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Hidden Rooms
You can run fast. You can run far. But you can’t outrun your family. Long distance runner Riley has been fighting various bewildering symptoms for months, from vertigo to fainting spells. Worse, her doctors can’t tell her what’s wrong, leaving her to wonder if it’s stress or something more threatening. But when her brother’s fiancée is killed—and he becomes the prime suspect—Riley must prove his innocence, despite the toll on her health. As she reacquaints herself with the familiar houses and wild woods of her childhood, the secrets she uncovers take her on a trail to the real killer that leads right back to the very people she knows best and loves most. For readers who enjoy Deer Season by Erin Flanagan, All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers, and A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham.
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2024
42 people are currently reading
13278 people want to read
About the author
Kate Michaelson
1 book157 followersGrowing up in rural Ohio, Kate Michaelson simultaneously developed a love of the natural world and a strong desire to live closer to a mall. Her writing uses humor and mystery to explore women’s experiences with chronic illness. Kate works as a curriculum designer and holds a PhD in Educational Psychology. She enjoys traveling, hiking, and trying (fruitlessly) to tire out her Labrador mix She currently lives with her husband and pets in Toledo, Ohio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
April 25, 2024
★ 4 Stars ★
Riley and Ethan are brother and sister, and their relationship is central to the story. Riley's sister-in-law is murdered, which leads to Ethan's arrest. Despite struggling with debilitating medical symptoms that have evaded diagnosis, Riley is determined to clear her brother's name. The story also addresses the issue of opioid addiction, which adds another layer of complexity to the plot.
The setting of the story is a rural community, which is depicted in such detail that you can almost smell the surrounding farmland and hear the crickets chirping. The book explores various family dynamics and relationships, which are authentically portrayed, and you feel like they could be your own family.
I found the story engaging and well-written, with just enough suspense to keep me glued to the pages. I was fully invested in the characters and their struggles and can't wait to see what the author writes next. I highly recommend "Hidden Rooms" to anyone who loves a good murder mystery!
Thank you to CamCat Publishers for providing an ARC of this book through BookSirens. As always, all opinions are my own and left voluntarily.
#HiddenRooms #KateMichaelson #BookSirens #CamCatPublishers #ARC #debutthriller #thrillerera #pageturner #bookbuzz #bookalert #Influencer #NetGalley #ARC #honestreview #thriller #bookreviewer #thrillerbooklovers #exclusivebooktour #thepulse #pulsepoint #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #ReadersOfTheLateArc #TalkWordyToMeTeam #lovetoread #lovebooks #booknerd #bookstagrammer #booktoker
Riley and Ethan are brother and sister, and their relationship is central to the story. Riley's sister-in-law is murdered, which leads to Ethan's arrest. Despite struggling with debilitating medical symptoms that have evaded diagnosis, Riley is determined to clear her brother's name. The story also addresses the issue of opioid addiction, which adds another layer of complexity to the plot.
The setting of the story is a rural community, which is depicted in such detail that you can almost smell the surrounding farmland and hear the crickets chirping. The book explores various family dynamics and relationships, which are authentically portrayed, and you feel like they could be your own family.
I found the story engaging and well-written, with just enough suspense to keep me glued to the pages. I was fully invested in the characters and their struggles and can't wait to see what the author writes next. I highly recommend "Hidden Rooms" to anyone who loves a good murder mystery!
Thank you to CamCat Publishers for providing an ARC of this book through BookSirens. As always, all opinions are my own and left voluntarily.
#HiddenRooms #KateMichaelson #BookSirens #CamCatPublishers #ARC #debutthriller #thrillerera #pageturner #bookbuzz #bookalert #Influencer #NetGalley #ARC #honestreview #thriller #bookreviewer #thrillerbooklovers #exclusivebooktour #thepulse #pulsepoint #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #ReadersOfTheLateArc #TalkWordyToMeTeam #lovetoread #lovebooks #booknerd #bookstagrammer #booktoker
December 12, 2023
Hidden Rooms is the first book I’ve read as an ARC reader, and it was such a treat from start to finish. I jumped into the story without knowing much about it, and I’m glad I did. I’m grateful to Kate Michaelson for giving me the opportunity to take an early look at the tense, mysterious, and textured world she’s built within its pages.
28-year-old Riley and her brother Ethan are almost twins, just under a year apart. They were best friends growing up, but have since drifted away from each other, as siblings often do. Ethan has grown into an angry, troubled young man. He clings to his hometown and his rural roots, embittered by the fact that so many of his friends and family have chosen to leave the community—and him—behind. The more level-headed Riley, on the other hand, wants nothing more than to move beyond the small, close-knit town of North Haven and establish a life and identity of her own. But they are still held together by a few common threads: in particular, their mutual love for Riley’s friend and Ethan’s fiancée, Beth.
Beautiful, wealthy Beth is an outsider to North Haven, and her oddly aloof personality draws the distrust and disapproval of many of the town’s inhabitants. But Riley genuinely likes her, and they bond in part over their mutual struggle with chronic pain and illness. Beth’s health issues stem from a catastrophic car accident, while Riley’s independence and athletic lifestyle have been dealt a crippling blow by a mysterious illness that leaves doctors baffled—or convinced that it’s all in her head.
