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HIDDEN CURRENTS a gripping crime thriller full of twists
Another outstanding book in an ever-evolving police procedural series perfect for fans of Terry Shames and Steven F. Havill.
When the new owner of a local fishing store is found murdered, Sheriff Hank Worth has plenty of suspects. The owner was in the middle of a highly acrimonious divorce, had fallen out with his stepson, and was being threatened by the abusive ex-boyfriend of one of his employees.
As Hank delves deeper into the increasingly complicated crime, his professional life is also taking a toll. His deputy sheriff Sheila is in court testifying against the men who had left her for dead in a brutal attack, and the defense will do whatever it takes to win their case.
As tensions grow, it becomes clear there are hidden currents just under the surface everywhere Hank turns.
A skillful blend of character, plot, and mystery laced with a streak of dry humor.
When the new owner of a local fishing store is found murdered, Sheriff Hank Worth has plenty of suspects. The owner was in the middle of a highly acrimonious divorce, had fallen out with his stepson, and was being threatened by the abusive ex-boyfriend of one of his employees.
As Hank delves deeper into the increasingly complicated crime, his professional life is also taking a toll. His deputy sheriff Sheila is in court testifying against the men who had left her for dead in a brutal attack, and the defense will do whatever it takes to win their case.
As tensions grow, it becomes clear there are hidden currents just under the surface everywhere Hank turns.
A skillful blend of character, plot, and mystery laced with a streak of dry humor.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2026
About the author
Claire Booth
24 books130 followersClaire Booth is a journalist and author who has written about crime for decades. She’s covered everything from the theft of the Aston Martin used in the James Bond film Goldfinger to the Laci Peterson murder and the San Francisco dog mauling case, where two lawyers were convicted of killing their neighbor with vicious dogs they kept for an imprisoned friend.
She also covered the case of Taylor Helzer, a Northern California man who convinced two followers he was a prophet of God. In order to raise money for their end-of-days scheme, the group extorted money from a retired couple and then killed them and three others to cover their tracks. The tremendously complex quintuple murder case is the basis for her first book, the non-fiction The False Prophet: Conspiracy, Extortion and Murder in the Name of God.
After living with that case for so long, Claire decided she’d had enough of the real world and turned to fiction. Her critically acclaimed mystery series features county sheriff Hank Worth. The eighth in the series, Hidden Currents comes out Sept. 1, 2026.
She also covered the case of Taylor Helzer, a Northern California man who convinced two followers he was a prophet of God. In order to raise money for their end-of-days scheme, the group extorted money from a retired couple and then killed them and three others to cover their tracks. The tremendously complex quintuple murder case is the basis for her first book, the non-fiction The False Prophet: Conspiracy, Extortion and Murder in the Name of God.
After living with that case for so long, Claire decided she’d had enough of the real world and turned to fiction. Her critically acclaimed mystery series features county sheriff Hank Worth. The eighth in the series, Hidden Currents comes out Sept. 1, 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 17, 2026
🌊 Everyone has secrets… but in this case, some of them are deadly.
When the new owner of a local fishing store is found murdered, Sheriff Hank Worth has no shortage of suspects. A nasty divorce, a fractured relationship with a stepson, and threats from an abusive ex-boyfriend connected to one of the store’s employees give Hank plenty of directions to investigate. But the deeper he digs, the messier the case becomes.
I really enjoyed the way the investigation unfolded. There were enough suspects, secrets, and competing motives to keep me guessing, and I found myself constantly trying to piece together who had the strongest reason to want the victim dead. Just when I thought I had a theory figured out, another layer of the case surfaced.
What also made this mystery stand out for me was the storyline involving Hank’s deputy, Sheila. While she’s testifying in court against the men responsible for a brutal attack that nearly killed her, the defense is doing everything possible to undermine her case. That added another source of tension outside the murder investigation and gave the story an emotional weight that I appreciated.
I liked that Hidden Currents isn’t just about solving a murder. It’s also about the things people hide, the pressures that follow us into our personal and professional lives, and how quickly seemingly separate problems can become connected.
Claire Booth kept the pacing engaging and the tension simmering, creating a mystery that felt like it was constantly moving just beneath the surface. If you enjoy small-town mysteries, police procedurals, complicated suspects, and investigations filled with secrets and red herrings, this is one to add to your TBR!
💌 Thank you to Partners in Crime Tours and Claire Booth for sharing Hidden Currents with me
When the new owner of a local fishing store is found murdered, Sheriff Hank Worth has no shortage of suspects. A nasty divorce, a fractured relationship with a stepson, and threats from an abusive ex-boyfriend connected to one of the store’s employees give Hank plenty of directions to investigate. But the deeper he digs, the messier the case becomes.
I really enjoyed the way the investigation unfolded. There were enough suspects, secrets, and competing motives to keep me guessing, and I found myself constantly trying to piece together who had the strongest reason to want the victim dead. Just when I thought I had a theory figured out, another layer of the case surfaced.
What also made this mystery stand out for me was the storyline involving Hank’s deputy, Sheila. While she’s testifying in court against the men responsible for a brutal attack that nearly killed her, the defense is doing everything possible to undermine her case. That added another source of tension outside the murder investigation and gave the story an emotional weight that I appreciated.
I liked that Hidden Currents isn’t just about solving a murder. It’s also about the things people hide, the pressures that follow us into our personal and professional lives, and how quickly seemingly separate problems can become connected.
