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The Son's Secret
What if you're the only one who believes your son is missing? A chilling, twisty psychological suspense novel, perfect for fans of Laura Dave and Gillian Flynn.
Maggie Lawson is the smart, capable dean of a boutique college, but even the most confident mother has a weakness - her child. When Maggie can't reach her college senior son, Aiden, to tell him that his father has been shot, she starts to panic. She texts. She calls.
Is Aiden ghosting her, or have the dangerous stories Aiden's father, her investigative journalist ex-husband, pursues finally brought trouble to her door? Maggie is sure that something is very wrong, but no one believes her. As dark events unfold, she must rely on her own investigative instincts to find Aiden. But when Maggie uncovers a devastating secret, she faces a race against time to save him.
Maggie Lawson is the smart, capable dean of a boutique college, but even the most confident mother has a weakness - her child. When Maggie can't reach her college senior son, Aiden, to tell him that his father has been shot, she starts to panic. She texts. She calls.
Is Aiden ghosting her, or have the dangerous stories Aiden's father, her investigative journalist ex-husband, pursues finally brought trouble to her door? Maggie is sure that something is very wrong, but no one believes her. As dark events unfold, she must rely on her own investigative instincts to find Aiden. But when Maggie uncovers a devastating secret, she faces a race against time to save him.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 2, 2024
About the author
Daryl Wood Gerber
34 books2,253 followersAgatha Award-winning and nationally bestselling author Daryl Wood Gerber writes the Literary Dining Mysteries, the Fairy Garden Mysteries, the Cookbook Nook Mysteries, and the French Bistro Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she pens the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries.
In addition, Daryl also writes suspense including the stand-alone novel, THE SON'S SECRET, the Aspen Adams novels of suspense, and two more stand-alone titles, DAY OF SECRETS and GIRL ON THE RUN.
She has recently delved into the realm of romance with her first Christmas romance, HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line!
Visit Daryl at www.darylwoodgerber.com.
In addition, Daryl also writes suspense including the stand-alone novel, THE SON'S SECRET, the Aspen Adams novels of suspense, and two more stand-alone titles, DAY OF SECRETS and GIRL ON THE RUN.
She has recently delved into the realm of romance with her first Christmas romance, HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line!
Visit Daryl at www.darylwoodgerber.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 10, 2024
The Son's Secret is the latest suspense book by cozy mystery writer, Daryl Wood Gerber. I've read her previous ones and most of her amateur sleuth series, and usually they are top notch for me. Relaxing, fun to solve, and full of great settings and characters. I admit, I struggled a bit with this one, but only because I expected more suspense/thrills and helpful backstory to join all the clues together. It worked, and I do like the premise... just wanted stronger punches with the big reveals and the details of what really happened to the son. That said, I will always read the author's books as she is a wonderful writer with a brilliant imagination.
December 31, 2023
I have read much of Daryl Wood Gerber’s previous works and really enjoyed them. I read all types of mysteries but I tend to like thrillers more than cozy mysteries, so I was very excited for this one. Unfortunately while it was a decent mystery it fell a little flat for me and was harder to get into than I expect. I didn’t really like the main character very much, but honestly I didn’t really like any of them. The main character fell between unreliable narrator and over anxious. While I did see the twist coming I thought it worked pretty well and did tie everything together nicely. Maggie knows something is wrong with her son, but she can’t seem to get anyone to believe her that something is off, even when he doesn’t visit his father in the hospital. The longer he is gone the more she knows something is seriously wrong. Will she find him before it is too late? Overall I gave this one 3.5 stars rounded up because I do love this author and it was a fun mystery.
October 8, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for an ARC of The Son's Secret.
Dean Maggie Lawson's adult son is missing. She knows something is wrong even though people keep telling her to not worry. I enjoyed following along as Maggie solved the mystery of her missing son. Some of the side characters, like her ex-husband and her bff Gina, were really fun. I really liked the fortune teller Maggie comes across. I would have liked more of her in the story. I can understand why some might have found Maggie annoying but I thought she acted the way she did because she had an anxiety disorder.
The only thing I really had a problem with was the antagonist's reasoning for what they did. I think because the whole thing was focused on Maggie and only knowing what Maggie knows did that no favors. Aside from that the journey to the conclusion was interesting enough to keep me reading.
Over all, I found this to be a solid 3.5/5 and a nice thriller perfect for the beginning of autumn.
Dean Maggie Lawson's adult son is missing. She knows something is wrong even though people keep telling her to not worry. I enjoyed following along as Maggie solved the mystery of her missing son. Some of the side characters, like her ex-husband and her bff Gina, were really fun. I really liked the fortune teller Maggie comes across. I would have liked more of her in the story. I can understand why some might have found Maggie annoying but I thought she acted the way she did because she had an anxiety disorder.
The only thing I really had a problem with was the antagonist's reasoning for what they did. I think because the whole thing was focused on Maggie and only knowing what Maggie knows did that no favors. Aside from that the journey to the conclusion was interesting enough to keep me reading.