When Beth turns up dead shortly before her wedding, Ethan quickly becomes the prime suspect. But despite his troubled past, Riley is convinced that her brother is innocent. With the police stubbornly refusing to look into other leads, Riley and her older sister Audra take matters into their own hands, determined to find enough evidence to clear their brother’s name. As they investigate, it becomes clear that there was more to Beth’s quiet life than either of them suspected, and they are soon drawn into an increasingly complex and dangerous web of secrets, crime, and deceit.
Hidden Rooms is timely and topical, addressing issues such as opiate addiction, rural poverty, the COVID pandemic and, in particular, the struggles of women dealing with mysterious chronic illnesses. As someone who has been through that particular slog, Riley’s journey felt painfully real to me in that regard. The doctor who finally helps her find some answers even bears an uncanny likeness in her mannerisms to the one who helped me (down to the brusque, probing refrain of “What else? What else?” as Riley rattles off her odd collection of symptoms). Even more fascinating is how the illness affects Riley’s perception of the events unfolding around her. Brain fog and other neurological symptoms—along with the failure of doctors and even close family to take her illness seriously—cause her to question her own judgment and second-guess herself again and again as the story progresses.
Gripping, poignant, wryly funny, and persistently mysterious up until the final reveal, Hidden Rooms is a deeply satisfying murder mystery. It’s also a heartfelt story about family and community, and the characters are handled with a refreshing level of nuance and complexity. The writing is sharp and evocative, but never too flowery. I don’t read a lot of contemporary mysteries, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
28-year-old Riley and her brother Ethan are almost twins, just under a year apart. They were best friends growing up, but have since drifted away from each other, as siblings often do. Ethan has grown into an angry, troubled young man. He clings to his hometown and his rural roots, embittered by the fact that so many of his friends and family have chosen to leave the community—and him—behind. The more level-headed Riley, on the other hand, wants nothing more than to move beyond the small, close-knit town of North Haven and establish a life and identity of her own. But they are still held together by a few common threads: in particular, their mutual love for Riley’s friend and Ethan’s fiancée, Beth.
Beautiful, wealthy Beth is an outsider to North Haven, and her oddly aloof personality draws the distrust and disapproval of many of the town’s inhabitants. But Riley genuinely likes her, and they bond in part over their mutual struggle with chronic pain and illness. Beth’s health issues stem from a catastrophic car accident, while Riley’s independence and athletic lifestyle have been dealt a crippling blow by a mysterious illness that leaves doctors baffled—or convinced that it’s all in her head.
When Beth turns up dead shortly before her wedding, Ethan quickly becomes the prime suspect. But despite his troubled past, Riley is convinced that her brother is innocent. With the police stubbornly refusing to look into other leads, Riley and her older sister Audra take matters into their own hands, determined to find enough evidence to clear their brother’s name. As they investigate, it becomes clear that there was more to Beth’s quiet life than either of them suspected, and they are soon drawn into an increasingly complex and dangerous web of secrets, crime, and deceit.
Hidden Rooms is timely and topical, addressing issues such as opiate addiction, rural poverty, the COVID pandemic and, in particular, the struggles of women dealing with mysterious chronic illnesses. As someone who has been through that particular slog, Riley’s journey felt painfully real to me in that regard. The doctor who finally helps her find some answers even bears an uncanny likeness in her mannerisms to the one who helped me (down to the brusque, probing refrain of “What else? What else?” as Riley rattles off her odd collection of symptoms). Even more fascinating is how the illness affects Riley’s perception of the events unfolding around her. Brain fog and other neurological symptoms—along with the failure of doctors and even close family to take her illness seriously—cause her to question her own judgment and second-guess herself again and again as the story progresses.
Gripping, poignant, wryly funny, and persistently mysterious up until the final reveal, Hidden Rooms is a deeply satisfying murder mystery. It’s also a heartfelt story about family and community, and the characters are handled with a refreshing level of nuance and complexity. The writing is sharp and evocative, but never too flowery. I don’t read a lot of contemporary mysteries, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
April 25, 2024
I need to get this out of the way, there were no “hidden rooms” in this book, it was a singular hidden crawl space, that honestly is only mentioned a few times after it’s discovery.
This book has SO much potential, and I was so let down that there were no hidden rooms, or huge discoveries related to hidden things. The relationship between the brother and sister is sweet, and refreshing. I thoroughly enjoyed that storyline and her want for the truth surrounding her future sister in laws murder. The mom was awful, I didn’t care for her character at all. The book started off slow, but with lots of descriptive text, which helped me put myself in the story (and I enjoyed that part). There were a lot of people to keep track of, which I didn’t enjoy, and it almost came to me making notes. This book just didn’t hit the way I wanted it to, I thought there would be more mystery and intrigue than it had. The story was okay, parts I enjoyed and others I didn’t, hence the 3 stars.
This book has SO much potential, and I was so let down that there were no hidden rooms, or huge discoveries related to hidden things. The relationship between the brother and sister is sweet, and refreshing. I thoroughly enjoyed that storyline and her want for the truth surrounding her future sister in laws murder. The mom was awful, I didn’t care for her character at all. The book started off slow, but with lots of descriptive text, which helped me put myself in the story (and I enjoyed that part). There were a lot of people to keep track of, which I didn’t enjoy, and it almost came to me making notes. This book just didn’t hit the way I wanted it to, I thought there would be more mystery and intrigue than it had. The story was okay, parts I enjoyed and others I didn’t, hence the 3 stars.
