After Meg and Marc lose their daughter Lily in a tragic accident, they opt for a fresh start in the village of Coldwater, where Marc's father - a former musical celebrity - has left him a property. Covert Cottage, as it is known, has a backyard leading into a wooded area known as Covert Wood.

For Meg, who spends most of her time at home, the move does not turn out as expected. Not only is she often lonely, she also finds that the property has a brooding atmosphere that makes her feel uncomfortable.

So, Meg is quite happy after she and Marc encounter a familiar face in the area. Janette was the therapist that Meg and Marc became close to after they lost Lily. That she is planning to move to Coldwater is something that both of them are initially pleased to hear about.

Meanwhile, Meg is also unsettled by the information that 30 years ago a young girl disappeared from the village. No one seems to want to discuss the case. And after her encounters with the last person to see the child, Meg feels even more disturbed. The other villagers aren't welcoming either, so other than Janette, Meg's options for socializing seem limited.

But Janette has her own agenda. And she knows all their secrets - even the ones that the couple are keeping from each other. Meg's guilt at allowing her phone to distract her remains an issue, since it led by default to Lily's accident. Otherwise occupied, Meg did not realise that the child was chasing after a balloon, which put her in harm's way. And Marc has not been honest about where he was at the time of Lily's accident either.

When Marc begins to spiral, Meg turns to Janette for support, with disastrous consequences...

This is quite a creepy story. The situation at Covert Cottage is described in a very atmospheric fashion, and the fact that Janette knows so much more about them than Meg and Marc realise is very disturbing.

I did feel that the pacing of the storytelling could have been done better, as the story takes quite a long time to get going, and then ends almost abruptly, with the last bit feeling decidedly rushed. But overall it was an engrossing read, so I give it 3.5 stars.

I found this story atmospheric, with an underlying thread of danger which intensifies as the story develops. Meg and Marc have suffered a devastating loss, and they are consumed with grief and guilt that they couldn't protect their child. Marc received an unexpected legacy from their father's will, and the couple decided to make a new start in the country. The couple cope with bereavement differently, although both had undergone therapy from Janette in the past. Janette, their former therapist, is a shadowy character that the reader knows little about in the book's early stages. Her influence on the vulnerable couple is manipulative and sinister. The story is gently paced to build the claustrophobic atmosphere and sense of disquiet. There are impactful twists as the secrets are revealed. I like the atmospheric setting and the menacing ethos.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

A great psychological thriller, with some strong themes such as child deaths and suicide. Marc and Meg’s fresh start and move to the countryside is fraught with challenges from the outset as they try and establish a new life in Marc’s late father’s house. A clever look at manipulation and how easily our ideas can become biased.

I liked the premise of Tell Me Your Secrets as I'm always drawn to novels featuring therapists.
Meg and Marc are grieving the death of their young daughter Lily in a hit and run accident and decide to move to a cottage in the countryside, left to Marc in his father's will. Strangely, at the same time Jeanette, their therapist relocates to the same village and begins living in the couple's garden studio.

There was a lot I enjoyed about this novel. it's very atmospheric and there was an underlying tension and darkness throughout that kept me reading. The author portrays the grieving process sensitively and shows the impact grief can have on us. I did feel that the characterisation was a little weak and Jeanette was a very one dimensional character lacking any depth which meant it was quite hard to believe the power she had over Meg and Marc. I also found the ending a little ridiculous. Overall, however the author writes well and this was an enjoyable read.
3.5 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

I've read Mel McGrath's books before and was looking forward to this one. Trying to cope with the sudden death of their six year old daughter in a hit and run accident, Meg and Marc need a new start. When Marc's father dies leaving Marc his cottage, it seems a perfect opportunity for a fresh start. At first all is well but a cold case of another child's death comes intwined with the present. The book deals with how indivivual grief is and how keeping secrets affects the characters.
I guessed the 'bad guy' very soon into the story but the twists come in the way the two murders become inclined. Worth a read

If you want creepy and claustrophobic and you also really want a well written book...this is for you.
I loved it and found myself feeling a bit tense at times.

Beautiful execution

I've enjoyed reading Mel Mcgrath's books before. This book had me hooked like her previous books, great twists and turns.

