The Secret of Rose-Anne Riley

This book is a historical fictional account of four generations of an American family. Rose-Anne, the gentle grandmother whose rape, covered up and papered over, finally emerges to darken the life of her granddaughter Alexia. True conflict emerges as Alexia deals with having to keep this toxic secret to herself.

The Secret of Rose-Anne Riley is a historical fictional account of four generations of an American family. Rose-Anne is the gentle grandmother whose violent rape, covered up and papered over, continues to fester like a corrosive wound, finally emerging to darken the life of Alexia, a beautiful girl in the family''s third generation. Rose-Anne’s benevolent care endears her to Alexia who becomes her grandmother’s confidante and companion during her final illness. The grandmother reveals the account of her violent rape by a young man who was the spoiled son of a wealthy family for whom she did housework. Before confessing this to Alexia, Rose-Anne stipulates that she must keep it a secret, and herein perhaps lies the most destructive aspect of her influence on her granddaughter. The novel deals with Rose-Anne’s toxic secret and how it has come to haunt the consciousness of her granddaughter.