‘Every Last Secret’ – A.R. Torre

Every Last Secret was, thankfully, a slow burner. When I started reading I felt genuine antipathy towards the characters, and the writing style left me feeling as if I were watching specimens in a jar. Though this lack of engagement with any of the characters put me off initially, upon reflection I think it serves the book well as you watch the drama unfold.

Cat Winthorpe is our alpha-female. Leader of her social circle, her marriage to William Winthorpe puts her in an enviable social position. Few see how much time and effort is invested in keeping this position, but it’s fascinating to see what she does when her role is challenged. The potential usurper is Dr Neena Ryder, the new employee at her husband’s company and their new neighbour. From the outset we mistrust Neena, and sense her motivations for cosying up to Cat are not entirely wholesome.

What seemed to be a story about a rather unexciting affair/love triangle soon develops into a more menacing game. There’s ‘accidents’ that could have been worse, and our insight into the psyche of both female leads means we are genuinely uncertain who is behind the increasingly bizarre things happening. On more than one occasion we are wrong-footed, and when we finally realise what’s happening it’s safe to say we’re truly immersed in the madness.