The Secret Hour

Abridged
Author: Luanne Rice
Narrator: Linda Emond
Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date: February 2003
Length: 5 hours
Ratings:
  • Book Rating: 3.5/5
Formats:
  • CD
  • WMA

Overview

Beneath his controlled demeanor, attorney John O'Rourke is a man whose life is in turmoil. Since the death of his wife, he has begun juggling the rigors of the controversial capital murder case and the demands of raising two children. Eleven-year-old Maggie's crooked bangs and rumpled clothes eloquently reproach John's earnest attempts at mothering. Teddy, John's stalwart fourteen-year-old, has quietly shouldered responsibilities far too weighty for his young shoulders, as he tries to ignore the hostility that has swirled around his family since his father took on the defence of the killer whose crimes have rocked Connecticut.

A brick through the window signals a dangerous new level of hatred. When a woman arrives on O'Rourke doorstep she finds a household on the brink of chaos but brimming with love and, she hopes, answers. Kate Harris is searching for the key to her own mystery. Six months ago her younger sister fled far from their beloved home following a devastating confrontation. After mailing a single postcard from the New England shore, Willa Harris vanished. With only a postmark to go on, Kate takes a leave of absence from her job as a marine biologist to come to the seaside Willa adored -- and discovers the one man who may be able to help her.

The Secret Hour explores the power of sisterly love, the gift of second chances -- and the way magic can sometimes be the most real thing in the whole world.

Reviews (7)

The Secret Hour

Written by Shirley Stinnett on July 16th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Good book easy listening. I loved how the dogs played a part in the book.

Secret Hour

Written by Angela Jones from Robeline, LA on February 21st, 2006

  • Book Rating: 5/5

This was a book about new love and old loss. It captivates the romantic part of the listener as well as the compassionate heart. It has enough twists and turns to keep you in suspense. There is a little something for everyone in this story.

Mildly Entertaining

Written by dlct on January 17th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 2/5

The predictable romance is nicely interwoven with the mystery story. The characters are done well but the story is twisted, complicated and unbelieveable. The narrator's voice is fine and she differentiates between the various personas nicely. Still, the ending is a foregone conclusion and too easy to figure out.

great book

Written by Leslie Grima on September 30th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 4/5

This was an awesome listen, it grabbed you from the start and kept me interested thru it all. I loved it. I would recommend it to anyone.

Secret Hour

Written by Daparoye from Orange, CA on September 15th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I wavered between three and four stars but four stars won out. This was a nice even book and the reader was very pleasant to listen to. I was impressed with the "I didn't guess that!" ending. You do get clues along the way and on hindsight I could see where it would lead. Very clever for a romance/mystery book. I would definately reccommend this book and I look forward to listening to more from this author.

WOW!

Written by Stephanie Marshall on February 12th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I'm impressed! I normally don't care about the "who did it" books, but this one keep me listening. Some romance present..not much. Well worth the listen!

Secret Hour

Written by TJR from FORT COLLINS, CO on December 30th, 2004

  • Book Rating: 5/5

This really was a mystery that you could not guess 'who done it' until the very end...worth the listening time.

Author Details

Author Details

Rice, Luanne

"Luanne Rice is the author of SILVER BELLS, BEACH GIRLS, DANCE WITH ME, THE PERFECT SUMMER, THE SECRET HOUR, SAFE HARBOR, TRUE BLUE, SUMMER LIGHT, FIREFLY BEACH, DREAM COUNTRY, HOME FIRES, SECRETS OF PARIS, STONE HEART, ANGELS ALL OVER TOWN, CRAZY IN LOVE (made into a TNT Network feature film), BLUE MOON (made into a CBS television film), FOLLOW THE STARS HOME-- now a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation -- and CLOUD NINE. She lives in New York City and Old Lyme, Connecticut."