Over all, I found this to be a solid 3.5/5 and a nice thriller perfect for the beginning of autumn.
January 9, 2024
Maggie Lawson is the dean of a small college and a single mom to a son who is in college. Things seem to be normal until she suddenly can't reach her son to tell him that his father has been injured. She thought they had a good relationship but ever since he got married things haven't quite been the same. She realizes that something more is going on than a son ignoring his mother and decides to investigate on her own. Was he kidnapped by someone his father exposed in hos writing? Did he get himself in some kind of trouble that she doesn't know about? Is it her fault for cutting off the money.she can no longer afford to provide him? As more and more comes to light she finds herself in danger. Follow along in this exciting new read and see just what secrets Maggie uncovers and the devastation they could lead to.
December 26, 2023
*Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for an ARC of The Son's Secret*
Breakdown of rating:
Plot 4/5
Characters 2/5
Writing 3/5
Pacing 3.5/5
Spice 0/5 peppers (does not impact my overall rating)
Overall I'd give the book 3/5 stars, given its compelling plot concept and thrilling pacing, but it lacked refinement in its writing and character development.
The Plot: The concept itself was thrilling and appropriately frustrating, so the plot got my highest rating in the breakdown even though I found it very predictable. There's something comforting about a quick and easy, predictable book when you're not in the mood for something too intricate. Aside from predictability, the idea that you know in your bones that a loved one is missing but no one will do anything because there isn't hard evidence of it, is terrifying. It was so infuriating every time someone would disregard Maggie's concerns as paranoia and make her just sit and wait even longer to find her son. However, there were definitely certain elements of the plot that were just outright unnecessary. The whole part of the plot with the athletic coach being accused of assaulting three of his gymnasts was so unneeded, especially the comment made by Gina when That was a wild thing to just throw in there, especially when Gina is a therapist. That's going to be so triggering for some who read this. Speaking of triggers, this book should absolutely have a trigger warning for suicide, especially with how much it's referenced.
The Characters: This was, in my opinion, the worst element of the book. The best character was the cat, who appeared in about 3 chapters throughout the entire book. Gerber showed that she can create a solid baseline for a thriller, but lacked the ability to create characters interesting enough to create any investment from the reader.
The Writing: The writing was a tricky one for me to rate, because there were some specific things I really was not a fan of at all, but the story as a whole progressed fine so the writing wasn't abysmal or anything. Its biggest hinderances were over-explaining the setting and using odd/uncommon phrases or terms. At some points it felt like Gerber just Googled synonyms of a word and picked the most obscure one, and it was never relevant that a store was on the corner of x and y, which was next to z and across from a, etc. Also: we get it, it's in New Orleans, that fact doesn't need to be drilled into our brains every chapter. It started to feel like an excuse to up the word count.
The Pacing: The pacing, although sometimes interrupted by the aforementioned over-explaining of the setting, was really enjoyable as a reader. With books like this, the real-time rush to save a life can be a thrill when done correctly. Gerber did a decent job of balancing a real-time plot progression with the reader's impatience to end their suspense. Even when I found myself skimming over repetitive setting details, I was still thoroughly enjoying the plot's momentum.
Please note that while these are my opinions on the book and my personal reading experience, my review is never meant to tear down the author or readers who enjoyed the book. I understand that a lot goes into writing a book, and that a book I didn't love could still be someone else's favorite.
Happy reading everyone!
Breakdown of rating:
Plot 4/5
Characters 2/5
Writing 3/5
Pacing 3.5/5
Spice 0/5 peppers (does not impact my overall rating)
Overall I'd give the book 3/5 stars, given its compelling plot concept and thrilling pacing, but it lacked refinement in its writing and character development.
The Plot: The concept itself was thrilling and appropriately frustrating, so the plot got my highest rating in the breakdown even though I found it very predictable. There's something comforting about a quick and easy, predictable book when you're not in the mood for something too intricate. Aside from predictability, the idea that you know in your bones that a loved one is missing but no one will do anything because there isn't hard evidence of it, is terrifying. It was so infuriating every time someone would disregard Maggie's concerns as paranoia and make her just sit and wait even longer to find her son. However, there were definitely certain elements of the plot that were just outright unnecessary. The whole part of the plot with the athletic coach being accused of assaulting three of his gymnasts was so unneeded, especially the comment made by Gina when That was a wild thing to just throw in there, especially when Gina is a therapist. That's going to be so triggering for some who read this. Speaking of triggers, this book should absolutely have a trigger warning for suicide, especially with how much it's referenced.
The Characters: This was, in my opinion, the worst element of the book. The best character was the cat, who appeared in about 3 chapters throughout the entire book. Gerber showed that she can create a solid baseline for a thriller, but lacked the ability to create characters interesting enough to create any investment from the reader.
