Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of The Secret Hour

The Secret Hour
The Secret Hour
Author: Luanne Rice
ISBN-13: 9780553584011
ISBN-10: 0553584014
Publication Date: 2003
Pages: 395
Rating:
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 255

3.7 stars, based on 255 ratings
Publisher: Bantam
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

61 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed The Secret Hour on + 26 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I think this was one of Luanne Rice's best books. It's definitely different from the others I've read, but in a good way.
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I enjoyed this book - It had more a of a story then I thought it would! a quick read for me!
reviewed The Secret Hour on
Helpful Score: 1
I did not like the way this book started out so I did not finish reading it. The book has to grab me from the beginning and I did not like the way this one was going. Everyone is different about their books and this one was just not what I thought it would be.
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 11 more book reviews
This book was an entertaining read.
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 46 more book reviews
This is the first Luanne Rice book, I've read. I couldn't put it down. If you like mystries and romance all rolled into one book, this is the book for you. It's a really good read.
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 5 more book reviews
great read!
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 6 more book reviews
Very good book. Subject matter somewhat gruesome. Very well written.
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 2 more book reviews
John O'Rourke is a man in turmoil. Since the death of his wife.he has been juggling the rigors of a controversial capital murder case and the demands of raising 2 children. The children are also contending with the hostility that swirls around them since their father took on the defense of a despised killer--including a brick through their window.
Kate Harris arrives at the O'Rourke doorstep to find a household in chaos but brimming with love -- and she hopes, answers. Six months ago Kate's younger sister Willa vanished after mailing a single postcard from the New England shore. With only the postmark to go on, Kate came to the seaside--and discovers the one man who may be able to help her.......
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 10 more book reviews
A gripping story of a man fighting for his family, a woman searching for her sister - and the promise of a new life where both least expect it. As usual a very good read from Luanne Rice.
reviewed The Secret Hour on
Good book, not as good as some of hers. Just took me awhile to get into the story
reviewed The Secret Hour on
Wonderful book, full of mystery and romance!
Springer avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on + 26 more book reviews
Since the death of his wife, John has been juggling the rigors of a controversial murder case & the demands of raising 2 kids. As 11 yr. old Maggie & 14 yr. old Teddy long for the past, they must also contend with the hostility that swirls around them since their Dad took on the defense of a despised killer - including a brick through their window one morning. But a quieter event also takes place that day. A woman arrives at John's door to find a household in chaos but brimming with love- and she hopes answers. 6 mons. ago Kate's younger sister fled from home following a devastating confrontation. After mailing a postcard from the New. Eng. shore, Willa has vanished. With only a postmark to go on, Kate comes to the seaside & discovers the one man who may be able to help her...
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 3 more book reviews
Love, loss and the gift of second chances ... Beneath his controlled demeanor, attorney John O'Rourke is a man in turmoil. Since the death of his wife, he has juggled the rigors of a controversial capital murder case and the demands of raising two children. As 11-year-old Maggie and 14-year-old Teddy long for the past, they must also contend with the hostility that swirls around them since their father took on the defense of a despised killer -- including a brick through their window one autumn morning.

