Hide and Seek

by P.S. Brown

#1 Kindle bestseller - Psychological Thriller

An unforeseen school reunion sparked by the death of a childhood friend quickly turns into a living nightmare for Peter Stevenson.

Waking the day after, he finds his friends missing, his possessions gone, and himself placed at the centre of a twisted game of hide and seek.

As the day unfolds, Peter is forced to relive his past in order to find and save his friends. And as the cruel challenge against the clock unfolds, he has to come to terms with the fact that any one of his friends could be the mastermind behind the sinister game.

"Hide and Seek was a page turner that had me hooked from the first word. Paul Brown's book has a feeling of suspense on every page with an ending I never saw coming.

Hide and Seek will keep you on the edge of your seat until the climatic end. Paul Brown is a must read author for every mystery, thriller, or suspense fan.

This book will keep you up late into the night until you discover who Celo is and why is he playing this game. The answer will surprise and amaze you."
Trudi LoPreto, Readers Favorite

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

198 pages, Paperback

First published November 17, 2012

About the author

I write psychological thrillers and crime fiction. I'm a ginger night owl that tries his best to avoid sunlight. Akin to a vampire, only I prefer brown sauce to blood. I have no sense of smell which is useful because I douse everything I eat with brown sauce. It also means my surname is quite fitting.

If you would like a notification when my next book is published you can sign up to my mailing list via my website: www.psbrown-author.com

I love hearing from readers. You can contact me via my website or Facebook (www.facebook.com/brownybooks).

Reviews

[Sachiko Ishikawa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t know how I ended up in possession of this book. It suddenly appeared in my Kindle, so I don’t know whether it was a promotional move (smart one) or whether I bought it and forgot about it (might have). So yesterday, I was managing my eBooks and found this novel and, since work has been awfully slow these days, I decided to have a go at it from my work computer (not an exemplary worker, I know).

And I ended up reading it in one day (pretty fitting, considering the book is a one-day story kind of thing).

I gave it 2-stars and I would like to explain why (well, firstly, because today is also slow office-wise).

(Spoilers below)

The characterization of this novel is quite, I’m sorry to say, bad. Maybe the author knew these characters inside out, maybe he created them a long time ago and was intimate with them, as much as Peter must’ve/should’ve been. However, and to be completely honest, it felt as though the author first thought of the story and then just added some characters as an afterthought, sort of like “Oh, I need people, well, let’s just add a, b, c…” without considering that characters represent people, and people mean complexity. The characters, all of them, are terribly (sorry…) dull.
Also, the manner in which these characters were introduced to us was extremely badly done. I have a good memory for new characters as I am an avid reader, but I got so confused I had to write them down. Unimportant characters were mentioned right at the beginning (Emma) and important ones (Excellent Eight) were introduced as “Colin, Michelle (…), Cheryl” and I was like “wait, who is Cheryl?”

The story itself isn’t bad. It would be more appropriate for a B-rated horror movie, but it could’ve been a very good horror piece had it been written in a more elegant style. Had the story been properly developed, it could’ve been extremely exciting. However, I have another two major issues with this novel (the first being the characters).

The second one is the plot or, rather, the ending, the resolution. I’m not even going to go on and on about the cliché, the trope, the many times this DID solution has been used and abused. I am, however, going to point out how terribly it fits. First of all, the reader has absolutely no idea. He isn’t given a single clue. It should’ve made the ending more shocking… but it seemed rushed and, to a certain degree, ridiculous.
Had we been given some clue, some hint, anything… Maybe if Peter had once or twice thought back with a sense of déjà vu or a “wait, this isn’t right…” and done it in a clever way, we readers would’ve been impressed. At least myself, I don’t mind clichés as long as they’re well done.
It just looks as though the author was suddenly stuck with a “Wait, how do I end this, now?” and remembered a film and said “meh, I’ll take it.”
Of course people with DID are sometimes very much unaware of their condition, but there are some flags. Some, which the characters might not have realized, but we readers should’ve been clued about. As an example, maybe Peter (somewhere along the novel) could’ve realized that his watch had a stain from when he cut Colin’s arm. Or maybe at the beginning of the story Peter’s socks were wet from when he prepared Laura’s trap. Or he could have engineering knowledge that made no sense (yet why would he stop to wonder why he knew about this? He wouldn’t, but we readers would). Plus, a one year degree (it doesn't specify the time, but his DID manifested a year ago) would not give anyone (not even a genius) the ability to cleanly perform an amputation (when, where and how did he gain the practical knowledge?). Sure, we knew about there being no one in the cabin, but maybe something more. I must say the wife and kid in the coffin at the very beginning was an excellent touch, though!

