Double Blind

Hideaway #9

by Hannah Alexander

A virus is sweeping the Navajo reservation, and two of her childhood friends are dead. For Sheila Metcalf that's a call to leave Hideaway, Missouri, and return to Arizona. Neither her father's objections nor the arguments of Preston Black, the man who loves her, can stop Sheila from returning to the land of her youth. Her nursing skills are needed, and it's past time she found out the truth about her mother's long-ago death.

There's a medical mystery to unravel, secrets about the past to uncover and questions about the future to explore. Along the way, Sheila will need courage and strength—and faith that God will protect her and lead her to where she belongs.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Christian, Crime, Romance

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

READY FOR THE NEW YEAR?

At this time of year, we have just finished reflecting on Christmas, when God gave us the greatest Gift ever possible. Now our thoughts are to the new year, with its upcoming rewards and challenges. Many of us will once again come up with New Year’s resolutions. This year I’m going to stick to my diet. This year I’m going to get into shape. This year I’m going to break that 5-minute mile. Okay, okay; it’s been a LONG time since I had that New Year’s resolution. And many will once again fail to live up to those resolutions, with their often unrealistic expectations. But enough about that.

Cheryl has chosen her word for the new year. It is solace. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, solace means:

1. comfort in grief: alleviation of grief or anxiety

2. a source of relief or consolation

Rather than discouraging anyone, our prayer for you is that God will grant you solace as you face the new year's rewards and challenges.

Happy reading and God bless you.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars. This book is the best book in the series. so so good.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing mystery set on an Indian reservation.

[Doris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the showing of prejudice because it showcases that bigotry is not just one directional and not against just one race, culture, or ethnicity. However, the extreme back and forth of who do I want to spend my life was a mystery which at times overrode the true mystery of what happened all those years ago, and what is happening now.

There were many places where I questioned the judgement of the people involved, especially those with medical backgrounds, wondering why they didn't see obvious clues, which is why, as someone else said, "I am not enticed into reading any others in the series".

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will keep you in the edge of your seat. Shelia had made a life for herself as a nurse, but the other parts of her life was a big question. She has found true love, though she is not going to pursue it, their religious beliefs are not the same. She knows as she agrees to go back to the Christian School she attended until her Mother was killed that she would find her answers there. Read, you will have many emotions.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a new author that keeps me on my toes. Sheila's mother, a white nurse, on the Navajo reservation died under weird circumstances. Now, years later, Sheila, also a nurse, has returned to help and possibly find out how her mother died.

[Janice Workman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mix of cultures and mystery, love and remembering. An okay book, but I am not enticed into reading any others in the series.

[Louise E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story.

[Marlyn Bursey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading "Double Blind". I found it action-packed and engaging. I found the struggle with witch craft a bit intense, but it was educational and good does triumph.

[Tamara Tilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

DOUBLE BLIND come to find out, is the ninth book in the Hideaway Series by Hannah Alexander. I was shocked to find out that the Hideway Series has been published in two different formats. I’ve read books 1,2,3,5, and have just ordered 7-Grave Risk. This was a little frustrating to find out, but I’m happy to say, it did not infringe on my enjoyment of DOUBLE BLIND.

DOUBLE BLIND centers around Sheila Metcalf. When Sheila finds out the Navajo reservation school that she attended as a child–and where her mother died mysteriously–has had more unexplained deaths, she decides to set out for Arizona. Offering her skills to Canaan York, a close childhood friend does not set well with Preston Black, the man that loves Sheila. Though Preston and Sheila differ on their beliefs in God, Preston admires her dedication, he just wishes the eligible Canaan York wasn’t in the picture.

Sheila is not welcomed by all at the school of her childhood. Even though she grew up on the reservation, she is shunned by some of the staff, not wanting the interference of a biligaana (white man) in their business. Sheila ignores the resistance and insists she has come to Twin Mesa to help, not to interfere.

When Preston finds out that Sheila has not received a warm welcome, and is frustrated with the distance between them, he, along with Blaze, a veterinarian student, head to Twin Mesa to lend a helping hand. Anything to get Sheila away from the reservation and the unsettling things that are happening.

DOUBLE BLIND is full of twists and turns. From an ancient curse by a wolf that stalks the area and appears in Sheila’s nightmares, to the possibility of a outbreak of an unknown virus, you are kept guessing about what is happening, and who it is that is behind the mysterious illnesses and threatening pranks played on Sheila to get her to leave.

I enjoyed DOUBLE BLIND. My only frustration came when I realized there were more books in the series and I would have to do some back-peddling if I wanted to read them all.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot: Sheila returns to the Navajo reservation where she spent several years of her childhood, and where her mother died. Strange things are going on and she's asked to help her childhood friend figure it out. Against Sheila's wishes, Preston follows her from Hideaway, determined to keep the woman he loves safe.

Setting: Most of the story takes place in the desert of Arizona, on the grounds of a Navajo boarding school.

The suspense kept me reading and guessing. There were enough plot twists that I was surprised to see how everything came together in the end. I was glad to see Blaze tag along with Preston, he's been one of my favorite Hideaway residents since the beginning, but I was hoping for more of a resolution to his story, which didn't happen.

Still, it was an enjoyable read, but I'd strongly recommend reading the rest of the series first, as you'll understand who the characters are much better.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Double Blind was a little scary for me... but liked it.

There were too many unanswered deaths at the reservation for Sheila Metcalf not to be suspicious, bringing up nightmares from her past and questions she needed to find answers for about her friends and her mothers' deaths. She felt the need to face her fears so she could move forward in her own relationships. Preston won't let the woman he loves drive into danger from Hideaway without following her. So Blaze Farmer insists on going with his friend Preston and enlightens everyones mood with his fun adventurous side.

The truths in life sometimes aren't as pretty as we would like to paint them or want them to be, as Sheila and the Navajo children find out. Holding on to her faith in God over evil she discovers the ugly truths of the Navajo werewolf spirits ruling the children at the reservation. Keep the lights on while reading this one!!!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book by accident while the rest of my book club was reading "Double Bind" (without the L) because I was careless in double checking my authors/titles - it made for a funny story. Here are my thoughts on the book....the book wasn't bad per say...I just didn't come away with any insights or connections and wasn't impressed with the writing style. There were so many characters, I couldn't keep the relationships straight. The story could have gone off in so many directions, and maybe that was the point - to throw you off, but I think it could have gone in a better direction. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone over age 17.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It kept me motivated to read it but it was kindof scary with Indian witchcraft and such. Also there was a lot of religious stuff in it. It talk a lot about the battle between good and evil and prayer. I don't think I would recommend it. But I wouldn't tell you not to read it either.

[Stephanie Blackbern · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had a complex mix of suspense and strange possibilities. It was my 1st book by the hus/wife team and I can see the unique mix of the male/female influence. The spiritual conflict of good vs eVil was exciting. hard to put down.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite Hannah Alexander book, but still interesting and a good mystery, so that I was not sure of the final outcome. I still will read Alexander books, though--too many have been great!

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book came highly recommended, but I just couldn't get into it. I ended up skipping to the end to see what happened.

[Nancy Weyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I meant to read another book by the same title. I may try to find it in the future. Didn't love this one.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

quite intriguing

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, keeps you interested.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read, full of suspense and twists.

[Kim]

This was a good and I enjoyed reading it.