Readers' Comments for The Deepest Secret
In October, a select group of readers who participated in one of our special Sneak Peek contests won copies of THE DEEPEST SECRET by Carla Buckley. It’s about Eve Lattimore, whose son has a rare medical condition that makes him fatally sensitive to light, which means he can never leave the house except at night. For Eve, only constant vigilance stands between an increasingly restless teenage son and the dangers of the outside world. But when tragedy strikes, it becomes clear that there are some crises Eve cannot control --- and some secrets that not even love can conceal. Take a look at some of the readers' comments to give you more insight into this thought-provoking psychological thriller --- and make sure to watch out for SPOILERS!
Mary
This is a story of a mother's love for her child that is so deep and so protective it forces her to keep a horrendous secret that ultimately hurts the child she loves. I felt sad for the victims, dismayed at the fragility of family relationships and in awe by the strength of fierce love. I was most sympathetic towards Tyler. I would certainly recommend THE DEEPEST SECRET to friends and my book club. It would foster a great in-depth discussion about the characters.
Sandi from IL
THE DEEPEST SECRET is a compelling novel about what is right and what is wrong. It shows how we hold our secrets close to us and how that very action affects not only us, but also the people around us. I was most sympathetic towards Eve. This book reminds me of SWEET SALT AIR by Barbara Delinsky and MAGIC HOUR by Kristin Hannah. I have recommended this to my book clubs. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read, not the typical romance or drama, but good fiction that does not have to include sex or vulgarity to be a good novel.
Lauren from Norwood, MA
This is a novel about what appears to be a normal neighborhood; however, behind every closed door, there are secrets. The Lattimore’s son, Tyler, suffers from a rare disease, where exposure to sunlight can be fatal. The quiet neighborhood is then shaken up by a dramatic tragedy, which threatens the bonds of families and friends. The book is emotional, intriguing and complicated. I found myself to be the most sympathetic towards Tyler Lattimore because I could relate to him on some levels due to my own personal experiences. Part of this book reminded me of the movie The Others starring Nicole Kidman. This book also reminded me of the following books: THE MEMORY KEEPER’S DAUGHTER by Kim Edwards, DEFENDING JACOB by William Landay and HANDLE WITH CARE by Jodi Picoult. I would recommend this to my colleagues at the public library that I work at. I would also recommend this book to my friends and book group.
Amy from Grove City, OH
THE DEEPEST SECRET is a novel that explores the results of keeping secrets --- how it affects the secret holder, his or her family and how it even reaches to friends, with drastic results. After reading it, I felt satisfied, reflective and introspective. While I felt connected and sympathetic to each character, I felt I had the most in common with Charlotte.The book reminded me of RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA by Kimberly McCreight. I would recommend THE DEEPEST SECRET to anyone who enjoys character studies.I do not belong to a book club, but I think this would be an excellent book for book clubs, as it is full of multiple viewpoints that would prompt great discussion topics.
Rhonda from CA
THE DEEPEST SECRET is a multilayered book that will draw readers in. You will feel like you know the characters, and that they could be your neighbors. And your heart will break for Tyler. It reminds me of DEFENDING JACOB by William Landay--- a book about another mother defending and protecting her son, although in very different circumstances.
Karen from Milton, WI
THE DEEPEST SECRET is the story of one family’s struggle with the aftermath of a bad decision, and the effort to hide it. Another SOPHIE’S CHOICE. I was very sympathetic towards Eve and the terrible secret she kept from everyone she loved, as well as her ongoing battle within herself to make things right for everyone at any cost. She was pulled in so many directions trying to do the right thing. But I also had real sympathy for Melissa, whose entire life was impacted by her brother's illness and needs. Although no fault of Tyler, all his restrictions and attention robbed Melissa of time with her parents and grandparents and simply having a normal family.I will be recommending the title to my book club. Also I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys mysteries or real page-turners as I feel this book to be. I enjoyed it very much and had a hard time putting it down.
Michelle from Hillsdale, NJ
THE DEEPEST SECRET is a fantastic read, which will have you questioning what is right and what is wrong under extreme circumstances. This book will grip you until the end and keep you in suspense until practically the last page. It’s gut-wrenching, heartbreaking and flat-out fantastic!It reminds me of BODIES OF WATER by Tammy Greenwood. Although the story is different, of course, it’s also about two women who share a secret that could drastically change their lives and their families. I also think maybe DEFENDING JACOB, as I think Jacob's father was aware of Jacob's guilt, and kept his feelings a secret from himself --- in other words, he knew, but couldn’t bring himself to openly admit it.I would absolutely recommend this to the two book groups that we run at the library where I work --- I totally loved this book and couldn't wait to see how it ended! I am so glad I got the opportunity to read this book!
Dawn from Grand Forks, ND
You HAVE to read Carla Buckley’s newest book, THE DEEPEST SECRET. A mother is texting and driving and accidently kills a friend’s daughter --- but this is only the beginning of a story with many twists and turns that make you question who really killed the girl, along with a son’s illness, which wrecks havoc on a family’s lives. I would say this book reminds me of a book by Jodi Picoult --- I can't remember the title, but there was a book about a child with an illness and how it affected her family.
Michele from Midlothian, VA
THE DEEPEST SECRET isan engaging, engrossing and heart-wrenching story. I have already loaned it out to my best friend. We are both avid readers.
Muriel from Marion, IA
I found this book to be very riveting and intense --- like I was on an emotional rollercoaster at times. I wanted to know more about many of the characters in the book and the "secret" lives they were leading. As with Tyler, I wanted to spy into the lives of the people in the neighborhood and find out more about what was going on in their lives. There's mystery in this neighborhood, and at times I wasn't always sure I knew the truth of things. Everyone probably has little secrets, but I can't think of any secret I've kept that would have had an impact on anyone else's life. I do love my children deeply, however, and can relate to Eve's need to protect Tyler and Melissa.I would certainly recommend this book to my book club and also a number of friends. My group likes to discuss moral issues of right and wrong and family issues, among other topics.
Caitlynn from Eugene, OR
This book is a riveting example of how far a mother will go for her child. It makes you question whether there is honestly any secret worth keeping. After reading it, I felt saddened, relieved and questioning. The weight of the story reminded me of both IF YOU COULD SEE WHAT I SEE by Cathy Lamb and THE STORYTELLER by Jodi Picoult. I will recommend it to all my friends who enjoy reading.
Judy from Lisbon, OH
I found the book a little slow for the first 100 pages --- I might not have read it if it hadn’t been "assigned reading." But it became very intense and mysterious as it progressed toward the outcome. Definitely recommend it. It was mysterious, emotional and satisfying. I would recommend it to my best friend who reads a variety of genres.
Sue L. from Wayland, NJ
THE DEEPEST SECRET is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It is an emotional journey. It reminds me of other books by Carla Buckley, as well as books by Kristina Riggle.
Barbara from Holbrook, NY
THE DEEPEST SECRET is a really suspenseful story with subject matter that pertains to modern time questions about security. It is also about the love of a mother that knows no bounds. In pertaining to relating to the characters, as a mother, I feel for Eve. Eve’s son also made me feel sympathetic, that is the beauty of this novel. I have always believed that secrets have a way of coming back to you, no matter how much you try to protect someone. Other books have suspense and are fast paced, but this book is different because of the subject matter and how it pertains to so much of today's debate on surveillance. This book is quite unique, and I truly couldn't put it down. As they say, a true page-turner.I would recommend it to my sisters and my daughter.
Kris from Middlesex County, NJ
THE DEEPEST SECRET is a dark, intense look at family life, with a glimpse into the factors that must be considered while living with a chronically ill family member. It also explores how one unit (individual or family) interconnects to other units in its community.Reading the books made me feel grateful, melancholy and unsatisfied. I say unsatisfied only because I didn't find the ending as smooth as it could have been. In some ways, it felt incomplete. I'm not in a book group but I do think it would be a good selection for a book group to discuss. There are a lot of different points of view to consider. I would recommend this book for fans of Jodi Picoult or Kristin Hannah.
Tracey from Largo, FL
THE DEEPEST SECRET is about a boy who has a rare disease and cannot be exposed to light, his family and the neighborhood where he lives. One night his mom accidentally hits one of the neighborhood girls and covers the accident up. But she is not the only one in the neighborhood with secrets, as the boy, Tyler finds out when he goes outside at night. The question is: Will the mother finally come out and tell the truth? And even though Eve did hit the girl, her body disappears from the ravine where she died and others were out that night, too --- Tyler's sister and the girl's mom's boyfriend --- so it makes you wonder if they had something to do with her body going missing.I was most sympathetic toward Tyler. His disease leaves him a prisoner in his house during the day and even when he goes out at night he risks exposure to light, which could kill him.THE DEEPEST SECRET reminds me of a Lifetime movie I saw about a woman, played by actress Margaret Colin, who hit a little girl on a bicycle when she was driving in the rain and covered it up for weeks. The girl was the daughter of a really good friend of hers.I think most of my friends would like the book and I would recommend it to my book club to read.
Susy from Bel Air, MD
THE DEEPEST SECRET is a very sad book about a family dealing with a terrible medical condition that impacts them all. Then, a tragedy occurs involving one of the family members, and the secrets that the family members keep from each other regarding this incident again impacts them all. I'd recommend THE DEEPEST SECRET to my book club because we tend to spend most of the time gossiping --- unless we are reading a very controversial book. I think this would fit the description as a controversial book. I don't think I would recommend it to my friends, because I really did not like the book. I sympathized with Eve's family situation so much that I had a hard time reading it --- I knew that the outcome would not be good.
Donna from Upstate NY
THE DEEPEST SECRET isa nightmarish tragedy that could happen to almost anyone. The circumstances force you to constantly question your own moral compass as well as that of the key figure --- you might be surprised at where you land. I was most sympathetic towards Tyler. THE DEEPEST SECRET reminds me of THE MEMORY KEEPER’S DAUGHTER by Kim Edwards. I would recommend the book to people who can handle really troubling emotional rollercoasters. It would certainly work for my book group, but the responses are going to be drastically different among the members.
Melinda from Provo, UT
THE DEEPEST SECRET is a book that makes you think about how far you would go to make sure that a loved one is taken care of. You end up questioning what makes someone a bad person, especially if they believe they are doing what is best. After reading, I felt conflicted, depressed and grateful. I felt most sympathetic towards Tyler.I'd recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind reading a book that makes you start asking difficult questions about how you would react in a similar situation.
Sue P. from Central Florida
Can you imagine having a terminally ill child and everything you do must revolve around the needs of that one child? In THE DEEPEST SECRET, that’s what Eve’s life amounts to. When she accidentally kills the youngest child of her best friend, she has many decisions to make. Should she tell? Should she keep it a secret? As we see how Eve deals with her secret, we are introduced to the secrets of others living on their seemingly quiet cul-de-sac. I think I’d only recommend this to book groups, my own included. While I loved THE THINGS THAT KEEP US HERE and recommended it to everyone --- including two of my book groups --- this book was just okay. However, I think it would provide the spark for an amazing discussion. And for that reason, I might recommend this to one of my book groups once the book is available from the library.
