The Forgotten Secret

by Kathleen McGurl

[zooloo1983]

I must say I seem to be enjoying the historical fiction genre at the moment and this one is told in a dual timeline. I found it so easy to lose myself in 1919 and 2016, and when the main character in 2016 has a very similar surname as me, well that’s me done. I have to read it!!

In 1919 with Ellen, with the excitement of her new job as an upstairs maid in a small Irish town, in the height of the resistance against the British, it reminded me of Downton Abbey (which I love). In 2016, Clare Farrell has inherited a dilapidated farmhouse in Ireland and once the probate has been settled she finds a way to leave her controlling husband and with the support of her sons moves to Ireland. But how are they both connected?

The writing by Ms McGurl was so easy to lose myself into, and I found it all very believable. The only thing I found to be too easy was Clare initially leaving Paul if he was as controlling as we are shown how could she up and leave so easily? However, in The Forgotten Secret, it works. The writing is seamless as we alternate between past and present and McGurl has created two extremely strong, fascinating and courageous women.

You can see how much research has gone into The Forgotten Secret and before you start the book, McGurl explains the background which was interesting to read. This helped me as I know very little of the history in Ireland at this time. This is a page turner but of one where you want to savour the pages and the characters do not let you rest until their story has been told, no matter how painful for them at times.