The Writing: The writing was a tricky one for me to rate, because there were some specific things I really was not a fan of at all, but the story as a whole progressed fine so the writing wasn't abysmal or anything. Its biggest hinderances were over-explaining the setting and using odd/uncommon phrases or terms. At some points it felt like Gerber just Googled synonyms of a word and picked the most obscure one, and it was never relevant that a store was on the corner of x and y, which was next to z and across from a, etc. Also: we get it, it's in New Orleans, that fact doesn't need to be drilled into our brains every chapter. It started to feel like an excuse to up the word count.
The Pacing: The pacing, although sometimes interrupted by the aforementioned over-explaining of the setting, was really enjoyable as a reader. With books like this, the real-time rush to save a life can be a thrill when done correctly. Gerber did a decent job of balancing a real-time plot progression with the reader's impatience to end their suspense. Even when I found myself skimming over repetitive setting details, I was still thoroughly enjoying the plot's momentum.
Please note that while these are my opinions on the book and my personal reading experience, my review is never meant to tear down the author or readers who enjoyed the book. I understand that a lot goes into writing a book, and that a book I didn't love could still be someone else's favorite.
Happy reading everyone!
November 19, 2023
This domestic thriller has the quick pacing necessary for a weekend read. Set in New Orleans, a small college Dean is running in circles trying to get the authorities or even her ex-husband concerned when it's discovered her son has gone missing. With evidence and threats piling up, finally the ex acknowledges something isn't right. A bit of voodo and mystical reads add to the mystery.
Lots of red herrings but still the reader will figure out the who soon enough but will need to read to the end for the why.
Ultimately this one is light fare and was hard to be truly invested in the outcome for this reader.
Thank you to Severn House for access to an early ecopy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Lots of red herrings but still the reader will figure out the who soon enough but will need to read to the end for the why.
Ultimately this one is light fare and was hard to be truly invested in the outcome for this reader.
Thank you to Severn House for access to an early ecopy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
January 22, 2024
2.5 rounding up. This felt like amateur work unfortunately. There’s a kernel of a good mystery in the plot but it goes nowhere really fast due to poor execution,
Maggie is the Dean of a small college and when her son stops responding to her texts even after a family emergency she knows something is wrong. With no one believing her that her adult son is missing she decides to take it upon herself to find him.
I guessed the villain way too early on, it was just too obvious. This put a damper on every other story line really fast because the red herrings didn’t work for me. The dialogue and the texts and the characters were all really weak and stiff. It just didn’t work for me.
Maggie is the Dean of a small college and when her son stops responding to her texts even after a family emergency she knows something is wrong. With no one believing her that her adult son is missing she decides to take it upon herself to find him.
I guessed the villain way too early on, it was just too obvious. This put a damper on every other story line really fast because the red herrings didn’t work for me. The dialogue and the texts and the characters were all really weak and stiff. It just didn’t work for me.
November 8, 2023
I enjoyed this. The premise wasn't the most original but it was well executed and It kept my attention throughout. I wasn't a fan of the writing style, some parts felt over explained and like they were just there to up the word count with unnecessary details. The characters weren't very well developed but you still got a good sense of who they were and I was keen to finish and see who was behind it all. It was shocking but it was still a satisfying ending
October 20, 2023
The Son's Secret by Daryl Wood Gerber was the first dramatic book I've read by this author. I'm used to cozy mystery books from Daryl Wood Gerber.
Maggie Lawson is the dean of a boutique college. When Maggie can't reach her college senior son, Aiden, to tell him that his father has been shot, she starts to panic. She has to rely on her own investigative instincts to find Aiden.
Even though the plot was not unique, it was interesting and I felt the author did okay in presenting the information and some red herrings to keep the reader guessing. However, I never could connect with Maggie or any other character. Some parts of the story were a bit slow.
Overall, just an okay read for me. I will stick with the cozy mystery books from this author.
#TheSonsSecret #NetGalley @severnhouse
Maggie Lawson is the dean of a boutique college. When Maggie can't reach her college senior son, Aiden, to tell him that his father has been shot, she starts to panic. She has to rely on her own investigative instincts to find Aiden.
Even though the plot was not unique, it was interesting and I felt the author did okay in presenting the information and some red herrings to keep the reader guessing. However, I never could connect with Maggie or any other character. Some parts of the story were a bit slow.
Overall, just an okay read for me. I will stick with the cozy mystery books from this author.
#TheSonsSecret #NetGalley @severnhouse
October 12, 2023
I didn’t really like this story. Most of the book was texting Aiden, OMG he’s not responding back, why isn’t he responding. Over and over again. I knew who the bad guy is from the start. #TheSon’sSecret #NetGalley
January 4, 2024
From the first pulse-quickening chapter to the spine-chilling climax, Daryl Wood Gerber's "The Son's Secret" gripped my senses and refused to let go. This psychological thriller is a rollercoaster of suspense and intrigue, a literary labyrinth where every twist and turn heightens the stakes and intensifies the urgency to uncover the truth.
