Hidden

by Derick Parsons

Why has a beautiful young woman been committed to an insane asylum? What is the truth behind a shadowy past containing drug use, promiscuity and murder? What secrets does she hold that others will kill to keep HIDDEN? These are questions that psychologist Kate Bennett must answer if she is to save her patient's sanity...and both their lives. But Kate has secrets of her own, and a dark past that will come back to haunt her.

Hidden is a thriller, set in Dublin, but it is also a voyage of self-discovery for Kate as she learns not just the truth about her patient, but some truths about herself.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Ebooks, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Thriller

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 19, 2012

About the author

I was raised in Dublin but when I hit my early twenties I went aroamin. I lived in various parts of Ireland before moving to London for three years, followed by another three in Amsterdam. After that I lived in Germany for a while and then Poland. Tired out by all this travel I finally went back to Dublin, married the girl I left behind, and had three magnificent sons. (Oldest now 15; where does the time go? They're all perfect...some of the time!)
I have been writing since I could read but only for myself, nothing for the public domain. But I had an idea for a thriller that wouldn't go away so I finally wrote Hidden and have now published it. Expect another one in the coming months.

Reviews

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was ready to be enthralled with this book based on the reviews but it was a 4 out of 5 stars for me. It is a good book with an interesting plot and characters. It definitely kept me reading and forgiving of the editing errors. Kate is a tormented psychologist who should really focus on the "heal thyself" advice. She is fortunately to be presented with an opportunity for self-healing through the treatment of a young woman who has experienced similar childhood trauma. Someone is trying to keep her from getting to the truth and is desperate enough to threaten her and those around her. The author does a good job of keeping you guessing about the antagonist in this story. That is perhaps one of the best aspects of the book along with the underplayed, but endearing love story. Chapter 25 threw me for a loop and I really think it would have been helpful to change the sequence of this and the following chapter because it was confusing. But that is the writer’s prerogative. I do recommend the book but be prepared to be constantly annoyed by the main character. I felt like smacking her and I am not violent.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best new suspense author ever!

Derick Parsons’ first book is the best suspense/thriller I’ve read this year.

Kate is a psychologist hired to help a troubled girl who is accused of setting the fire that killed her mother. Kate’s life goes into turmoil from the very first day. She knows her troubles and her patients are related but she is not sure how until the last page.

The unique ending on its own would make this worth reading, but take my word for it you will love every page.

I love this thriller and hope the author writes a prequel, Kate’s prior life is worthy of a novel on its own.

This book is currently free on Kindle, get it now, once the word gets out, Erick Parsons’ work will be in high demand.

[Sarah Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had me hanging on to the very end!

[ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not my usual type of read. I thought it was going to be so different than this. I am glad it was! the main character in this book is a psychologist, but while she gets involved with a mental health patient who has severe problems in the mental hospital, she has demons of her own to fight.

It also holds mystery and suspense and a kind of a 'who done it' its very well written and really flows. I loved this authors way of writing and will be looking out for more.

[Marti · Rating 1 out of 5]

How original - a psychologist with a host of her own problems. This book was one big cliche that I'm not sure why I bothered to finish. Almost worst of all, the author simply had the bad guy explain the whole crime right on the last couple of pages. I really would not recommend this book to anyone. It's a complete waste of time.

[Polly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Note to self: Stop getting ebooks from Amazon just because they are free.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was more like 2.5 starts. My two problems with this book was that the main character had sex with the patient's father in the beginning of the book. I felt the author should have left that out and perhaps have more of a sexual tension between the two of them. I felt the author devalued the main character's role as a well known psychologist. My 2nd problem was the book just ended. In fact, I thought I skipped a chapter. I felt it was rushed at the end and there were questions left unanswered.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am currently slogging through this book, and I do mean slogging (if that is even a word). The main character is unsympathetic, unprofessional, denser than a box of cement and very unlikeable so I find myself wishing someone would just knock her over her self-righteous head with a trying pan...the heavy cast iron kind. i will keep slogging and hope my impression of the book improves.

[Bridge2chess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books you cannnot put down.
It has a gripping plot and believable characters and is well written with both humor and insight. It has a clever combination of romance and suspense. I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes a really good read.

[Kate Brown]

Free Kindle book from Amazon.

[Bettie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almost quit reading many times. wordy and slow moving. didn't really care for main character.

[Karon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn't know what to expect from a free Amazon book. LOVED it. Couldn't put it down. A lot of books you can figure out "who dun it" by the middle. Not this one. Kept me guessing until the end.

[Leese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

[Stephen Clynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hidden by Derick Parsons.

Kate Bennett is a psychologist working in Dublin. Hidden is mystery thriller concerning secrets that are hidden for various reasons. Very slowly those secrets are exposed throughout this novel as the reader learns how people cope with past traumas in a variety of ways. Kate even takes on a new patient called Grainne, a very troubled teenager, although it is not until Chapter 7 - which is 20% into the story before you meet her.

Hidden is a good book that has plenty of clues thrown in along the way. You work through the 27 chapters and then have everything confirmed in the epilogue. Hidden is a book about how people think and cope with life. This is not a workplace drama as Kate has her own problems and history to deal with, Grainne is yet another challenge to her.

