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The Perfect Secret Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Steena Holmes (Author), Erin deWard (Narrator), Christina Traister (Narrator),
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 802 ratings
See all formats and editions

Everyone has secrets - some deadlier than others

She was on cloud nine after accepting an offer of a lifetime. A simpler life than what she was accustomed to. What could go wrong?

Starla Bishop learned to survive in the foster-care-to-jail system in New York City. There she learned the tools and skills she put to work later to con jewel thieves, drug traffickers, and mobsters out their fortunes. Now fresh out of her latest stint in jail, she accepts a too-good-to-refuse offer - a perfect life on a silver platter. Starla has everything she ever wished for: a simpler life, a normal life, a new start with new job, a straight job - a receptionist for Soil and Springs Landscaping run by a famous botanist. And it got even better - a whirlwind romance and engagement to her boss’s charming ex-husband.

But everything comes with a price. When bodies start turning up in the gardens of her employer, Soil and Springs Landscaping, Starla and her fiancé are hauled into jail for questioning. The revelation of Starla's secret, previous life and her special skills make her a prime suspect.

How much does Starla want the perfect life, and did she use her special skills to keep it, or is this just her biggest con yet? The shocking truth is closer than anyone thinks?

Everyone has secrets, some worth killing for.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Listening Length
    8 hours and 56 minutes
  2. Author
    Steena Holmes
  3. Narrator
    Erin deWard, see all
  4. Audible release date
    May 19, 2020
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Brilliance Audio
  7. ASIN
    B087YB276D
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
Next slide of product details

Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 56 minutes
Author Steena Holmes
Narrator Erin deWard, Christina Traister
Audible.com Release Date May 19, 2020
Publisher Brilliance Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B087YB276D
Best Sellers Rank #179,444 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#970 in Psychological Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#3,701 in Psychological Thrillers (Audible Books & Originals)
#11,261 in Suspense (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
802 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the story suspenseful, interesting, and a great adventure. They describe the book as a fun, enjoyable read that holds their attention. Readers also find the characters well-developed and believable. Opinions are mixed on the writing quality, with some finding it well-written and easy to read, while others find grammar and spelling errors.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Suspenseful storyReadabilityCharacter developmentWriting quality
25 customers mention "Suspenseful story"20 positive5 negative

Customers find the story suspenseful, interesting, and full of surprises. They say the book grabs their attention and keeps them guessing until the very end. Readers also mention the book is a great adventure with lots of action.

"...This is a story that will grab your attention and keep you guessing until the very end...." Read more

"This book had me hooked from the word go. I enjoyed the story and it had so many twists and turns, that will keep readers interested in how it all..." Read more

"I wish I had loved this book more. The story was great and the ending shocked me, but I didn't like any of the characters!..." Read more

"...It was interesting, and held my attention, but at times could be confusing. Just get through it and it all begins to make sense." Read more

15 customers mention "Readability"15 positive0 negative

Readers find the book enjoyable, interesting, and say it holds their attention.

"...all of that said, it was a great escape, a great adventure, and a great read! I will be looking for more of Steena’s work soon!" Read more

"...Another great novel by Steena Holmes. None of which are to ever be missed.Rating: 4.8⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" Read more

"...It was interesting, and held my attention, but at times could be confusing. Just get through it and it all begins to make sense." Read more

"This is a really good book! I read it in a couple of days and I'm not a fast reader. I love the character of Starla and her Mom...." Read more

9 customers mention "Character development"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters well-developed and believable. They also mention the protagonist is sympathetic and the villain is evil.

