Review: Woman with a Secret by Sophie Hannah

Woman with a Secret Published by William Morrow on August 4, 2015
Genres: Crime Fiction
Pages: 384
Format: Hardcover
Source: the publisher

Nicki Clements is woman full of secrets. She's spent her entire life lying, for the sheer joy and exhilaration it brings her.  She keeps these secrets hidden from her husband and children.  When she his brought in for questioning about a murder, suddenly all her secrets are brought to life, those that she trusts the most excusing her of killing a man she thought she never met.  Though she is readily willing to admit the lies, she's not capable of murder...or is she? Is this the strongest lie she's weaved? Or is she, unbelievably, innocent?

I adore Sophie Hannah’s writing. I’ve read nearly everything she’s written.  After reading Woman with a Secret, however, I’m left with torn feelings.  I enjoyed it because of the the author, but would I have read it if penned by another name? Unlikely.

It seems to be a recent fad in writing to include journal entries, emails, etc. as a means of providing back story.  Yet this is the second instance in which I felt that it made the prose disjointed, garbling up the flow of the novel rather than adding to it. Adding to this was the length at the novel; at over 350 pages I felt at least 100 pages could have been cut out. I found myself skimming…a lot… something I’ve never done with any of Hannah’s previous works.  Though the opening pages were compelling, grabbing my attention immediately, the flame of interest was quickly diminished.  I lost interest, I didn’t care what happened.

Compounding all of this was my pure and avid dislike of Nikki’s character. Innocent or not, I disliked her tremendously. She had no redeeming value to me at all. I wanted her to be held responsible for all her past actions, her indiscretions, etc.  Toss her in & throw away the key.

Though I did have my issues with this book, I’m glad I read it. It gave me another chance to experience Hannah’s writing. Don’t let my issues with this particular novel dissuade you from reading Hannah’s other titles.  Given the sheer number of titles she’s written, it’s inevitable that a reader will come across one that isn’t as compelling and captivating as the others.

I’ll this said, I’m interested in YOUR take on this book! Have you read it? Did you have the same experience?