Title: All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss
Summary:
In this fast-paced thriller, Wanda M. Morris crafts a twisty mystery about a black lawyer who gets caught in a dangerous conspiracy after the sudden death of her boss . . . A debut perfect for fans of Attica Locke, Alyssa Cole, Harlan Coben, and Celeste Ng, with shades of How to Get Away with Murder and John Grisham’s The Firm.
Everyone has something to hide…
Ellice Littlejohn seemingly has it all: an Ivy League law degree, a well-paying job as a corporate attorney in midtown Atlanta, great friends, and a “for fun” relationship with a rich, charming executive, who just happens to be her white boss. But everything changes one cold January morning when Ellice arrives in the executive suite and finds him dead with a gunshot to his head.
And then she walks away like nothing has happened. Why? Ellice has been keeping a cache of dark secrets, including a small-town past and a kid brother who’s spent time on the other side of the law. She can’t be thrust into the spotlight—again.
But instead of grieving this tragedy, people are gossiping, the police are getting suspicious, and Ellice, the company’s lone black attorney, is promoted to replace her boss. While the opportunity is a dream-come-true, Ellice just can’t shake the feeling that something is off.
When she uncovers shady dealings inside the company, Ellice is trapped in an impossible ethical and moral dilemma. Suddenly, Ellice’s past and present lives collide as she launches into a pulse-pounding race to protect the brother she tried to save years ago and stop a conspiracy far more sinister than she could have ever imagined…
Review:
All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris is a fast-moving mystery.
Ellice Littlejohn buried her past once she left Chillecothe, GA. Now a successful attorney at a family-owned Atlanta business, she is keeping secrets in her present. Ellice has been in a long-term affair with her boss Michael Sayles. So when she discovers his body one morning, she does not report his death. Certain he committed suicide, Ellice is less than forthcoming when Detective Shelly Bradford questions her about Michael. With a deep-seated mistrust of law enforcement, Ellice’s evasive answers raises the detective’s suspicions.
The only saving grace from Ellice’s dysfunctional childhood with an alcoholic mother is Vera Henderson. She is a mother figure who fought to get Ellice out of their small town and into a school that set her on her path to a career she loves. Ellice makes the decision to continue keeping her secrets, but she soon realizes that her past is not buried as deeply as she believes it to be.
Immediately after Michael’s death, Ellice is hurriedly promoted to his position. She definitely does not fit in with her all-White, all male co-workers but she is determined to make this promotion a success. But some of the business owner’s decisions do not make sense and she starts to wonder exactly what is going on. Ellice discovers shocking details that Michael kept hidden from everyone, including her. She then uncovers even more troubling information about the business. Unable to stop herself from digging deeper, Ellice endangers herself and the people she loves.
All Her Little Secrets is a compelling mystery that is incredibly suspenseful. Ellice’s secrets are slowly revealed through flashbacks to her difficult childhood. She is an intelligent woman who still harbors guilt about some of her past decisions. The storyline is quite engaging and takes many unanticipated twists and turns. With a diabolical plot coming into clear focus, Wanda M. Morris brings this multi-layered debut to a satisfying conclusion.
