Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Pan (2018), Edition: Main Market, 624 pages
Description
"In this suspenseful and heart-pounding novel from New York Times bestselling author Lucinda Riley, an ambitious young journalist unravels a dangerous mystery that threatens to devastate the British monarchy. Keeping secrets is a dangerous game. When Sir James Harrison, one the greatest actors of his generation, passes away at the age of ninety-five, he leaves behind not just a heartbroken family but also a secret so shocking, it could rock the English establishment to its core. Joanna Haslam, an up-and-coming reporter, is assigned to cover the legendary actor's funeral, attended by glitzy celebrities of every background. But Joanna stumbles on something dark beneath the glamour: the mention of a letter James Harrison has left behind--the contents of which many have been desperate to keep concealed for over seventy years. As she peels back the veil of lies that has shrouded the secret, she realizes that she's close to uncovering something deadly serious--and the royal family may be implicated. Before long, someone is on her tracks, attempting to prevent her from discovering the truth. And they'll stop at nothing to reach the letter before she does. Full of salacious scandal, shocking twists, and captivating romance, and written in Lucinda Riley's signature "vividly drawn and lushly atmospheric" (RT Book Reviews) prose, The Royal Secret is "a full-throttle escapist adventure" (Lancashire Evening Post)"-- "In this suspenseful and heart-pounding novel from New York Times bestselling author Lucinda Riley, an ambitious young journalist unravels a dangerous mystery that threatens to devastate the British monarchy"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member VanessaCW
A famous actor dies and his funeral is arranged. Journalist Joanna Haslam is given the job of reporting on it. She helps an elderly lady who falls ill at the funeral service. This lady, in gratitude, decides to trust Joanna and sends her a letter which may contain the key to a secret which could
I found this quite the page turner, although I did think some of it was far fetched. It’s action packed and fast paced with loads of twists and turns. It reminded me of a cross between James Bond and Mission Impossible! It involves the MI5 and there’s the odd dodgy spy. It’s entertaining and exciting. There are some big and bold characters, most of whom are likeable, and a few not always who they seem. A fun and enthralling read.
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rock the world. Thus begins a dangerous game of cat and mouse. I found this quite the page turner, although I did think some of it was far fetched. It’s action packed and fast paced with loads of twists and turns. It reminded me of a cross between James Bond and Mission Impossible! It involves the MI5 and there’s the odd dodgy spy. It’s entertaining and exciting. There are some big and bold characters, most of whom are likeable, and a few not always who they seem. A fun and enthralling read.
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LibraryThing member BooksCooksLooks
I have read several books by Lucinda Riley and have enjoyed them. This latest of hers is somewhat different from her other books so I was quite intrigued. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction and theatre is going to find a story about a famous actor and a possible link to the highest levels of the
When James Harrison dies, his funeral is news for more than one reason; he was one of the great actors of his day, his son is a famous Hollywood actor and his granddaughter is an up and coming actress in her own right. A reporter attends hoping to get a photo but she finds much more. Joanna is working for a tabloid but hopes to grow in her career so as to not have to chase photos of film stars. At the funeral she helps an older woman who gives her a letter that sends her down a rabbit hole of a story that will definitely change her life.
Joanna finds herself getting involved with Mr. Harrison’s granddaughter Zoe. She is also childhood friends with Simon who says he’s a civil servant but he actually works for MI-6. When she asks him to help her discover the story behind the letter he tries to get her to back off but she is determined. As she digs deeper and deeper she draws them all into a secret that could be devastating to the country.
This is a truly difficult book to explain in a couple of short paragraphs. There is a lot going on; a couple of main plots and several significant subplots. Ms. Riley handles all of the intertwining stories quite well as she slowly and deliberately develops the story to the end. I will admit that the end to one of the stories was not a surprise but the overall ending of the book was a doozy. All in all a twisty, entertaining read.
