“Twisted Secrets,” Volume 3 of the Secrets and Second Chances series by Donna M. Zadunajsky is an eerie, psychological mystery/thriller that captures readers on the first page and takes them on a turbulent, twisty ride straight through to the very last sentence.
When Ashley Teodora is called to help her best friend in her time of need, she leaves her five-year-old daughter Lily with her grandmother for a few days. Catherine Teodora enjoys spending time with her granddaughter and takes advantage of this opportunity to take Lily to the zoo. One split-second is all it takes for their lives to change forever, and things aren’t as quiet in the small town of Craven Falls, Ohio as it might first appear. Long lost loves, distant family members, strangers, and stalkers, will twisted secrets destroy the Teodora family?
“Twisted Secrets” is a highly engaging story I could not put down. I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s writing style–she writes with a zeal that jumps off the pages. I could actually feel everything that was happening in the story; descriptions of the settings felt authentic, and I was easily immersed into the scenes in the small town. The solid, compelling drama draws the reader directly into the plot and the intense action. The story moves at just the right pace, and true to its’ title, is full of plot twists and secrets I never saw coming. Seriously, just when you think you have it figured out the author drops a bombshell with a new twist!
The characters are genuine and convincing. As a mother, I can’t conceive of anything worse than child abduction. The fear, guilt, anguish, self-doubt; everything experienced by Lily’s mother and grandmother is portrayed with authentic, tormenting reality. Can you imagine that tightening in your chest, the unrest deep down in your belly? Totally haunting!
Overall I highly recommend “Twisted Secrets” by Donna M. Zadunajsky. The third volume in a series stands solid as an independent story and is such a remarkable read. Full of drama, head games, romance, betrayal, and secrets, this book has a bit of something for everyone.
