The Secret Keeper

When sixteen year old Laurel Nicolson witnesses a horrific event in 1961 she tries to put it to the back of her mind. However in 2011 when the family is gathering to celebrate her mother's 90th (and probably last) birthday Laurel decides it is time to discover the truth about her mother's story. 

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton gradually reveals the story through accounts of events occuring in different time frames, particularly the late 1930s and the Second World War and 2011 when Laurel  attempts to discover the facts of the family history. Laurel's bother, Gerry, assists her in this quest. 

Three people, Dorothy, Vivien and Jimmy met in London during the Blitz and it is learning of their stories that allows Laurel to understand the past leading to the event witnessed by Laurel and her young brother. This is a story of love, friendship, deception and misunderstanding. It also depicts how events from the past can still impact on the future.