But a quieter event also takes place that day. A woman arrives ont he O'Rourke doorstep to find a household in chaos but brimming with love -- and she hopes, answers. Six months ago Kate Harris's younger sister fled from home following a devastating confrontation. After mailing a single postcard from the New England shore, Willa Harris vanished. With only a postmark to go on, Kate comes to the seaside -- and discovers the one man who may be able to help her.
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 49 more book reviews
Very good suspenseful story with a romance weaved into it! A quick read!
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 2 more book reviews
A good read.
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 20 more book reviews
Since the death of his wife, John O'Rourke has been juggling a capital murder case and the demands of raising his two children. A woman arrives on his doorstep one morning to find the household in chaos - a brick had been thrown through the living room window. John assumes she is the babysitter reporting from the hiring agency.
alishiaz avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on + 60 more book reviews
This was a good read. The struggles that the main characters goes through was interesting. What John goes through as a lawyer, representing the bad guy and how it affects his children. Kate looking for her missing sister. It had good suspense, especially at the end. I wanted to get through the book just so I could found out what happened.
MananaG avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on + 26 more book reviews
My current favorite author, reading everything I can find that she's written! This was a great suspense and romance, though the story is somewhat disturbing because of the serial killer element. Love the way this author gets inside the minds of all of her characters and does such a masterful job of describing their thoughts and feelings!
badgerbooks avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on + 6 more book reviews
Holy Cow!!! My heart was pounding towards the end of this book! It reminds me of the suspense/tension of that old movie with Audrey Hepburn, "Wait Until Dark". Just amazing
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 249 more book reviews
"Beneath his careful and controlled demeanor, attorney John O'Rourke is a man whose life is in turmoil. Since the death of his wife, he has been juggling the rigors of a controversial capital murder case and the demands of raising two children. Eleven-year-old Maggie's crooked bangs and rumpled clothes eloquently reproach John's earnest but haphazard attempts at mothering. Teddy, John's stalwart fourteen-year-old, has quietly assumed responsibilities far too weighty for his young shoulders, as he longs for the way things used to be and tries to ignore the hostility that swirled around his family since his father took on the defense of a killer whose crimes have rocked Connecticut.
A brick through the window one autumn morning signals a dangerous new level of hatred. A woman arrives on the O'Rourke doorstep to find a household on the brink of chaos but brimming with love--and, she hopes, answers. Kate Harris is searching for the key to her own mystery. Six months ago her younger sister flees far from their beloved home following a devastating confrontation, After mailing a single postcard from the New England shore, Willa Harris vanished. With only a postmark to go on, Kate takes a leave of absence from her joob as a marine biologist to come to the seaside Willa adored--and discovers the one man who may be able to help her."
Compelling and evocative, at once suspenseful, hearbreaking, and triumphant, 'The Secret Hour' is an unforgettable novel that explores the power of sisterly love, the gift of second chance--and the way magic can sometimes be the most real thing in the whole world.
cajunqueen avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on + 25 more book reviews
Nice easy read. Good book.
emeraldfire avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on
Beneath his calm and controlled demeanor, attorney John O'Rourke is a man whose life is in turmoil. Since his wife's death, he has been juggling the rigors of a controversial capital murder case and the demands of raising two children. Eleven-year-old Maggie's crooked bangs and rumpled clothes eloquently reproach John's earnest but haphazard attempts at mothering. Teddy, John's stalwart fourteen-year-old, has quietly assumed responsibilities that are far too weighty for his young shoulders, as he longs for the way things used to be and studiously tries to ignore the hostility that swirls around his family since his father took on the defense of a killer whose crimes have rocked Connecticut.

A brick thrown through the window one autumn morning signals a dangerous new level of hatred. But a quieter event also takes place that day. A woman arrives on the O'Rourke doorstep to find a household on the brink of chaos but brimming with love - and, she hopes, answers.

Kate Harris is searching for the key to her own mystery. Six months ago her younger sister fled far from their beloved home following a devastating confrontation. After mailing a single postcard from the New England shore, Willa Harris vanished. With only a postmark to go on, Kate takes a leave of absence from her job as a marine biologist to come to the seaside Willa adored - and discovers the one man who may be able to help her.

