The Trouble With Secrets: The Kilteegan Bridge Story

The Trouble with Secrets is by Jean Grainger. This is the first of Jean’s books that I just haven’t been able to get into. Although it is about Ireland which I love to read about, the first of the book lacks that something that draws me into books. I am sure that in the future I will attempt this book again; but it will be some time before I try again. I am looking forward to other books she writes.SECOND REVIEWThe Trouble with Secrets: The Kilteegan Bridge Story is by Jean Grainger. I had tried reading this book before and was unable to get into it. It just didn’t have the flash and flare that all her other books had. However, I promised to try reading it later and so I did. It still took me a long time to get into the book. I just could not emphasize with the characters. None of them seemed very interesting to me, not even the villain who was easily identified. However, finally Lena began to grow on me and I got somewhat interested in the book. It actually ended up being a very good book as all her books are.Lena’s family seemed to have many of the major problems that people in Ireland had at that time. Things were looking up after World War II and people had a chance to become prosperous again. The animosity Auguste held again Jews and Travelers (gypsies) and against Jews was directly from the war as was his insinuation that there was something unnatural going on between Jack and Skipper. Having a child born out of wedlock was one of the realities of the time and how the girl was scorned and the child always looked at as being a bastard, was just what was normal for the time. Her choices were to hastily marry, to have the child and try to survive on their own, for her family to step up and care for her, which was unlikely, or to give the child up for adoption. Usually, she had no choice of her own, it was chosen for her by her family. The manner in which a doctor was paid was also normal for the time. Her themes were varied and were meshed well into the story.I did end up liking the book; however, I still found it lacking the tug on my heart from Ireland and its people in this story. It never took on the mesmerizing quality of her other books.

What an engaging book! I absolutely loved it=! Loved all the characters and the never ending suspense! I was completely drawn in from the beginning!!

Lovable and very flawed human characters populate this book, as well as the required nemesis to keep the drama going. Enjoy this family's trials and tribulations. On to the second in the series...

Funny how I always buy the first book in a series to see if I like it before buying the rest. So I bought this for my Kindle and it didn't disappoint! I polished off this book in a few hours and have ordered the second and pre-ordered the third. I know with all of Grainger's books, the series will eventually end, as this surely will. And as with her other series, and I've read most of them. you are left with a little sadness as if saying good-bye to old friends. The author has a way of really connecting the reader to the characters. I loved Doc, Lena, Eli and his family. I never could warm up to Malachy and now know why! I can't wait to delve into the other books in this series!

Truly enjoyed the time period and the story. My only complaint is that the character of Malachy's father seemed very one dimensional.

I found myself projecting and realizing how difficult life was. This story takes you to a time past with social judgements that we find intolerable in our current culture. Don't get mad. Understand that's just the way things were. Aren't we lucky to be in this modern time.

An amazing story, but not surprised, this is Jean Grainger after all. My emotions ran the range from smiles, to tears to holding my breath waiting for the inevitable. Thank you, Jean, for another wonderful read.

Is so enjoy anything written but Jean Grainger. She makes me feel as if I'm living her story. Always very well researched.

The trouble with Jean Grainger books is you get absolutely nothing done, I was delighted to see this new series just in time for my holidays, I'm afraid it didn't last that long, once you start reading you can't stop. An interesting story with great characters and each one with a story of thier own, I am delighted to see the second book is due in a few days, so look forward to following the life of Lena and Eli and both thier families.

Another great book from Jean Grainger. Great characters and storyline largely based in a small seaside village in Ireland & Wales in the 1950's.A story of love, lies, & betrayal. I read it in one day as not a book you want to put down. Looking forward to reading book 2 What Divides Us.

Excellent book as usual. Love Jean Grainger stories. Always difficult to put down. Have read all her other family saga's.

Like all of Jean's books I was straight in with the characters. Loved the story and just want the next in the series …. Now

I really like Jean's books.. all of them!Real characters in interesting situations. I find them realistic and fascinating.Waiting for the next one!