Title: Twelve Secrets
Series: Ben Harper #1
Author: Robert Gold
Publisher: Sphere
Synopsis:
Ben Harper, true crime journalist, is about to unravel his most shocking story yet . . . his own.
The day his older brother was murdered was the day Ben Harper’s life changed forever.
In one of the most shocking crimes in national history, Nick and his friend were stabbed to death by two girls their own age. Police called the killings random, a senseless tragedy.
Twenty years on Ben is one of the best true crime journalists in the country. He has left the past behind, thanks to the support of his close-knit hometown community.
But when he learns about a fresh murder case with links to his brother’s death, Ben’s life is turned upside down once more. He soon find himself caught in a web of lies, one that implicates everyone around him. And on his quest for answers, Ben discovers one very important truth:
Everyone has secrets.
But some secrets are deadlier than others.
My review:
Twelve Secrets is a really enjoyable read and introduces some great characters to us. We have quite a few key characters but the main protagonist is Ben, whose brother died when he was younger and whose mother has recently died (Ben is now in his late twenties). The murder of one of the girls who killed his brother reignites his desire to find out what really happened…
This book is utterly gripping. I enjoyed every page and I loved the mix of Ben, a journalist who is doing his own (very rogue!) investigation and the police who are trying to keep him under control as well as solving the case themselves. I also really liked reading about the other characters and slowly unravelling how they are linked to the story.
Twelve Secrets manages to be incredibly readable whilst also being well-written, and the twists add an extra element of intrigue which meant I didn’t want to stop reading it. I am so glad this is the first in a new series and will be reading everything Robert Gold writes – this is pure crime/ mystery gold and exactly what I enjoy in a book from this genre. Bring on book 2!