A Mother's Secret: A beautiful, heartbreaking novel of love, loss and hidden tragedy (Secrets of India) Paperback – 5 April 2016

I always finish Renita’s books with a sigh, because I have to return to the real world and it’s not easy when you’ve been totally immersed in this writer’s world. The writing is so evocative, so beautiful, you not only feel everything the characters are feeling, you are there with them, tasting, touching and understanding. I had never been to India until I read Renita D’Silva – I still haven’t, yet I feel like I have because she describes the place, the people, the culture so vividly. This is a story about love, loss, heartbreak, misunderstanding told from the perspectives of different women, whose lives are cleverly interwoven by an incredibly talented writer who can create a story that holds you - and doesn’t let you go – even after the last page.

What a tangled web some families weave. ‘A Mother’s Secret’ by Renita D’Silva is a fragrant tale of mothers and daughters stretching from England to India. Gaddehalli is a tiny village in Goa but I could smell the spices, hear the wind in the trees, and see the buffalos in the fields as if I was there.This novel about identity starts with a young girl, Durga, who must stay with her grandmother in Gaddehalli after an accident to her parents. The ruined mansion where she lives, which is avoided by the locals as haunted and full of bad luck, is the centre of this story. The modern-day strand follows Jaya, a young mother in England mourning the loss of her baby son and whose mother Sudha has recently died. Sudha was an emotionally-withdrawn mother, but when Jaya discovers some of her mother’s hidden possessions, including diaries, she pieces together the story of Sudha’s early life. Jaya is looking for the identity of her own father; she finds so much more.From the beginning, it is a guessing game: how is the story of Durga connected to Kali, Jaya and Sudha? Halfway through, all my ideas of the twist had been proven wrong and I was wondering if the storylines would come together. At times I got the girls confused, but I read the second half of the novel quicker than the first and the twist, when it came, was a big surprise. A clever novel about families and how the important, simple things in life can sometimes be forgotten because of pride, selfishness or shame.

A beautifully written book. Although it takes a while to get into each of the characters and remember all the fine details about them, it is so beautifully written that this doesn't detract from total immersion into their lives. Renita D'Silvas wonderfully descriptive and well crafted writing evokes all the colours,sights and smells of India. It leaves those who have visited India full of memories and a longing to return and those who have never been,I am sure, with an urge to visit. My only regret,apart from the fact I had finished this lovely book,was that Renita didn't include recipes in the back!! I could smell the fragrant spices and hear the sizzling oil.

I really enjoyed the story but at times was confused with the characters and their position in this fascinating novel.

The various narratives in D'Silva's novel engage and intrigue. She has created feisty female characters who tell their stories in authentic voices. She has been particularly brave in creating Kali who is difficult to like and sometimes difficult to understand. In the end the narratives begin to dove-tail to a pleasing resolution. What I particularly enjoyed were the sensual descriptions of India, evoking all the senses, which fired my imagination and took me to the heart of the landscape. A rich and layered story.

A Mother's Secret is the third book I have read by this very talented author. Like the others I loved it, and learn so much about Indian culture, food etc. Jaya lived in U.K and lost her mother and then baby Son Arun in a cot death. Overcome with grief she searches for answers. Why was her mother so distant and mysterious about her past in India and who and what happened to her father. Looking through her mother's belongings she finds two diaries and photographs. One of the pictures is of a family in front of a mansion and there is a small boy there too. She recognises her mother and starts to read the diaries. She soon realises how much her mother loved her . What she discovers leads her to India, to the ruin of this once fine mansion and to Kali the old lady that has lost her mind, who will have mol love the story of what happened. I loved every page it had me spellbound . Thank you Renita it gave me hours of absolute pleasure. Another ofmyour books to recommend to my fiends, along with A Sisters Promise and A Daughter's Courage.

This book is the first i have read written by Renita D'silva and i can happily say won't be the last. I truly loved the writing style, the characters, the plot and the amazing descriptive settings.The story is atmospheric in every way, capturing life in India, the feel, the aromas and the tastes, such a vivid experience. You are just transported sitting in your seat.I was gripped with this book from start to finish, finding it emotional, heart breaking and intriguing. It was a pleasurable read, i would open it , start reading and would simply lose myself in it.A beautifully written novel by an amazing storyteller! Highly recommended and a must read.

A delightful story set in India about relationships and how the main character discovers why her mother didn't tell her about her Indian family and how the past and the present are reconciled by her retracing the steps of her mother. Poignant yet uplifting, it creates the feeling of Indian with all its myths and superstitions. A great read.

Une histoire qui vous tient en haleine du début à la fin

If you ever want to know what a mother go throughs,either become one or read this book! Also diary entries took me back to my days i would spill out everything to the diary.

A very good novel.

Other reviewers will tell you the basic plot. But I'd like to share the impart this book had on me. I read about two to three books a week and rarely give one a review, since I quickly forget the past books that don't leave a lasting impression. A Mother's Secret is not a book I will forget. Renita D'Silva created a mysterious plot, woven back and forth between three generations. Add that to the beautiful writing and lush descriptions of India you have a compelling story, one that literally kept me glued to the sofa for an entire afternoon, as I couldn't put it down without finding out what happened in the end. The end was a complete surprise (no spoiler alert here) and perfect climax to the entire story. Interestingly enough, this book could have taken place in England, in a castle or grand home, but I would have missed the visions of India. Renita, I plan to read every other book you have written if this one is any indication of your amazing talent. Thank you for sharing your writing skills and story with the world!

I am still in the process of reading it- but I couldn't wait to comment on it. I will put it simply, it's very rare that I get a book and can't put it down. This is one of those books- I am trying to slow down my reading because I am enjoying it so much- it takes me to a different world and I am lost in the lives of the women/girls it centres on. I am already worried about the next book I read because it will not meet the high bar this book has set.