Hidden Hunger

Shady Spirits #7

by Jen Bair

Everyone has odd cravings now and again, but Enid's are downright supernatural.

For a simple waitress, Enid's got big problems, and her growling stomach is only one of them. The spirit government is in tatters, the ghost prisons are crumbling, and dangerous criminals are on the loose. Naturally, nobody's picking up the slack.

Margie's in charge of rounding up the escapees, but she'll need Enid's help if she's going to keep the Grim Reaper off her back.

Grab some popcorn and dive into the next adventure with Enid, Ollie, Waffles, and the gang!

380 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 17, 2026

Reviews

[Leann Burke]

Enid, Ollie, Waffles, and the team face off against more forces beyond their control in Hidden Hunger, book 7 of Jen Bair’s Shady Spirits series. This time, Enid will be forced to reckon with the truth of who her allies are.
Her problem pile has reached Everest height. Factions war for control of the spirit world after the fall of the Spirit Body. One faction has rallied behind Enid, albeit without her permission. A violent ghost gang escaped prison and is hunting her. Death himself still has her marked as a threat. So does the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Her pregnancy is unlike anything anyone is familiar with. And she’s hungry. Like, eat the face off a ghost hungry.
As the story opens, Enid struggles to control the hunger forcing her to spend a fortune on groceries and to gobble every snack cake in sight. Increased hunger is a normal part of pregnancy, but her insatiable stomach seems supernatural. It could be a side effect of a supernatural pregnancy, or it could be something more sinister. It’s Enid, so of course, it’s the latter.
As she grapples the hunger demon that’s attached itself to her, Agent Lennox of the GBI tightens his grip. Convinced she’s dating Silva, the cartel leader, Lennox interrogates her for information. The situation escalates when he shows up at her work right as the ghost gang attacks. As Enid’s invisible battle with the ghosts rages around him, Lennox comes face to face with a corporeal Waffles. Of course, he’s in denial and convinced Enid is insane. She storms outside after the battle, only to be abducted. Fortunately, this threat is human. Unfortunately, it’s connected to Silva’s cartel.
As the action unfolds, Enid has a single goal: Keep her baby safe. But as she considers who her friends are, that goal seems impossible. Something must change. Will her decision lead her to safety, or to more trouble later? That’s a question for later in the series. Right now, escaping her kidnappers, returning the ghost gang to prison, and getting the spirit factions under control is enough.
Good thing her team at Soul Solutions has her back.

[Xan]

I cannot believe we're at book 7 of the Shady Spirits series. I feel like I read book 1 yesterday. The read was good fun again. The story swings from tense to funny and back to the suspense and I live for it.

It this point I don't have a lot of thoughts besides loving the characters. I want to gobble them up like Enid does her snacks in this book (iykyk). I am so invested in this series, and it's such an easygoing but thrilling read every time. The story feels well thought out, but at the same time very simple to follow along to.

And even though I am a cat person, if I were to get a dog, it would be a Belgian Malinois. I feel very seen as a Belgian with the chosen breed for Waffles. Also, all the power to Waffles for loving balls (again iykyk.) Next to that Enid's grandmother was an absolute queen in this book too.

I don't know the hunger is very hidden in this book, but I do know I loved every bit of it again. I want more, Jen, like yesterday, thanks!

[Kelly-Ann McFern]

Non-stop action with a hefty dose of character development. It's nice to see Enid back in action, trying to deal with Silva and Lennox while trying to get a grip on the ghost problems. Her friends are there to back her up and support her. It's nice to see she got herself a good support system. I loved seeing how some people are more supportive and benevolant than what she gives them credit for (although I do understand that she's been dealing with intolerance all her life).

I'm getting ready to see this series being wrapped up. It's still a lot of fun to read, but it's starting to look all the same to me. It's been about 2-3 books where I have the impression things are stalling a bit until the grand finale. It's still an enjoyable read, but I want it to remain that and not become a drag. Looking forward to the next one in the series!

[Penny]

I love the character of Enid, and every book makes me love her more. This latest has poor Enid dealing with so much, I don’t even know where to begin. She’s still reeling from her unexpected pregnancy, and she wants so much to keep…baby…safe. We found out the name of the baby, and I almost said it. At the end of the book, or so, I’m a little upset about a person that Enid wants to keep at arm’s length because I like this character. However, I understand her reasoning, but I do really hope things change. This is a action-filled installment, and I hope that Enid gets to rest a little in the next one because she didn’t get any in this one. Highly Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Bigmommanina]

"Everyone has odd cravings now and again, but Enid's are downright supernatural.

For a simple waitress, Enid's got big problems, and her growling stomach is only one of them. The spirit government is in tatters, the ghost prisons are crumbling, and dangerous criminals are on the loose. Naturally, nobody's picking up the slack."

love, Love, LOVE!! Hidden Hunger!! Brilliant from the dedication (nod to the OG) to the last sentence this one had me HOOKED!!

Enid is still picking up the pieces from the whole spirit body "disbanding". She's got Margie being.....well, Margie. Margie's in charge of rounding up the prisons escapees, so is harassing Enid for solutions to her little issue! Well Margie expecting them to return to prison just coz "she said so", isnt really working out 🤣

Then there's the whole Silva, Lennox & Wagner.... Cops, cartel thing! Throw in soul solutions, the Retro diner, family drama (living & ghost) drama, drama & Randall being the closest thing shes got to prenatal care, with the whole "half human, half ghost, possibly immortal" pregnancy going on you can't really blame a girl for comfort eating...... or maybe this is something else???

My mind was blown! At some points my kindle was in danger of being crushed by my reaction to the plot "twists" (is it twists or have we moved to tornado alley?) Coz WOWZER! I was on the edge of my seat reading this one! I've been along for the ride since the very beginning (ARC) & it just keeps getting better!
This is the SEVENTH book & I'm still addicted
10/10 fantastic & highly recommended

[Rani]

Once again this is a great addition to the series. Each book just seems to get better and better.
I always make sure I have plenty of time to read as I always get caught up in the story and keep going until I finish the book.
Looking forward to the next book.

[Nicola]

Great read

Another really good book in the series,well written, keeps you wanting to read. Can't wait for the next one's. Wonder how many more.