Secret Keepers

by: Mindy Friddle

Published by: St. Martin's Press

Reviewed by Julie Failla Earhart

The opening of Mindy Friddle’s new novel, Secret Keepers, provides the reader with some of the back story that will be important later in this novel. The action then shifts to current time with “Emma Hanley, seventy-two, found herself just days away from embarking on a journey of a lifetime.”

Emma is the female equivalent of George Bailey from the movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Emma has been waiting her whole life to shake the dust of Palmetto, South Carolina, off her heels and see the world. But Emma never gets as far as George did–until now. She is so excited that she can barely contain her happiness. Tragedy strikes when Emma’s husband suddenly dies. So the plans are cancelled and the travel trunk is sent back to the attic.

It’s probably a good thing Emma was not able to leave Palmetto; her grown children seem to need her more than ever. The oldest, Will, was KIA in Vietnam. Emma has never completely recovered from Will’s death. The youngest, Bobby has mental issues and has never left home. Emma is now forced to think about making what to do about Bobby after she is gone. Then there is the middle child–a daughter, Dora.

Dora has a rebellious, promiscuous teenager. Her life turned completely around when she married Donny and became a fanatical Christian. She and Donny won’t let their children, Kyle and Sandy, watch contemporary television that isn’t educational or listen to music that isn’t wholesome.

Then Dora’s high school flame returns to Palmetto. Jake’s father has passed away and left him a trailer and a little bit of money. Jake starts a yard business called The Blooming Idiots with a group of hapless men, including Bobby and Kyle,

One of those members finds the stash of exotic plants that Emma’s grandfather brought home to Palmetto and planted them behind the family home. As they plant them around town, interesting things begin to happen–and Jake and Dora have a final confrontation.

Secret Keepers is a satisfying read; it’s well written and flows well. It’s a good read, not a great one. While the action and plot kept me turning the page, it doesn’t have that “ya gotta read this” that I look for in five-star books. I recommend Secret Keepers as a good read.

Armchair Interviews says: Mindy Friddle is a master gardener–and knows her plants!

Author’s Web site; http://www.MindyFriddle.com