"Dirty Little Secrets"

“Dirty Little Secrets”
Written by Jo Spain
Review written by Diana Iozzia

“Dirty Little Secrets” was a majestic thriller and mystery. We begin the book to understand that there are seven houses on a small street in Ireland. In one of the houses, a neighbor, Olive Collins, has been dead for three months. How has this occurred? Why have her neighbors not looked in on her, checked up on her? Who could have done this?

We meet Olive, telling her story in an after-death perspective, as she explains to the reader how she was distrusted and how she was betrayed by her neighbors. We also start to meet each character and start to learn their secrets.

House 1: George, a mysterious, quiet man with a perverted obsession.
House 2: Lily and David, a couple whose young son grew too close to Olive.
House 3: Allison and Holly, a mother and daughter on the run.
House 4: Olive.
House 5: Chrissy and Matt, husband and wife on the rocks due to an affair.
House 6: Amelia and Ed, who have a very strong disdain for Olive.
House 7: Ron, the lady’s man, who has a trip to many into beds that aren’t his.

We also meet the detectives, Frank and Emma. They are differently aged, but both wise in their own way. I like their dynamic, because it doesn’t feel typical “scrappy young female detective, doesn’t understand older male detective and his wise ways”. It feels like a strong friendship, with a slight paternal vibe. Frank and Emma are smart and determined to figure out what happened to Olive.

There is so much detail in this book, but no detail seems superfluous. Every description allows just enough to make the reader continue on. I never thought to myself that the book dragged or had lulling moments. Once I began reading, I did not want to stop. I have not often found a thriller so intriguing. There are quite a few red herrings that progress the story, but every character has a motive, so we readers do not exactly know where this is going. 

The only, and I mean only, bit I did not like about this book is the ending. I predicted it, because I have seen two different books go that route. There is even a small reference to one of those books in it, so I assume the author is self-aware of the similarity. This is a spoiler-free review, so I will not mention it, but I’d be happy to have a conversation with those who have read the book already.

I fully recommend this book, and I would give it a five star review out of five stars. The e-book will be officially published December 27, 2018. The hardcover version will be for sale January 24, 2019. I received a complimentary, advanced reader’s edition of this book for reviewing purposes. Thank you to Quercus Books.