What We Were Hiding

by Jonas Saul

Ben Redfield built a life he refuses to lose—his business, his marriage, his name.
So when a rival begins quietly dismantling everything he’s built, Ben doesn’t call the police.
He doesn’t call a lawyer.
He calls his estranged brother—with one make the problem go away. Clean. Quiet. Untraceable.

Instead, the wrong people start dying.

Now Ben is exposed. The police are closing in. And someone is always watching.

He wanted one man gone. Now he’s the one being hunted.
Because once you step into a world built on silence, you don’t get to choose who pays the price.

Genres: Thriller

421 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 6, 2026

About the author

Jonas Saul is the bestselling author of the Sarah Roberts Series—more than two million sold!—and has written and published over sixty thrillers. After acquiring an agent, he signed several deals in Los Angeles, with MadRiver Pictures optioning his Sarah Roberts Series—over forty books!—(currently in development).
Jonas has often outranked Stephen King and Dean Koontz on Amazon over the past decade. He’s regularly invited to be a guest speaker, teacher, or workshop presenter at international writing conferences and film festivals worldwide.
He hosts multiple annual retreats in Greece, where he currently lives—writer’s, screenplay, and reader’s retreats. He focuses his teaching on how to get tension and emotion in every scene and on every page, how he made it as a creator/writer, the path to success in this business, and the pitfalls to avoid. Visit the Imagine Greece Retreats website at www.imaginegreeceretreats.com, or email him directly.
Jonas Saul is an acclaimed author, teacher, and professional freelance editor. He lends his editing prowess to several publishers and offers private editing services to clients. His website, www.imaginepress.org, is a testament to his editing skills, featuring numerous testimonials from satisfied authors. Jonas is an email away for those needing professional editing.
To book Jonas for a speaking engagement at a writer’s conference/festival, to have him on your jury at a film festival, or even to say hello, email Jonas directly at jonassaul@icloud.com.

Reviews

[Rachel Browning]

“What We Were Hiding” by Jonas Saul is a fast-paced thriller packed with secrets, deception, and nonstop suspense. I really enjoyed the first-person point of view, it pulled me right into the story and kept me invested from beginning to end. Every twist uncovered another layer of lies, leading to some shocking reveals I didn't see coming. It’s a gripping, action-packed read that kept me hooked the whole way through!

[Mark]

Jonas Saul writer of 60 books has this time ( as he writes in his interesting acknowledgments ) written his first book in the first person….and what a read it is……

Fast and furious describes it as it starts from the first sentence and really doesn’t let up until the last,it is a lesson in what can happen when you ask the wrong question to a family member and all the secrets,lies and chaos it can cause

It is a thriller that lives up to its name and the thrills keep coming and the story evolving and just when you think Ben ( main character ) may have sorted it something else happens and the adventure goes up yet another gear

Loved the writing and the atmospheric story and how the chapters seamlessly went from character to character and kept the story flowing

Dark and mysterious and very very readable

[Ariane]

Whew, this one kept me on edge. I went into this not knowing exactly what to expect and pretty quickly I found myself needing to know what was really happening. The suspense was there from the start and the pacing made this such an easy book to fly through.

The paranoia was probably one of my favorite parts because you never really knew who to trust or what was coming next. The antagonist always seemed to be one step ahead and Ben seriously could NOT catch a break. Man was fighting for his life while I was sitting there wondering how much more this man could possibly take. 😩

I did wish we got a little more explanation about what started everything in the first place. I wanted to know what happened six months ago that made Ben the target and why then specifically, instead of earlier in his and Eliza’s relationship. I think a little more backstory there would’ve made an already good story even better.

But overall, I really enjoyed this one. It was suspenseful, intense and kept me wanting to read just one more chapter… which obviously turned into several. 😂

Thank you to NetGalley, Jonas Saul and the publisher for the advance copy. I’m really glad I got the chance to read this one!

4 ⭐️

[Terri]

Once I read the afterword, being told that this is the first book that Jonas Saul has written in first person, after writing so many in third, I feel that is an accomplishment all in its own, as this was an excellent read.

