The Secret Between Us

By Barbara Delinsky




How far should a parent go to protect their own child? And how will that choice affect the relationship? Deborah Monroe was faced with the first question and made a decision in an instant, not realizing how her decision would affect her relationship with her daughter.

In "The Secret Between Us," Deborah Monroe, our protagonist, picks her daughter Grace up from a friend's house on a rainy night. Since Grace has a learner's permit, her mom lets her drive home. On the way, Grace hits her history teacher, who was seemingly out for a jog in the dark, in the rain. The teacher has little more than some superficial wounds and a broken hip, but he still dies. Therein lies the mystery, as well as the trouble.

Pieces of this story seemed bit far-fetched. For instance, after the teacher has been hit by the car, the mother sends the daughter home, while she stays at the scene to deal with the police and medics. This behavior is questionable. What honest persons would agree simultaneously that it is best for the driver to leave the scene of an accident before police arrive?

Regardless of a few improbable details, the book is still entertaining and a very quick read. Barbara Delinsky seems to have a natural story-telling ability in that the book flows swiftly. While the book has a nice ending, it doesn't exactly have that sparkling "ah-ha!" moment, or overwhelmingly happy feeling a reader is left with after finishing some books.

I would give this book a B+.

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