Author: Kiersten Modglin
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 240
Date of Publication: January 31, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars
DESCRIPTION:
When freshly engaged Austyn Murphy and Lowell Bass receive the news that Lowell’s parents have died unexpectedly, they set out for the historic Bass estate to handle their affairs and lay the former heads of the family to rest.
Enshrouded in layers of secrecy and tradition, the Bass estate, and the family residing within its walls, give anything but a warm welcome. When the idea of staying in the home permanently is brought up, Austyn witnesses a side of her future husband she’s never seen before.
Late one night, Austyn overhears a whispered conversation, revealing she hasn’t been given the full truth about the world she’s marrying into. And when Emily, an old friend, calls with devastating news of her own, Lowell and Austyn invite her to join them for a visit at the estate.
Upon Emily’s arrival, a confession is made, causing a rift in the seemingly impenetrable bond the girls once had. As Emily settles into their home, becoming closer to Lowell than ever before, Austyn fears she’s made a grave mistake.
Trapped inside the Bass estate under the ever-watchful eye of the staff and her soon-to-be family, Austyn makes another chilling discovery—something so terrible it changes everything.
With distressing revelations hidden around every corner and time running out before final decisions are made about her future, Austyn must uncover the truth about the opulent and powerful Bass family…at the risk of becoming another one of their dark secrets.
MY THOUGHTS:
Lowell Bass needs to return home as both his parents died suddenly. His fiancée Austyn Murphy goes with him and quickly can tell that things are not quite right. Their stay is lengthened because of the complications of the reading of the will, as well as what might happen to the family business. The longer they stay the more it seems likely that Lowell never intends on leaving. This does not bode well for Austyn. She loves Lowell but she owns her own business, a bakery, and she needs to be near her mother as her mother relies on her.
Austyn knew that Lowell had money, but what she did not realize is that he and his family are richer than rich. Meanwhile, there is a lot of tension between his siblings Fallon and Dallas. Then there is the matter as to how their parents died. At first it was said to be an accident, but it was actually an overdose, one that was suspicious.
One day Austyn finds a book deep in a in the closet. It appears that the book is a journal and the writer was a 16-year-old named Celine. Austyn soon realizes that the journal had something to do with the Bass family and she has determined to find out everything she can about the journal and about whatever could’ve happened to that girl. All the while Austyn begins to see changes in Lowell. Her treatment from his siblings is odd. Fallon seems very distant, and there is just something about Dallas that makes her very nervous.
To further complicate matters, her best friend has broken up with her husband and Austyn and Lowell invite her to stay in his family’s home. Her name is Emily and Austyn is really concerned that something more is going on with Emily than she can make sense of. Meanwhile, she continues to read the journal, and, although she’s not sure why, she keeps the secret about the journal, and what she is reading about the girl that was named Celine.
This fabulous story dealt with secrets, lies and some shocking twists and turns. Kiersten Modglin has done it again. She has written a book that kept me riveted to my Kindle and I could not tap my screen fast enough. For an exciting and thrilling story, The Family Secret definitely fits the bill.
Many thanks to Kiersten Modglin for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
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