This is a fast read with action packed cat and mouse set-ups, blackmail, vengeance, love, revenge, secrets and murder. As Ben and Eliza try to find a peaceful life running their hotel and restaurant, they are interrupted by criminal boss Marcus Vale who wants what they have. Little does the reader know that there are more secrets and lies that need to come out than anticipated! So many developments throughout this book that keeps building and building! This is quite the psychological thriller that has you holding your breath at every turn!

This book will not let you down!

I received this book as an ARC from Booksirens and the above are my honest views and opinions!

[Sue Manley]

Set aside a weekend to read this fast moving, page turning, twisty thriller. Each chapter written in the first person by one of the characters. This makes you want to keep on reading…… and I never guessed the ending! Brilliant!

Thank you for this ARC and this is a totally honest review.

[Luna May]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars

This book had everything I love in a psychological thriller. The suspense stayed steady, the twists and turns kept coming, and my alliance to each character wavered more times than I could count. Every time I thought I knew who I trusted or whose side I was on, something happened that had me questioning everything all over again.

The storyline grabs you from page one, and the fast-paced, first-person POV narration made it incredibly easy to fly through. This is the author's first book written in first person, and he absolutely nailed it. Being right there inside the characters' heads added another layer to the suspense because you're experiencing everything through their perspective while still wondering how much you can actually trust what you're being told.

There are secrets on top of secrets, questionable decisions, betrayals, and that constant feeling that somebody knows more than they're letting on. As you're reading, just when you think you know the next move Ben, Marcus, or Eliza is going to make, something completely different happens and throws you right back into questioning everybody again.

This one just hit all the right spots for me. Fast-paced, suspenseful, twisty, and full of characters who kept me changing my mind about them throughout the entire book. I definitely recommend adding What We Were Hiding to your TBR and checking out this author's first dive into writing in first-person POV because, in my opinion, he nailed it.

[Veronica]

ARC REVIEW






This is one of those thrillers where you think you understand what’s happening, and then the story quietly reminds you that you absolutely do not. 😳

Ben has built the kind of life he desperately wants to protect - a successful business, a marriage, a reputation, a name he’s worked hard to establish.

Then someone starts systematically tearing it all apart.

Instead of going through the proper channels, Ben makes a decision that changes everything: he reaches out to his estranged brother and asks him to handle the problem.

Quietly.

Cleanly.

No questions.

Except things don’t stay quiet for very long.

People start dying. Ben becomes a target. The police are closing in, and suddenly the life he was so determined to protect is coming apart around him.

And honestly? That’s when the fun begins.

We get to see what’s happening through different characters’ eyes, which adds so many layers to the story. You start to understand motivations that you might otherwise miss, and just when you think you’ve got someone figured out… there’s another piece to the puzzle.

There’s a real sense throughout the book that everyone knows something they’re not saying.

And that title? What We Were Hiding.

It becomes more and more fitting the deeper you get into the story.

I also liked that this isn't simply a “who did it?” thriller. It’s about consequences. Ben thinks he can solve one problem by making one person disappear, but once you start pulling on that thread, you have absolutely no idea what’s going to unravel next.

And the twists keep coming.

If you like thrillers with shifting perspectives, morally complicated characters, escalating danger and those wait… WHAT?! moments, put this one on your radar. 👀

Thanks @booksirens and @jonassaul for the opportunity to be an advanced reader.

[neverwhere〽️itzi]

The suspense never stopped. I kept thinking “wait… can I breathe for a second?” i feel like the protagonist was thinking the same thing..and I honestly didn’t expect this book to be this gripping. The only thing that frustrated me was that there was one part where the protagonist felt a little too gullible like, “why would you do that?”

Thank you Author, for such a thrilling read! I had so much fun even though I felt exhausted from all the nonstop tension. haha 😆

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kerry]

ARC via NetGalley

This is a good book if a little confusing at times. Even the author says it confused him writing it because it’s from each character’s perspective in different chapters. It starts off a little slow but then picks up pace and then races towards the end so you’re wanting to find out who did what and why.
Overall, I’d say it’s an interesting story and a good book and I’d be interested to see more in this style from the author.

