Customer Reviews

Secrets: The Third Story in the Orphan Train Trilogy

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Expertly written by Wisconsin author Robert Noonan (who moved from Chicago, Illinois to Hatfield, Wisconsin to write his books), the 'Orphan Train Trilogy' is a set of three novels that, taken together or read separately, draw upon the mid-nineteenth to early twentieth century phenomena of orphaned boys and girls from the eastern seaboard who were placed upon trains traveling west for exploitive foster home placements, menial factory jobs, and agricultural laborers. "Secrets" is the story of Hillary and her new parents who, after fleeing from their home following a bloody crime, find a new life in Galena, Illinois. The three titles comprising this superbly written trilogy showcase an obscure historical event in American history that ran began in 1854 and continued until 1929. The intent was to improve the lives of children in otherwise desperate circumstances in the cities of the east. The results were often more harrowing that anything the children had experienced prior to boarding those orphan trains headed west. Informed and informative, Robert Noonan is a master storyteller whose novels are as entertaining as they are thoughtful and thought-provoking.

Secrets

Third of A Trilogy

You won't want to miss the final book in the orphan train trilogy by Robert Noonan!

Haunted by the Secrets of their past, Kate, John and Hillary Hanley had joined together as a family and established their home in Newberry, Illinois. Each of them had secrets from their past that continued to plague them even as their happiness and love grew each day.

For John who had been accused of a murder he did not commit, he knew the law could arrest him because the victim's brother was a wealthy influential man. The real murderer had manufactured evidence against him, but revenge could be satisfied whether guilt was real. John had left Alton, Delaware, to move west and hopefully outrun his accusers. Kate loved him and would follow him anywhere to be his bride.

But Kate had a secret, known only to her, that also caused her to leave Alton. Having her own revenge against her former boss, who had caused so much pain to her beloved Hillary, she had found Frank Dragus guilty and punishable by death. Would they some day come for her as well as John?

Hillary had a secret as well.

These Secrets carried into the final book in Noonan's trilogy are woven into the lives of other orphans that rode the trains to the west. And the trains also carried the families for visits from one home to another. Bridie's daughter becomes a close friend to Hillary, but Bridie has also found a reason to visit the homestead because Biff, Hillary's adopted Uncle had caught Birdie's attention. But before she could ever consider entering into a loving relationship, she was forced to deal with the secret from her past--and He was there at her home every day to remind her!!

There is just enough drama and suspense to move this heartwarming story forward. Noonan takes the time to "create" the period into which we may fall, enjoying fairs, home-made cider, dressing up as squaws to get pictures taken . . .

By now, each of Noonan's characters had become familiar and I wanted to be sure that all would be well with each of them. Thankfully, that did happen! I've likened The Orphan Train Trilogy to the television series and books, Little House on the Prairie. I think you will agree. Robert Noonan wanted to bring out a long-forgotten part of our heritage and he has indeed handled that responsibility well. His books are meticulously presented; his writing sensitive and understanding as he shares the plight of the children who were orphaned, oftentimes by tragedy or pain.

Many of you may realize that Robert Noonan came to our site for a review of his books. He and I later worked to proofread, edit and finalize the books prior to publishing. I was honored to have this little part in bringing these Americana stories to readers. My only wish? That the trilogy had really had one more book--Hillary, so we would know that Hillary had indeed had a wonderful life and had successfully dealt with her own tragic secret. How about it Mr. Noonan? I've added it to my "wish list" at all the online bookstores! Will I get my wish? Hillary is a must-must read for me because I consider the first three books as Must-Reads!

Secrets: The Third Story in the Orphan Train Trilogy

SECRETS by Robert Noonan (Historical Novel)


Award winning historical novelist Robert Noonan creates the story of Secrets to complete tales of his Orphan Train Trilogy. He fashions it around the children's earlier 19th Century circumstances. Yet, Secrets stands alone as readers become involved in the lives of his past and newer characters in this third book. Those who have read his first two novels will be surprised at the developments in lives of favorite families. Noonan's customary journeys develop with strange mysteries and intrigue - even, murder.

In early 20th Century: Secrets reintroduces family conflicts that serve to reach background mysteries in Wildflowers and Bridie's Daughter. Stories show the desperate plight of 200,000 orphaned American children of New York during 1854-1929 until transported by so-called Orphan Trains to Western states for adoption.

Audiences follow youthful characters in Secrets who find adoptive parents. These are children whose lives produced many and complicated secrets. Imagine loss of parents by death and separation or escape from perils of murder and suicide.

* It is the beginning of the 20th Century and Bridie McDonald's life is fulfilled with the adoption of teenager Catherine who arrives on the Orphan Train to her hometown of Newberry, Illinois. Bridie's past overshadows her happiness until an unexpected love interest enters her life. But Bridie cannot move forward until she deals with the past. In a nearby town, Hillary is 14 years old and living with Kate and John her foster parents who left lots of history in Delaware. The textile mill owner is killed there as they leave and Kate knows who did it. Riveting moments occur when a person from the past shows up in their lives. Considering the family settles in an unlikely Mid-Eastern town, they are shocked to learn they've been discovered.

Noonan is a master at situations of intrigue and suspense. Just as lives of favorite children appear without problems, a stranger from the past rides into town. Noonan's protagonists encounter disturbing events and bad timing. He is clever to generate interest in several families with their own set of activities. Additionally, he conjures interest by having characters interact with one or another family to create complex scenarios.

Review of Secrets

In this third book in Mr. Noonan's Orphan Train Trilogy he continues the stories of several of the orphans whose lives have intermingled with friendship, love and secrets.
This is a wonderful book that will keep you wondering what will happen next. As with the 2 previous books you will want to keep reading until the book is finished. A great read!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0595436285/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title

Secrets:
Everyone seems to have a secret or regret in this third account of the Orphan Train Trilogy. Hillary, her parents Kate and John, Brian, Monica, and even Bridie McDonald. The story revolves around the aftermath of accidents, rapes, murders, indiscretions, and regrets. Fear permeates the future until these strong-willed characters rise above their circumstances and overcome the traumas of their pasts. Hillary's future remains a mystery as do the lives of so many children who rode the "orphan trains" for seventy-five years between 1854 and 1929. Let's hope that Mr. Noonan shares more of Hillary's heroic spirit in the future!