May 2, 2024
This is my first book from Kate Michaelson. I was interested in the plot of this book and found myself wanting to like it. I give it a solid three stars, and I will consider reading more from Kate.
Hidden Rooms is genuinely about one room. The story talks about one secret room and the contents of the room, but that’s it. I wish there had been more hidden rooms and more about the castle and the crypt.
Riley, the main character, is good. You learn about her and her brother. She’s not a detective, and the whole story is her being a detective. This book has characters who are exciting, but they never fully develop into relatable people. I can’t go much into the plot without spoilers, but it’s anticlimactic. This book could have been more intense for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Hidden Rooms is genuinely about one room. The story talks about one secret room and the contents of the room, but that’s it. I wish there had been more hidden rooms and more about the castle and the crypt.
Riley, the main character, is good. You learn about her and her brother. She’s not a detective, and the whole story is her being a detective. This book has characters who are exciting, but they never fully develop into relatable people. I can’t go much into the plot without spoilers, but it’s anticlimactic. This book could have been more intense for me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 18, 2025
Struggling a bit with thrillers lately that are just bogged down by unnecessary filler. The story was okay, I was just so uninterested.
May 30, 2024
Y’all I won’t lie, I didn’t get into it right away and had to take a break. I don’t believe it was the books fault at all but rather that I’ve burnt myself out. Out of the blue I picked it back up and finished it in a day!!! The suspense is there!! The polar opposite sisters made me relate to my sisters. So good!
July 2, 2024
I don't read a lot of mysteries, but decided to give this one a whirl (I needed something easy and mindless as a break from reality). It was decent, but doesn't make me rave. Some of it was a bit hard to swallow towards the end, and I found myself not engaging with the main characters very much.
May 7, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Woah, I did not see that ending coming!! (Don’t worry, no spoilers.) This was definitely a mystery where I suspected everyone, trusted no one, and rooted for most ;)
The main character, Riley, was a favorite right from the start. I loved watching her interactions with her family, getting to know her heart as she let us in on flashbacks from the past, and aching with her as she suffered from mysterious symptoms that doctors couldn’t seem to diagnose.
Riley finds herself getting reacquainted with a home she once turned away from when she stumbles into a murder that paints her own brother in a bad light. Riley and sister Audra team up, desperate to convince the law and their small town (and maybe even a small part of their own worst fears) that their brother, a prime suspect, is NOT to blame. If not him, then who? Is anyone to be trusted? As clues are uncovered and characters are revealed, I have to say I doubted everyone, and I even thought our dear Riley might have some involvement at one point!
It is very well written with a nice mix of suspense, family drama, and internal struggle. Hidden Rooms was a page turner from beginning to end!
Woah, I did not see that ending coming!! (Don’t worry, no spoilers.) This was definitely a mystery where I suspected everyone, trusted no one, and rooted for most ;)
The main character, Riley, was a favorite right from the start. I loved watching her interactions with her family, getting to know her heart as she let us in on flashbacks from the past, and aching with her as she suffered from mysterious symptoms that doctors couldn’t seem to diagnose.
Riley finds herself getting reacquainted with a home she once turned away from when she stumbles into a murder that paints her own brother in a bad light. Riley and sister Audra team up, desperate to convince the law and their small town (and maybe even a small part of their own worst fears) that their brother, a prime suspect, is NOT to blame. If not him, then who? Is anyone to be trusted? As clues are uncovered and characters are revealed, I have to say I doubted everyone, and I even thought our dear Riley might have some involvement at one point!
It is very well written with a nice mix of suspense, family drama, and internal struggle. Hidden Rooms was a page turner from beginning to end!
April 23, 2024
Hidden rooms.
Kate Michelson.
This is a Debut book.
This is a suspenseful story that keeps you turning the pages. It's one of those. You have to know who did it. It's a Small community. Where everyone knows everyone's business.
I' really enjoyed this book, I can see myself looking for future books from this author. A very well written story.
I must say the mother in law to be her character really got me. But overall everyone in the story, was Perfect characters.
When murder happens, Well no one knows who did it. I thought I knew who's the murderer was but when I got to that ending I was wrong. So you can never assume you think you know who the killer is until you've finished a really good book. The author has great twist that you don't always figure out in story.
This was a really really good book. I truly enjoyed it.
Kate Michelson.
This is a Debut book.
This is a suspenseful story that keeps you turning the pages. It's one of those. You have to know who did it. It's a Small community. Where everyone knows everyone's business.
I' really enjoyed this book, I can see myself looking for future books from this author. A very well written story.
I must say the mother in law to be her character really got me. But overall everyone in the story, was Perfect characters.
When murder happens, Well no one knows who did it. I thought I knew who's the murderer was but when I got to that ending I was wrong. So you can never assume you think you know who the killer is until you've finished a really good book. The author has great twist that you don't always figure out in story.
This was a really really good book. I truly enjoyed it.
