Brenda Novak - The Secrets She Kept

Exciting, emotional, intense. The thrilling follow-up to New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak’s highly acclaimed The Secret Sister. The things that happen in families are always surprising and sometimes shocking!

The rich and powerful Josephine Lazarow, matriarch of Fairham Island, is dead. The police say it’s suicide, but Keith, her estranged son, doesn’t believe it.

Keith bears scars—both physical and emotional—from his childhood, but he’s worked hard to overcome the past. After walking away from his mother and her controlling ways five years ago, he’s built a new life in LA. He’s also accumulated a fortune of his own. But as soon as he learns of his mother’s death, he returns to Fairham. He feels he owes it to his grandfather to put the family empire together again—and he’s determined to find his mother’s killer.

Problem is…coming home to Fairham puts him back in contact with Nancy Dellinger, the woman he hurt so badly when he left before. And digging that deep into his mother’s final days and hours entails a very real risk.

Because the person who killed her could be someone he loves…

Praise for the novels of New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak

“Completely engrossing with a twist at the end you wouldn’t dare dream of!”

— RT Book Reviews on The Secret Sister

“Great storytelling knows no genre… Exceedingly well written and told by a master of her craft.”

— Providence Journal on A Winter Wedding

“Another engrossing addition to Novak’s addictive [Whiskey Creek] series.”

— Library Journal on This Heart of Mine

“One needn’t wonder why Novak is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. Just read Come Home to Me .”

— Examiner.com

“The past impacts the present with devastating but ultimately salutary results in this engrossing, character-rich story that takes a hard look at responsibility, loyalty, and the results of telling (or concealing) the truth.”

— Library Journal on Home to Whiskey Creek

“It’s steamy, it’s poignant, it’s perfectly paced—it’s When Lightning Strikes and you don’t want to miss it!”

— USATODAY.com ’s Happy Ever After blog

“Gripping, frightening, and intense…a compelling romance as well as a riveting and suspenseful mystery… Novak delivers another winner.”

— Library Journal on The Perfect Liar

“Strong characters bring the escalating suspense to life, and the mystery is skillfully played out. Novak’s smooth plotting makes for a great read.”

— Publishers Weekly on Dead Right

“Well written, nicely paced, filled with appealing characters, and laced with a few surprises.”

— Library Journal on Dead Right

“Impressive! This is a sharp-edged, well-plotted story that showcases Novak’s superb storytelling skill.”

— RT Book Reviews on Dead Giveaway

The Secrets She Kept

Brenda Novak

www.mirabooks.co.uk

To all families who aren’t quite perfect…

Contents

Back Cover Text Exciting, emotional, intense. The thrilling follow-up to New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak’s highly acclaimed The Secret Sister. The things that happen in families are always surprising and sometimes shocking! The rich and powerful Josephine Lazarow, matriarch of Fairham Island, is dead. The police say it’s suicide, but Keith, her estranged son, doesn’t believe it. Keith bears scars—both physical and emotional—from his childhood, but he’s worked hard to overcome the past. After walking away from his mother and her controlling ways five years ago, he’s built a new life in LA. He’s also accumulated a fortune of his own. But as soon as he learns of his mother’s death, he returns to Fairham. He feels he owes it to his grandfather to put the family empire together again—and he’s determined to find his mother’s killer. Problem is…coming home to Fairham puts him back in contact with Nancy Dellinger, the woman he hurt so badly when he left before. And digging that deep into his mother’s final days and hours entails a very real risk. Because the person who killed her could be someone he loves…

Praise Praise for the novels of New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak “Completely engrossing with a twist at the end you wouldn’t dare dream of!” — RT Book Reviews on The Secret Sister “Great storytelling knows no genre… Exceedingly well written and told by a master of her craft.” — Providence Journal on A Winter Wedding “Another engrossing addition to Novak’s addictive [Whiskey Creek] series.” — Library Journal on This Heart of Mine “One needn’t wonder why Novak is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. Just read Come Home to Me .” — Examiner.com “The past impacts the present with devastating but ultimately salutary results in this engrossing, character-rich story that takes a hard look at responsibility, loyalty, and the results of telling (or concealing) the truth.” — Library Journal on Home to Whiskey Creek “It’s steamy, it’s poignant, it’s perfectly paced—it’s When Lightning Strikes and you don’t want to miss it!” — USATODAY.com ’s Happy Ever After blog “Gripping, frightening, and intense…a compelling romance as well as a riveting and suspenseful mystery… Novak delivers another winner.” — Library Journal on The Perfect Liar “Strong characters bring the escalating suspense to life, and the mystery is skillfully played out. Novak’s smooth plotting makes for a great read.” — Publishers Weekly on Dead Right “Well written, nicely paced, filled with appealing characters, and laced with a few surprises.” — Library Journal on Dead Right “Impressive! This is a sharp-edged, well-plotted story that showcases Novak’s superb storytelling skill.” — RT Book Reviews on Dead Giveaway

Title Page The Secrets She Kept Brenda Novak www.mirabooks.co.uk

Dedication To all families who aren’t quite perfect…

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Epilogue

Author’s Note

The Secrets She Kept Reader’s Guide

Questions for Discussion

Extract

Copyright

1

Los Angeles, California

THE CALL CAME in the middle of the night. Keith Lazarow was so deeply asleep that he probably wouldn’t have heard his phone if not for the attractive brunette who stirred in bed beside him.

“Aren’t you going to answer that?” she mumbled.

“No.” He was too exhausted. Five years ago, he’d replaced the drugs he’d once used to anesthetize himself against the demons of his past with daily cross-fit training. High-intensity exercise was the only thing that could command his full focus and calm his mind. It forced the anger and resentment back into the shadows so he could be functional instead of destructive. But once he’d left the gym, Dahlia Dooley—someone he’d met at a charity event downtown last week—had called and asked to come over, and after that, he’d put in a completely different sort of workout. After expending that much energy, he felt he could sleep for a week, which was nice, since he used to have trouble sleeping at all.