until their secrets start to unravel and they have to decide if they can maintain their friendships or if it would be more emotionally healthy to end their relationship with each other.

Mackenzie has a beautiful life with her rich husband and her teenage daughter who she is very close to. From the outside her life looks perfect but is her husband too controlling and is her daughter doing things that she shouldn't? How will she cope when the truth comes out?

Robin is married with three children. But she is compensating for some lack in her life by buying things. Her credit card statement is out of control and she knows she needs to hide it from her husband.

Lily is separated from the love of her life and has no children. She drinks too much and takes too many pills and sleeps with the wrong men - but will she sleep with the husband of one of her best friends?

As the secrets unravel and the truths about each of them become known, will they be able to maintain their friendship? And which one of them wants to commit murder? It's a twisty, ever-changing plot that keeps you guessing until the surprising ending. ( )