March 26, 2025
Funny read
Read
May 8, 2024Hidden Rooms is a debut mystery rooted in the life of small-town and rural northern Ohio, making it a definite go-to book for readers who enjoyed Erin Flanagan's excellent Deer Season. Here, we meet Riley, who's somewhat reluctantly returned to her hometown after the death of her father and her own increasing difficulties with an undiagnosed illness that robs her of her pleasure in running and also produces some brain fog. Her brother Ethan is about to marry their high-school friend Beth, a young woman who has never quite fit into the community and whose chronic pain after an accident provides a new point of connection to Riley. However, when Riley goes to Ethan and Beth's home on a bridal-wear errand, Beth is gone, there's blood on the freshly washed laundry, and soon Beth's body turns up not far from the house. Immediately there's the question of whether Beth's death was accidental or purposeful and who moved her body and why. Suspicion soon falls on Ethan, and Riley feels obliged, with their sister Audra, to turn sleuth.
In the course of the story, many secrets come to light. Chronic illness and drug addiction are significant themes for several characters, as are ambivalent feelings about small-town life, where most people have grown up together and may know a lot about one another but not necessarily know as much as they think they do, or like either those who came from elsewhere or those who have left to look for a more rewarding life. The identity of Beth's assailant proves surprising, but not unbelievable.
In the course of the story, many secrets come to light. Chronic illness and drug addiction are significant themes for several characters, as are ambivalent feelings about small-town life, where most people have grown up together and may know a lot about one another but not necessarily know as much as they think they do, or like either those who came from elsewhere or those who have left to look for a more rewarding life. The identity of Beth's assailant proves surprising, but not unbelievable.
May 15, 2024
Small town settings are perfect for a good mystery. It’s hard to keep a secret, but there’s always so many, even though most people have known each other all their lives. That saying comes to mind, “you can’t really ‘know’ someone.” Which proves all too true in Hidden Rooms.
Riley and her brother, Ethan are central to the story. When Beth’s body is discovered, law enforcement naturally looks to those who are closest to her as suspects. Ethan, being Beth’s fiancee, is suspect number one. Riley puts herself in the killer’s crosshairs when she begins her own investigation in hopes of clearing her brother’s name.
I enjoyed how easily the story flowed. How the author ‘showed’ me the town. How she gave me genuine characters. The fact that some struggled with chronic illness and substance abuse made them even more real. And as Riley got closer to figuring out who harmed Beth, the excitement picked up. There were so many suspects. I couldn’t rule anyone out. The reveal was quite a surprise. I really enjoyed this mystery and would happily read more of Kate Michaelson’s stories.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
Riley and her brother, Ethan are central to the story. When Beth’s body is discovered, law enforcement naturally looks to those who are closest to her as suspects. Ethan, being Beth’s fiancee, is suspect number one. Riley puts herself in the killer’s crosshairs when she begins her own investigation in hopes of clearing her brother’s name.
I enjoyed how easily the story flowed. How the author ‘showed’ me the town. How she gave me genuine characters. The fact that some struggled with chronic illness and substance abuse made them even more real. And as Riley got closer to figuring out who harmed Beth, the excitement picked up. There were so many suspects. I couldn’t rule anyone out. The reveal was quite a surprise. I really enjoyed this mystery and would happily read more of Kate Michaelson’s stories.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
April 18, 2024
Kate Michaelson’s debut novel is a mystery blended with a story of family relationships in a natural setting so appealing it makes me want to move! This is a popular blend currently, but it is rare that I see all three done so well.
My main interest was the mystery theme, and the author checked all the right boxes. The murder occurs early in the book; there are a number of possible motives and suspects; and the identity of the culprit revealed was plausible but totally fooled me! A few fairly minor points left me scratching my head a bit, but overall well done. To discuss further might introduce some spoilers.
Stories of complicated family relationships for me require a fair degree of empathy with the characters, and again the author scored well. I liked narrator Riley and found even some of the more difficult characters, like her hot-tempered brother Ethan, both believable and sympathetic. Nice details like Riley’s enjoyment of her walks with her dog Bruno fill out the characters without departing excessively from the main themes of the book.
The writeup on the author mentions her love of the natural world, and this is nicely evident in her descriptions of the rural scenery. I confess that I often skim quickly over such descriptions, especially in mysteries, but I enjoyed them in Hidden Rooms.
This is a promising debut, and I recommend it for anyone who enjoys mysteries with emphasis on human interactions. I look forward to reading more from Kate Michaelson.
I received an Advance Review copy of this book from Edelweiss and the publisher.
My main interest was the mystery theme, and the author checked all the right boxes. The murder occurs early in the book; there are a number of possible motives and suspects; and the identity of the culprit revealed was plausible but totally fooled me! A few fairly minor points left me scratching my head a bit, but overall well done. To discuss further might introduce some spoilers.
Stories of complicated family relationships for me require a fair degree of empathy with the characters, and again the author scored well. I liked narrator Riley and found even some of the more difficult characters, like her hot-tempered brother Ethan, both believable and sympathetic. Nice details like Riley’s enjoyment of her walks with her dog Bruno fill out the characters without departing excessively from the main themes of the book.
The writeup on the author mentions her love of the natural world, and this is nicely evident in her descriptions of the rural scenery. I confess that I often skim quickly over such descriptions, especially in mysteries, but I enjoyed them in Hidden Rooms.
This is a promising debut, and I recommend it for anyone who enjoys mysteries with emphasis on human interactions. I look forward to reading more from Kate Michaelson.
I received an Advance Review copy of this book from Edelweiss and the publisher.
