Andrea's Secret

by John Kelly

Buried deep in the heart of every family, lies a story no one wants to tell -

In early 1974, a pregnant Andrea Steedman leaves home to conceal the birth of her daughter Mary Therese. A few months after she has given birth, depressed and confused, she agrees to an adoption under highly irregular circumstances.

Twenty two years later on her deathbed, Andrea reveals the existence of her daughter to her wealthy brother Warwick, who as executor, must find Mary Therese and ensure that she receives her rightful share of the estate. On the same day a near fatal car accident thrusts taxi driver, Julian Knowles into the malaise of the troubled Steedman family, tenuously held together by the matriarch Elsie, who is forced to confront sibling rivalry and jealously.

In the ensuing days, Warwick asks and old university friend Brad Murphy to begin the search for Mary Therese. Brad's investigations however, reveal that all is not as it seems and events conspire to bring the family to the threshold as younger brother and sister vent their anxiety and frustration over the terms of Andrea's will.

The story unfolds in such a way that the reader is forced to take sides. A carefully crafted piece of writing keeps you guessing until the last few pages.

318 pages softcover

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