You look exactly like your twin brother. Exactly. You think like him, for him, with him, cannot live without him. Cannot. Don't want to. Don't want to. Other kids play Hide & Seek. But you and he play Hide & Be. Your parents died when you were two. The foster parents were sometimes nice and sometimes awful. They could never tell you apart because one of you would hide; the other would just be. Be bad. Be blamed. Be good. Get the Jesus Strap. Get the ice cream cone. There were always eyes on you, then him. Wondering which one you were. There were always voices in your head, his. They can't judge you because you could always be him, or you. You did not need friends because you are his and he is yours. You learn you don't need anyone else; they can't see you, just him. Or are they looking at him, not you? If one of you dies, the other will be. You.
Rating: 5 Stars!! Review: Thank you to BooksForward for hosting this Book's Tour last week and for the Complimentary FREE EBook to promote and review for Gary.
This was my first time reading a Thriller by Gary let alone in a series and about a case of Mistaken Identity no less. I have to say this book had me very intrigued about Mistaken Identity Thrillers now. This storyline really reminded me alot of the 90s Soap Opera Storylines of Sheila Carter from Y&R and B&B.
The Characters were so interesting to read about. I really felt for The Main Character especially when he was accused of something he didnt really do.
The Setting was interesting and wonderfully described which made me feel like i was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Phenomenal Edge of your seat Thriller about Mistaken Identity. Can't wait to read Book 2 soon!!
Hide And Be is the first book in the Dr. Lisbeth Socorro series. My initial thoughts on this book were “wow, is this really happening” because it’s a psychological thriller and I was not expecting to be that surprised! This is a short read, so it’s perfect for anyone in need of a quick read who loves thrillers.
Hide and Be by Gary L. Stuart This is a schizophrenic book. “Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by continuous or relapsing episodes of psychosis. Major symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. Other symptoms include social withdrawal and flat affect. Symptoms typically develop gradually, begin during young adulthood, and in many cases are never resolved. There is no objective diagnostic test; diagnosis is based on observed behavior, a psychiatric history that includes the person's reported experiences, and reports of others familiar with the person. For a diagnosis of schizophrenia, the described symptoms need to have been present for at least six months or one month. Many people with schizophrenia have other mental disorders, especially substance use disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and obsessive–compulsive disorder.” Arthur and Martin were identical twins. One or the other was either murdered or never existed. I’m not sure which. My diagnosis is not based on a medical background so take it with a grain of alcohol. I found the book confusing considering the topic is not far-fetched. Perhaps someone with more patience will find it to their taste, I did not.
HIDE AND BE A DR LISBETH SOCORRO NOVEL, Bᴏᴏᴋ 1 𝙶𝚊𝚛𝚢 𝙻 𝚂𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚝 February 7, 2024
𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 The first two books in the Dr Lisbeth Socorro series were very intriguing. Dr Socorro is a clinical psychiatrist that studies twins and especially mirror twins- those who are monozygotic (share a placenta and amniotic sac) and are mirror reflections of each other. This means if one is right handed then the other is left handed, their internal organs will be on opposite sides, etc. She also works as a federal prison psychiatrist. Both books are fairly quick reads and were fascinating stuff.
This story felt a little like a twilight zone episode. I couldn’t believe what was happening but how does a twin prove he’s not his twin?? And can one convince himself he is his other twin?? Very trippy!
I’ll be interested to see where the series goes. I like Liz and am curious if it will continue to be all twins or branch off.
Thank you Simone at @booksforwardpr for including me on this tour and @garylstuart for my review copies.
If you like psychological thrillers. This book is for you! If you like crime fiction, this book is for you! "Hide and Be" by Gary L Stuart is a perfect book if you like reading suspenseful stories of any kind! It truly is a multi-faceted story that's full of mystery, suspense, intrigue, and depth. It's crime fiction, psychological thriller, and more! The book is part of the Dr. Liz Soccoro series in which the good doctor is a prison psychologist that examines and studies twins. The twins, in this case, are twins no more because one has been accused of killing the other. However, the law doesn't typically prosecute the wrong individual for crimes they didn't commit. Therefore, it's paramount that the doctor determines which twin is really dead and which is the accused. DNA is no use here. Therefore, it's not going to be easy with this set of identical twins. Especially when one is dead and the others not telling! I liked this story a lot. There are many twists and turns in the book, and many times you think you have it figured out, but trust me! You do not. The writing is steadily paced and engaging. It looks you right away and leaves you breathless at the end. I definitely want more of Dr. Soccoro! Honest side note though, this author is dare I say as interesting as Liz herself! Mr. Stuart's vast legal experience as well as his ease with the written word, make this a tense, exciting, enthralling and, realistic story that kept me tearing through the pages right on up to the end! It's definitely one of the most interesting and entertaining short reads I've had the pleasure of reading in many moons. In fact, I'm on my way to grab the next offering in this series right now! I highly recommend getting to know this author and Dr. Lisbeth Soccoro, too.