Meet Maggie Lawson, the brilliant and capable dean of a boutique college. Yet, in her world, even the most unyielding motherhood can crumble. The synopsis hinted at the tumult that ensues when Maggie, in a gut-wrenching moment, can't reach her college senior son, Aiden, after a devastating revelation about his father. The characters are not mere players in a narrative; they are intricately woven threads in a complex tapestry of mystery, leaving me questioning motives and alliances until the final page.
The plot is a tautly pulled string, resonating with tension and mystery. Gerber's narrative expertise shines through as Maggie's frantic attempts to contact her son escalate into a harrowing race against time. The story's pacing is relentless, a cadence of suspense that had me compulsively turning pages, desperate to uncover the secrets veiled beneath the surface of Maggie's seemingly ordinary life.
As the dark events unfold, Gerber masterfully navigates the terrain of psychological suspense. Every revelation is a gut punch, every twist a tantalizing tease that amplifies the enigma. The psychological elements are woven seamlessly into the narrative, blurring the lines between reality and deception. Maggie's journey becomes a labyrinth of doubt, and I found myself haunted by the same questions that tormented her—Is Aiden ghosting her, or has the dangerous world of investigative journalism her ex-husband pursued finally caught up with them?
The strength of "The Son's Secret" lies not only in its ability to maintain an unrelenting pace but also in the emotional resonance it evokes. Gerber delves deep into the complex mother-son dynamic, portraying Maggie's relentless pursuit of her child as a testament to the indomitable power of maternal love. The characters are vividly drawn, each layer peeled away to reveal hidden facets, and the narrative unfolds with a delicious mix of unpredictability and inevitability.
While the novel's brilliance far outweighs any drawbacks, it's fair to acknowledge that the resolution, though satisfying, may leave some readers craving an even more profound revelation. Certain plot elements, while effective, may tread on familiar ground for seasoned psychological thriller enthusiasts. However, these minor quibbles fade against the backdrop of the narrative's relentless grip.
In conclusion, "The Son's Secret" is a psychological masterpiece that catapults readers into a world where secrets breed shadows and every revelation is a step deeper into the abyss. Daryl Wood Gerber has crafted a symphony of suspense that resonates long after the final page, making this novel a must-read for aficionados of the genre. Brace yourself for a thrilling odyssey through the murkiness of deception, and savor every heart-pounding moment. 📚🕵️♀️💥
Meet Maggie Lawson, the brilliant and capable dean of a boutique college. Yet, in her world, even the most unyielding motherhood can crumble. The synopsis hinted at the tumult that ensues when Maggie, in a gut-wrenching moment, can't reach her college senior son, Aiden, after a devastating revelation about his father. The characters are not mere players in a narrative; they are intricately woven threads in a complex tapestry of mystery, leaving me questioning motives and alliances until the final page.
The plot is a tautly pulled string, resonating with tension and mystery. Gerber's narrative expertise shines through as Maggie's frantic attempts to contact her son escalate into a harrowing race against time. The story's pacing is relentless, a cadence of suspense that had me compulsively turning pages, desperate to uncover the secrets veiled beneath the surface of Maggie's seemingly ordinary life.
As the dark events unfold, Gerber masterfully navigates the terrain of psychological suspense. Every revelation is a gut punch, every twist a tantalizing tease that amplifies the enigma. The psychological elements are woven seamlessly into the narrative, blurring the lines between reality and deception. Maggie's journey becomes a labyrinth of doubt, and I found myself haunted by the same questions that tormented her—Is Aiden ghosting her, or has the dangerous world of investigative journalism her ex-husband pursued finally caught up with them?
The strength of "The Son's Secret" lies not only in its ability to maintain an unrelenting pace but also in the emotional resonance it evokes. Gerber delves deep into the complex mother-son dynamic, portraying Maggie's relentless pursuit of her child as a testament to the indomitable power of maternal love. The characters are vividly drawn, each layer peeled away to reveal hidden facets, and the narrative unfolds with a delicious mix of unpredictability and inevitability.
While the novel's brilliance far outweighs any drawbacks, it's fair to acknowledge that the resolution, though satisfying, may leave some readers craving an even more profound revelation. Certain plot elements, while effective, may tread on familiar ground for seasoned psychological thriller enthusiasts. However, these minor quibbles fade against the backdrop of the narrative's relentless grip.
In conclusion, "The Son's Secret" is a psychological masterpiece that catapults readers into a world where secrets breed shadows and every revelation is a step deeper into the abyss. Daryl Wood Gerber has crafted a symphony of suspense that resonates long after the final page, making this novel a must-read for aficionados of the genre. Brace yourself for a thrilling odyssey through the murkiness of deception, and savor every heart-pounding moment. 📚🕵️♀️💥
September 21, 2024
The Son's Secret by Daryl Wood Gerber is a recommended mystery.
Maggie Lawson is a dean at a small private college in New Orleans. Her son Aiden is a college senior at Tulane. When he stops responding to her texts, she is hurt. When he still doesn't respond after his father, Josh, an investigative reporter, is shot and in the hospital, she becomes very concerned. Maggie is sure something is wrong. She talks to Aiden's wife, Celine, it becomes clear that Aiden appears to be missing. Maggie talks to the police but, since Aiden is an adult, she also sets out to investigate on her own.
