Gold makes it obvious there’s more to the original murders than uncovered at the time (or there’d be no need for this book!) but does a good job at meting out new facts and details… mostly uncovered by Ben along with Dani, a cop returning to work after an ‘incident’. I remember watching the first series of Broadchurch and like so many people was absolutely gripped by it and the intensity of its setting. In creating Haddley, I set out to create a small community where lots of people know each other, and each has their own secrets. Haddley is a fictionalised version of Putney in London where the river and outside spaces play a big part in people’s lives. Underneath” by Anne Goodwin – Book Review #NovNov23 #novella @inspiredquill #Underneath#BookReview November 22, 2023

I think there is a small bit of me in Ben. When you create a character who shares so much from his point of view you can’t help but have some of yourself. With me growing up wanting to be a journalist, that is definitely playing out in Ben and he also drinks a huge amount of coffee which is something I’ve borrowed from myself! Ben has been through a terrible time in his life a hopefully readers feel a sympathy for him—but because he’s had so many challenges in his life he has learnt not to worry about the little things in life and that makes him a fun character to write—and hopefully read. I felt there were too many characters, a number of which on hindsight added nothing to the story and probably took up too much time that could have been spent adding depth to the main cast. I adored TWELVE SECRETS - It was so much twisty-turny fun and I loved the characters and how their secrets unravelled. It's a fast-paced, utterly gripping thriller - a definite twelve out of ten! -- VANESSA SAVAGE Yes, this is an entertaining crime thriller. It speaks to the arrogance, entitlement, and hubris of the very wealthy who think other people are pawns in their own personal game. It also speaks to parenting, both by birth and by adoption. Emma @damppebbles is honoring #bookbloggers with her annual #R3COMM3ND3D2023 – and today is myday! November 18, 2023I wrote Twelve Secrets during 2019 and then found an agent at the start of 2020. It was the second half of 2020 by the time I agreed a publishing deal with Hachette whose preference was to then wait to publish the book in early 2022. We completed the editorial process around April or May last year and very sadly my dad passed away at the end of April. It meant he never got to read Twelve Secrets, so for me on a personal level that has been the most challenging thing. I know my mum feels the same sadness that he didn’t get to read the book, but I have dedicated it to him, and readers will see I find a small way to bring him into the story itself. I’m now entering my twentieth year working in sales in the publishing industry and of course that has also had an influence over my desire and determination to write this book. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with a wide variety of hugely talented writers. I often thought over the years I would love to write a book, but it isn’t only about the idea – its about the commitment to the time to sit down and write it.

Twelve Secrets by Robert Gold took me by surprise. I’d planned on allocating just a short time in the bath to read, but ended up dining on biscuits and chips because I remained in there (topping up with warm water once or twice) until I was finished. Twenty years on Ben is one of the best true crime journalists in the country. He has left the past behind, thanks to the support of his close-knit hometown community. Ben seems on the verge of resisting the persistent appeals from his strong willed boss until the body of another woman turns up and somehow they are all linked.This debut novel from Robert Gold had me gripped from the start. A double murder followed by a suicide had me wondering what had happened and intrigued to know more. With Twelve Secrets I started with an idea for the beginning and pretty much knew what I wanted the end to be but everything in between was the journey along the way. I had certain events I knew would happen as the story unfolded but where they would fit and how they would occur, I wasn’t sure. I wanted to try to imagine events as they would unfold in real life and how people would react to them. One thing then triggers another because really it’s a story about people and their own secrets. I think for a huge amount of authors actually being a writer is a secret they carry for many years. I’ve worked in publishing for nearly twenty years but never really talked about wanting to become an author. When a writer takes that first step and shares their work it is an incredibly challenging moment. You have no idea how it is going to be received. It’s been very exciting to have such a positive response to my book first from my agent and then from all of the team and Little, Brown. But the true test will be when readers get to judge Twelve Secrets for themselves and that is a moment I will await with a degree of trepidation!

Ben Harper– is in his mid-thirties and is a prize winning investigative journalist. When he was just eight years old, his older brother was murdered. His father made himself scarce, so it was just Ben and his Mum to help each other through their grief. Then, ten years ago, Ben’s mother jumped in from of a train… With the ten year anniversary of his mother’s death looming, his boss, Madeline Wilson, wants him to write a story. The only thing is… it is HIS story. At first Ben is highly reluctant to do what his boss is demanding, but as time and events develop, he thinks that it might just be what he needs to find some answers, some justice, and some much needed closure. I really enjoyed Twelve Secrets, it’s an exciting debut and I’ll certainly be reading the next book Robert Gold releases, I liked Ben’s character a hell of a lot! Some of the chapters follow other characters too, but a lot of the novel is from Ben’s perspective. How close to Ben did you feel during the writing process? Is there any of yourself in him? For some reason this novel reminded me somewhat of an episode of the television drama " Unforgotten". There were a LOT of characters and at first you cannot figure out how they are connected. As the story evolves you discover that they are indeed connected and it all makes sense. Twelve Secrets is a smart, satisfying, one-of-a-kind thriller that entertained me from start to finish. It examines the confluence of family loyalties and dark secrets while keeping the plot boiling." - James PattersonHARLAN COBEN MEETS HAPPY VALLEY IN THIS ROLLERCOASTER NEW THRILLER FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR