Multi-generational family drama, travelling between the Caribbean, England and the US, and told across multiple perspectives and timelines.

The death of Eleanor Bennett leads to the revelation of a decades old mystery when Eleanor leaves an audio recording for her son and estranged daughter to listen to together and in the presence of her lawyer.

We then piece together interwoven strands which echo through the generations.

This is a complex family drama with a very intriguing story. The story is told through multiple perspectives. This was an emotional read. The ending was very good.

I love being given the opportunity to update our school library which is a unique space for both senior students and staff to access high quality literature. This is definitely a must-buy. It kept me absolutely gripped from cover to cover and is exactly the kind of read that just flies off the shelves. It has exactly the right combination of credible characters and a compelling plot thatI just could not put down. This is a great read that I couldn't stop thinking about and it made for a hugely satisfying read. I'm definitely going to order a copy and think it will immediately become a popular addition to our fiction shelves. 10/10 would absolutely recommend.

This book opens with a gripping prologue: in 1965, a young bride jumps into the sea, leaving her perplexed father behind. From that moment on, I was hooked.

In 2018, Byron and Benny, siblings who used to be very close, but have been estranged for past 8 years, gather together for their mother’s funeral and will reading.

Eleanor Bennett, Byron and Benny’s mother, left them an audio file and a note. They are told that they have to listen to the recordings made shortly before her death in the presence of her lawyer, Mr Mitch. The note accompanying the audio file states that they will have to share the black cake when the time is right and they will know when that moment comes.

Benny and Byron listen to their mother narrating the story of a young woman named Covey, who loved sea swimming and who escaped the Caribbean under the suspicion of murder.

The siblings are perplexed – what does this Covey woman has to do with their mother?

Ooh, you simply must read this book. I was entranced by Covey’s tumultuous journey and history, and so desperate to discover what happened to her, that I raced through the pages.

I loved reading about Covey’s friendship with Bunny and her love for Gibbs. I had an inkling of who Covey might be, but when the second part of the book arrived, I didn’t expect that outcome.

I was heartbroken for young Covey, but admired her courage and determination.

I don’t really want to give the plot away, but this book is a tale of family secrets, giving up everything and starting from scratch, and surviving against all odds.

There is racism towards the Black Caribbeans living in the US, but also towards the Chinese diaspora living in the Caribbean. I found the historic notes at the end of book fascinating.

I can honestly say that I regret not reading this book sooner. It’s been on my NetGalley shelf for over a year. However, I am so glad that I finally got to it!

Thank you to Michael Joseph for approving my NetGalley request to read and review this title.

When Bryson and Benny reunite for their mother Eleanor’s funeral everything they thought they knew about their family is turned upside down.

Really enjoyed the duel time line but was definitely more drawn to the story of Eleanor’s past, she was a great, strong female character.

I did find the reasons for Benny’s estrangement from her family quite hard to fathom but overall was an interesting and at times emotional read.

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to re-read and review if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

I devoured this book and enjoyed learning of another time and another culture and the struggles they faced. The characters were well developed and likeable, I had so much hope for Covey and Gibbs given how difficult their lives were made. I don’t want to cover what every other review has already done but I urge you to read this book. Much like a recipe for Eleanor’s ancestorial black cake, this book is delicious and leaves you wanting more

Wonderful Dual Timeline story that goes through generations and traditions. The author did a great job in bringing their characters to life and telling their stories.

This book was really well crafted. As Charmaine says, even when stories are made up they typically contain emotional truths and I felt like this book contained so many. I was particularly struck by the relationship between Benny and her parents. The clear love yet horribly fractured relationship. It really hit me because in most situations of fractured families I can’t imagine getting into that situation. But, in this one there was so much love there it seems like the pitfall was easy. The ending made me cry – and honestly throughout it was so emotional. I also knew nothing about the Chinese-Caribbean experience. I knew that people were brought from India to the Caribbean as indentured labourers but I hadn’t realised it was China too. Also, I hadn’t realised just how many barriers people, like my grandmother faced after coming to the UK for Windrush. I knew about the racism but I hadn’t quite realised the limitation on professional prospects; and just how much of an achievement my grandmother’s qualifications were. Yes, this book was fiction. But it was that magical, educational type of fiction that draws on real emotions, experiences, places and times and weaves them together into a story poignant, beautiful and deftly woven through time and space. This is a must read, and I’m sad it took me so long to start it.

This was an absolutely brilliant saga, spanning several generations, weaving multiple elements of drama, adventure, social awareness, and so on. When the plot begins with Eleanor Bennett dying and leaving a tell-all eight-hour voice recording, mandating that this be heard by her grand children together in the presence of a lawyer, we are aware as readers that this would be an interesting read. The Caribbean backstory, and the story of Covey, Gibbs, Byron, and Benny, is quite gripping. Wilkerson deftly manages the different points of view, and the simultaneous narrations splendidly. This proved to be an amazing read. My thanks to Wilkerson, NetGalley, and Penguin, for gifting me with a copy of this book.

An engrossing read that draws you in from the first chapter. Characters and plot develop and unfold at a good pace, no lengthy drawn out introductions and storylines that then fall by the wayside.

I feel like the let down comes at the end, some of the characters, like Mr. Lin feel wrapped up in a bow just to have a conclusion.

Would happily recommend to a friend.

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for access to an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

This novel is set along a number of storylines/PoV.

We have Covey’s tough upbringing with a father who is a gambling addict and a mother who left him and never made contact again. Eleanor’s tough life, trying to juggle her life as a working woman, whilst avoiding all the dangers that are there for a young, black woman.

We have Byron and Benny, who are learning about their mother’s complex and sad life through voice recordings made for them prior to her death. Finally, we have Bunny, childhood friends with Covey.

All of the storylines revolve around black cake - a dark, fruit cake made for celebrations and which is important in all of their lives.

I really enjoyed this novel, it was both sad and uplifting with the focus on Eleanor who is a strong female lead. Considering her strength, I was surprised by how much I didn’t like her children, they seemed to lack the fortitude of their mother, but maybe this was due to the relatively pampered upbringing they had in comparison to her.

Strongly recommend this book.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Wow, what a book. I found the writing style a bit difficult to get into at first but I'm glad I persisted because it's such a rich book. It spans decades and takes you across the world as Byron and Benny try to understand their mother Eleanor who has died. This book deals with so many issues and topics. Can't recommend it highly enough.

This is a sensitive portrayal of both personal and national struggles to uncover the buried stories that reveal to us who we really are. The key is a mother’s love for her children - perhaps the single most cohesive answer to that question of ‘who or what am I, truly.’ A gorgeous and timely book, full of warmth, intelligence and empathy.

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson is a really well written first novel with an array of interesting characters and an excellent premise. I just loved the idea of someone leaving a series of recorded messages for their loved ones to listen to after they die. What a great hook! I did find it a little hard to follow at times (there’s a lot going on!) but it was an enjoyable read.
Love the title & cover too!

Thanks as always, to the publisher & to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Sorry but I found the writing style of this book very off putting. It was a shame because I was really looking forward to reading it. I gave up because I could not get into it.

An amazing debut , easy to see why it is being adapted for the screen, cannot wait!

A multi generational novel spanning over 60 years with LOTS of layers to it ( aka just like a cake ) .

Our narrator is the dead mother of the family Eleanor and the book opens with the reading of her will where her family learn that they have been left a black cake made from a family recipe in the hope that they will be able to share the cake and heal old wounds.

The book has A LOT going on, there are a lot of characters and a lot of different stories , at times it can be a bit confusing but the more you read the more you get into the flow . It's a tale of love and loss, heartache and hope and has left me with the book hangover !

I loved the premise of this book, and to be honest I did enjoy this story. However, because it was jumping from so many different points of view and different times I found it really hard to follow and get interested in the book. I ended up skimming the chapters simply just to finish the book.

An intense but beautifully written book. I had been a little worried about the hype, but this really does live up to it. I had expected a romance story but there is so much more to this story,

This is a dual timeline book as Eleanor tells her children the story of her childhood, which was engaging and powerfully told. Each ideal brought up in this book was beautifully portrayed.

Black Cake is an absolute cracker of a book. Told in a series of flashbacks, Eleanor Bennett tells her children the story of her “real” life via a recording after her death. And she has a lot of secrets to let go of. It’s a big shock for her children Benny and Byron.

I loved the chapters on the Caribbean island - I felt transported there (or at least I wished I was!). The contrast between the island and the UK was radical, and must have been a shock for the Bennett’s - and for anyone else travelling from warmer climes!

The real story is about Benny and Byron having to relearn everything they thought they knew about their mother. Even her husband hadn’t known the whole story.

This is beautifully told, and it’s one of those books where you turn the last page with a tinge of sadness.

Highly recommended.