Claire Booth kept the pacing engaging and the tension simmering, creating a mystery that felt like it was constantly moving just beneath the surface. If you enjoy small-town mysteries, police procedurals, complicated suspects, and investigations filled with secrets and red herrings, this is one to add to your TBR!
💌 Thank you to Partners in Crime Tours and Claire Booth for sharing Hidden Currents with me
September 5, 2026
Hidden Currents was such a good mystery, and I absolutely loved that it takes place in Branson, Missouri! There is something about reading a book set in my own state that makes it even more fun, especially when it’s filled with small-town secrets, murder, and plenty of twists.
Sheriff Hank Worth is investigating the murder of a local fishing store owner and the attack on another deputy. Between a messy divorce, an angry stepson, a troubled employee, and a violent ex, Hank has plenty of suspects to work through. And just when you think you might have things figured out, another layer is uncovered.
I really enjoyed the small-town atmosphere and the way Claire Booth brings Branson and the Ozarks to life. Everyone seems to know everyone’s business, but there are still plenty of secrets hiding beneath the surface. I also loved getting the personal side of Hank and his team, especially with everything happening surrounding Sheila’s upcoming trial.
This was such an engaging police procedural with murder, secrets, complicated characters, suspense, and just enough dry humor to balance everything out. I was constantly trying to figure out who was responsible and what was really going on.
Sheriff Hank Worth is investigating the murder of a local fishing store owner and the attack on another deputy. Between a messy divorce, an angry stepson, a troubled employee, and a violent ex, Hank has plenty of suspects to work through. And just when you think you might have things figured out, another layer is uncovered.
I really enjoyed the small-town atmosphere and the way Claire Booth brings Branson and the Ozarks to life. Everyone seems to know everyone’s business, but there are still plenty of secrets hiding beneath the surface. I also loved getting the personal side of Hank and his team, especially with everything happening surrounding Sheila’s upcoming trial.
This was such an engaging police procedural with murder, secrets, complicated characters, suspense, and just enough dry humor to balance everything out. I was constantly trying to figure out who was responsible and what was really going on.
September 14, 2026
Hidden Currents by Claire Booth is a mystery/thriller by the author about Sheriff Hank Worth, our MC. Sheriff Hank is investigating the fishing store owner who was murdered. This story takes place in Missouri and is a great small town atmosphere murder mystery. The fishing store owner, Gene, had a violet stepson and was also going through a rough divorce, which makes the suspect list high and getting higher as the case goes on. This is a standalone book, however there are 7 other Sheriff Hank Worth books in the series by the author. Hank must determine who can be really trusted and if the killer happens to be someone in his town that he knows and has trusted. There is also a secondary story line about Chief Deputy Sheila, who is going to trial in this book from previous events that happened with her in another book. This was a great thriller and mystery about what happened to Gene and who killed him. I would highly recommend this one to small town mystery readers!
September 1, 2026
A small town murder mystery with plenty of twists. Part of a series that’s a great standalone
too
Sherriff Hank Worth and deputy are called to the scene of a murder. The owner of the small
town fishing tackle store has been slain. Plenty of suspects not least the victims violent
stepson. The store owner had also been through a messy divorce. The suspects keep
mounting up but little hard evidence makes the case frustrating.
The story gradually evolves with a few loose ends from the backstories adding interest.
Another great yarn from the Booth stable with clever pull ins from previous books in the
series
too
Sherriff Hank Worth and deputy are called to the scene of a murder. The owner of the small
town fishing tackle store has been slain. Plenty of suspects not least the victims violent
stepson. The store owner had also been through a messy divorce. The suspects keep
mounting up but little hard evidence makes the case frustrating.
The story gradually evolves with a few loose ends from the backstories adding interest.
Another great yarn from the Booth stable with clever pull ins from previous books in the
series
October 19, 2026
Another stellar series. A lot takes place in this installment. At first, it seemed awkward because time in Branson is still a bit behind our present, so the masks and business implications of Covid are still evident. Shelia's assault is finally going to trial. Hank and Maggie are getting back on even footing as a couple and young Sam gets married--a bright spot in the book. A Minnesotan (!) has bought Reel Life from the retiring owner and even with the slow business with Covid, it's a going concern with outdoor activities like fishing still being a priority. There is no shortage of suspects when Gene is found bludgeoned in the stockroom and I have to admit, I was guessing til the end.
September 3, 2026
A very good read.
Hidden Currents by Claire Booth.
Sheriff Hank Worth Mysteries Book 8.
I love discovering new authors. I loved the cover that's why I signed up for this tour. It did take me a few chapters to get into this book. I really enjoyed it once i did get into it. I was trying to guess who the killer was. I didn't realise this was a series. I was still able to read it though. The killer wasn't who I thought it would be. A very good read.
Hidden Currents by Claire Booth.
Sheriff Hank Worth Mysteries Book 8.
I love discovering new authors. I loved the cover that's why I signed up for this tour. It did take me a few chapters to get into this book. I really enjoyed it once i did get into it. I was trying to guess who the killer was. I didn't realise this was a series. I was still able to read it though. The killer wasn't who I thought it would be. A very good read.
October 23, 2026
Excellent!
Another murder, too many suspects, wedding drama, and a trial—with Covid restrictions —make for a fast paced exciting story. You won’t be disappointed!
Another murder, too many suspects, wedding drama, and a trial—with Covid restrictions —make for a fast paced exciting story. You won’t be disappointed!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews