So most people have heard of the Manhattan Project, which was led by Robert Oppenheimer. Often the story is told from Oppenheimer's point of view. In the Hill of Secrets, this historical event is once again explored, but this time through the lens of the wives and children of the scientists involved in the development of the atomic bombs, which would later destroy Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The main character is Christine who is married to one of the scientists working with Oppenheimer. She's an intelligent, headstrong woman, but still very much a product of the era in which this story takes place. I believe her character development is the most profound. 

Another major character is Gertie. When the story starts out she is a 16 year old girl who befriends Christine. In the months it takes to develop the bomb, Gertie and Christine become very close and share frustrations over all of the secrets surrounding their loved ones' work. Secrets are frustrating, especially when they're being kept from you through the thin veneer of the government agents tasked with protecting national security. 

Most of the tension in this book comes from the secrets that must be kept both in and out of the lab. Secrets become an instrumental force in the character development of both Christine and Gertie, as well as some of the other secondary characters. 

I thought this was a very interesting perspective of this event and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Would recommend.