I found that this book was just alright with me - not my favorite book, but quite well-written in my opinion. There were the usual dramatic plot twists throughout the story, with a few eyebrow-raising coincidences along the way. It was still a very nice reading experience for me. The mystery was not all that believable to me, but that may just mean that I have become an extremely hard-bitten reader of mysteries. I think that I definitely want to continue reading Luanne Rice, however, I give The Secret Hour an A!
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 204 more book reviews
This book was a fun light read that held some suspense. I liked thee story up until the end which seemed hurried and a little to much. Overall it was a good read.
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 377 more book reviews
Very good book. First book read by Luanne Rice that had mystery. Surprise ending.
Tata avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on + 135 more book reviews
I loved this book. I am an avid reader and found this book to be sad, funny and mesmorizing.
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 107 more book reviews
Love, loss, and the gift of second chances.......
AimeeR avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on + 46 more book reviews
excellent read!
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 30 more book reviews
Love--loss---and the gift of a second chance. must read!
Smokey avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on + 265 more book reviews
A man fighting for his family, a woman searching for her sister, and the promise of a new life for all of them. Attorney John O'Rourke is defending a man who may have murdered Kate Harris' sister.
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 138 more book reviews
Great book!!
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 2 more book reviews
excellent ending
mwelday avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on + 148 more book reviews
Kate Harris's sister is missing...can lawyer John O'Rourke help her find out if her sister was murdered by one of his clients? I
would recommend this book.
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 42 more book reviews
Luann Price has done it again. I have enjoyed all of her books.
SunnyBrook avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on + 147 more book reviews
Great Story!
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 17 more book reviews
I liked this intriguing story. Follow the leads of an attorney's case and watch as love gets mixed up into his work.
ferretlover avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on
Wonderful book, I love this author. I have read almost all her books. 1-5 I give it a 5
shooky avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on + 138 more book reviews
I loved this book. It really conveys the strong bond between sisters, forgiveness, and discovering love in unusual places.
Lori S, Raymond, NH
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 27 more book reviews
Loved this story!! A story of a man fighting for his family, a woman searching for her sister - and the promise of a new life where both least expect it.
my2luvsemmyandmally avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on + 758 more book reviews
Enjoyed this book! One of her best.
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 10 more book reviews
excellent...lovely story....
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 7 more book reviews
very good author loved the book
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 82 more book reviews
Excellent book
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 148 more book reviews
Not recommended for young readers....
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 9 more book reviews
Beneath his controlled demeanor, attorney Joh O"Rourke is a man in turmoil. SInce the death of his wife, he has been juggling the rigors of a controversial capital murder case and the demands of raising two children. As eleven year old Maggies and fourteen year old Tedy long for the past, they must also contend with the hostility that swirls around them since their father took on the defense of a despised killer-including a brick through their window one autumn morning.
But a quieter event also took place that day. A woman arrives on the O'Rourke doorstep to find a household in chaos but brimming with love and she hopes answers. Six months ago when Kate Harris' sister fled from home following devastating confrontation. After mailing a single postcard from the New England shore, Willa Harris vanished. With only a postmark to go on, Kate comes to the seaside and descovers the one man who may be able to help her......
Willowgirl avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on + 294 more book reviews
Thought that this was an Anne Rice book, it is not. Kind of a mystery and suspence book.
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 80 more book reviews
Liked the Book, good read
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 20 more book reviews
Very good book. I couldn't put it down until I finished it
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 57 more book reviews
Awesome Book!
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 7 more book reviews
the story of how someone copes after a death with family and a job
Counselor avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on + 85 more book reviews
The gripping story of a man fighting for his family, a woman searching for her sister--and the promse of a new life where both least expect it.
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 16 more book reviews
This is a good book!!!!!!!!!!!
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 74 more book reviews
The gripping story of a man fighting for his family, a woman searching for his sister - and the promise of a new life where both least expect it.
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 373 more book reviews
Beneath his controlled demeanor, attorney John O'Rourke is a man in turmoil. Since the death of his wife, he has been juggling the rigors of a controversial capital murder case and the demands of raising two children. As eleven-year-old Maggie and fourteen-year-old Teddy long for the past, they must also contend with the hostility that swirls around them since their father took on the defense of a despised killer-including a brick through their window one autumn morning.

