Member Reviews
“The Secret at No. 4” by S.L. McManus is a captivating psychological thriller that weaves a complex tapestry of mystery and suspense. The story unfolds on a street haunted by the whispers of a murder that has never been solved. Fifteen years ago, Henry Carr disappeared without a trace, leaving behind a community shrouded in suspicion and fear. A cold-case podcast has reignited interest in the case. Enter Ruth, a young journalist with a personal connection to the street—she was once a resident herself. Driven by a desire to uncover the truth and armed with the hope that she can coax the tight-lipped neighbors into speaking, Ruth returns to the place she once called home. But her arrival is met with a reception that is anything but warm. The residents of the street, including Henry’s elderly mother, Marianne, who suffers from dementia, are reluctant to revisit the dark events of the past.As the anniversary of Henry’s disappearance approaches, Ruth finds herself racing against time to piece together the fragmented memories and hidden clues that could lead to the truth. But the more she learns, the more she realizes that the street will not give up its secrets easily.
McManus masterfully crafts a narrative that is both gripping and emotionally resonant. The characters are richly drawn, with their complexities and contradictions adding depth to the unfolding drama. “The Secret at No. 4” is a compelling tale of loss, memory, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their secrets.
This is a amazing twisty read kept me guessing until the end I just couldn't put it down it kept me up way past my bed time
I did find this abit of a slow burn at the beginning but once you got to a certain point, it all started piecing together and you just wanted to carry on reading!
I really loved Ruth's character, and how hard it was for her to find the truth, especially being around the people she grew up with especially as she left there.
I had so many theories throughout, suspected so many characters but I had no clue what actually was going to happen and the twist threw me! Absolutely crazy and I loved it!
It was brilliantly written and I loved the different perspectives as it added more mystery to the story!
Only lost a star as I did find it abit slow at the beginning however it did soon pick up and the ending was absolutely brilliant!
Prepare for a wild ride of twists and turns in this gripping thriller that guarantees a sleepless night as you uncover its hidden depths. A gem of a novel
There’s a secret and I couldn’t work it out!
A fast paced thriller based on a street. A secret the street wanted to keep quiet but the past always comes back to haunt you.
I liked how it was based in current times but kept reminiscing. Good variety of characters and storyline.
The Secret at No. 4 takes place 15 years after the disappearance of local 35-year-old Henry Carr after his missing person case gets brought back to light after his wallet is discovered not far from his childhood home after all those years.
Ruth is a journalist living in Newcastle but is sent back home to Manchester to cover the story of what could possibly uncover what happened to her neighbour 15 years ago. Nobody on the street is really willing to talk to her about the events surrounding the days leading up to Henry's disappearance, but she is determined to be the one to break any updated news.
I thought that the story dragged on a little in places, but it did have a promising beginning a complete shock of an ending that I never suspected until it was too late. It was a decent ending nonetheless, and S.L. McManus has done a great job with their debut novel.
Thank you to HarperNorth for the ARC!
This was quite a slow burn read, but it was still entertaining. Fingers were pointed at everyone from the street as to who was behind the disappearance or murder of one of their own 15 years ago.
It's told from various points of view of the characters, with Ruth being the driving force of finding out what happened. Ruth left a few years ago and has returned as a journalist to bring closure to the mystery. It did, quite literally, go round the houses a lot, but the ending was satisfying.
I was really intrigued by the premise and hoped the book would do it justice and it definitely does that and more! It's quite a slow burn but I was still so hooked with all the different characters and trying to work out who was to blame. What I really liked was the fact that while absolutely everyone was a suspect and my theory kept changing the more I read, but none of the characters were written to be overly suspicious to the point of it being ridiculous! You know when some books try to hard and the bad guy has the twirly mustache and evil theme music and he's always lurking?! There's none of that! It's well written and the atmosphere is gradually built throughout. It's intelligently written to explore all the characters and make sure the reader is never quite sure. A really well done domestic noir
Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Harpernorth and the author S.L.Mcmanus for an early copy of her book.
This is a new author,her book sounded intriguing. Ruth a journalist who returns to the street where she grew up her father and neighbour's a street where they keep to themselves, years ago Henry Carr goes missing.what happened to him?will Ruth find out the secrets?my rating is 3.5 rounded to 4 a great read thought the book could of been abit shorter a great mystery with a great ending.
This book will be reviewed on Amazon UK, and goodreads.
This book will have you hooked from the very first moment and not wanting to put it down at all. I steamed through it. It will have you guessing all the way through the book. Question absolutely everyone you meet and think that they all did it. Until the very last moment it is revealed with the explosive ending.
There are very few books that from the first chapter have you hooked but this is most certainly one of them. The writing has you questioning every character and developing new theories before you’ve discarded your last. However no matter what your theory this definitely has more twists and turns than you can imagine which makes for an exhilarating read with a beautifully fitting ending. Amazing!
The Secret at No. 4 by S.L. Manus is a gripping and atmospheric mystery that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Set on a run-down street in Manchester, the story delves into the disappearance of Henry Carr, a case that has haunted the residents for fifteen long years.
The author skillfully weaves together multiple perspectives, primarily focusing on Ruth, a young journalist who returns to the street hoping to uncover the truth. Ruth's connection to the street and its inhabitants adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, as she faces not only the challenge of solving the cold case but also confronting her own past.
The atmosphere in The Secret at No. 4 is palpable, with secrets and whispers lurking around every corner. Manus's vivid descriptions bring the street and its eerie history to life, immersing the reader in its dark and mysterious atmosphere. The tension builds steadily as Ruth uncovers new clues and encounters resistance from the tight-knit community.
The characters are well-developed and complex, each with their own secrets and motivations. Marianne, Henry's dementia-suffering mother, is a particularly haunting presence, her whispered and screamed assertions adding an element of psychological suspense to the story.
As the anniversary of Henry's disappearance approaches, the urgency to uncover the truth intensifies, driving the narrative forward at a breakneck pace. Manus expertly reveals twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the very end.
The Secret at No. 4 is a riveting and satisfying mystery that combines elements of psychological suspense with a cold case investigation. With its well-crafted characters, atmospheric setting, and intriguing plot, this novel is sure to captivate fans of the genre. S.L. Manus proves to be a talented storyteller, delivering a compelling and thrilling read.