Stuart’s legal thriller takes an intriguing turn when a case of mistaken identity leads to a sinister revelation. Martin Cheshire is accused of killing his identical twin brother, Arthur. But before the trial proceeds, the authorities must establish Martin’s true identity and confirm that he’s not posing as his deceased brother, as he asserts.
I was hooked when I read the first page of the book of the Dr. Lisbeth Socorro series, Hide And Be. The plot is intriguing and exciting. I couldn’t stop reading. I am looking forward to the next book of the series. This psychological thriller has many unexpected twists and turns that kept me in suspense the entire time. It was the short read that I longed for as a fan of thrillers and I just absolutely loved it. I was gripped by the unexpected twists and turns in the plot, and I read on, eager to know what would come next. Doctor Socorro was in situations of danger and intrigue that were so captivating that I wanted to know the end. As a thriller fan, it was the perfect short read, and I enjoyed it immensely. Highly recommend!
Thank you to Simone Jung at @booksforwardpr for allowing me to read and review this book.
Martin Cheshire is the subject of an identity hearing . . . is he, as stated when he was arrested, Martin Cheshire, or is he, as he now claims, Arthur Cheshire? Who can tell? They’re identical twins, after all. Aren't they?
The police believe Arthur is dead, but Arthur insists Martin is dead, victim of a boating accident.
Who is dead? And just what is the truth?
=========
In this, the first of the author’s Dr. Lisbeth Socorro series, offers readers a conundrum . . . .
Is this truly a case of mistaken identity? Are Arthur and Martin really identical twins? Is one of them dead? Or is Arthur [or is he Martin?] simply pretending to have an identical twin brother?
This psychological thriller keeps readers guessing as the unfolding narrative takes several unexpected twists. Filled with suspense, the narrative keeps readers guessing: what is truth and what is a lie?
Here readers will find a compelling tale that may just leave them with a question or two, even after they’ve turned the final page.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book through the LibraryThing Early Readers program and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Hide and Be is a psychological thriller lover's dream! There isn't a single moment you're not trying to figure out who is who and who is lying. This can make it confusing at times, so while the page count is on the lower end, I had to slow down and re-read some sections for clarity. That's not a bad thing, I just see some reviews calling this a quick read, and I'm not sure I agree with that. YMMV.
The characters were all likeable, and the pacing kept things moving. I'm a sucker for sibling/twin/birth order psychology, so this was fun to think about both while reading and after closing the book. Anyone who enjoys thrillers or psychological stories should absolutely pick this up!
Thank you Books Forward for a copy of this book, I can't wait to dive into My Brother Myself!
If you are in search of a light thriller, this series may not be the right fit for you. The storyline is rife with unexpected turns and distorted perceptions, largely due to the protagonist’s struggle with schizophrenia. It was VERY HARD to get through. Initially, I entertained the notion of bipolar disorder, but upon delving deeper, it became apparent that the character’s affliction is schizophrenia. This is far from an effortless read, prompting contemplation on the author’s ability to craft such a narrative. It’s possible that the author’s background as a lawyer influences the intricacy of the plot. The lone character who piqued my interest is Dr. Socorro. I found myself commending her for the unwavering patience she displayed during her psychiatric evaluations of Arthur.
This is a mistaken identity book about twin brothers and we meet Arthur in a courtroom in the beginning of the book. He is claiming to be his twin brother Martin. So this leaves everyone wondering where is Martin? Is he alive or dead?
The writing was superb. I really enjoyed the author's work and can really see becoming a fan. He wrote an engaging and compelling mystery that leaves you guessing till the very end!
I highly recommend the read to mystery readers! I will definitely be re-reading this one again folks!
This fascinating book offers both an interesting story and some amazing insights into what it is like to be a twin. I am not sure I can say I liked the brothers, but they sure were interesting and some of the things they did made for dark and enthralling reading.
Hide and Be was sent to me from Good Reads. Twin boys start out in life with parents dying when they are age 2. They go into Foster Care. I couldn't finish the book as I have a relative with mental illness similiar to the story.