The good: I did finish reading the novel and was engaged to the end. It was a fine, average novel that created enough interest and suspense to hold my attention. However, there were also several mitigating factors that lowered my enjoyment.
Logically, looking for Aiden is the premise of the novel so Maggie has to be overly concerned to increase the tension and suspense. Realistically, Aiden is a college senior and married young man in the novel so her helicoptering over his whereabouts feels over-the-top from the start. The plot is contingent on an increasing concern over Aiden's whereabouts. When his father is in the hospital and he doesn't respond, well, you realize that this has to be the case or there is no plot.
The plot is predictable. The journey there is interesting and full of various motives, revealing information, and red herrings, but most readers are going to know almost at once what is going on. The details will be a surprise, but not the guilty party.
Honestly, none of the characters are remotely appealing. Maggie was a completely unappealing character. I quickly tired of hearing about what she was wearing, her money problems (especially when she seemed to spend a whole lot eating out, getting drinks, etc.), the leaving work on a whim, and the constant worry about Aiden.
In the end The Son's Secret is an okay, average novel. Thanks to Severn House for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/0...
Maggie Lawson is a dean at a small private college in New Orleans. Her son Aiden is a college senior at Tulane. When he stops responding to her texts, she is hurt. When he still doesn't respond after his father, Josh, an investigative reporter, is shot and in the hospital, she becomes very concerned. Maggie is sure something is wrong. She talks to Aiden's wife, Celine, it becomes clear that Aiden appears to be missing. Maggie talks to the police but, since Aiden is an adult, she also sets out to investigate on her own.
The good: I did finish reading the novel and was engaged to the end. It was a fine, average novel that created enough interest and suspense to hold my attention. However, there were also several mitigating factors that lowered my enjoyment.
Logically, looking for Aiden is the premise of the novel so Maggie has to be overly concerned to increase the tension and suspense. Realistically, Aiden is a college senior and married young man in the novel so her helicoptering over his whereabouts feels over-the-top from the start. The plot is contingent on an increasing concern over Aiden's whereabouts. When his father is in the hospital and he doesn't respond, well, you realize that this has to be the case or there is no plot.
The plot is predictable. The journey there is interesting and full of various motives, revealing information, and red herrings, but most readers are going to know almost at once what is going on. The details will be a surprise, but not the guilty party.
Honestly, none of the characters are remotely appealing. Maggie was a completely unappealing character. I quickly tired of hearing about what she was wearing, her money problems (especially when she seemed to spend a whole lot eating out, getting drinks, etc.), the leaving work on a whim, and the constant worry about Aiden.
In the end The Son's Secret is an okay, average novel. Thanks to Severn House for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/0...
September 6, 2024
Thank you to the author and the publisher.
I needed a good mystery to read and I don't read them too often and I thought this might be it. She usually writes cozy mysteries and she decided to delve into regular mysteries.
Before reading any book, I take off the dust cover and read w/out it.
What a nice surprise when I took off the dust jacket, it was the same beautiful picture like the dust jacket and not the usual plain cover you normally see. You don't see that too often and that the author or whoever thought of it did this to please readers. I wonder how many people take them off to discover what's under there if anything besides the usual.
With that said, about the book. Maggie is a dean at a boutique college in New Orleans, divorced, and has a son Aidan. As if she doesn't have enough on her plate at school, with colleagues who come to her with the school's problems and wants, Aidan, who's a senior at Tulane, is ignoring her phone calls and texts, which is unusual. Her best friend Gina, the psychologist (why is it that a lot of books their friends are psychologists) tells her to visit or call his wife Celine (yes he got married young). Finally, she decides the heck with it and goes to his house and the heck with how Celine feels about it.
Maggie starts investigating it herself, being a former beat crime reporter years ago. I mean who wouldn't since it's her son.
Things get revealed that surprised me and I never saw what was coming especially the ending which was creepy. It was an interesting read that I finished in two days. To me, the title is deceiving.
I needed a good mystery to read and I don't read them too often and I thought this might be it. She usually writes cozy mysteries and she decided to delve into regular mysteries.
Before reading any book, I take off the dust cover and read w/out it.
What a nice surprise when I took off the dust jacket, it was the same beautiful picture like the dust jacket and not the usual plain cover you normally see. You don't see that too often and that the author or whoever thought of it did this to please readers. I wonder how many people take them off to discover what's under there if anything besides the usual.
With that said, about the book. Maggie is a dean at a boutique college in New Orleans, divorced, and has a son Aidan. As if she doesn't have enough on her plate at school, with colleagues who come to her with the school's problems and wants, Aidan, who's a senior at Tulane, is ignoring her phone calls and texts, which is unusual. Her best friend Gina, the psychologist (why is it that a lot of books their friends are psychologists) tells her to visit or call his wife Celine (yes he got married young). Finally, she decides the heck with it and goes to his house and the heck with how Celine feels about it.