But a quieter even also takes place that day. A woman arrives on the O'Rourke doorstep to find a household in chaos but brimming with love-and, she hopes, answers. Six months ago Kate Harris's younger sister fled from home following a devastating confrontation. After mailing a single postcard from the New England shore, Will Harris vanished. With only a postmark to go on, Kate comes to the seaside-and discovers the one man who may be able to help her.
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 4 more book reviews
Gripping story of a man fighting for his family, a woman searching for her sister and the promise of a new life when both least expect it. Good read.
Harmony1204 avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on + 54 more book reviews
From the back cover "...the gripping story of a man fighting for his family, a woman searching for her sister -- and the promise of a new life where both least expect it."
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 178 more book reviews
Beneath his controlled demeanor, attorney John O'Rourke is a man in turmoil. Since the death of his wife, he has been juggling the rigors of a controversial capital murder case and the demand of raising two children. As eleven-year-old Maggie and fourteen-year-old Teddy long for the past, they must also contend with the hostility that swirls around them since their father took on the defense of a despised killer - including a brick through their window one autumn morning.

But a quieter event also takes place that day. A woman arrives on the O'Rourke doorstep to find a household in chaos but brimming with love - and, she hopes, answers. Six months ago Kate Harris's younger sister fled from home following a devastating confrontation. After mailing a single postcard from the New England shore, Willa Harris vanished. With only a postmark to go on, Kate comes to the seaside - and discovers the one man who may be able to help her.....
HowieB avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on + 72 more book reviews
Beneath his controlled demeanor, attorney John O'Roarke is a man in turmoil. Since the death of his wife, he haas been juggling the rigors of a controversial capital murder case and the demands of raising two childeren. As eleven year-old Maggie and fourteen year-old Teddy long for the past, they must contend with the hostility that swirls around them since their father took on the defense of a despised killer-including a brick through their window one morning.

But a quieter event also takes place that day. A woman arrives on the O'Rourke doorstep to find a household in chaos, but brimming with love-and she hopes answers. Six months ago Kate Harris's younger sister fled from home following a devistating confrontation. After mailing a single postcard from the New England shore, Willa Harris vanished. With only a postmark to go on, Kate comes to the seaside-and discovers the one man who may be able to help her...

Luanne Rice is a favorite and this is one of her best. A who-done-it and romance keeps you glued to the pages.
Chesara avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on + 153 more book reviews
Beneath his careful and controlled demeanor, attorney John ORourke is a man whose life is in turmoil. Since the death of his wife, he has been juggling the rigors of a controversial capital murder case and the demands of raising two children. Eleven-year-old Maggies crooked bangs and rumpled clothes eloquently reproach Johns earnest but haphazard attempts at mothering. Teddy, Johns stalwart fourteen-year-old, has quietly assumed responsibilities far too weighty for his young shoulders, as he longs for the way things used to be and tries to ignore the hostility that has swirled around his family since his father took on the defense of a killer whose crimes have rocked Connecticut.

A brick through the window one autumn morning signals a dangerous new level of hatred. But a quieter event also takes place that day. A woman arrives on the ORourke doorstep to find a household on the brink of chaos but brimming with love--and, she hopes, answers. Kate Harris is searching for the key to her own mystery. Six months ago her younger sister fled far from their beloved home following a devastating confrontation. After mailing a single postcard from the New England shore, Willa Harris vanished. With only a postmark to go on, Kate takes a leave of absence from her job as a marine biologist to come to the seaside Willa adored--and discovers the one man who may be able to help her.

Compelling and evocative, at once suspenseful, heartbreaking, and triumphant, The Secret Hour is an unforgettable novel that explores the power of sisterly love, the gift of second chances--and the way magic can sometimes be the most real thing in the whole world.
katy0118 avatar reviewed The Secret Hour on + 151 more book reviews
A good enjoyable read.
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 29 more book reviews
Beneath his controlled demeanor attorney. John o"Rourke is a man in turnoil. Since the death of his wife, he has been juggling the rigors of a controverial sapital murder case and the demands of raising two children. As eleven-year-old Maggie and fourteen-year-old Teddy long for the past, they must also contend with the hostility that swirls around themsince their father took on the defense os a despised killer--including a brick through their window one autumn morning.
reviewed The Secret Hour on + 63 more book reviews
Good Book, Great ending