April 29, 2024
This is a debut novel by Kate Michaelson, an author to watch for now! This book was incredible in detail, character, and scenery right from the beginning. She chose a place very familiar to her, her hometown. By doing so, the reader was transported to the fields, the small of the flowers etc. I think by doing this, the author made the book believable and let her focus her time writing on the mystery of who killed her sister-in-law and her undiagnosed chronic illness. Writing about the protagonist’s chronic illness, brings awareness to to explore women’s experience that often go ignored and undiagnosed. This book is very engaging and well written. The suspense kept you reading until the very end. Be prepared for the ending, it will definitely surprise you. Ms. Michaelson’s characters are so real and this book portrays that family bonds can be stronger than illness. Definitely a must read and looking forward to more books by this author.
Many thanks to #partnersincrimevbt and the author, #katemichaelsonwriter
for an ARC copy of this debut mystery book. I have read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Many thanks to #partnersincrimevbt and the author, #katemichaelsonwriter
for an ARC copy of this debut mystery book. I have read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
April 20, 2024
Hidden Rooms was a fast and entertaining story! The story was a little slow in the beginning but once it gets going you really want to know what happens so the plot is interesting and has a few twists! The characters are well drawn, likable and relatable and I enjoyed Riley as a main character! Especially her friendship with Beth! It will be interesting to see if this book continues into a series! Overall it's an engaging and exciting story! Thank you Partners in Crime Virtual Tours, Kate Michaelson and CamCat Books for sharing this book with me!
April 28, 2025
This was a solid mystery that has the main character, Riley, trying to solve who killed her brother’s fiancée.
I loved all of the descriptions in this book as well as the family drama. Riley also has an undiagnosed disease that causes her dizziness and black outs which had me guessing if it played a role in what was happening.
This is Kate’s first novel and I would definitely read other books by her.
I loved all of the descriptions in this book as well as the family drama. Riley also has an undiagnosed disease that causes her dizziness and black outs which had me guessing if it played a role in what was happening.
This is Kate’s first novel and I would definitely read other books by her.
October 25, 2023
With her twenty-ninth birthday on the horizon, Riley Svenson finds herself living in the same rural community in Ohio where she spent her teenage years itching to leave. She had gotten as far away as Seattle, but her father’s illness brought her back home. Now that he’s deceased, she has accepted a job offer that will take her to England. But before her departure date, she’s confronted with two mysteries: why can’t the local doctors explain her fainting spells and bouts of vertigo? Even more unnerving, who wrapped the bloody corpse of her brother’s fiancée in a sheet and left it in the field next to her brother’s farmhouse?
As members of the local sheriff’s department investigate, their suspicions fall on Riley’s brother Ethan. As adults, the two siblings are no longer as close as they had been growing up. Back then, according to Riley, “Born less than a year apart, my brother . . . and I spent most of our lives scrapping after the same few things, pinching each other where we knew it would hurt the most. But we also protected each other. When Trevor Paltree shoved Ethan off the tall metal slide the first day of preschool, I kicked Trevor’s little ass, and I’d do it again.”
In the years since then, Ethan has put down roots in their hometown and Riley left. The family bond, though, remains unbroken. After Ethan is arrested on a murder charge, Riley and her sister start their own investigation. In tracking down the real killer, Riley discovers that the friends and neighbors she grew up with aren’t at all what they had seemed to be. And even after a sympathetic doctor provides Riley with a diagnosis of her chronic condition, Riley realizes her life can never be the same. Yet, as she states in the book’s final paragraphs: “Emotions flittered and played across [Ethan’s] face. Some I knew and some I didn’t. I couldn’t read his thoughts, just as he couldn’t feel what it was like for me to ache every day. But it was okay. He was my brother, not my twin. We would just have to find the words.”
The understated eloquence of the lines that end the book is also on display in the opening sentence: “I grew up inside a lightning bolt, in a family of pure momentum. My siblings and I were young, stupid, and fearless in our white gingerbread house, surrounded by dark earth, green shoots, and wild woods—untamed beasts running loose from morning to night. We snarled and bucked, more a pack than a family.”
Such is the evocative prose that transports this debut novel through its well paced and clearly plotted narrative. Without indulgence or self-absorption, Riley shares the physical pain and emotional turmoil brought about by her compromised health and the push-pull dynamics of her family relationships. "Hidden Rooms" lives up to its title. Whether it’s Kate Michaelson’s graceful prose or everyday life in Riley Svenson’s hometown, there’s a lot going on under the surface.
"Hidden Rooms" is expected to be published in April 2024. Many thanks to the author for an advanced reader copy.
As members of the local sheriff’s department investigate, their suspicions fall on Riley’s brother Ethan. As adults, the two siblings are no longer as close as they had been growing up. Back then, according to Riley, “Born less than a year apart, my brother . . . and I spent most of our lives scrapping after the same few things, pinching each other where we knew it would hurt the most. But we also protected each other. When Trevor Paltree shoved Ethan off the tall metal slide the first day of preschool, I kicked Trevor’s little ass, and I’d do it again.”
