Customer Reviews

Trail of Secrets

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

In her book, Trail of Secrets, Goudge tells of 3 protagonists. All of them are linked together by a secret that only one ofthem knows, which is Kate, and that is that her adopted daugther, Skyler, is the daugther of Ellie, whom she will meet up with years later. This secret will continuely hunt Kate, which boils it all down to the fact that she has kept this secret from her daughter which in the end, almost breaks her bonds with her daughter. Other things that also come into play in this book is that the reason the secret has become so important is because Skyler has a child, by accident, and gives it up for adoption, and who else none other than Ellie? So it is fate that brings all of them together which will wear down their defenses.

I felt that this book was really good. I mean, it describes in beautiful detail the horrors of losing one's own child and what happens when you find her again. And I love how the author just brings everything together so beautifully. If you enjoy a good book, this is one to read!

This story is about a girl who gets pregnant and decides to give the baby up for adoption. This is no ordinary adoption story and the reader knows this all along. Most characters do not realize what is going on until the end. This story has rich characters, colorful dialouge and an interesting premise. I was not disappointed.

I loved this book. I thought it was thoroughly entertaining. I think the readers who didn't like it were trying to read too much into it. It's not a masterpiece. It's simply a book that a reader can get lost in and enjoy. I do agree with the reader that said that the male characters were poorly developed. I also hated the fact that Tony had to do all of the chasing. However, this is fiction. Purely enjoyable fiction.

Is it just me, or was the whole plot written on the front flap of the book? I think this author should have kept some of the details secret, keep the reader in suspense & surprise us as the story unfolds. Like the majority of good books. How great is it when you are reading along & something amazing & shocking happens that you didn't see coming? I read about 35 pages of this book & I put it down. I just couldn't get into it. I found the dialogue very dry. I also felt like it was being written almost in movie format, not first person. Some of the thoughts were very over-dramatic. And I really just felt like what was the point in reading this book, when I knew what was going to happen from the flap? Maybe I should have stuck it out & tried reading more, but this book lost my interest, quick.

I thought this book was one of the most predictable and boring books I have ever read. No meat. I guessed what would happen for 200 pages and gave up! Very disappointed.

I really enjoyed this book. I have to agree with some of the posts that say it was not a mystery. It wasn't. I think it couldv'e been, had the author left out the truth in the first 2 chapters, but I also think that is kept us wondering when everyone would learn the truth. I liked the characters. They were sometimes unlikeable, which is real. I will have to read more of Eileen Goudge's books.

I just loved this book but... I was disappointed in the last chapter. Even tho Ellie wanted a child desperately, after discovering Skyler was infact her child who was kidnapped, I feel that after some long, hard deliberating she should have lovingly given over the baby to Skyler and then Tony, to raise. After all isn't the child the most important here. And isn't that a confusing situration. With her grandmother part of the week, and her mother on the weekend. And also just what name were each of them supposed to be called? Mommy? Unless I missed something, that was the way it would be forever, wasn't it. (And the fact that she is the grandmother and would always be near Alisa it would have been better all around. I also didn't like the way Tony had to do all the chasing. Skyler truly loved him and I wish she had the guts to take a chance on her feelings. I wonder IF the fact that they were from two different backgrounds, wasn't the real reason she hesitated, instead of following her heart, wondering if her parents would have accepted him and if he would fit it with her crowd. After being a softy regarding Ellis and Alisa, I feel that Kate and Will should have had some more down time thinking over just what they did. I don't think Will every will really realize how horrible they're decision not to own up was. And Kate really deserved a guilty conscience. I think Skyler forgave them too quickly, and it looked like to me that it wasn't made clear how her and Ellie were after reuniting.

Very Highly Recommended Skyler Sutton is a champion equestrienne who is haunted by the mystery surrounding her parentage. As an only child, Skyler is cradled in the security of wealth and social position, and given everything she desires by doting parents - excepts answers about her real mother. Kate Sutton, crippled by a riding accident that claimed the life of her unborn child, would committed almost any crime, and has, to keep Skyler from knowing the real truth of her past. The secret is a festering wound that Kate will carry through life, but having a daughter like Skyler is worth the anguish. Twenty-five years ago Ellie Nightingale was an unwed mother, attempting to raise her baby on a minimum wage job in New York City, when the child was kidnapped. Now a noted psychologist married to a neonatologist, Ellie is unable to conceive another child. She is desperate to adopt a baby. The obsession threatens her marriage, but Ellie is powerless in the face of a biologically ticking clock, and the guilt of loosing her infant daughter. Skyler, recovering from a fall from her horse, meets Tony Salvatore, one of New York's finest: a mounted policeman whose beat is Central Park. The chemistry between the two is instantaneous and volatile. When Skyler discovers she is pregnant she is faced with the most momentous decision of her life. Finally, she and Tony decide to give the baby up for adoption. Tony knows a renown psychologist who want to adopt an infant. Skyler and Tony are caught in a vortex of swirling emotions that climaxes in an incendiary courtroom scene. Trapped in a whirlpool of truths and lies, Skyler is forced to grow-up and face the painful facts of a life lived in the shadows of deception and prevarication. In Garden of Lies Ms. Goudge brought us a mystery liberally laced with passion and intrigue. Once again she goes the limit, spinning us a web of romance and conspiracy; capturing the reader in plot twists and finely honed characters that keeps us turning the pages. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Trail of Secrets is a gallop through the twisting paths of life and steep valleys of despair. Ms. Goudge shows us why she remains a New York Time's best selling author. Kathee S. Car

This book was charged with the barely controlled emotions of Ellie, Kate and Skyler. It was exhausting to read of these women who were frequently on the verge of fainting. The male characters were poorly developed and served only as props for these self centered women.

This was the first book I've read by Eileen Goudge. It was a pretty good read although at times I found it easy to put the book down, but it kept my interest pretty well when I was reading it. The plot was somewhat interesting, but I found that it was very predictable. I thought there were too many details, particularly in the horse riding, although that was the basis of the story. I just skimmed through some of these detailed parts. The book was a slow read but it wasn't bad enough to deter me from reading another book by Ms. Goudge.