The Secret Keeper Book Review
“It’s going to be fun,” Dash said with confidence. “A big adventure.”
Adventure. Well, that was just about the last thing Dot wanted to think about.
Synopsis
Twin sisters Dot and Dash Wilson share many things, and while they are practically inseparable, they are nothing alike. Dot is fascinated by books, puzzles, and Morse code, a language taught to both girls by their father, a WWI veteran. Dash’s days are filled with fixing engines, dancing with friends, and dreaming of flying airplanes. Almost always at their side is their best friend Gus—until war breaks out and he enlists in the army, deploying to an unknown front. Determined to do their duty, both girls join the WRENS, Dash as a mechanic and Dot as a typist. Before long, Dot’s fixation on patterns and numbers takes her from HMCS Coverdale, a covert listening and codebreaking station working with Bletchley Park in England, to Camp X, a top-secret spy school. But when personal tragedy strikes the family, Dot’s oath of secrecy causes a rift between the sisters. Eager to leave her pain behind, Dash jumps at the opportunity to train as a pilot with the Air Transport Auxiliary, where she risks her life to ferry aircraft and troops across the battlefields of Europe. Meanwhile Dot is drawn into the Allies’ preparations for D-Day. But Dot’s loyalties are put to the test once more when someone close to her goes missing in Nazi-occupied territory. With everyone’s eyes on Operation Overlord, Dot must use every skill at her disposal to save those she loves before it’s too late. Inspired by the real-life stories of women in World War II, The Secret Keeper is an extraordinary novel about the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood and the light of courage during the darkest of nights.
Review
Genevieve Graham’s The Secret Keeper is a masterpiece that left me emotionally spent and affected for days. Set against the backdrop of World War II, this novel beautifully weaves together the stories of twin sisters, Dot and Dash, as well as their childhood best friend, Gus, who find themselves thrust into the heart of the conflict, each carving out their own path to contribute to the war effort.
From the moment I began this book, I was fascinated by Graham’s expert storytelling and her ability to transport me to the heart of wartime Canada. Dot and Dash, with their contrasting personalities yet unbreakable bond, leapt off the pages. As an historian and a veteran of the (U.S.) Air Force who worked in Intelligence herself, I felt an immediate connection to Dot’s journey, reminiscent of my own experiences. However, Dash’s infectious energy and Gus’ unwavering loyalty only served to enrich their characters and endeared them to me as well. Furthermore, the author’s meticulous attention to detail brings to life the challenges and sacrifices faced by those not only in the military, but who worked in all sorts of areas, including the field of Intelligence or the civilian Air Transport Auxiliary, during the war. Though there were some inaccuracies necessitated by the genre, they did not detract from the overall power of the narrative.
The dual point of view allows for excellent character development, particularly with Dot, whose brilliance and bravery shine through despite her shyness. The slow start gives way to a captivating tale of courage and resilience, with a well-executed plot twist that, while not entirely unexpected, was intriguing and propelled the narrative to greater heights. Additionally, and best of all, Graham’s writing evokes a myriad of emotions, from joy to heartache, making it impossible not to become fully invested in the characters’ lives. Indeed, I devoured this book in one sitting, unable to tear myself away until the early hours of the morning.
Finally, something I truly enjoyed about The Secret Keeper is its exploration of Canada’s involvement in the war (as most novels I’ve read on the subject seem to be either Anglo- or Americentric), and the often-overlooked contributions of female heroes. Graham brings these unsung stories to light with a cast of characters you can’t help but love, and this story is a tour de force of historical fiction that certainly left an indelible mark on my heart. This is my absolute favorite book of 2024 thus far, and I have no doubt that it will remain a standout for years to come. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a riveting historical fiction novel that will leave a lasting impact. Genevieve Graham has gained a devoted fan in me, and I eagerly await her future works.
Expected publication date is 2 April 2024.
Author Profile
Genevieve Graham is the Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, and USA Today bestselling author of several novels, including #1 INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLERS Letters Across the Sea and The Forgotten Home Child—which was #1 across Canada for 11 weeks in 2020, and became the #5 bestselling Canadian fiction novel of 2020.
Genevieve graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Music, worked in advertising, marketing, and fundraising, then became a stay-at-home mom. In 2007, Genevieve decided to try writing a book using everything she’d learned from years of reading, focusing on historical fiction. Upon moving to Nova Scotia, she was suddenly surrounded by Canadian history she knew nothing about. Alarmed by what she’d never learned, she has made it her mission to bring Canadian history to life, writing one book per year. Bluebird, publishing April 2022, will be her 7th novel. She lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
TL;DR
- Rating: 4.5 stars | Genre: Historical Fiction | Pages: 448
- Set mostly in Canada during World War II
- Follows the lives of twin sisters, Dot and Dash, and their childhood best friend, Gus
- A masterpiece of expert storytelling
- Dual POV with excellent character development
- Slow start that gives way to a captivating tale
- Evocative writing with a well-executed plot twist
- A tour de force of historical fiction
- Favorite book of 2024 thus far