And, finally, the editing. I realize authors have a very peculiar style, but maybe also tend to be a bit vain (I do not know the author personally, therefore I am not saying he is vain). It is difficult to accept someone else, namely the editor and beta readers, pointing out our faults. Maybe we defend ourselves by saying “but this is me, this is my style, it’s how I write.” Personally, I believe this book should’ve been severely screened.
Had the style been more refined, more elegant, it would’ve made this reading experience way more enjoyable. However, short sentences and generic descriptions were (again, sorry) boring. It gave the story a quick-pace and it made it easier to read, but style-wise it was the level I expect from teenagers and fanfiction writers who want to get to the climax of their story ASAP. This didn’t feel like a book written by an adult for adults. But who knows, maybe it’s a YA and I’m just not aware of it (in that case, I take it back).
Also, a good editor would’ve insisted that the author did more research. DID facts are too generic and I doubt a psychiatrist would’ve acted the way he did (the way he diagnosed him was too weak, and it lacked the screening tests which are required for an actual diagnosis). I know that, and I’m not even in the psychology field. The way The Sheriff acted was completely unprofessional, because if he knew about (or even suspected) the DID, maybe police procedures would’ve (should’ve?) gone differently.

I realize this is the debut novel and that the author’s style might have improved with time.

Finally, though, I must end this review in a good note. Although I feel all of what I have written above, there were some good points to this novel I wish to share.
First of all, this story has something that is a page-turner. There is something to it. I could’ve given up many times (admittedly, I almost did) but I kept on reading because I was genuinely intrigued. It is true that many people can write, but very few people can actually finish a book. And an even rarer talent is being able to write something someone else isn’t able to put down. This author, personally, has it. He has been able to, despite all the criticism I have bestowed on it, grip me until I read the book in one single day. Kudos to that.

As this is Goodreads and the author is a Goodreads author, there is a possibility that he will read this review. If that is the case, I would like to apologize for the harsh review and hope that you can take it as positive criticism, instead of flaming. I do not mean to insult you as a writer, and I hope I haven’t conveyed anything hurtful in my message.
I might be flattering myself too much thinking that he might read it, though!



Cheers!

[Dawn]

Not my cup of tea at all. It was recommended to me by a friend at work, so I felt I had to read it. Anyway, it's really fast paced - but after a while, that started to have the opposite effect on me. If you like relentlessly fast paced (slightly unrealistic) thrillers though, this may be for you. I ended up sort of skim reading the last half just to get to the end; I'm not going to rate it as it's not a genre I usually like or read, so don't feel it's fair to do so.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Think I've grown out of murders. I started off in my pre-teens with Agatha Christie and over the decades have worked my way through countless sadistic serial killers and gory blood n' guts forensics, but the last few I've read have failed to engage me. Nothing wrong as such with this book - I'm sure I'd have enjoyed it a couple of years ago, but not this time. I much prefer psychological stuff these days. Must be my age!

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great, thrilling and dark Easter egg hunt. Peter Stevenson returns to his hometown to the funeral of an old buddy and is roped into a twisted game trying to find and save his childhood friends (the members of "The Excellent Eight"). It is a page-turner, impossible to put down until the very end. I must say I was disappointed in the ending, which was obvious and a tired cliché (I can't say more or it will spoil it). I'm still giving it 4 stars (it would have been 5 if not for that ending) because it is an amazing thriller and it's the author's debut novel. I will certainly keep my eye on P.S. Brown.

[Fiona (Titch) Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had this book for quite a while and been forgetting to read it. I’ve been listening to the audio version over the past couple of days.

It’s about a group of 8 people who grew up together and someone is killing them one by one. But ONLY 1 of the 8 could be the killer OR could they? No one knows who is telling the truth and who is lying.

All will be revealed when you read the scary and page turning Hide & Seek.

[Mwrogers · Rating 1 out of 5]

Spoiler Alert!

Quit reading this review now if you don't want the book spoiled.

Spoiler Alert!!