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royal family to be a tale worth reading.When James Harrison dies, his funeral is news for more than one reason; he was one of the great actors of his day, his son is a famous Hollywood actor and his granddaughter is an up and coming actress in her own right. A reporter attends hoping to get a photo but she finds much more. Joanna is working for a tabloid but hopes to grow in her career so as to not have to chase photos of film stars. At the funeral she helps an older woman who gives her a letter that sends her down a rabbit hole of a story that will definitely change her life.
Joanna finds herself getting involved with Mr. Harrison’s granddaughter Zoe. She is also childhood friends with Simon who says he’s a civil servant but he actually works for MI-6. When she asks him to help her discover the story behind the letter he tries to get her to back off but she is determined. As she digs deeper and deeper she draws them all into a secret that could be devastating to the country.
This is a truly difficult book to explain in a couple of short paragraphs. There is a lot going on; a couple of main plots and several significant subplots. Ms. Riley handles all of the intertwining stories quite well as she slowly and deliberately develops the story to the end. I will admit that the end to one of the stories was not a surprise but the overall ending of the book was a doozy. All in all a twisty, entertaining read.
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LibraryThing member booklovers2
Love Lucinda Riley Books - always keeps me listening on audio with a good mix of mystery and love story with strong characters that reach out and grab your heart.
LibraryThing member Elainedav
This is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it.
Joanna is a journalist and is sent to cover the funeral of a famous actor for the newspaper she works for. She misses most of the funeral as the elderly lady she is sat with is taken ill and she kindly takes her home. Through
Its a great story, with lots of twists and turns. There are plenty of characters and locations, but despite that the plot is easy to follow. The novel would make a great holiday read.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Joanna is a journalist and is sent to cover the funeral of a famous actor for the newspaper she works for. She misses most of the funeral as the elderly lady she is sat with is taken ill and she kindly takes her home. Through
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this act of kindness she gets involved in something which could be a huge scoop for any journalist but which requires sensitive investigation and even secrecy. Simon is Joanna's best friend from school and he is also involved, but he can't tell her that or reveal his real job. The royal family are even involved.Its a great story, with lots of twists and turns. There are plenty of characters and locations, but despite that the plot is easy to follow. The novel would make a great holiday read.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member Carol420
The plot is wildly convoluted and improbable. The characters...many of whom apparently aspire to be James Bond...are unbelievable as well as unlikeable. In spite of that there is something about it that keeps the reader staying with it. Maybe it's the assumption and unfounded hope, that it just HAS
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to get better at some point. After all, it is Lucinda Riley, who is a wonderful author that has been responsible of a number of books that I have really enjoyed. This book was very wordy and oh so frustrating. The plot intricacies got in the way of showing relationships actually develop, making the character motivation feeling rushed. Ms. Riley didn't even attempt to tie in some aspects of the mystery. It was for a challenge so it did serve a purpose, Show Less
LibraryThing member DebTat2
I am a big fan of Lucinda Riley and have read all of her books to date and I pre-ordered this book as soon as I spotted it on amazon, so receiving an advance copy to read and review made my day :-)
I put the book I had been reading to one side and started this book straight away and at once I was
Marcus however was not so instantly lovable but he does redeem himself in the end! His sister Zoe is another great female protagonist and it is her that I ended up wanting to know more about. The fact that she has her own storyline that's weaved and interwoven with Zoe's worked really well and it had me guessing at the underlying plots.
There are a few plot twists and turns in both layers, Zoe's love life and the letter that has brought chaos and loss to everyone involved. That storyline with the letter added the mystery and a fairly sinister element to the romance and shows a darker side to people and what they are prepared to do to protect what they believe to be the right thing.
The mystery surrounding a 70 year secret unravels slowly and I thought I had figured it all out but NO, I can safely say that I never in a million years guessed the ending!! I can't say much about it otherwise it would be a major spoiler but I can say is that it will probably have you scratching your head as bemused as i was! A genuine WTF ending that I am sad to say im not sure i liked! There a few elements at the end that let the book down and made it way to far-fetched for me sadly.