"...I loved everything about it, even the conniving, sneaky characters who had secrets that I couldn't even imagine when I started the book...." Read more

"...The author took a few strong and interesting characters from very varied backgrounds and brought them together with a few different storylines and..." Read more

"...The characters are well developed and believable. I loved this book! Highly recommend!" Read more

"...I loved the character development, and the dialogue and descriptions between the characters...." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing quality"6 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book. Some mention it's well-written and an easy read, while others say it has grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

"...The story was great and the writing was great though, so this is 3.5 stars." Read more

"...There are grammatical mistakes which make it sound like a bad translation from time to time...." Read more

"...The important thing to know is that her writing still focuses on the characters and why they do what they do...." Read more

"...reason for 4 stars was it was pretty gross in parts and lots of grammar/spelling errors. Highly recommended." Read more

Twisted & Twisty!
5 out of 5 stars
Twisted & Twisty!
Starla Bishop has trouble staying out of jail. Her poor mother tries to remind Starla of why she lands there every time. Somehow her habit of conning people overtakes her common sense.But now she wants to turn her life around. She has a job, a real job. She’s met a man who is interested in her. She’s finally feeling valued. This time she has a real chance.Or does she?Steena Holmes's latest thriller The Perfect Secret twists and turns, rises and drops like a roller coaster. I can’t give too much away as I don’t do spoilers, but you can count on being upset or frustrated when someone or something interrupts your reading time.Before you dive back into the U.S. reopening and summer calling you to the great outdoors, give yourself a treat, cuddle up with your favorite blanket, settle in with your favorite snack, and read The Perfect Secret. But buckle up for a crazy ride.Does Starla really believe she’s met the man who proclaims he loves her and is her fairy godfather? Who in this story is really in love with whom? What is going on in that shed? Can you really trust a car salesman—or his ex-wife who is married to her research of plants and is Starla’s boss? Pay close attention, readers. The game gets very complicated. What’s right under your nose or feet isn’t what you think it is.
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Top reviews from the United States

Susan Schleicher
5.0 out of 5 stars Keep you guessing!
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
To this day, I haven't read a book by Steena Holmes that I haven't just absolutely loved. And The Perfect Secret did not disappoint—loved it! And I love the new direction that she seems to be taking with her writing—a little darker, a little more suspenseful.

Starla is a con artist. She was recently released from jail and landed a pretty good job. Things are good, right? Nope, not so much, especially when dead bodies start turning up. And it looks like she is going to have to take the fall for them and everything else that is going on at the company where she just started working.

The Perfect Secret is full of secrets. Everyone involved has secrets. The fun part is seeing all those secrets being revealed, as the cast of characters start revealing their true selves. This is a story that will grab your attention and keep you guessing until the very end.

On kind of a side note, sort of, I love the titles of this book. I don't usually pay much attention to chapter titles. My apologies to all authors, I know you probably put a lot of thought into those. When I turned to the contents page, these titles just jumped out at me and I was intrigued to read further to see what would be revealed in the chapters.

I highly recommend this story! I loved everything about it, even the conniving, sneaky characters who had secrets that I couldn't even imagine when I started the book. You really must add The Perfect Secret to your TBR list. You will not be disappointed!
10 people found this helpful
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Jesse
4.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2020
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This book had me hooked from the word go. I enjoyed the story and it had so many twists and turns, that will keep readers interested in how it all ends. It was a challenge to remember who’s POV the narration was coming from and the time frame in which events were happening, which is why I gave it 4 instead of 5. I (a self identifying sleuth) also figured out the twists before we got there, so it was a little predictable for me. However, with all of that said, it was a great escape, a great adventure, and a great read! I will be looking for more of Steena’s work soon!
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Bookaholic
3.0 out of 5 stars Hard to believe this is he author of The Patient
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2020
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The only reason I chose to read this book was because the author had written The Patient which I loved. I have to admit, the book started out as 5 *s, but slipped by the end to a * or **.

The story was a good one, but probably should have been a short story. It became repetitious, and if one more person cracked his back or vomited, I was going to vomit.

It’s repetitive and badly edited with some sentences that you have to read twice because they are formed in strange ways. There are grammatical mistakes which make it sound like a bad translation from time to time.