I think there are more fictional books/movies written about people with multiple personalities than actual living people with multiple personalities.... This has been done multiple times and if I read another book with this plot line, I think I might develop an additional personality!!!

[David Highton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A first novel, fast moving plot with a predictable ending

[Thom Swennes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smack a stamp on my ass and send me back to the good ole days! You know the good ole days when children played outside and used their imaginations to entertain themselves. Remember the days before computers and cyberspace, the days before online gaming, when games were organized and played as a group outside in the fresh air and sunshine. Imagination and innovation was the thing; kids played games that pitted them against each other in competition.
As a child, thirty-four-year-old Peter Stevenson was a proud member of the Excellent Eight, a group of neighborhood kids that always played together. The name and the group distinguished him and them from all the other non-member children. Once, friends for life, now just fond memories as so much time and space has separated them, he is now back home because Gavin Blair is suddenly and unexpectantly dead; an apparent suicide being the cause of his demise. What better event to bring the Excellent Eight (now seven) back to Bilton.
When Peter awakens in a deserted and secluded cabin without his wallet and cell phone, he knew something was wrong. What he didn’t know that he was up a stinky creek without a paddle. He is soon involved in a game of hide and seek with deadly consequences.

Hunger Games, get outta town, a new game is in town! This bazaar mystery keeps you on the edge of your seat as you travel into the horror created by an unknown maniac, only known as Celo. Enter the nightmare of Peter Stevenson and the Excellent Eight. I couldn’t put it down and was physically and mentally exhausted upon finishing this story. Hide and Seek is P.S. Brown’s first novel but I hope it won’t be his last. This won’t be a story you will soon forget.

[Jeanette Melton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a crazy, wild ride.
I was immediately immersed in the game of hide and seek. The suspense was over the top. I didn't want to put it down. The twisted ending also was brilliant. Great read.

[Ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Muito sinceramente, fiquei um pouco desapontada com este livro. Depois de ter lido a sinopse, pensei que iria ser uma leitura bastante interessante, cheia de acção e suspense e que seria aquele tipo de livro que nos faz ficar colados às suas páginas na expectativa de vir a descobrir quem está por detrás de todo o mistério. Infelizmente, não foi esse o caso.

Aquilo que mais gostei foi o conceito. Criar toda uma vingança com base no jogo da escondidas pareceu-me bastante interessante e algo que até então não tinha visto em qualquer outro livro. Também gostei da forma como começou; o primeiro capítulo não me deixou indiferente e despertou o meu interesse para o resto da história.

Infelizmente, achei que as personagens não eram particularmente interessantes e que acabavamos por saber muito pouco sobre elas. Mesmo em relação a Peter, a personagem principal, achei que a caracterização deixou um pouco a desejar.

Para além disso, achei que foi um pouco pobre a maneira como toda a história acabou por se desenvolver, especialmente na forma como as pistas eram dadas. Era sempre a mesma fórmula e acabava por se tornar repetitivo. O estilo do autor também não era particularmente apelativo e demasiado descritivo, tornando-se por vezes dificil manter a atenção na história.

No geral fiquei desapontada com o livro e tenho pena que não se tenha desenvolvido da forma esperada. Apesar de no final surpreendente, não foi o suficiente para me convencer e, confesso, achei mesmo que foi uma forma preguiçosa de arrumar as coisas.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

The ending is not what I expected. This had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Great ending.

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a little too descriptive for my liking as I find books like that too hard-going as a rule and prefer more dialogue given the choice but it was pretty enjoyable nonetheless. It kept my interest more as I progressed.
Certain parts got on my nerves a bit-there was a little too much scaling of fences/walls, a lot of misplaced apostrophes and the odd sentences written out wrong-such as "They took it turn to run and jump..." and "...his rest gazed on the church"....ouch !! He also did that e-book thing I always see-spelt discernible as discernable !!
I liked the shock ending and I hadn't guessed who Celo was though I thought I knew at differing times in the story. I'll certainly read more by him, though.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Received from Good Reads first reads giveaway.

This book was a fast read for me. It was a psychological suspenseful page turner. I, like Peter, tried to figure out who was Celo.?..who was behind the game. I wanted Peter to find his friends and save the day. The ending/ resolution of the book seemed to come a little too quick for my taste. Interesting ending. Overall good book.