Maggie starts investigating it herself, being a former beat crime reporter years ago. I mean who wouldn't since it's her son.
Things get revealed that surprised me and I never saw what was coming especially the ending which was creepy. It was an interesting read that I finished in two days. To me, the title is deceiving.
January 11, 2024
Maggie Lawson is the highly intelligent and competent dean of a small boutique college. She is also the single mother of a college-age son, who has inexplicably gone AWOL at a time when she needs to get hold of him because his father Josh, her ex-husband, who is also an investigative journalist, is in hospital with a gunshot wound.
Maggie's brother committed suicide many years ago as a result of bullying, so she is prone to worrying about any potential sign of such instability in her son, Aiden.
After her son's earlier girlfriend Keira is killed by a hit and run driver, Aiden goes into something of a slump before bouncing back to marry - in a matter of months - his girlfriend's best friend Celine, who is a few years older than him. Maggie knows very little about this relationship, which is a further cause of concern for her.
This book started out well, but quite quickly, Maggie's level of anxiety over her son became annoying - especially when she started coming up with increasingly farfetched ideas and basically accusing everyone around her of kidnapping him.
Of course, Maggie turned out to have been justified in her concern (otherwise there would not have been much of a story!), but this book needed a bit less maternal hysteria and more subtlety in its plot twists. *And* I guessed the villain - and their villainy - early one. Anyway, to be honest, this one didn't really work well for me, though I am sure that other readers may find it interesting. Giving it 2.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Maggie's brother committed suicide many years ago as a result of bullying, so she is prone to worrying about any potential sign of such instability in her son, Aiden.
After her son's earlier girlfriend Keira is killed by a hit and run driver, Aiden goes into something of a slump before bouncing back to marry - in a matter of months - his girlfriend's best friend Celine, who is a few years older than him. Maggie knows very little about this relationship, which is a further cause of concern for her.
This book started out well, but quite quickly, Maggie's level of anxiety over her son became annoying - especially when she started coming up with increasingly farfetched ideas and basically accusing everyone around her of kidnapping him.
Of course, Maggie turned out to have been justified in her concern (otherwise there would not have been much of a story!), but this book needed a bit less maternal hysteria and more subtlety in its plot twists. *And* I guessed the villain - and their villainy - early one. Anyway, to be honest, this one didn't really work well for me, though I am sure that other readers may find it interesting. Giving it 2.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
December 28, 2023
Maggie, a respected Dean at a boutique college in New Orleans, is suddenly ghosted by her just-barely adult son. When her ex-husband is shot, but her son doesn’t show up, Maggie knows something is seriously wrong. But she can’t make anyone else believe it, except finally her son’s beautiful but distant wife, with whom Maggie has never really connected.
Many mothers of adult children will understand the fine line Maggie has been trying to walk, trying to be supportive without being intrusive, and the anxiety when she can’t determine whether or how much his disappearance could be her fault. All while she is trying to do her job at the college, dealing with entitled donors, a coach accused of inappropriate behavior and assorted other fires, large and small. Each day the anxiety is ratcheted up, getting closer and closer to the breaking point for both Maggie and her son’s wife.
I would not recommend reading this if you’ve just had a fight with your adult children.
Gerber navigates a number of relationships with built in minefields, and does so credibly. The setting is classic New Orleans, humid, a little spooky, and taking everything in stride.
Enjoy the twists and turns, along with a few red herrings!
Thanks to NetGalley and Severn for the reading copy.
Many mothers of adult children will understand the fine line Maggie has been trying to walk, trying to be supportive without being intrusive, and the anxiety when she can’t determine whether or how much his disappearance could be her fault. All while she is trying to do her job at the college, dealing with entitled donors, a coach accused of inappropriate behavior and assorted other fires, large and small. Each day the anxiety is ratcheted up, getting closer and closer to the breaking point for both Maggie and her son’s wife.
I would not recommend reading this if you’ve just had a fight with your adult children.
Gerber navigates a number of relationships with built in minefields, and does so credibly. The setting is classic New Orleans, humid, a little spooky, and taking everything in stride.
Enjoy the twists and turns, along with a few red herrings!
Thanks to NetGalley and Severn for the reading copy.
December 31, 2023
A mother's intuition always knows best, but what happens when no one else believes her? Convinced her son is in danger a mother fights against time and everyone in her life to prove it. A gritty, dark and twisted psychological thriller that will have you turning pages as quickly as you can to see if the mother will be in time or if she is just out of her mind. If you pay close attention to the clues in the book, you should slowly start to reveal the villain, but beware there are many villains to choose from so make your choice wisely! I swear this author gets better with each book and I'm not sure how that is possible when I think each book is outstanding then the next one outshines the last! Characters crafted so lifelike that you actually feel as if you can reach out and touch them are wrapped in a gripping plot that will have your heart pounding as you follow this mother on her harrowing journey to find her son! Definitely a great read if you like mysteries and thrillers!
