Secrets of St Mary's

In the quiet village of St. Mary’s, life appears peaceful, but beneath its serene surface lies a network of secrets and dark histories. The story follows John Bailey, the village vicar, who is haunted by his own past as it begins to surface, threatening the carefully maintained life he has built. Alongside him is an elderly woman who, as a long-time observer, knows more about the villagers’ hidden lives than anyone suspects.

Sam, a troubled young man in search of redemption, becomes dangerously entangled in a web of manipulation, drawn to John as a possible source of salvation or ruin.

As secrets emerge and hidden truths come to light, the village is thrown into turmoil, forever altering its residents. This book delves into themes of secrecy, redemption, and the power of the past to disrupt the present.

Richard Hughes is a UK-based crime thriller author from Essex. Born in London, he developed a passion for crime novels early on, which has since shaped his writing. Secrets of St Mary’s is his debut novel and the first in an anticipated series. Hughes’ work delves into the gritty side of crime fiction, blending suspense and realism inspired by his lifelong interest in the genre.

Customer Reviews

5.0

7 reviews

Irene

Secrets of St Mary’s is a beautifully written and deeply compelling novel that kept me hooked from the very first page. The atmosphere is rich and immersive, with just the right balance of mystery, emotion, and suspense. The characters are incredibly well-drawn—each with their own secrets and complexities—and the setting of St Mary’s itself feels like a character in its own right. The plot unfolds with perfect pacing, revealing layers of intrigue that kept me guessing until the very end. I loved how the story weaves the past and present together so seamlessly, creating a narrative that feels both timeless and urgent. This is the kind of book that stays with you long after you finish it. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a gripping mystery with heart and depth.
Riza Keskin

Absolutely incredible book! The storyline is full of plot twists and cliff hangers. Absolutely recommend this to anyone in to eerie stories!
Irene G

Secrets of St Mary’s is a beautifully written and deeply compelling novel that kept me hooked from the very first page. The atmosphere is rich and immersive, with just the right balance of mystery, emotion, and suspense. The characters are incredibly well-drawn—each with their own secrets and complexities—and the setting of St Mary’s itself feels like a character in its own right. The plot unfolds with perfect pacing, revealing layers of intrigue that kept me guessing until the very end. I loved how the story weaves the past and present together so seamlessly, creating a narrative that feels both timeless and urgent. This is the kind of book that stays with you long after you finish it. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a gripping mystery with heart and depth.
Allyson Robinson

This book is not my usual genre, however, I could not put it down, and soon became hooked on the plot, and I had to see what happened to the characters as the story played out. The book is very well written and the characters very believable, it transported me to the village of St Mary's. I would highly recommend this book to all readers whatever your preferred genre. Well done to the author.
Kay Hamersley

10/10 - a great book with surprising twists and turns. Couldn’t put it down and would definitely recommend!
Jackie

This is an extremely readable crime thriller. Once you start reading it you will find it very hard to put down! The portrayal of the characters is very believable. I can't wait for this author's next book.
Jade Vassallo

Couldn’t put it down- totally gripping!! From the very first chapter, I was hooked. The story has this really eerie, mysterious vibe that makes you want to keep reading “just one more chapter” every time. The setting is incredible – St Mary’s feels so real and full of history, almost like a character in its own right. It’s creepy in the best way, with little details that make you feel like you’re right there walking through the old halls, trying to figure out what’s really going on. The twists were great too – nothing felt obvious or forced, and I genuinely didn’t see a few of them coming. Hughes has a really engaging way of writing that makes everything flow so naturally. If you like a good mystery with a bit of gothic atmosphere and some unexpected turns, I’d definitely recommend this one. One of the best books I’ve read this year!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️