Book Review: Secrets After Dark by Marie Higgins

Title: Secrets After Dark
Author: Marie Higgins
Publisher: Walnut Springs Press
Release Date: January 2012
Pages: 258
Series: none
Source: publisher
4 Stars: I Really Liked It

Residing at Thornton Manor under the premise of courting Jonathan Thornton, Hannah Forester intends to find out who murdered her father—and why. After all, Jonathan’s brother Morgan was the last person to visit Peter Forester before his demise. But upon her arrival at Thornton Manor, Hannah is informed that Morgan perished the previous year in a house fire. She soon learns the manor is full of secrets: a ghost haunting the East Wing, a white wolf that roams the grounds by night, and the story of a curse-protected treasure on the neighboring island. Most disturbingly, Hannah discovers that numerous young women have visited the manor only to vanish without a trace.
When a hooded, deep-voiced man visits Hannah’s bedroom late at night, warning her to leave the manor for her own safety, she realizes he must be Morgan Thornton. But why does he hide in the East Wing, and why does his family insist he is but a ghost? As Hannah falls in love with the handsome older brother, she must continue to court Jonathan in order to remain at the estate. Can she convince Morgan where her true loyalties lie? And will she uncover the Thorntons’ secrets quickly enough to solve her father’s murder before she loses her own life?

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My Thoughts:
I didn’t realize this was a retelling of Beauty and The Beast until I started reading it. A beautiful girl in a mysterious Manor with a man in hiding who changes into beast form. There are so many additional characters with twists and turns in this story though. So at the same time it wasn’t like a retelling at all.

Hannah was brave and smart, and Morgan was mysterious and heroic. The ending bothered me slightly. I like happy endings, but it was a bit too perfect for me. That’s out of character for me to say, but I had come to grips with how I thought things would turn out in the end.

I really enjoyed this book. It had suspense, mystery, and of course romance. It was a beautiful love story of overcoming obstacles to be with the person you love.

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) to view details
Sexual Content: mild ( lots of kissing )
Language: none
Violence: mild ( fighting, blood, death )

*I received a review copy of the book from Walnut Springs Press. Thank you! I am not paid for my reviews. My reviews are solely my opinion.*

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Reviewed by Kathryn Cooper
Creator of Clean Adult Fiction