In The Secret Keeper, secrets and consequences make this historical fiction story one page-turning and heartfelt read.

The Secret Keeper by Renita D’Silva

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction, Complicated Family Drama, Secrets, 1930s India, 1940s Bletchley Park (WWII)

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My Summary of The Secret Keeper:

Thanks #NetGalley @BookwoodBooks for a complimentary e ARC of #TheSecretKeeper upon my request. All opinions are my own.

The story begins in India as we are introduced to Rami, the precocious daughter of an Indian Crown Prince. When her father is crowned King, they move to the palace. Rami is lonely and is angry about living in the women’s quarters with her mother and younger brother. Out of boredom, she disguises herself as a servant and explores the city. She meets and falls in love with Prasad, a peasant farmer. Their plan to marry goes awry and Rami is sent away to school (Cambridge). She ends up at Bletchley Park where her past catches up to her and she’s forced to keep more secrets and make a sacrifice.

My Thoughts:

Secrets and Consequences

Rami “plays with fire” her entire life, so, in that respect, perhaps she is well suited to work at Bletchley Park. However, the secrets she’s keeping in her personal life will ultimately test her loyalty to Bletchley Park.

I need to note that aside from the “sworn to secrecy or be tried for treason” aspect of Bletchley Park, the author provides minimal details about what the work actually entailed. We read about her going to and from work but not about what she was doing at work. If I hadn’t read other books about Bletchley Park, I might have had more questions. Having prior background information helped me imagine what she was doing during work hours.

Dual Timelines

The 1930s/1940s timelines are the most engaging and the heart of the story. The 1990s timeline serves as a vehicle to uncover the past. Weeks after reading the story, I struggle to remember the modern timeline. The timelines are brought together in the end when the secrets of the past are revealed and a family becomes stronger.

Most Likable Character

The most likable character in the story is the man at Bletchley Park whom Rami marries. I feel sorry for him. He and the children deserved better.

A Realistic Ending

I won’t spoil the ending, but I can report that it’s realistic even though the circumstances are difficult. When you keep secrets, you can expect that it may catch up to you and you will have an ultimate price to pay.

Content Consideration: toxic relationship

Recommending The Secret Keeper

Fans of settings in India and Bletchley Park and a complicated character will appreciate The Secret Keeper. The story is well-told and engaging from the first pages.

Related: Other books about Bletchley Park: The Rose Code, The Bletchly Park (series)

My Rating:  4  Stars

Meet the Author of The Secret Keeper, Renita D’Silva

Renita D’Silva loves stories both reading and creating them. Her twelfth historical fiction novel, The Secret Keeper, is out on August 12th. Her books have been translated into several languages. Her short stories have been published in The View from Here, Bartleby Snopes, this zine, Platinum Page, Paragraph Planet, Verve among others, have been nominated for the Pushcart prize, the Best of the Net anthology, shortlisted for the LoveReading Very Short Story award and The Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize and longlisted for the BBC National Short Story award. Her short story, Eavesdropping Shamelessly, will be published in the Arts Council England funded Bridges Not Borders anthology of prizewinning stories this autumn. Her short story, Vicar, will be published in Death, Volume 12 of Pure Slush publishers’ Lifespan anthology series. Her first psychological thriller, The Neighbours, won the Joffe Books Prize 2023 and is out on August 15.

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