I am a fan of Siobhan Curham. Her approach to historical fiction is interesting as she always manages to find a unique approach. The Secret Keeper is no exception.
I was immediately drawn in by the name-dropping in the first chapter. It told me that a tone was being set that would draw me in even further.
I wasn’t wrong.
Elena comes from a different background than is usual in historical fiction novels. This plays perfectly into what lies ahead for her. This is one of the reasons the book resonates.
Yes, it still would have been interesting with someone from, say, New York. But Elena’s heritage allows the author to put her in positions that others would not have succeeded in. Yes, I’m being cagey because I don’t want to give those aspects away.
Aside from that, however, Elena’s path to helping the war effort is fascinating. Wisely, the author introduces characters along the way who are interesting enough in their own right.
For example, the people she meets in training; you know they will cross paths again one way or another.
As for the plot – who doesn’t like a story of an unassuming person being chosen to become a spy and being thrown into dangerous situations?
Elena is intelligent and resourceful. Fortunately, this serves her well as she navigates the clandestine world she is inhabits.
The chapters involving Elena’s experiences in 1942-1944 alternate with letters written by her grandmother in 1940, as she dealt with Nazis occupying Paris. The reader learns a lot from these letters, but does Elena?
But I kept thinking there was more to the letters than met the eye, that they must help Elena somehow. Or play a bigger part in the plot.
And, no, I’m not going to tell you if I was right or not.
I loved The Paris Network and Beyond This Broken Sky by Siobhan Curham. I am happy to add her to my “one-click” historical fiction novels. The Secret Keeper is another winner.
Twitter: SiobhanCurham
Author Bio:
Siobhan Curham is an award-winning author, ghost writer, editor and writing coach. She has also written for many newspapers, magazines and websites. Siobhan has been a guest on various radio and TV shows, including Woman’s Hour, BBC News, GMTV and BBC Breakfast. And she has spoken at businesses, schools, universities and literary festivals around the world.