Not one of her greatest but still a great read and I would still recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good romantic suspense and mystery.
I put the book I had been reading to one side and started this book straight away and at once I was
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hooked. Joanna is impossible to not like, she is such a strong character and her relationships between the other characters is what makes this book i think.Marcus however was not so instantly lovable but he does redeem himself in the end! His sister Zoe is another great female protagonist and it is her that I ended up wanting to know more about. The fact that she has her own storyline that's weaved and interwoven with Zoe's worked really well and it had me guessing at the underlying plots.
There are a few plot twists and turns in both layers, Zoe's love life and the letter that has brought chaos and loss to everyone involved. That storyline with the letter added the mystery and a fairly sinister element to the romance and shows a darker side to people and what they are prepared to do to protect what they believe to be the right thing.
The mystery surrounding a 70 year secret unravels slowly and I thought I had figured it all out but NO, I can safely say that I never in a million years guessed the ending!! I can't say much about it otherwise it would be a major spoiler but I can say is that it will probably have you scratching your head as bemused as i was! A genuine WTF ending that I am sad to say im not sure i liked! There a few elements at the end that let the book down and made it way to far-fetched for me sadly.
Not one of her greatest but still a great read and I would still recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good romantic suspense and mystery.
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LibraryThing member DebTat2
I am a big fan of Lucinda Riley and have read all of her books to date and I pre-ordered this book as soon as I spotted it on amazon, so receiving an advance copy to read and review made my day :-)
I put the book I had been reading to one side and started this book straight away and at once I was
Marcus however was not so instantly lovable but he does redeem himself in the end! His sister Zoe is another great female protagonist and it is her that I ended up wanting to know more about. The fact that she has her own storyline that's weaved and interwoven with Zoe's worked really well and it had me guessing at the underlying plots.
There are a few plot twists and turns in both layers, Zoe's love life and the letter that has brought chaos and loss to everyone involved. That storyline with the letter added the mystery and a fairly sinister element to the romance and shows a darker side to people and what they are prepared to do to protect what they believe to be the right thing.
The mystery surrounding a 70 year secret unravels slowly and I thought I had figured it all out but NO, I can safely say that I never in a million years guessed the ending!! I can't say much about it otherwise it would be a major spoiler but I can say is that it will probably have you scratching your head as bemused as i was! A genuine WTF ending that I am sad to say im not sure i liked! There a few elements at the end that let the book down and made it way to far-fetched for me sadly.
Not one of her greatest but still a great read and I would still recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good romantic suspense and mystery.
I put the book I had been reading to one side and started this book straight away and at once I was
Show More
hooked. Joanna is impossible to not like, she is such a strong character and her relationships between the other characters is what makes this book i think.Marcus however was not so instantly lovable but he does redeem himself in the end! His sister Zoe is another great female protagonist and it is her that I ended up wanting to know more about. The fact that she has her own storyline that's weaved and interwoven with Zoe's worked really well and it had me guessing at the underlying plots.
There are a few plot twists and turns in both layers, Zoe's love life and the letter that has brought chaos and loss to everyone involved. That storyline with the letter added the mystery and a fairly sinister element to the romance and shows a darker side to people and what they are prepared to do to protect what they believe to be the right thing.
The mystery surrounding a 70 year secret unravels slowly and I thought I had figured it all out but NO, I can safely say that I never in a million years guessed the ending!! I can't say much about it otherwise it would be a major spoiler but I can say is that it will probably have you scratching your head as bemused as i was! A genuine WTF ending that I am sad to say im not sure i liked! There a few elements at the end that let the book down and made it way to far-fetched for me sadly.
Not one of her greatest but still a great read and I would still recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good romantic suspense and mystery.
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Language
Original language
English
Physical description
624 p.; 7.5 inches
ISBN
1509825045 / 9781509825042
Similar in this library
DDC/MDS
| 823.92 |