Sorry, but I don’t want to reveal the story if you choose to read it anyway; just skim some of the soul searching and back patting for being able to con someone while not being able to be conned.
One person found this helpful
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(ajk) avid reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2020
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Steen Holmes has continued to stretch her writing skills, as is continued to be seen in this novel, as well. It is wonderful to see how her novels have changed, yet none are ever lacking in deep meaning and depth of character and storylines. I have yet to pick up one of her novels and not read it straight through.

The author took a few strong and interesting characters from very varied backgrounds and brought them together with a few different storylines and has created a new psychological read. This read brings so many concepts to the forefront it takes the reader awhile to figure out what is truly happening and by whom, etc.

Another great novel by Steena Holmes. None of which are to ever be missed.

Rating: 4.8
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Julie K
4.0 out of 5 stars The story was great and the writing was great
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2020
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I wish I had loved this book more. The story was great and the ending shocked me, but I didn't like any of the characters! I think Starla was supposed to be the likable one but she wasn't for me. I'm one of those readers that has to like at least one of the characters! The story was great and the writing was great though, so this is 3.5 stars.
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deb B
5.0 out of 5 stars Explosive!
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2020
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Wow! Steena Holmes has a way of weaving a story that just pulls you in from the very beginning! Starla Bishop is the main character and she has been in and out of jail for cons. However, is she the one being conned this time? Bodies are popping up everywhere and the police think she's involved but could it be her fiance and benefactor, Donnie? You will have to read it to find out! The storyline will keep you guessing all the way to the explosive ending. The characters are well developed and believable. I loved this book! Highly recommend!
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Twisted ending.
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2020
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This story wasn't easy. I didn't like any of the characters, especially Starla's Mom. Judgy, mouthy, I told you so's. Just out of prison, Starla takes a "too good to be true" opportunityFirst bad idea, becoming Involved with her bosses ex. Second bad idea was being clueless (or so I thought) about laundering money. It was interesting, and held my attention, but at times could be confusing. Just get through it and it all begins to make sense.
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Beth Moylan
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Twisted Story
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2020
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Very dark and twisted thriller that had me hooked from the beginning. Starla is a con artist. She was recently released from jail and landed a pretty decent job that was offered to her from the prison. When bodies start turning up in the gardens of her employer, Soil and Springs Landscaping, Starla and her fiancé are hauled into jail for questioning. The revelation of Starla's secret, previous life and her special skills make her a prime suspect. This book was so twisted but so good. I highly recommend it, even with all the thriller details.
7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Liz
5.0 out of 5 stars Big big secrets
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2023
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I gave a high rating because this story was a great one. I would recommend this book to anyone and I am sure they will enjoy it as well.
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Celia - Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Surprise!!! Wow...
Reviewed in Canada on June 21, 2020
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This story sucked me in slowly as I tried to figure out what on earth was happening. Tiny clues started to add up. Confusion reigned as I tried to figure out who was who in this murder mystery. And even as the evil began to show in the light, I still thought I knew what was happening in this plot. Nope. What an incredible story, and wow, that ending!! Highly recommended.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect to enjoy!
Reviewed in India on May 21, 2020
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After. a long long time, I read a book which can really be called a " page turner". Can't leave out even a single sentence.. wonderful job with the book Steena Holmes! Thank you!
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Very excellent but unusual story
Reviewed in Australia on April 13, 2023
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As I read this i realised it was very different from Steena's books i have read so far. Did not like it much thd first 10 minutes or so. But then I got caught up in the characters who were well chosen and very strong . And I finished it to the end. Quite enjoyable but a bit gruesome tome.
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Amateur but entertaining
Reviewed in Canada on October 14, 2020
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To be clear I am not dogging this author - as an aspiring writer myself, I know how hard it is to write a decent story. However I do have to say that this is no sophisticated thriller; of you’re looking for Gillian Flynn, please look elsewhere. It’s more like a grocery store paperback that is quite enjoyable. It reads easily and there is a good attempt at deeper internal worlds and struggles of the characters but overall it feels a bit static and superficial. The “twist” at the end is not very well done either but appreciated within the context. Just don’t expect too much and you will be fine.
One person found this helpful
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