The Secret Between Us

Delinksky's new chick-lit novel makes a good beach listen. The story delves into the bonds that unite families and, conversely, can lead good people to make bad decisions. Cassandra Campbell presents vivid vocal portraits of a mother and daughter who carry out a deception following a car accident. Campbell's rendition of daughter Grace's teenaged angst is spot-on. Some of the male characters are a challenge, but, overall, Campbell captures the relationships and personal quandaries of a family living with destructive secret. Intense scrutiny of every emotion is a big part of the story, and Campbell keeps all of them realistic and sympathetic. D.G. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

Starred review from October 15, 2007
Relationships are brought to the limit in Delinsky’s splendid latest exploration of family dynamics. On a rainy night, Deborah Monroe and her teenage daughter, Grace, are driving home when their car hits a man. The victim, who turns out to be Grace’s history teacher, is unconscious but alive. Although Grace was driving, Deborah sends her home and takes responsibility for the accident when the cops show up. Deborah is juggling a lot: as a family doctor, she is in private practice with her über-demanding widower father, who is trying to hide a drinking problem; her son, Dylan, is vision impaired; her mother’s death continues to affect the family; Deborah is still dealing with her ex-husband’s new, separate life; and her unmarried sister, Jill, has just announced she’s pregnant. Grace’s guilt about not taking responsibility for the accident makes her withdraw from friends and family, and the accident victim turns out to have a more complex private life than anyone imagined. The author seamlessly resolves relationship issues without sentiment, throws in a promising romance for Deborah and offers a redemptive scene between Grace and her grandfather. Delinsky combines her understanding of human nature with absorbing, unpredictable storytelling—a winning combination.

Orlagh Cassidy's energetic narration gives full attention to the family dynamics of divorced Doctor Deborah Monroe, her demanding alcoholic father, and her teenage daughter, Grace. Cassidy powerfully depicts the argument that takes place between Grace and her mother as they drive through a pounding rainstorm. In the midst of youthful determination and a mother's resolve--there's an accident. They hit a man, who turns out to be Grace's history teacher. Grace is the driver who hit the man, but Deborah insists on taking responsibility and is charged vehicular homicide. Eventually, all their family relations are strained to the limit by this devastating secret. Cassidy gives a polished performance that can only garner more fans for Delinsky. G.D.W. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine