Customer Reviews

Public Secrets

5 star:		(71)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

A friend loaned me "Public Secrets" a couple of years back, and it took me a few months to get around to reading it -- and only then because I'd run out of all my "usual" authors. Suffice it to say, since then I've been running out and getting my hands on as many NR novels as possible, and it all started because of this page-turning mystery.

Emma McAvoy gets whisked out of poverty and into the glamour of rock-music at the age of 3, but those early years never quite fade away from her memory. She loves and idolizes her rock-star father and also quickly loves her step-mother and her new baby brother. When he is tragically kidnapped, Emma's new world changes again, and she must live with the guilt and the uneasy sense that she knows more than she remembers, and she must force herself to remember to save her own life.

This is a wonderful, "un-put-downable" book, which I subsequently passed on to all MY friends because I liked it so much. Now that I have it back I'm looking forward to reading it again!

At the time PUBLIC SECRETS was written, it was a very different style for Nora Roberts. It wasn't her typical romantic story, but instead dealt with more mystery and intrigue. Little did I know that she would eventually expand on her writing abilities in this area and focus the majority of her new material in the mystery genre.

Public Secrets deals with the life of Emma, a woman with a past containing one of the worst nightmares known to man. Emma's father, Brian McAvoy, is a famous musician who swept into her life at an early age. Emma's mother had gotten pregnant in an attempt to "catch" Brian so she could have the luxury and money that went with his fame. Things didn't work out that way because Brian saw her for what she was - a drug addicted manipulator who hated everyone around her. After Emma was born, her mother used her to get money from Brian but squandered it on drugs, clothes, and other addictions in her life. On a visit, Brian couldn't stand the look in his tiny daughter's eyes any longer and took her away from the rancid apartment, hateful mother, and life of hell that she had been enduring. He then showed her what life could be like. Emma felt like she was on top of the world - she had her father, her new mom, a wonderful home, and the best part was she would soon have a new baby brother.

Several months later, her new, safe world came crashing down around her when a kidnapping attempt went awry and the baby was killed. Typical with this type of story plot, mimicking real life, this event tears the family apart and each character retreats into his/her own world for a time being. The catalyst that brings them back together is when years later Emma begins to remember that fateful night and realizes that she saw the man who killed her brother. When word of this gets out, Emma's life is in danger. The killer wants to make sure his identity is never made public.

When I was reading this book, for some reason I kept picturing McAvoy's band as The Beatles. Silly, I know, but for some reason that was the mental image I had conjured. Maybe it was the wild parties that were described in detail, the bits and pieces shown of the music world including recording sessions and tours, or the English countryside. Without being able to pinpoint the exact reason, I just finally went with the mental image and enjoyed the book, while periodically reminding myself that it WASN'T about The Beatles!

The plot is fairly intricate with a few minor twists and turns. Figuring out the villain's identity was not difficult, but the various subplots were very enjoyable and unexpected. True to her style, Nora Roberts is vivid in her detail and descriptions including her characters. One of my favorite parts is when she describes the English farm where Brian McAvoy grew up and where he buried his son in the family graveyard. The detail was such that this countryside was something I craved to see firsthand.

Public Secrets isn't one of Nora Roberts' best books, but it is very good.

Nora outdid herself with this story. Public Secrets is more of a family saga than a traditional romantic suspense novel, although there is romance and there is plenty of suspense. It follows the McAvoys, through the eyes of Emma, from the time she is three years old, through childhood, the school years, marriage, and adulthood. All this against the background of the life of rock-and-roll legends. It is fascinating and compelling. I simply couldn't put it down.

This book was not what I expected at all, not your typical romantic suspense it follows the life of rockstar Brian McAvoy, his band Devastation from the 60's to present time (1990) through the eyes of Emma. At three Emma is recued from her abusive alcoholic mother and drawn into Brian's world with a step mother and a new found family in his band 'Devastation'.

However at age 6 a single botched kidnapping attempt rips the new found family apart leaving Emma a traumatised and battered and broken.

However life goes and the book follows the nightmares and the struggle of the band family and their personal lives in order living in the public eye, and the equally determined efforts of the detectives put on the case which spans 20 years.

Nora Roberts created a wonderful enrapturing surrogate family in the members of the band for Emma, colourful flawed characters with real issues came through, they all shone brightly and there was fascinating character development in all characters.

I particulary liked the story from the point of view of Emma, Nora successfully captured the essence of a maturing woman from the ages 3 to 25, her choices that paved her path through the years. A inside view of drug addicted rockstars was also pushed forward and the sacrifices that the family had to pay that came with their success.

I guessed the ending... but that's nothing new for me. It was an absolute find and I recommend everyone should read it. It was so vivid and real- I had to stop myself from actually looking it up to see if it was based on a real band. REad this book, you won't regret it.

PUBLIC SECRETS is an intriguing look into the lives of a little girl who grows up in the world of rock and roll, a life that will shape her future.