In the years since then, Ethan has put down roots in their hometown and Riley left. The family bond, though, remains unbroken. After Ethan is arrested on a murder charge, Riley and her sister start their own investigation. In tracking down the real killer, Riley discovers that the friends and neighbors she grew up with aren’t at all what they had seemed to be. And even after a sympathetic doctor provides Riley with a diagnosis of her chronic condition, Riley realizes her life can never be the same. Yet, as she states in the book’s final paragraphs: “Emotions flittered and played across [Ethan’s] face. Some I knew and some I didn’t. I couldn’t read his thoughts, just as he couldn’t feel what it was like for me to ache every day. But it was okay. He was my brother, not my twin. We would just have to find the words.”
The understated eloquence of the lines that end the book is also on display in the opening sentence: “I grew up inside a lightning bolt, in a family of pure momentum. My siblings and I were young, stupid, and fearless in our white gingerbread house, surrounded by dark earth, green shoots, and wild woods—untamed beasts running loose from morning to night. We snarled and bucked, more a pack than a family.”
Such is the evocative prose that transports this debut novel through its well paced and clearly plotted narrative. Without indulgence or self-absorption, Riley shares the physical pain and emotional turmoil brought about by her compromised health and the push-pull dynamics of her family relationships. "Hidden Rooms" lives up to its title. Whether it’s Kate Michaelson’s graceful prose or everyday life in Riley Svenson’s hometown, there’s a lot going on under the surface.
"Hidden Rooms" is expected to be published in April 2024. Many thanks to the author for an advanced reader copy.
May 5, 2024
In her late twenties, Riley is very sick, yet no one seems to know what is the matter with her. She has undertaken myriad tests, all to no avail. Some doctors seem sympathetic, some are patronizing, and some think it is all in her head. Even some of her family members are skeptical about her condition. Meanwhile she is losing weight, suffering swelling, vertigo, numbness, extreme fatigue, and pain. All this is especially frustrating and debilitating as not too long ago she was a physically fit marathon runner.
Riley's brother, Ethan, is soon to be married to Riley's good friend Beth. When she goes over to their house to pick up her bridesmaid dress, she finds the house empty... Soon, Beth's body is found in the woods behind their farmhouse. Ethan becomes the main suspect and Riley is determined to help her brother regardless to the cost of her own health.
"It's always the boyfriend, people whispered, and with Ethan's history of brawling, and Beth's imagined faults, of course. It felt true."
Beth's murder sets off a chain reaction of events that spiral into danger for Riley, her family, and her friends. With evidence mounting toward her brother, Riley stubbornly refuses to let it go...
Not only is there a mystery surrounded the murder, but there is also the mystery as to what is wrong with Riley. She is so young, it is traumatic to see her wasted potential. But, fear not, both mysteries are solved before the end of the book.
"Hidden Rooms" was an immersive, atmospheric, and cleverly plotted whodunit murder mystery. An impressive debut novel.
Riley's brother, Ethan, is soon to be married to Riley's good friend Beth. When she goes over to their house to pick up her bridesmaid dress, she finds the house empty... Soon, Beth's body is found in the woods behind their farmhouse. Ethan becomes the main suspect and Riley is determined to help her brother regardless to the cost of her own health.
"It's always the boyfriend, people whispered, and with Ethan's history of brawling, and Beth's imagined faults, of course. It felt true."
Beth's murder sets off a chain reaction of events that spiral into danger for Riley, her family, and her friends. With evidence mounting toward her brother, Riley stubbornly refuses to let it go...
Not only is there a mystery surrounded the murder, but there is also the mystery as to what is wrong with Riley. She is so young, it is traumatic to see her wasted potential. But, fear not, both mysteries are solved before the end of the book.
"Hidden Rooms" was an immersive, atmospheric, and cleverly plotted whodunit murder mystery. An impressive debut novel.
January 23, 2024
Thank you Booksirens for the ARC.
Hidden Rooms was a fast read with relatable, likable characters. It truly kept me guessing until the end. I thought I figured it out only to learn I had been WAY off base! Then it got even a little more tangled. I would enjoy seeing a certain relationship blossom in future books...maybe?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Hidden Rooms was a fast read with relatable, likable characters. It truly kept me guessing until the end. I thought I figured it out only to learn I had been WAY off base! Then it got even a little more tangled. I would enjoy seeing a certain relationship blossom in future books...maybe?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 4, 2023
Terrific writing with a comfortable voice, well-drawn characters, and a plot that always kept me guessing. I appreciated the advance reader copy because I think I may read this one again when it arrives in stores. Can’t wait to read more by this author!
May 3, 2024
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian via BookSirens, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is the author's debut novel, and I reckon she nailed it!
Riley's sister-in-law to be, Beth, is murdered, and her brother Ethan, is the prime suspect. Riley knows he's innocent, and sets about to prove it.
What I particularly liked about this, was being kept on my toes! Until it all came out, I didn't know whether Ethan did it or not!
Beth is keeping secrets, and those secrets cost her, but again, it takes time for things to come out.
Everything does take a time to come out, and I suggest, if like me, you weren't liking the slow pace, KEEP AT IT! It does speed up and move at pace. I am glad I kept with it.
Riley tells a great tale, even with this illness that rocks her through much of the book. I enjoyed her, especially as she is the only voice in the book. I liked the way the illness was dealt with, or not for much of the time!
I think I might not have enjoyed this so much had someone else had a say, which is contrary to my usual "I wanted to hear from everyone" thing, I know, but I really did like Riley.
