Every Secret Thing

I loved this book. I thought the book was terrific, and I couldn't put it down. I didn't want it to end.

I'll always be grateful to this book, it introduced me to Alan Watts. His quotes were used to open each chapter and they've stayed with me since I've read the book. At first I didn't see why Shaara had to take up so much time and space decribing the protagonist's relationships with her extended family and odd duck neighbor, when the plot centered around two of her students' crimes. Now that I've finished reading this massive tome, I finally understand Shaara's intention. She really spent time crafting the atmsphere and back story so the final reveal would be all the more shocking. Like the title suggests, there are lots of secrets, big and small, being revealed along the way. The reader gets tugged along, seeing more and more of the big secret(s?) at the end, not quite sure if one should keep going, since there is quite a bit of daily minutiae in between. Kind of like life, now that I think about it.

This book was recommended to me in the library and I am so glad I picked it up! Once I started reading I could not put it down, finished it in 2 nights. I was so charmed by the main character and her very realistic battles with family, relationships, being a single mom, and a very scary (but boy could I see it actually happening) police matter. She is very introspective as well, and you can truly feel her turmoil while struggling to fight society expectations, being a widow, a dysfunctional family, and the surprise of falling in love. I just loved it and hope you will be as charmed with it. I am looking forward to the next novel by the author (think this was her first?)with great anticipation.

Lila Shaara's book Every Secret Thing has the suspense that mystery readers crave, with elements of romance, family drama, and adventure. The smart, sexy, and gutsy heroine, Dr. Gina Paletta, is a new member of my favorite women in fiction club. The mystery elements of the book remind me of the best works of Sara Paretsky and Laurie King, with a complex leading woman with whom we hope we share traits. Gina is able to say the right thing at the right time, she is able to figure out how to extract herself from sticky situations, and she doesn't lose her vulnerability, but never has a meltdown in an inappropriate moment. In addition to the heroine, the book is populated by interesting, and in some cases, quirky characters that would be right at home in 'The Secret Life of Bees" or any of the psychological thrillers of Anita Shreve. Some of the minor characters prove to be the most intriguing; Jessie the sad, elderly spinster next door, the lesbian cousin who can't confront the intolerance of her own family, or the fashionistas who represent Gina's former life as a model all provide interesting threads in the fabric of this book. Gina Paletta is caught in a web of family dysfunction and internet terrorism, all of which are completely believeable due to Shaara's skillful character development. I hope we'll see more of Gina Paletta, and certainly more fiction from Lila Shaara

On her thirty-third birthday Gina Paletta thinks her life is just the way she wants it. She lives in a nice house in the college town of Tenway, is a junior professor at Tenway University, and adores her healthy twin sons. Although she doesn't have a man in her life, she doesn't want one since her marriage was a disaster. Her complacency is totally shattered when Constable McCandless calls her into his office. When she arrives there are two NYPD homicide detectives Russell Barnes and Tommy Galloway who show her a website with pictures of her when she was a lingerie model as well as pornographic writings. The police think two of her students Tim Solomon and Jason Dettwiler are responsible for it, but have no proof that they also killed another student; they want to use her in a sting operation that will force them to make a move on her. While they are staying with her, Gina falls in love with Tommy but he never makes a play for her. When the young men are released on a technicality Tommy comes back into her life and admits his feelings for her while two dangerous people place the lives of Gina her sons in danger. This is more than just an exciting crime thriller; it is also a family drama where secrets threaten Gina's family when they are brought out in the open. Not only does Gena have to deal with the fear of the psychopaths obsessed with her, she has to cope with a dysfunctional extended family who wants certain secrets to stay buried at all costs. The heroine is one of the most believable characters ever created because her actions and reactions to events are ones anyone would make to circumstances. Lila Shaara makes a brilliant debut with the cross-genre-appeal EVERY SECRET THING. Harriet Klausner