Emma McAvoy was barely three when she met her father for the first time and her life was changed forever. Everything was perfect; she had a nice home and lots of people who truly seemed to care about her. Then everything changed when her baby brother was murdered in a botched kidnapping attempt. But after years of living with nightmares, things are finally looking up for her. She's now a successful photographer and is in love for the very first time. Yet once again, Fate deals her a huge blow when the man she marries shows his true colors. Not only is she running away from a disastrous marriage, but also being haunted once more by the memory of her brother's murder.

While this book follows the life of Emma from the time her father plucked her out of poverty, to her awkward and sheltered teenage years where she develops her first crush on Michael (the son of the detective investigating her brother's murder), to the time she carves out a career and falls in love with an abusive musician, there are also subplots featuring her father and the three band members whom Emma grew up with that add some twists and turns to the story. In some ways, it was almost like watching (in this case, reading) a soap opera unfold. Nora Roberts has done well in describing the lives of the characters, including their lifestyle and indulgences - from drugs, alcoholism, infidelity and greed. In some ways I found that the middle of the book was dragged out unnecessarily and wished that more focus were given on the romance between Emma and Michael, and less on the secondary characters. Yet at the same time, we are given such lurid details about them that I couldn't help turning the pages to see what happens next.

As for the mystery part, although it isn't hard to figure out the huge secret, the few twists and turns are enough to hold your interest. I just really would have liked to see more development on the romance between Emma and Michael. I had such high hopes from the time they first met when they were very young and their succeeding meetings really had me excited for both of them.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the others.

It's funny how fate steps in isn't it? Until recently I had never picked up a Nora Roberts book. Public Secrets was given to me as a gift, by a good friend, and I am forever gratful.

I have never read a more powerful book in my life. It is the kind of book that you come across once every five years.

Emma is a strong character. You see her grow from a tiny, scared child into a strong, independant woman that any parent would be proud of.

Emma has to overcome a lot. But as they say, what doesn't kill us, only makes us stronger.

This book is fantastic and I suggest that everyone read it.

Nora Roberts is an insperation to aspiring writers like myself.

I hate to be a "me, too," but like the other reviewers, I also give this book 5 stars! It is just wonderful - particularly the character development, the story themes and plotlines and the many, many social issues that are addressed with sensitivity and compassion including homosexuality, drug addiction, child abuse, and AIDS. But don't let that list scare you off: equally explored are love and commitment, holding onto and following a dream, growing up and true friendship. Mixed in with all of this are several great romances, a love between father and daughter and a great mystery. I love all of the characters, even those that are unlovable. Read & enjoy!

Public Secrets, is a truthful approach to how the entertaiment industry works. A great example of "Everything or Everyone is not as they seem". From the beginning of the book,you are on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Truly a great read...

"Public Secrets" is one of Nora Roberts' truly great novels, and is full of insight, romance and all the ups and downs of life. The writing is first-rate and Roberts deals with some delicate issues with great skill and sensitivity.
Emma McAvoy lived the first years of her life in poverty and fear, until the day her father Brian McAvoy, pop music's newest and brightest superstar, discovered that Emma existed and swept the frightened and abused toddler away into a world of glamour and comfort. With Brian, his bandmates, and his new wife Bev, Emma was finally safe. Young Emma loved her new life, and was overjoyed at the arrival of her baby brother, Darren. Everything seemed to be going right, until the night that a botched kidnapping destroyed their happiness and shattered their lives.
Now, all grown-up, Emma has rebuilt her life, though she is still haunted by memories of that fateful night so many years ago when she lost her brother. Emma's new life includes an exciting career and a fiancé who she is madly in love with. However, the man she is about to marry is not at all what he appears to be, and Emma soon finds herself caught in an abusive and unhappy marriage.
In the wake of her disastrous marriage, Emma awakens to the disturbing knowledge that there is a deep, dark secret buried in her mind. A secret that is the key to finding those responsible for Darren's death. And a secret so sinister that someone out there is willing to kill to keep it!
"Public Secrets" is an emotionally charged and wonderfully satisfying read. Emma's romance with the son of the detective who investigated Darren's case, Michael, is touching and beautifully written. Nora Roberts has created a cast of characters who readers will come to really care for. The character development is believable and perceptive, and the plot will keep readers captivated. Highly recommended!

I only read scattered parts of this book because I read it out loud to my 17 year-old cousin over my sprong break. I asked her what she was reading and she told me it was a book by Nora Roberts. I asked her if I could read it aloud to her and I loved every part of it. Ever since then, I've been reading my mom's Nora Roberts books. Public Secrets was hard to put down and I couldn't wait to read more of it out loud to my cousin. The book is about the life of Emma McAvoy. As a toddler she was beaten by her heroine addict mother until she meets her biological father, Devestation rock star Brian McAvoy. Brian takes Emma to live with him, his wife Bev, and their baby son, Darren. Emma is genuinely happy until the shocking death of her brother to which she was the only witness. As a six year old child only remembering monsters and scary men, it is hard for her to recall the face of Darren's killer. The murder seperates the McAvoy family. This book goes all throughout Emma's life. She is used and beaten because of who her father is and she doubts if anyone will love her just for her and not think of her as a connection to a superstar. With a twist of mystery, romance, and drama, Nora Roberts has written an excellent book and I can't wait to read the conclusion.