All the Little Secrets by May Cobb

   

 All the Little Secrets is my first introduction to the writing prowess of May Cobb, but I am impressed ather prolificness and the quality of her novels. All the Little Secrets, to be published November 17, 2026 by Sourcebooks Landmark, is a stand alone sequel to

Cobb's previous novel, All the Little Houses. I was utterly surprised at the beginning of the book, the reader is introduced to a murdermystery from the start, but in a contrast to many novels, this time we know exactly whokilled the victim and why. Yet the reader is the only one in the novel who is privy to this information. In a twisted fashion, Cobb narrates her story from all the character's voices throughout the murder investigation, while keeping the reader entertained to watch as the participants in the book weave their lies to one another, in order to cast blame on each other as to who killed         Charleigh Anderson. Each character is completely warped and in association with the victim who is not a stellar human being herself, they illustrate human deceit as a normal part of their lives.

When I first began reading All the Little Secrets, I was a bit frustrated. Jumping from personality to personality felt taxing. I already knew who killed Charliegh so I felt cheated in the build up for the murder mystery. Yet as I continued to read I saw the genius in Cobb's approach. It was like watching a reality T.V. show unfold. All the players in the novel were making alliances with each other and manipulating the information to cast blame on each other. Even the dead victim had a voice in the story as she watched the plot unfold. I was particularly impressed with Cobb's writing voice to make each character become alive to the reader with a distinct personality and physical voice.  As I read I could tell more from the dialogue who the character was than the description of the person.  That takes talent.

There were surprises to the plot as the police solved the crime.  The reader knows, but the characters are kept in the dark until the bitter end. I was convinced that darkness had ruled the day but in the last pages, justice was served. 

If you are in the mood for a unique story, then I would recommend reading All the Little Secrets when it is released on November 17.  I am rating the book 4 stars, for its adept view of twisted human nature. 

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and May Cobb for the Advanced Reader's Copy of All the Little Secrets in exchange for this honest review.

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