This fast-paced, high-stakes corporate thriller elevates a timid, gifted perfumer to a cunning amateur sleuth.
Jesse has a nose for fragrances, but his sister, Chloé, excels in business. Expecting one of them to be bestowed the honour of taking over the family business and becoming CEO of House of Marcham, the family is shocked when a vague article is published. It asserts that a damages claim will be filed against House of Marcham but provides no context or further details. A protestor, crashing the company’s 25th-anniversary party with a banner that reads “The Marchams Must Pay,” heightens the tension of the situation. Jesse is determined to discover the who and why behind the war against his family’s legacy before it’s too late and the company is lost forever.
The Family Secret is rich with facts about the fragrance industry, which are skilfully interwoven into the suspenseful plot. It is immediately evident that the author, N.J. Barker, conducted thorough research in preparation for this novel. In addition, the characters are well-developed, with the narrative delving into their motivations and insecurities. As Jesse grapples with determining who he can trust while juggling the increasing demands of The Broker with securing the future of the family business, he breaks through his self-doubt and proves he is cunning enough to protect his family and their livelihood. The high-stakes action stays elevated up until the climactic conclusion. Fans of fast-paced corporate thrillers, amateur sleuths, and complicated family dynamics will enjoy this story.
https://www.winecellarlibrary.com/2024/12/the-family-secret-by-nj-barker.html
Set within a famous perfume house, this contemporary thriller includes family power struggles, a trail of unexpected incidents, a company takeover bid, and a race against time to save the company and protect the lives of those involved. This book will keep you completely immersed until the very last page!
Richard Ford and Jacqueline Marcham, husband and wife, and founders of House of Marcham perfumery are interviewing for a new CEO to take over from Richard. Two candidates are being interviewed – Jesse their son who is an exceptionally good perfumer, and Chloe their daughter who is carving out a brilliant business career. Both are currently employed by House of Marcham, but who will be appointed to the top job? However, parallel to the appointment process, a sequence of strange events occur which all suggest that there is an underlying dark secret within House of Marcham for which a price has to be paid. As the plot unfolds, a bizarre bid comes in to buy the company with a tight purchase deadline. Furthermore, key characters are kidnapped and find themselves undergoing terrifying ordeals. Jesse takes the helm in trying to understand what is the force driving behind the bid. This book is really interesting for those who like perfume and wish to understand a little more about the perfume making process, as well as those who enjoy a good thriller with strong characters, dynasty power struggles, and family compassion.
A family with a big secret it would like to stay secret at all costs.
I really enjoyed this book. The story about a family, primarily, and their high end perfume business. Secrets a plenty, twists and turns everywhere. A lot to keep the interest and keep you turning the pages.
About a family with one very big secret that could make or break them. Who is trustworthy and who would stab you in the back at the first opportunity.
A very good read.
A first-rate fast-paced thriller, set in a perfumery business. Family misdeeds resurface creating plot tension and twists, hooking the reader right from the start to its dramatic ending.
A family vote to decide the new CEO of the House of Marcham, a well-established and family run perfumery business, opens this fast-paced thriller. But things do not go to plan, and Jesse who is a master perfumery nose and his sister Chloe, the family’s business brain, soon discover their parents have other plans. A claim is made against the company; past family misdeeds are resurfacing and seemingly forcing a sale. These family secrets are placing Jesse, his sister Chloe, and those around them in increasing danger. The threatening “broker”, a mysterious figure, blackmails and orchestrates the killings, determined to drive the sale through to its deadline. Jesse starts to trust no-one, using his expert nose for clues in a race to avoid the sale, with his character gaining strength and self-confidence as the plot develops.
Family dynamics are at the heart of the storyline, with simmering past tensions coming to the surface and Jesse on a path to finally discovering the truth at the dramatic conclusion. The Family Secrets also allows the reader believable insights into the world of a luxury perfumery business, with these nuggets of information intertwined within the storyline. A very enjoyable fast-paced thriller, hooking the reader in right from the start and leaving you guessing right to the end.