January 2, 2024
The Son's Secret is a stand-alone twisted domestic thriller.
Maggie Lawson is the dean of a boutique college. When Maggie can't reach her college senior son, Aiden, to tell him that his father has been shot, she starts to panic. She texts. She calls. She is scared.
Maggie can't get anyone to believe Aiden is missing. She has gone to the police, friends, her daughter-in-law and no one seems concerned.
This was an interesting story. Lots of characters and lots of red herrings to keep you guessing. I wasn't particularly fond of Maggie. When we meet her, she is starting to spiral in fear over not being able to reach her son. This only gets worse as the story builds in intensity. Sometimes it felt as if her imagination was getting the better of her. But in the end, she did know her son well enough to keep fighting to find him.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
Maggie Lawson is the dean of a boutique college. When Maggie can't reach her college senior son, Aiden, to tell him that his father has been shot, she starts to panic. She texts. She calls. She is scared.
Maggie can't get anyone to believe Aiden is missing. She has gone to the police, friends, her daughter-in-law and no one seems concerned.
This was an interesting story. Lots of characters and lots of red herrings to keep you guessing. I wasn't particularly fond of Maggie. When we meet her, she is starting to spiral in fear over not being able to reach her son. This only gets worse as the story builds in intensity. Sometimes it felt as if her imagination was getting the better of her. But in the end, she did know her son well enough to keep fighting to find him.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
January 11, 2024
Daryl Wood Gerber has written a suspenseful story. Maggie is certain that her adult son, Aiden, has been kidnapped. No one else believes her. She's forced to investigate on her own. I felt Maggie's fear for her child. I understood her frustration. The more questions she asks the less it made sense. As much as Maggie tries, Super Mom can't save the day. Unexpectedly Maggie and Aiden's new wife work together to find him. I wanted them to find him. Is Aiden punishing his mother? Is her fear irrational? I wasn't sure. The Son's Secret is a gripping and powerful tale. This story pulls you into a world where lies and deception are everywhere and everyone has an agenda. I wanted to know if Maggie found the truth and her son. Daryl Wood Gerber is a master storyteller. She found my fear - can I keep my child safe.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.
January 29, 2024
When her son goes missing, Maggie Lawson will not rest until she finds him.
This is a stand alone mystery novel by Daryl Wood Gerber. I have read all of Daryl's books to date, and this is an enjoyable one. The story takes place in New Orleans, a town very dear to me. I love all the locations she picks to send her characters, and she does a great job in giving atmosphere to those areas.
The plot is pretty straight forward, but how we get from her son going missing to the ending takes some interesting twists and turns. The characters are well fleshed out, and their motivations and actions are consistent with their characterization.
My only complaint is that Maggie gets a little too frenetic for me. The situation would instill panic in any mother, but I felt that it was a bit much for me personally.
Overall, a good read with interesting characters and a great setting. A good read when you want a light thriller.
All opinions in this review are my own.
This is a stand alone mystery novel by Daryl Wood Gerber. I have read all of Daryl's books to date, and this is an enjoyable one. The story takes place in New Orleans, a town very dear to me. I love all the locations she picks to send her characters, and she does a great job in giving atmosphere to those areas.
The plot is pretty straight forward, but how we get from her son going missing to the ending takes some interesting twists and turns. The characters are well fleshed out, and their motivations and actions are consistent with their characterization.
My only complaint is that Maggie gets a little too frenetic for me. The situation would instill panic in any mother, but I felt that it was a bit much for me personally.
Overall, a good read with interesting characters and a great setting. A good read when you want a light thriller.
All opinions in this review are my own.
December 27, 2023
3.5 out of 5 stars
THE SON’S SECRET is the new suspense novel by Daryl Wood Gerber. I’m a huge fan of her cozy mysteries and had great expectations for this book. Unfortunately, I had a difficult time getting invested in the characters for the first third of the book. The short, rapid-fire sentences, meant to convey urgency, detracted from the flow, along with the frequent repetition. About half way through the book, the pace picked up and the plot thickened, so to speak. From there, the intrigued increased and the few suspects became more concrete and I found myself wanting to know what happened next. I had a good idea who the culprit was but not the why. It was a complete surprise to me once the final reveal became known and the pieces of the puzzle all made sense.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
THE SON’S SECRET is the new suspense novel by Daryl Wood Gerber. I’m a huge fan of her cozy mysteries and had great expectations for this book. Unfortunately, I had a difficult time getting invested in the characters for the first third of the book. The short, rapid-fire sentences, meant to convey urgency, detracted from the flow, along with the frequent repetition. About half way through the book, the pace picked up and the plot thickened, so to speak. From there, the intrigued increased and the few suspects became more concrete and I found myself wanting to know what happened next. I had a good idea who the culprit was but not the why. It was a complete surprise to me once the final reveal became known and the pieces of the puzzle all made sense.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 29, 2023
I have enjoyed other thrillers, as well as cozy mystery series by this author, so I wasn't surprised when I also enjoyed this one. The Son's Secret is an intriguing, suspenseful novel. Nobody believes Maggie Lawson when she fears something has happened to her college-age son, but Maggie knows her son and knows he wouldn't just leave. There are many people who act suspiciously in the story, so I wasn't sure what had really happened until the very end.