[Matthew Ridley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It’s not a five star as it didn’t grip me enough but it has still highly enjoyable. I’d say there was a big twist but I saw it coming about half way through. It’s my first experience of this author and I enjoyed it enough to order another of his books.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The story may be a bit far fetched but there are lots of twists and turns that keep the suspense going throughout the book. Was also satisfied with the ending.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm calling it a dnf because I ended up skimming most of it. This book is a great example of when people say the writing is pedestrian. The majority of the book is description of action, and it seemed at least half of the book, if not more, was sentence after sentence beginning with "he" - "He did this. He did that. He went there. Then he did this. He felt an emotion." I felt zero connection to any character, plot point, or location.

Too many people mentioned a big twist in reviews, so it was obvious what the solution was. I ended up skimming to where he got the clue for the next person, then to where he found them, just to see how it played out (these parts were easy to find due to very limited dialogue). People have compared it to the Saw movies in reviews. If a more seasoned thriller author had written it, I can see how it might have been thrilling and scary. But the writing was so basic it was neither of those.

I hate leaving reviews like this, but the writing was genuinely shocking to me. When I read the words "it had actually got colder", I knew I was done plodding through and started skimming. It was free on kindle, so at least I'm not out any cash.

[Ranjini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eight childhood friends, referring to themselves as the Excellent Eight (akin to the Secret Seven) convene in their hometown, to mourn the demise of one of their gang of eight.
The funeral brings them all under one roof after years.
Post-funeral, Peter wakes up in an isolated cabin in the woods. With no recollection of how he got there, he makes his way back to his friends house, where he last remembered being.
When he reaches there - there's no one!
Suddenly a phone rings somewhere in the house, and when he picks up, the phone call will change his life forever. His remaining 6 friends are being held hostage, and he has to play a game of hide and seek - with him being the seeker.
Racing against time, and putting his life at stake, Peter sets out to save his friends.
It's evident it's one of the 8 whois playing this prank - and that's revealed in the first chapter itself - but the question is who and why?
Racy and fast-paced, the end wasn't something I expected.

[pam laporte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow....what an ending

Right people played together as kids...grew up and some left town. The death of one friend brought them altogether. Then Peter woke up to in a cabin feeling as if he had been drugged. To keep it without giving anything away, he is forced to try and save his friends. They are hidden in places and he only has so much time to save them. This if full of action with so many twists and turns you won't know what but you. All I can say is it is a page tyrning, hard to put down, brain twister of a book.

[NS · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was very frustrating and the grammar errors were consistent throughout, but the story itself was highly addictive. The twist at the end was excellent, I definitely should have seen it coming given one of my favourite movies is **SPOILER ALERT** 'Secret Window', but the ending wrapped up too quickly for me. I was looking forward to reading at least one chapter from Celo's perspective, disappointed that we didn't get one.

[Carole D Hutchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally spellbinding story

The author created the right amount of suspense intrigue in Mystery. The ending was totally unexpected and creepy because you never know about people.

[Brian Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent thriller with many twists and turn and a sting in the tail

[Stacy1013 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!

What a wild ride!! Very vividly written each page was a new twist and turn! A must read If you like page turning thrillers!

[lorraine tall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I really enjoyed this book. The suspense kept building and building. I really felt for the character. I was gobsmacked at the twist, totally out the blue. What a good story. Definitely recommend this book.

[Nicky Mottram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book in one sitting!! Fast paced , just had to keep reading to find out what happened!! Glad I've come across this author, read all his books and enjoyed them all

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good

[David Macmillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

A very entriging read. Left me wanting to know more. Twisting and turning throughout. Is there a second book to be had?

[Susan Pullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Fast paced, action packed right from the start, with a totally surprising twist that I didn't see coming.

[Michael Mandato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

This book was a real thrill ride from beginning to end. Well thought out and extremely well written. If you enjoy psychological thrillers you will love this book. It was nice to find a book that didn’t tip its hand in the first chapter. I look forward to reading mo from this author.

[michelle & ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

I read this in a couple of days, couldn't put it down it was absolutely brilliant. Will defiantly be looking out for books by this author again. Would recommend to anyone wanting a thriller because this will definitely keep you wondering what's going on until the end.

[Erika Sobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

I found some of the descriptions of areas or past memories a little long-winded at times, but that may have only been because the story line was so good that I couldn't wait to get on to the next part to see what was happening. Very well written and exciting!