Secrets AND LIES
CHAT HOST GRAHAM’S GRIPPING SECOND NOVEL TACKLES TWISTED LOVE
Given the quick-fire humour of his TV chat show, you might assume the sort of fiction Graham Norton writes would be zippy and fun. But actually there isn’t a witty quip to be found in his second novel, A Keeper. This story of family secrets and twisted love is dark and reflective.
Elizabeth Keane has returned to her small Irish hometown Buncarragh following her mother’s death. The plan is to clear out her house, but instead Elizabeth uncovers a decadesold mystery.
She comes across a stash of letters that seem to shed light on who her father might have been and so sets out to try and find him – getting rather more than she had bargained for.
Elizabeth’s story is interspersed with chapters that reveal what happened to her mother all those years ago. Patricia is a naïve young woman who is determined not to remain single all her life. She dreams of being a farmer’s wife, so takes out a lonely hearts ad in the Irish Farmers Journal.
A reply comes from Edward Foley and while he doesn’t set her heart racing – in fact, he’s a shy and awkward man – Patricia tries to convince herself he’s the one for her. She goes to stay with him and his mother in their isolated coastal property.
There are twists in this tale that I’m not going to spoil, but what I can say without giving the game away is the story takes quite a sinister turn.
Graham writes perceptively about life and emotions. You get the feeling that, when he’s not putting on a show in front of the TV cameras, he’s a serious, intense sort of person. Still, there is some gentle humour to be found in this very skilfully crafted tale about the endless complexities of human relationships.
Clearly, the author’s celebrity status will be what prompts a lot of readers to pick up this novel. If they are expecting Hollywood glitz and easy laughs, they may feel let down, but anyone looking for a thoughtful family mystery won’t be disappointed.