Review: Turning Secrets

Turning Secrets by Brenda Chapman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Turning Secrets is the most recent installment (Book Six) in the Stonechild and Rouleau Mystery series by author Brendan Chapman. It is nothing short of an incredible read, with a plausible plot, well-developed characters, and detailed settings that cleverly reflect the tone.

Those familiar with the series will most certainly recognize many of the characters. MC Officer Kala Stonechild and colleagues return to solve a crime, this time called upon to investigate the death of a young mother, Nadia Armstrong. At first blush, it appears Armstrong has taken her own life by leaping from the sixth floor of a construction site. Closer examination, however, reveals injuries inconsistent with a fall, and the entire Kingston Major Crimes team soon becomes convinced that what looks like a suicide is actually a murder. The closer the team gets to solving the case, the more dangerous it becomes, and the race to the finish is one that is full of suspense and unexpected revelations.

Chapman opens with alternating chapters written in third person, each initially focusing upon a different narrative. For those unfamiliar with the series, it can be a bit overwhelming, as nearly twenty characters are introduced in just the first twenty or so pages. As seemingly unrelated scenes play out, however, the characters settle in, and the reader is drawn into a variety of story lines that eventually collide. At the heart is the recurring theme of unscrupulous men who prey upon vulnerable women. Casualties of domestic abuse, human trafficking and prostitution are all painted with gentle and forgiving brush strokes that elicit both sympathy and empathy from the reader. Chapman brings to life these characters in a way that guides the reader to fully invest and be moved by the circumstances. One can’t help but feel the desperation of the single mother, the troubled teen or the wayward father, as they are brought together like interlocking puzzle pieces until finally the larger picture is revealed.

The final genius of the book is in Chapman’s ability to create settings that brilliantly reflect the tenor of each scene. The security of Stonechild’s home is supported by the soothing descriptions of the water and Canadian wilderness surrounding it. The stark nature of an apartment building adds to the tragedy of the victim who lived there. The chaos and filth of a house reinforces the brutality of the man who calls it home. This pattern is one that, once recognized, adds to a fuller appreciation of the novel.

Overall, this was a wonderful read that can be equally enjoyed by those who follow the series and those who are new to it. It stands alone, though background knowledge provided in previous installments will add depth and continuity to the experience. I am grateful to NetGalley and Dundurn Press for providing me with an ARC for review. I am already looking forward to the next book!

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