"house of secrets" by tracie peterson

When Bailee's father summons her and her younger sisters to their summer house, the girls decide it's finally time to confront their father. Fifteen years prior, their mother died at the summer house, and the girls believe their father was responsible for her death. They made a pact to keep their suspicions quiet because they didn't want to lose both parents. As the family gathers at the house, more secrets than the girls could have imagined come to light—and Bailee begins to understand that nothing that happened was her fault.

My take: While Tracie Peterson is one of the more well-known Christian fiction writers, I hadn't really read any of her books before House of Secrets. (Well, Iditarod Dream, which she wrote under the pen name Janelle Jamison, was one of the first romances I ever read, and I still have it on my bookshelf. This is the first Peterson book I've read that was published under her own name.) I was hooked on the first page.

The story is told in first person from Bailee's perspective, and I felt like I was sitting with Bailee as she told her story over a cup of coffee. This book is filled with twists and surprises as Bailee tries to make sense of her past—both what she thought happened and what really happened. I really enjoyed her relationship with Mark, her (sort of) boss, and I liked watching her relationship with her father evolve, as well. House of Secrets deals with mental illness, suicide, and depression, so it's not a book you want to read when you're looking for something light. If you're in the mood for something serious, though, the book fits the bill. It is a great story about forgiveness and healing, and I'm happy to recommend it.

I give House of Secrets 5 out of 5 stars, and I'll definitely be seeking out more of Peterson's books!

Read an excerpt below:
House of Secrets

About the author: Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over eighty novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling Heirs of Montana and Alaskan Quest series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Visit Tracie's Web site at www.traciepeterson.com and her blog at www.writespassage.blogspot.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Bethany House Publishers through their book reviewer program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."