I like the premise of the book, but I felt that I'd read the story before but from a different author.
Yes I know that books sometimes entwine with each other but this should have had a better impact for the reader.
When Meg and her husband Marc loose their only child Lily in a hit and run, they decide to move away from their home to a small village near the Cotswolds.
But Meg has brought some of Lily's things with them for keepsakes.
When they meet their therapist Janette, they feel completely relaxed with her company, so much so when Janette mentioned that she needed a place to stay they immediately offer her the studio above there home.
But things aren't all they seem with Janette. Is she all she is making out to be and what deadly secrets does she hide?

A gripping and chilling thriller from the excellent Mel McGrath. When a couple lose their child, they are unsurprisingly devastated and turn to a therapist to help them through, revealing secrets to her alone. Seeking solace in a new location, they move to a quiet town where they know nobody--until the therapist appears. It soon becomes clear that things are not as they seem...

Tell Me Your Secrets by Mel McGrath is a totally griping contemporary psychological suspense that I just could not put down. I read it in just two sittings, pausing only to sleep.
There is the theme of grief. “Grief… is a country with a population of one.” No two people will ever grieve the same, even in response to the same event. With grief we see that guilt and regret go hand in hand.
A thirty year old cold case is awakened in present day as a character feels a connection in an old house. Secrets, lies and sadness inhabit the very walls, as the truth is trying to come out.
We witness the manipulation of many by one – but to what end? Read the book in order to find out.
All the characters were well drawn. Not all were likable. Mel McGrath manipulates the reader’s responses as we follow the action.
The setting I very atmospheric – an isolated cottage next to an ancient woodland, even the trees seem to whisper secrets as the walls of the cottage cry out. What secrets is the carpet of leaves hiding?
Tell Me Your Secrets has an intricately thought out and extremely well executed plotline. I clung on for dear life for several hours as Mel McGrath’s words guided my life and emotional responses.
Tell Me Your Secrets is a compulsive read but not for the faint-hearted. It was an absolutely cracking read.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

I found this a little hard to get into at first but that could have just been me. I’m glad I persevered though, as it was an interesting read with plenty of tension.
I could actually see this playing out as a tv drama in my head as it would certainly keep the audience guessing.
Satisfying conclusion tying up all the loose ends.
Thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for providing me with this advance digital copy in exchange for my i hi best and unbiased review.

A great premise for a story- the therapist who becomes too involved and the family suffering from a heartbreaking tragedy, with a famous father, a girl missing for decades and a creepy village guy thrown into the mix. Unfortunately for me the 2 main characters were too similar in their outlook and far too easily fooled to the point of becoming very frustrating. I think the book would have read better if one of the pair could see the truth but perhaps couldn't change it. There were also one too many threads running through the story for it to flow nicely.

Tell Me Your Secrets tells the story of Meg and Marc, a couple who move to the country following the tragic death of their daughter and on inheriting a cottage from Marc's father. When the therapist they have both been seeing arrives in their village looking for somewhere to rent, they revel in the happy coincidence and offer her a studio in their back garden. But it soon becomes clear that all is not as it seems and that maybe there is more to Jeanette than meets the eye.

I found this book incredibly frustrating as Marc and Meg didn't seem to be able to see what was glaringly obvious. They were both pretty weak characters, who were easily led and seemed unable to figure things out for themselves. The writing was good but, as with her previous book, the editing was shockingly bad and it was therefore difficult to read.

Overall, the story itself wasn't bad but I found it to be more frustrating than anything and it was a bit of an effort to finish. That said, I would still read more by this author as I do enjoy her writing style and I'm hoping it was just these characters that I wasn't fond of.

My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.

Meg and Marc are coming to terms with the death of their 6 year old daughter Lily. They decide to move away from the city to Marc’s late fathers cottage on cold water. The cottage is teepee in history and Meg experiences uncomfortable sounds and sensations when alone there. When on London they were both seeing a therapist Jeanette. Marc brought their sessions to an end feeling that he was developing feelings for this woman who knew his every thought and feeling. When they bump into her in coldwater. It seems to be a random coincidence and they welcome her into their lives. Marc for her to support Meg and Meg for her to support Marc. After all Jeanette knows all of their secrets. As a counsellor I love reading books about therapists and Jeanette is everything you hope you wouldn’t get on therapy. It was fascinating to see how much the couple came to rely on her and trusted everything she said. I was shocked to read how she was linked to the family past. I really enjoyed the authors nuggets of psychology. A great book just a tad long for me.

I’ve read and loved this authors books before but this one left me cold unfortunately. Too long winded and nothing intriguing to engage me.