I enjoyed the suspense and coming up with my own theories about what may have happened to Aiden. Some of the subplots and red herrings may have been a little too detailed, slowing the pace in some parts. However, overall, I enjoyed the book and was entertained from the beginning to the very end.
I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Severn House, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
I enjoyed the suspense and coming up with my own theories about what may have happened to Aiden. Some of the subplots and red herrings may have been a little too detailed, slowing the pace in some parts. However, overall, I enjoyed the book and was entertained from the beginning to the very end.
I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Severn House, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
December 19, 2023
I am a big fan of this author's cozy series and read them as fast as she writes them. This book, however, is touted as a thriller and not a cozy. It misses the mark on that. It feels like a bit heavier cozy but didn't quite make it to a suspenseful level for me. The characters and red herrings all felt more along the lines of what you would get in a cozy versus a more streamline deeper plot for a thriller. That being said, it was a good story even if it felt incredibly obvious who the person behind Aiden's disappearance is. If this author is moving to write more suspense novels, I'll read them as I know she will get better as she becomes more comfortable with that genre.
Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
December 30, 2023
I didn't know if I wanted to read this one because I think it would be just horrible if one of my children were missing and I couldn't find out where they were or talk to them to see if they were alright. But I am glad I read it. It was very good! I did have things kind of figured out a while before they were revealed. But it still was hard to keep from looking ahead to the end to see for sure how it would end.
Something that I didn't realize before was the amount of voodoo and medium presence there is in New Orleans, but that does make sense.
It was a good book and I would recommend it, along with all of this author's books!
Something that I didn't realize before was the amount of voodoo and medium presence there is in New Orleans, but that does make sense.
It was a good book and I would recommend it, along with all of this author's books!
December 10, 2023
An excellent thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I started to figure out who was behind the deeds done, but I needed to know their reasoning why. Maggie Lawson is pulled in all different directions between her job and her personal life. She has a great relationship with her son, but when he stops contacting her, her mother's intuition starts to kick into high gear. This story was well thought out, and well written. I love Daryl Wood Gerber's books, and I highly recommend this story. If you haven't read any of her books, you definitely should!
January 1, 2024
Wow! This story was intense. Maggie knew something was wrong with her son but no one believed her. She had a lot of her own demons to deal as well as trying to convince everyone that something was wrong. There were other things happening that may or may not have been related to Aiden’s disappearance that muddied her search. I couldn’t put it down!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
October 7, 2023
Thank you, NetGalley and Severn House for the copy of The Son’s Secret by Daryl Wood Gerber. I was pleasantly surprised by how engrossing this book was, especially because it’s more of a cozy mystery than a thriller. Maggie is an interesting character, but she was kind of annoying so I didn’t like her. I did like the complex story though, and even though I knew early on who the culprit was I didn't know why until the end. If you want a good and fast read, this is the book for you.
November 24, 2023
Maggie's son Aiden isn't responding to her texts- but why? This slim volume is a fast read with a plot that might seem familiar. It also wanders between cozy (which Gerber is most know for) and thriller but it's more former than latter. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I've liked Gerber's work in the past but this one felt like a stretch. That said it's a fast read and one which did have a few surprises.
November 30, 2023
The latest novel by Daryl Wood Gerber, The Son’s Secret, is different than her regular cozy type mystery. Maggie, the Dean of a private college, feels that her son Aiden is avoiding her when he won’t return texts or calls. Worried that isn’t normal behavior for him she starts investigating on her own to discover what is happening and the twist and turns begin. Fast paced, kept me guessing most of the way through.
December 23, 2023
Maggie’s son is missing. Her son Aiden is an adult. She is finding it difficult to believe he would just ghost her and totally disappear or disregard her txts. Maggie loves her son very much and is going to leave no stone unturned until she gets answers. Where is her son Aiden? Why has he disappeared?
I found Maggie a complex character and really annoying at times. There were times I just wanted to say “seriously”.
As a mother I could understand her need to keep digging deeper for answers while not knowing who she could trust.
A thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat as well as trying to guess who was behind what was happening.
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the opportunity to read this book.
I found Maggie a complex character and really annoying at times. There were times I just wanted to say “seriously”.
As a mother I could understand her need to keep digging deeper for answers while not knowing who she could trust.
A thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat as well as trying to guess who was behind what was happening.
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the opportunity to read this book.
December 24, 2023
My first book by this author and actually hadn’t heard of his Cosy series till I read some of the reviews of this book. I enjoyed the plot on the whole and whilst I. Had a guess at what I thought had happened and got it right I did go down a few rabbit holes along the way which adds to the interest. On the more negative side I did think it was a tad repetitive and that added to the feeling that there simply wasn’t enough tension.
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