[Isabella]

This had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I didn't expect so many twists, they were unexpected but thrilling. I wish I could read this for the first time again. I love how real places and locations were used so you could really be immersed in the story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Thrillergeek]

Well what can I say, this was, again, a banger. Why?
Fast-paced, never a dull moment, the story keeps racing.
A very clever story. Well described characters, I really was rooting for some and the opposite for others.
Also some moments I wanted to scream, please don't, but they did...
So a lot of good ingredients. Some thing I saw coming and some things I didn't... some good twists and turns. I really enjoyed myself with this story.
This was a true 5 star read!

[Leanne]

What We Were Hiding is a sharp, tense, and deeply absorbing thriller that explores how far someone will go to protect the life they’ve built—and what happens when the past refuses to stay buried. Jonas Saul crafts a story that feels both intimate and explosive, driven by characters who are flawed, desperate, and painfully human.

Ben Redfield is a fascinating protagonist: successful, controlled, and absolutely determined to keep his world intact. His decision to call his estranged brother instead of the police sets off a chain reaction that spirals quickly and brutally out of his control. The tension builds with every chapter as “one small problem” becomes a deadly unraveling, and the novel does a brilliant job of showing how a single choice can ignite a catastrophe.

The atmosphere is taut and unsettling, with a constant sense of being watched that mirrors Ben’s own paranoia. As bodies begin to fall and the police close in, the story becomes a gripping blend of psychological suspense and moral reckoning. Saul excels at pacing—each reveal lands with impact, and the stakes rise in a way that feels both inevitable and terrifying.

What stands out most is the exploration of silence: the secrets families keep, the grudges that fester, and the dangerous world Ben steps into when he asks for help from the wrong place. It’s a thriller that doesn’t just entertain—it probes at guilt, loyalty, and the price of trying to control what was never truly safe.

A dark, compelling read that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Perfect for fans of twisty, character‑driven suspense with a strong emotional undercurrent.

With thanks to Jonas Saul, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Jodi]

I enjoyed how the different character POVs were introduced through the story. Who would narrate the next chapter wasn't predictable, and I think, because of that, it made the story flow easily. There wasn't much back and forth where 1 characters POV would go on forever, but then have to back track for another POV to make sense.

I liked that there wasn't a lot of suggestion or explanation about what the other characters were thinking or why they were doing what they were doing during the chapters that weren't narrated by them.

When it was Ben's POV, the story focused on Ben's POV, and gave his thought process, emotions and actions. There wasn't an explanation of what other characters were doing or why; it genuinely felt like I was watching the story unfold from Ben's POV. Then, in the next chapter, whoever's POV took over the story gave the appropriate information for it to flow without feeling like I was missing a step or left unsure of why they previously did what they did.

There's enough information for a backstory, but not more to clutter what is unfolding. That was really well done!!

The plot was great. I easily became invested in the characters. The twists weren't predictable, but there were a few points where it was confusing because situations relating to 'who knows what' and when they knew it didn't align, so it felt disjointed in a few spots, but it all came together and made sense in the end!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Katie Lavoie]

While I enjoyed the plot generally, I ultimately wasn’t the right reader for this book. If you like plot-driven thrillers that are run ahead full speed the entire time, this might be a good book for you.

What I liked: the plot was fun - fast moving, full of betrayals, secrets, and paranoia. It also grows in speed, suspense, and action as the book continues on, which did help me want to keep reading even in spite of its flaws.

However, I struggled with both the writing and characters: While I did enjoy the first person perspective (and good on the author for trying something new to them!), the writing itself felt overly simple and repetitive, often pulling me from the story. I would have preferred more details that were otherwise not included as opposed to all the time spent on the page restate things already established. Additionally, the characters never connected for me. I didn’t understand their motives (e.g., why didn’t Ben question why Marcus was after him starting 6months prior? Why didn’t Ben go to the police? Why was Ben so willing to jump to illegal and immoral options? The list goes on) and they all came across as thinking they were smarter than everyone else which I disliked (e.g., Ben and Eliza both thinking they could outsmart Marcus, Marcus thinking he controlled everything, etc).

Thanks to Jonas Saul, Imagine Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[T.M.]