It's well written, and well delivered. There is just enough suspense, once it kicks off, to keep you fully engaged and invested with this group of people.
As an ARC reader of many years, my primary genre is romance. Once in a while something different will come through and my interest is piqued. I am certainly glad I took this one on, and will absolutely read more by this author as and when.
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is the author's debut novel, and I reckon she nailed it!
Riley's sister-in-law to be, Beth, is murdered, and her brother Ethan, is the prime suspect. Riley knows he's innocent, and sets about to prove it.
What I particularly liked about this, was being kept on my toes! Until it all came out, I didn't know whether Ethan did it or not!
Beth is keeping secrets, and those secrets cost her, but again, it takes time for things to come out.
Everything does take a time to come out, and I suggest, if like me, you weren't liking the slow pace, KEEP AT IT! It does speed up and move at pace. I am glad I kept with it.
Riley tells a great tale, even with this illness that rocks her through much of the book. I enjoyed her, especially as she is the only voice in the book. I liked the way the illness was dealt with, or not for much of the time!
I think I might not have enjoyed this so much had someone else had a say, which is contrary to my usual "I wanted to hear from everyone" thing, I know, but I really did like Riley.
It's well written, and well delivered. There is just enough suspense, once it kicks off, to keep you fully engaged and invested with this group of people.
As an ARC reader of many years, my primary genre is romance. Once in a while something different will come through and my interest is piqued. I am certainly glad I took this one on, and will absolutely read more by this author as and when.
4 very VERY good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
April 29, 2024
Hidden Rooms by Kate Michaelson is riveting, captivating and a pleasure to get lost in! Putting this book down was impossible so it went wherever I went. The characters were worth knowing and the mystery was clever, though what stands out most to me is the sensitive handling of chronic pain and the resulting mental anguish.
Riley and her brother Ethan had a special twin-like bond. When his fiancé Beth died, Ethan needed Riley's emotional support. Beth was Riley's friend and had suffered terribly from chronic pain which no one truly understood unless in that situation. Riley tried to ignore her own inexplicable symptoms but it became impossible. She finally found a doctor who dug deeper. Oh, what a relatable process!
Meanwhile, Ethan is imprisoned for a crime Riley knows he didn't commit. His time in prison is sad and frustrating and the author did well including this dreadful reality. Their family had a… kink going back generations which added yet another layer to the tapestry.
I really like the zippy pace, the refreshing focus on chronic illness whilst not detracting one iota from the story (I have several, including a major one mentioned), and family drama didn't let up. The book really clicked with me. Frankly, I want more like it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Riley and her brother Ethan had a special twin-like bond. When his fiancé Beth died, Ethan needed Riley's emotional support. Beth was Riley's friend and had suffered terribly from chronic pain which no one truly understood unless in that situation. Riley tried to ignore her own inexplicable symptoms but it became impossible. She finally found a doctor who dug deeper. Oh, what a relatable process!
Meanwhile, Ethan is imprisoned for a crime Riley knows he didn't commit. His time in prison is sad and frustrating and the author did well including this dreadful reality. Their family had a… kink going back generations which added yet another layer to the tapestry.
I really like the zippy pace, the refreshing focus on chronic illness whilst not detracting one iota from the story (I have several, including a major one mentioned), and family drama didn't let up. The book really clicked with me. Frankly, I want more like it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 29, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
I love it when cover vibes match the story inside. Hidden Rooms was a slow burn suspense with intriguing characters set in a small town full of dark secrets. It was pretty dark but also had its funny moments I appreciated (Riley’s mom was quite a character).
When Riley’s friend (and her brother’s fiance) Beth is found dead and her brother Ethan accused of murder, Riley is driven to solve the case while battling inexplicable physical symptoms.
Hidden rooms tackles some serious issues like chronic pain, opioid crisis, and the way female health concerns are often so disregarded it that we start doubting our own sanity! I loved all red herrings along the way and I loved that I didn’t figure out the culprit on my own because suspicion was thrown around in equal measure.
If you enjoy your murder mysteries on the darker side, complex family dynamics, amateur sibling investigations then you will definitely want to check out this one!
A huge thanks to @camcat & @booksirens for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I love it when cover vibes match the story inside. Hidden Rooms was a slow burn suspense with intriguing characters set in a small town full of dark secrets. It was pretty dark but also had its funny moments I appreciated (Riley’s mom was quite a character).
When Riley’s friend (and her brother’s fiance) Beth is found dead and her brother Ethan accused of murder, Riley is driven to solve the case while battling inexplicable physical symptoms.
Hidden rooms tackles some serious issues like chronic pain, opioid crisis, and the way female health concerns are often so disregarded it that we start doubting our own sanity! I loved all red herrings along the way and I loved that I didn’t figure out the culprit on my own because suspicion was thrown around in equal measure.
If you enjoy your murder mysteries on the darker side, complex family dynamics, amateur sibling investigations then you will definitely want to check out this one!
A huge thanks to @camcat & @booksirens for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!
April 29, 2024
I love a good opening suspense/mystery and this book had it y’all! Hidden Rooms starts the reader off with a mystery of what happened at the house of Ethan and Beth? Who is missing and who dis something? Riley finds blood spots on the laundry at his brother’s house and is trying to find out what happened in the very first chapter.
