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: #1,202,813 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

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!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0595436285/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title

4.0 out of 5 stars A great lesson in history, March 23, 2008

By	RebeccasReads.com "Rebecca's Reads" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (3/08)

"Secrets" is the final book in the "Orphan Train Trilogy" by Robert Noonan. This book, which begins in the year 1900, continues exploring the lives of the children who had arrived in Newberry, Illinois on the orphan train. Alternating settings between Newberry and Galena, Illinois we also get to see what has become of Hillary, Kate, John, and Biff whose background we learned of in the first book in the trilogy, "Wildflowers."

This third book is entitled "Secrets" and indeed almost every person in the book has a secret that only they or a couple of other people know about. Hillary has the secret about what happened to her in the mill in Frank Dragus' office. Kate is hiding what happened on the day when they left Alton, Delaware for the last time to join John who was forced to flee after being accused of a murder that he did not commit. Hillary misses her two closest friends in Alton but she cannot tell them where she is in order to protect her family from the man that is trying to avenge his brother's death. However, unbeknownst to Kate and John she enlists the help of another orphan, Pina, in getting letters to her friends. This action compromises their secret though and puts them in danger once again.

It was interesting to read this trilogy and to think about how orphan trains were truly a part of American history from 1854 to 1929. I honestly do not remember learning about orphan trains in history class and I am grateful for these books for teaching me about them. I had no idea that this was the fate for so many children in that era.

Although "Secrets" did not have as many surprises as the second story "Bridie's Daughter," I enjoyed reading how all of the lives of the orphans and their adoptive families intertwined. Noonan does a good job of linking everyone together and forming relationships among them. Most of the loose ends throughout the trilogy are now tied up but I do believe that there is definitely room for a sequel.

5.0 out of 5 stars Literary Suspense, March 13, 2008

By	Shelia Bolt Rudesill "author of Precious Chi... (Wilmingon, NC) - See all my reviews

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!