EVERY SECRET THING

Author: Lila Shaara ISBN: 0345485653 7/2006 SUSPENSE Publisher: BALLANTINE

Gina Paletta should have been used to upheaval. From her childhood in a small southern town to her career in Manhattan’s glamorous modeling world to sudden, unplanned motherhood, Gina has forever struggled to keep her life under control. Now, at thirty-three–her “year of waking up”–she has moved with her young sons to upstate New York and reinvented herself as a college professor. At last she can nurse the fragile hope of safety, the hope of security. But Gina learns that security is an illusion when a pair of police detectives arrive at her doorstep. Two of Gina’s students have posted salacious photographs of her on a website. Even more troubling, these young men are suspects in a local murder. Beneath the campus elms, amid the ivied masonry of the collegiate buildings, and in the libraries where she secrets herself from the world, Gina Paletta must now contend with a new sensation: terror. As the tension rises, Gina turns to her family and friends, only to discover lies and violence beneath placid surfaces. Fearful for her safety and that of her children, determined to guard the new life she has built, Gina comes to rely on the company and protection of one of the detectives assigned to her case. Yet even as their relationship grows more complicated, the danger around them mounts–and Gina finds herself marshaling reserves of strength and resolve she never dreamed existed.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

EVERY SECRET THING doesn't know what it wants to be when it grows up.

Ms. Shaara's debut novel doesn't fit easily into any genre—part fiction, part suspense, part romantic thriller, part coming-of-age and maybe a dash of mainstream in the mix.

While EVERY SECRET THING has some compelling elements, this uneven first novel is often beset with almost insurmountable problems.

First the good things. Gina Paletta, Ms. Shaara's lead character, is the highlight of this novel. Gina, an ex-supermodel turned college professor, is a gorgeous neurotic (there's no other word for it) whose everyday struggles and conflicts make this story interesting. Gina's inner dialogue (ramblings) are the strength of Every Little Thing. Her romance with NYC cop, Tommy Galloway is believable and also, at times, touching.

Now for the not-so-good things. Ms. Shaara gets into trouble when she meanders into areas that have no bearing on this story. For instance, EVERY SECRET THING delves into several subplots that add nothing to this story. In fact, most of these unnecessary subplots are left dangling at the end of the novel. Among the most glaring are excessive time spent on Gina's extended, extremely dysfunctional family—including cousins, aunts, uncle, even her own mother. Most all hate Gina for her beauty (both a blessing and a curse) and for her success. Gina's family makes her look normal—almost.

EVERY SECRET THING's suspense also suffers from inattention. The core of a really good thriller was there, but the element of surprise was lost with so many unnecessary subplots.

EVERY SECRET THING would really have benefited from a good edit job.

Lastly, this novel is written in first-person narrative. I'm not real fond of first-person because secondary characters are often never fully developed. While EVERY SECRET THING's narrative creates a multi-dimensional character in Gina, the story is hampered by weak, shadowy secondary characters—including Tommy.

Although EVERY SECRET THING suffers from too many subplots and not enough focus to the suspense and to the characters, Ms. Shaara has a unique, refreshing voice (sometimes bordering on folksy). Gina Patella is a memorable character—her insight is honest and touching.

Debbie Jett