Hidden is an interesting read because it gets you to spot problems and understand people. You are entertained becuase each new character gives you doubts about their honesty and motives. The pace of the story is steady and covers a lot of ground. It has all the hallmarks of a good television drama. The delight is how you process the clues and imagine what lies behind the secrets. It does not matter how you interpret the clues, it is the fact that those clues fire your imagination.

I enjoyed reading Hidden and thought it was a good book that I will vote 4 stars. I feel that readers who enjoy the hugely successful Kathy Reichs forensic pathologist series of books, should also enjoy Hidden. For a debut novel, Derick has done very well and I look forward to his next book.

Hidden is available as an Amazon Kindle eBook and was written in 2012.

[Brian Borgford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book and found the story interesting and well-constructed. I did find the writing style a bit awkward, but that may be because I’m Canadian and this is written with a distinct Irish flavour. I did notice a strong need for a good edit, but I didn’t let that distract me from an otherwise good story.

I know nothing about psychology, so perhaps a trained psychologist might be able to find flaws in the technical aspect of the story. For me it felt real and authentic, but perhaps a bit rushed.

The love interest and sex scenes were an unnecessary distraction in my opinion.

I did find the unveiling of ending quite contrived, but it did serve to pull together the loose ends. I don’t try to predict the endings of thrillers and mysteries (maybe I’m alone on this), but I was surprised with the ending. Looking back, there were enough clues so you wouldn’t have to be surprised.

Overall a well done story that I would have no difficulty recommending.

[Jennifer Beall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. I got very involved with the characters and really cared what happened to them. For instance, at times I wanted to whack Kate upside the head for being so distant and often rude. It was a relief when she "came around" at the end. (Let this be a lesson to all psychotherapists--make sure you get your own personal therapy! I say this because I'm a psychotherapist who has made extensive use of personal therapy.)

I thought early on that I knew "whodunnit" (good use of at least one red herring), but I didn't, which made the story more enjoyable.

This is one that is definitely worth reading!

[Teri L. Hansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the greatest, but not the worst. This book left me empty and disappointed. I never really connected with Kate. She was cold and calculating which I believe was intended, but in the end it made me not empathize with her. In fact, she made me not give a crap what happened to her. In addition, there wasn't enough background of substance to form an opinion on any of the characters. They were all very blah. While the author I believe attempted to make you question which of the characters was the bad guy, the story instead made me feel like it tried to hard and didn't giv3 me enough to form an opinion at all. I wasn't surprised in the end. I was relieved it was finally over.

[Yve Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this book, it was a terrific read. Hidden had me hooked almost from the first page, as other reviewers have commented, its impossible to put down once you start it, a real page turner. Loved the characters, thought they were very well drawn, especially the main character Kate Bennet. I don't know if this is part of a series but I hope it is as I would really like to read more. I love thrillers and though I pride myself on my powers of deduction I have to admit that this one kept me guessing right until the end. I would highly recommend!

[Patricia Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't believe that this is a debut novel - it had everything you could want from a suspense novel and I certainly didnt see what was coming! I saw rave reviews on amazon.com for this novel and saw that it went to no. 1 - recently I saw an article which noted that this book was downloaded over 63,000 times in a five day period! Wow Wow Wow - However having finished it and having loved it I am not surprised that it reached no 1.

What a great achievement and inspiration to other writers!

[Anne Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just heard my friend about a new book she'dh started and about how good it was, I ordered my copy and am so glad i did, its as good as she said and i can't put it down, i'll let yee know what i think when i'm finished, which will be soon as i can't put it dowm


Anne

[Shara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. To me, it was one of those books that I wanted to keep reading because I wanted to find out what happens next. Every chapter, I tried to think of "who done it." I wondered if Kate would break through and find the answers she was looking for.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great with many twists and turns to it you will be hooked. I read it all day to finish it as I could not put it down.

There is mystery, love, romance and even scarry parts.

You will love it.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this immensely. I would have given it four stars, but that the climax was a little disjointed, almost as if two chapters were transposed. I'd say a little extra effort could have smoothed that out, making it a solid 4.5.

[Fiona Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a really good book, I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. I was sure I would guess the ending ( I always do) but I didnt, I got it wrong.
Would love to see more from this author ASAP!!

[Joanne E. Estabrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never a dull moment

Never a dull moment

I greatly enjoyed this book. I found it hard to put down. I will look for more books by this author.

[Hazel A'Hern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

Not read a book by this author before, am really impressed as it had me guessing right to the very end

[Bex · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Connie Anne Kikta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Kept my interest.

[Rita Hitechew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing

The books characters are different from what I usually read but I found them to be very interesting. The plot twists and turns led you to believe you knew who did what but ........ It is an easy book to read but the proofreaders needed to do a better job. That is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. I would recommend this book.

[Doreen · Rating 2 out of 5]

So much potential wasted.... the interactions with Grainne could have made a most interesting book, but there was so very little of that written into the story that the plot that was written was somewhat boring and repetitive.