"Tell Me Your Secrets" by Mel McGrath is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that delves deep into the complexities of grief, trust, and the haunting power of secrets. With its intriguing premise and well-crafted narrative, this novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

The story revolves around Meg and Marc, a couple grappling with the devastating loss of their daughter. Their lives unravel in the aftermath of the tragedy, leading them to seek solace in therapy with Janette, a compassionate therapist who becomes their lifeline during these dark times. As they struggle to cope with their grief, Meg and Marc decide to make a fresh start in a small town, coincidentally finding that Janette has also relocated there. This seemingly fortuitous connection initially provides them with comfort and a familiar face in a new place.

However, McGrath skilfully weaves a web of intrigue as the story progresses. The narrative explores the profound vulnerability of individuals in the throes of grief, and how the lines between therapist and friend can become blurred. Janette's character, in particular, is portrayed with a sinister depth that keeps readers guessing about her true intentions. Her insatiable curiosity and desire to uncover the couple's deepest secrets lead the narrative into darker, more treacherous territory.

One of the novel's strengths is its ability to create an atmosphere of unease and suspense. The tension steadily mounts as the story unfolds, making it difficult to discern whom to trust. The characters are well-developed, and their emotions are palpable, making it easy for readers to empathize with their struggles.

As the plot races toward its climax, the book presents several unexpected twists that challenge preconceived notions about the characters and their motivations. These twists are expertly executed, leaving readers shocked and revaluating their perceptions.

"Tell Me Your Secrets" is a thought-provoking exploration of how grief can affect individuals and relationships, and how trust can be both a lifeline and a dangerous weapon. Mel McGrath's writing is dark, sharp, and evocative, keeping readers engaged and invested in the story's outcome. If you enjoy psychological thrillers that delve into the complexities of human nature and the secrets we keep, this novel is a must-read. It will keep you questioning those you trust most and leave you with a chilling final twist that lingers long after the last page is turned.

3.5 stars rounded up.

A therapist becomes obsessed with the couple she is counselling, who have come to her after suddenly and tragically losing their only daughter. Little by little, she insinuates into their lives without them noticing - until she's in a position to take everything....

Meg and Marc lost their only daughter, Lily, in a hit and run accident. They decide to leave London and move to the cottage that Marc's father left him in his will. They are both seeing a therapist, Jeanette, who seems to understand what the couple are going through. Meg tries to solve the disappearance of a young girl who went missing thirty years ago.

This is a slow burn to begin with, but the pace soon picks up. It's also character driven. Meg is quite an naive character. I was quickly pulled into the story. Meg and Marc are unreliable characters. Meg is obsessive about a little girl who went missing from the cottage thirty years ago. The characters are well developed. The plotline is a little creepy with some twists and red herrings. I tool off half a star for the slow start.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HQ and the author #MelMcGrath for my ARC of #TellMeYourSecrets in exchange for an honest review.

Meg and Marc have lost their daughter in one of the most devastating ways...... A hit and run and the culprit has never been caught!! A few tears,after seeking therapy with Jeanette they decide to move to Coldwater a small village where Marcs dad has left him a cottage (Covert Cottage) to rebuild their lives. Meg can't settle, the locals don't seem friendly and there's just something about the cottage. Whilst out one day in the village she encounters Jeanette who says she's thinking of moving there. Jeanette ends up.moving into the studio in their garden whilst she is looking for somewhere to live. The problem is how much do Meg and Marc know about her ?.After all she knows,all about them and the secrets they haven't even told each other! Soon things start happening in and around the house but just who.is targeting them and why? Is it connected to the young girl (Cecilie) who vanished many years ago never to be found? just what secrets do the villagers know and why do they not want to talk about it?
Many thanks NetGalley and the publishers for letting m e read this book. I didn't really feel much towards the main characters, just felt they were far too easily led. However I enjoyed the book overall it did have lots of twists and turns and the ending is surprising! Only given 4 stars due to not really being able to feel for the characters.

A great story with lots of mystery and intrigue surrounding it along with a couple of good twists.

For me, it lost a star as I found it to be a bit too long winded in places like it was just trying to increase word count rather then being meaningful to the story.

When Meg and Marc lost their daughter their world fell apart. Meg stopped functioning but gradually with the help of a therapist managed to start coping again.

So when the chance to move away to a small town came up they took it. Then Meg saw Janette in the small town, and Meg felt better that she had a friend.

But things were not as they seem - who could Meg and Marc trust anymore? Was Janette a friend or a therapist?

Good read, although a little bit predictable.

Thanks to @netgalley for the advance copy.