"What We Were Hiding" is a wild, adrenaline-spiked ride from Jonas Saul. Ben and Eliza, a married couple running a hotel and restaurant in Savanna, are pushed to the brink when a ruthless rival, Marcus, begins sabotaging their business. What starts as a simple refusal to sell their property spirals into corruption, intimidation, obsession, and a murder investigation that lands Ben under suspicion.

Saul writes these first-person characters with layers, and this book is full of them, with all their secrets unraveling at just the right moments. The tension never lets up, with every chapter adding a new twist, a new reveal, a new reason to keep reading.

This was a fast-paced, can't-stop read for me. I have read four of Saul's books so far, and this one is my second favorite behind "The Woman In The Woods".

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author via BookSirens. This review is my honest opinion. If you love a savage domestic thriller with relentless pacing, sharp reveals, and characters hiding more than they're saying, this one belongs on your reading list.

[Michelle Krasicki-Aune]

While this book started out slowly, it did eventually pick up speed (too slowly for me), and twists and turns (some quite predictable) began to appear chapter by chapter. The characters also gained depth with each chapter, and I immediately found myself either loving or hating each of them. I would have loved more depth and background on a few of the characters to better understand some relationships. The author did a nice job of shifting their usual writing style to present each chapter in the first person; however, the book ends in a way that could set it up for a series (it is advertised as a standalone). Overall, I enjoyed the book as a quick read that let the reader come and go without having to retrace steps. I also loved the shout-out to another well-known thriller author. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[John Dover]

I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jonas has built a story that through the creative changing of perspectives leaves the reader a deeper understanding of each characters motivations and how they are processing the situation moment to moment. While Ben's life is unraveling we get to experience it from multiple viewpoints and this is a fun way to digest such a tightly woven thriller. Even when you think you have all the answers, Jonas packs in another twist keeping you turning the pages so that even when you finish, you wish there was more.

[Natascha Gutermuth]

Thank you for allowing me to read this book as an ARC! I absolutely loved this book!!! This is Jonas' first book in the first person and he did the most amazing job! I loved the different perspectives as it truly pulled the story together that way! I devoured this book and took only a couple of days to read it all, I could not put it down! The protagonist was so relatable and I sometimes wanted to yell at him to not or to do certain things! Great story and a 5 star read for sure! Go run and get your copy when it releases!

[Di Paterson]

I took a little while to get into this book. I didn't like the characters at all and found the whole situation to be rather sordid. But ultimately, as the plot unfolded, it really gripped me. The plot is really good, and the ending is satisfying. While the characters are not likeable, they're well-rounded and grow on you as the plot develops. I always enjoy books written from multiple perspectives as it helps keep you guessing, and this is no different. Definitely worth the read! My thanks to BookSirens for the opportunity to read it.

[Kelley Videtich]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This psychological thriller is about secrets, lies, family ties, and murder. And also what happens when you put your life at risk.

WOW, what an awesome ride! I could not read the chapters fast enough. This book had me guessing the entire time and I couldn’t wait to see how it ended. Great writing by the author, Jonas Saul, and I can’t wait to read more from him.

[Philippa Fisher]

I really enjoyed this book it sucks you in and leaves you guessing at every turn. The big twist at the end left me with my hand on my mouth loved it. This book is well worth a read especially if you like twists

[Pheadra]

I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Told from multiple characters' points of view, this fast-paced story revolves around a couple unwilling to sell their property. A few twists and turns kept me invested in the story. 4 stars

[Linda]

What We Were Hiding follows hotel owner Ben Redfield as his rivalry with another powerful hotelier spirals into a dangerous game of secrets, betrayals, and revenge. The more Ben tries to fight back, the more it becomes clear that everyone around him is hiding something. 😳

This was such a fun thriller. It's fast-paced, packed with action, and every few chapters I was talking to myself: "Oh no..." "No way!" "WHAT?!" 😂 I kept thinking I knew where it was going, only for Jonas Saul to pull the rug out from under me again. I also loved the multiple first-person perspectives—they kept the story moving and made it hard to put down. This would make an awesome movie. A thoroughly entertaining read from beginning to end. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rania Stone]

I absolutely loved it!

[Gracie Bustillos]

What we were hiding is fast paced I could not stop reading . The secrets always come out. The twist to this story keeps you in the edge of your seat a must read book. I loved it. Great writing.