Review- Take it to the Grave Part 1 by Zoe Carter

It started with an anonymous note…
Sarah Taylor-Cox has the perfect life—a gorgeous husband, a picture—perfect house in the Hamptons and a beautiful baby, Elliot. Now, the invites are being sent out for Elliot's christening, and the Taylor—Coxes are determined the party will be the event of the year.

There's just one chink in Sarah's carefully constructed calm demeanour—her sister, Maisey, will be coming. The sisters used to be close, but now their lives couldn't be more different. Surely though, they will slip back into their old ways, and the party will go off without a hitch…

Then, Sarah's difficult relationship with Maisey is pushed to the back of her mind when she receives a note, one which makes her whole body shake with dread: I know your secret. I'm going to tell.

Part 1 of 6: a riveting new installment in this darkly compelling psychological thriller.

Stacey's review 4 of 5 stars

I saw this title on NetGalley and was intrigued by the summary, not realizing this would be a short part of a six part series. I am just reviewing part 1.

This is a story about the false masks people wear in public and the secrets that can tear a family, and a person's soul, apart.

"I know your secret. I'm going to tell.".... This is how part one of this series ends .
We meet Sarah and Maisey, two sisters who haven't spoken in ten years, leading very different lives that are about to be reunited over a shared secret past.

Sarah appears to have it all- married into a wealthy family, a handsome husband who appears to adore her and a three month old baby boy. On the outside her life seems perfect. But we quickly see how Sarah is struggling- judged by everyone around her at every turn. Why haven't you lost the baby weight? almost everyone in her life asks her constantly. Her decisions are undermined. Her world is one where outward impressions are held above all else, and her overly critical mother in law reminds her of this frequently. Eleanor, the mother in law, is also offended by the fact that they have never met Sarah's family and insists that they all come out to the Hamptons for the baby's christening. Sarah acquiesces and sends her sister (who travels as a nurse internationally) an email to invite her, assuming she wouldn't get it. At home Sarah struggles- her perfect husband is dominating and controlling, as is his mother. Sarah is uncomfortable in her post baby skin and is judged by all her shallow, uppity 'friends'. She appears stuck in a life she does not fit in- but how did she get here?

Maisey is a traveling nurse- helping underprivileged and indigent people in third world countries- under a false persona. She does admirable work but is always on the run. She has no home base. She reflects fondly on her sister and their sibling connection but there is something very dark about their shared past the reader doesn't know. After running out on her latest intimate relationship she receives an email from Sarah, inviting her to come visit, and decides it is time to face her sister. Part one ends with her decision to come back to the states.

I was caught up in the drama of this book from the start. I felt for Sarah, who is unhappy at a time of her life that should be wonderful- young love, new baby. Her husband and inlaws are awful in my opinion and I can't wait to find out why she allowed herself to be in the position she is caught in. And what the terrible secret that has sent her into a panic is.... Looking forward to part ll!