The Family Secret by Kiersten Modglin
Published: January 31, 2023
Kiersten Modglin
Genre: Psychological Thriller
KKECReads Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.
Kiersten Modglin is an Amazon Top 10 bestselling author of psychological thrillers and a member of International Thriller Writers, Novelists, Inc., and the Alliance of Independent Authors. Kiersten is a KDP Select All-Star and a recipient of ThrillerFix’s Best Psychological Thriller Award, Suspense Magazine’s Best Book of 2021 Award, a 2022 Silver Falchion for Best Suspense, and a 2022 Silver Falchion for Best Overall Book of 2021. She grew up in rural western Kentucky and later relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where she now lives with her husband, daughter, and their two Boston terriers: Cedric and Georgie. Kiersten’s work is currently being translated into multiple languages, and readers across the world refer to her as ‘The Queen of Twists.’ A Netflix addict, Shonda Rhimes superfan, psychology fanatic, and indoor enthusiast, Kiersten enjoys rainy days spent with her nose in a book.
Enshrouded in layers of secrecy and tradition, the Bass estate, and the family residing within its walls, give anything but a warm welcome. When the idea of staying in the home permanently is brought up, Austyn witnesses a side of her future husband she’s never seen before.
Late one night, Austyn overhears a whispered conversation, revealing she hasn’t been given the full truth about the world she’s marrying into. And when Emily, an old friend, calls with devastating news of her own, Lowell and Austyn invite her to join them for a visit at the estate.
Upon Emily’s arrival, a confession is made, causing a rift in the seemingly impenetrable bond the girls once had. As Emily settles into their home, becoming closer to Lowell than ever before, Austyn fears she’s made a grave mistake.
Trapped inside the Bass estate under the ever-watchful eye of the staff and her soon-to-be family, Austyn makes another chilling discovery—something so terrible it changes everything.
With distressing revelations hidden around every corner and time running out before final decisions are made about her future, Austyn must uncover the truth about the opulent and powerful Bass family…at the risk of becoming another one of their dark secrets.
“Tell me all your secrets.”
Austyn just learned that her fiancé’s parents died. So, of course, they travel to his family home. It’s her first time meeting the Bass siblings, her first time entering the house. And all she can feel is the weight of its secrets.
OKAY KIERSTEN. This is a one-stop read. You won’t be able to put it down once you start- it’s that good.
I enjoyed how this story was told. The emotional elements were so deep and genuine. The weight of grief is palpable, and it okayed such a big part in this story.
I found the way this story was told interesting. I could feel the anxiety, panic, and fear Austyn was experiencing the deeper she fell into this plot.
I loved the concept of houses telling stories, and I loved seeing this house as a character. It was very creative. I also loved the idea of memory and how much our memories are based on what we are told.
Photographs help, as they did in this book. A picture is worth a thousand words. No more valid words have ever been uttered. This was a pulse-pounding thrill ride from start to finish.
What I would love to see next is the backstory. Celine’s story. Because there is a lot more hiding in The Pond.