Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

To be honest, this month I wasn’t 100% drawn to any of the Amazon First Reads options and almost didn’t select one, but ultimately liked the idea of a police procedural type of mystery and chose Hide Away. My ultimate fear was that the story would drag or that I would feel obligated to finish a book that didn’t really interest me. Thankfully, this wasn’t the case. I found myself so entranced by it that I would mean to read only a chapter and then several chapters later look up to realize what I had done. At one time I was so engrossed in the book that I discovered that I had completely missed the time I had planned to go to lunch. The story features a mother of two named Rachel Marin. Due to an event that happens in the first chapter, she learns that the police and government institutions can let you down and makes her a bit jaded. Afterwards, she refuses to ever be helpless again and learns how to protect her and her family all the while studying to become familiar with forensic and investigative processes. When a body is discovered on the frozen river in Ashby, Illinois it immediately gives the impression it is a suicide. However, using the knowledge she has gained, Rachel is able to quickly determine that it is not suicide and anonymously calls the police with the precise detailed reason why it is instead a homicide allowing her and the two main detectives in the story – Detectives Tally and Serrano – to meet and begin interacting. Time and time again Rachel involves herself in the murder investigation getting her into various types of situations as well as frustrating the police many times over. The two detectives in the book are both capable with unique stories of their own and even though Rachel tries their patience more than once the three of them sort of work very well together (as much as can be expected with a civilian putting themselves into an official investigation.) Overall, I found the storytelling very engaging and enjoyable. It wasn’t over the top as I have found other thrillers sometimes can be, although I did think Rachel had a lot more skill and knowledge than a typical person might have. I enjoyed the “detectiving” part, but what truly sold it for me was how the two children and the detectives interactions were woven together creating what I felt was a very cohesive narrative. A book I can wholeheartedly recommend for your First Reads choice. Rating: 4.5