Secrets: The Third Story in the Orphan Train Trilogy (Paperback)

~ Robert Noonan (Author)
Key Phrases: Robert Noonan, Wade Widner, Tyler Sharpe (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The third and final story from Robert Noonan’s Orphan Train Trilogy, Secrets explores the fate of orphan children who arrived on an orphan train during the late 1800s to find a new life in the Midwest. Who adopts them is the key to their happiness … or sorrow.

Despite harboring secrets from a past filled with physical abuse, shame, murder, and prostitution, the children and their new parents begin a new and exciting life. But overcoming their haunting memories won’t be easy.

After fleeing from their home following a horrible crime, Hillary and her new parents, John and Kate Hanley, have found a new life in Galena, Illinois. Hillary longs to visit her former hometown and reunite with her friends in the club called the Wildflowers. But going back could mean the ruin of her new family.

Filled with vivid historical detail and heartfelt emotion, Noonan delivers a compelling look at a little-known event in American history.

About the Author

Wisconsin resident, Robert Noonan, is a member of the Orphan Train Heritage Society of America. His trilogy is an attempt to reveal the trauma faced by orphan children, during the years 1854 to 1929.

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (September 11, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595436285
• ISBN-13: 978-0595436286
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #620,527 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Robert Noonan is a master storyteller, February 17, 2008

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Orphan Train Trilogy Ends With Secrets!, January 9, 2008

By	Glenda A Bixler "Glenda" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

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!

5.0 out of 5 stars Secrets: The Third Story in the Orphan Train Trilogy, September 3, 2009

By	Peggy Nelson (Nixa Missouri) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!
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