Then there are flashbacks in the story to help the readers try and figure out what happened with Ethan and Beth, specifically Beth who was found in the woods. There are so many twists and turns in the last chapters of this book I kind of like the ending with the fire and Ethan, it is something I would certainly do if that happened to me. I mean in this book, you need to ask Do you really know your significant other?
The author did a fantastic job with the writing and the descriptions of the characters, including Riley and Ethan’s family. She wrote a very gripping and engaging mystery read and I highly recommend this book to mystery readers!
Then there are flashbacks in the story to help the readers try and figure out what happened with Ethan and Beth, specifically Beth who was found in the woods. There are so many twists and turns in the last chapters of this book I kind of like the ending with the fire and Ethan, it is something I would certainly do if that happened to me. I mean in this book, you need to ask Do you really know your significant other?
The author did a fantastic job with the writing and the descriptions of the characters, including Riley and Ethan’s family. She wrote a very gripping and engaging mystery read and I highly recommend this book to mystery readers!
April 30, 2024
This is small-town murder mystery done right. You really do suspect just about everyone throughout the course of the book (except the actual killer - I didn't see it coming at all!). The family dynamics are strained and flawed, highlighting how real each of the characters feels, and how multifaceted all of the relationships are. I really liked following the main character on her journey of investigating this murder through the town she grew up in, as she's confronted with both demons from her past and her present. The cherry on top of all of it all is the writing itself, which magnificently encapsulates this thrilling and suspenseful story. A fabulous debut mystery!
September 9, 2024
I love a premise that initially seems straightforward but quickly veers in many directions. Hidden Rooms is this kind of multilayered read! I went into the story thinking I had a good handle on the mystery and as I made my way through the storyline, I was certain I knew who the culprit was. I was wrong. So wrong. And I love that!
Suspense readers want to be tricked. We are never satisfied if we figure out the mystery before the big reveal. This talented author guides us with unique characters, beautiful imagery, and enough subtle clues to keep us riveted from start to finish. Highly recommend!
Suspense readers want to be tricked. We are never satisfied if we figure out the mystery before the big reveal. This talented author guides us with unique characters, beautiful imagery, and enough subtle clues to keep us riveted from start to finish. Highly recommend!
January 20, 2025
5/5 ⭐️ “Hidden Rooms” is an impressive and entertaining debut mystery that beautifully captures the nuances of social dynamics in small town America. The first chapter immediately pulled me in with the honest, relatable writing style. Kate’s writing is both witty, sometimes funny, and also poetic and descriptive. At times I thought I was reading a literary novel (which I love, given that many popular genres these days trade quality writing for a fast-paced plot - “Hidden Rooms” has both!)
“Hidden Rooms” has a main plot - the murder of Beth, the main character Riley’s future sister-in-law — and a side plot where Riley is trying to decipher a range of debilitating health issues that seem to have no set diagnosis. I found both plots fast paced and interesting. I got so into the main plot that I just couldn’t stop reading! I found myself carving out reading time in my day just so I could figure out what happens! I hope Kate continues to write, as I will certainly be looking out for her next book!
“Hidden Rooms” has a main plot - the murder of Beth, the main character Riley’s future sister-in-law — and a side plot where Riley is trying to decipher a range of debilitating health issues that seem to have no set diagnosis. I found both plots fast paced and interesting. I got so into the main plot that I just couldn’t stop reading! I found myself carving out reading time in my day just so I could figure out what happens! I hope Kate continues to write, as I will certainly be looking out for her next book!
April 16, 2024
The book is unputdownable and suspenseful. The characters have a poignant back stories. I thought some characters were detached and aloof but clever. The mystery slowly unveiled with secrets and truth. The author has described the emotions each character felt so well. The ending was shocking. There were some plot twists.
A week before the wedding, Beth is found dead and Riley is the first person to get to know about the awful thing. While, Ethan becomes the primary suspect somehow. Riley is determined to find the clues leading to the unfortunate incident and get to the bottom of it. I became suspicious of all characters and the setting is just so perfect. But the plot twists just failed all my theories and the ending turned out to be something I wasn’t expecting it to be with the shocking revelations at the end. It was such a gripping and unpredictable thriller.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A week before the wedding, Beth is found dead and Riley is the first person to get to know about the awful thing. While, Ethan becomes the primary suspect somehow. Riley is determined to find the clues leading to the unfortunate incident and get to the bottom of it. I became suspicious of all characters and the setting is just so perfect. But the plot twists just failed all my theories and the ending turned out to be something I wasn’t expecting it to be with the shocking revelations at the end. It was such a gripping and unpredictable thriller.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 9, 2025
I really enjoyed this one! I grew up in NW Ohio so seeing a book about NE Ohio was exciting. I felt Kate did a great job portraying a dwindling small town. A lot of the themes in the book felt very real and could happen in every day life - chronic illness or issues with drugs - and I appreciate the author for not shying away from those ideas. I enjoyed the cast of characters and thought Riley growth was great! I overall, felt I had no idea where this book was going and didn’t know who the killer was - so for me, that was great! I’m also glad we got resolution for Riley and her chronic illness!
📖 Suspense Thriller
📖 Rural NE Ohio
📖 Chronic Illness
📖 Drugs
📖 Fast Paced
📖 Suspense Thriller
📖 Rural NE Ohio
📖 Chronic Illness
📖 Drugs
📖 Fast Paced
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