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The Hidden: Secrets Always Surface - A Gritty Manchester Crime‑Syndicate Thriller
Kristen Saunders is afraid of her abusive husband who attempts to control all aspects of her life, but she can’t help defying him when it comes to issues of the heart. Her marital home is in another county far from her home town of Salford and family, so whenever she becomes homesick she takes a secret trip to see them. On one such trip she bumps into an old school friend who warns her of two brothers she recommends avoiding at all costs. Michael and Joe McCauley have been asking of Kristen’s whereabouts for several months and although she is intrigued about how they know her and why they would want to know her, she is also extremely cautious if not afraid of some of the revelations made to her about this notorious pair. When she meets the two charismatic brothers and their friends, she is soon drawn into a world of crime, drugs and eventually murder, whilst having to contend with a controlling and vindictive husband, an overprotective father and an obsessive stalker who is an old family friend/enemy of the McCauley brothers. The events that unfold and the hidden skeletons that fall out of the family closet allow Kristen to find strength, control and empowerment again, but at a cost as she is eventually revered within the Manchester underworld and her metamorphism will be the destruction of everything she once held dear.
403 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 10, 2025
Manchester, England Organized Crime
Manchester, England, Kristen is the narrator. Kristen is fleeing her abusive husband and controlling father by meeting up with her old friends. Andrea and Kristen go to a bar and meet up with more old friends who are a part of Manchester organized crime. She finds confidence with the support of her friends. Kristen finds herself in a world of flashy cars from Mercedes Benz to Ferraris. Kristen has a habit of drinking vodka. Kristen gets in with the right people, has the right image (designer clothes), and goes to the right places to earn respect. Kristen has anger issues, cursing, behaving badly, and is aggressive enough. She becomes the leader of the Manchester gang. Kristen avoids her father so she can take control of her own life. Kristen gets shot and ends up in the hospital and survives a gunshot wound.
The mystery and family secrets are suspenseful. Kristen emerges as a "bad girl." She murdered a rival gang member and was fearful of leaving her home. Kristen is talking to Sabina from the Manchester Evening News. Kristen starts to like Luke, who is her half-sibling that she never knew about she has a Genetic Sexual Attraction to and is afraid of anyone finding out that they hooked up. Kristen stops seeing Luke and moves in with Lee. There is a heist, Lee tells Kristen she can not go. She shows up anyway and saves them. This book is non-stop action. It feels a lot like the Sopranos, like the Godfather except with a strong female character.
Manchester, England, Kristen is the narrator. Kristen is fleeing her abusive husband and controlling father by meeting up with her old friends. Andrea and Kristen go to a bar and meet up with more old friends who are a part of Manchester organized crime. She finds confidence with the support of her friends. Kristen finds herself in a world of flashy cars from Mercedes Benz to Ferraris. Kristen has a habit of drinking vodka. Kristen gets in with the right people, has the right image (designer clothes), and goes to the right places to earn respect. Kristen has anger issues, cursing, behaving badly, and is aggressive enough. She becomes the leader of the Manchester gang. Kristen avoids her father so she can take control of her own life. Kristen gets shot and ends up in the hospital and survives a gunshot wound.
The mystery and family secrets are suspenseful. Kristen emerges as a "bad girl." She murdered a rival gang member and was fearful of leaving her home. Kristen is talking to Sabina from the Manchester Evening News. Kristen starts to like Luke, who is her half-sibling that she never knew about she has a Genetic Sexual Attraction to and is afraid of anyone finding out that they hooked up. Kristen stops seeing Luke and moves in with Lee. There is a heist, Lee tells Kristen she can not go. She shows up anyway and saves them. This book is non-stop action. It feels a lot like the Sopranos, like the Godfather except with a strong female character.
September 18, 2024
Into Manchester's Criminal Underworld
The Hidden by A.C. Kershaw declines readers into the depths of Manchester's gang scene.
Kershaw's 1st installment in the Mancunian Tales series follows a female protagonist who finds herself unexpectedly involved in the city's dangerous criminal world.
The author crafts a cast of rich, diverse characters, each with their own agendas and distinct voices.
Readers are taken on a fast-paced journey filled with twists and turns that keep them guessing until the very end.
While the story leaves some threads open-hopefully-for future installments, "The Hidden" stands strong as a thrilling introduction to what promises to be an exciting crime series.
The Hidden by A.C. Kershaw declines readers into the depths of Manchester's gang scene.
Kershaw's 1st installment in the Mancunian Tales series follows a female protagonist who finds herself unexpectedly involved in the city's dangerous criminal world.
The author crafts a cast of rich, diverse characters, each with their own agendas and distinct voices.
Readers are taken on a fast-paced journey filled with twists and turns that keep them guessing until the very end.
While the story leaves some threads open-hopefully-for future installments, "The Hidden" stands strong as a thrilling introduction to what promises to be an exciting crime series.
April 28, 2026
liked it :-)
So I am a speedreader, and I read a lot like a lot. But currently I’m off work while I recover from a small procedure, as such my kindle is in overdrive I have read so much more than I normally do but hey. So I picked this up as a punt, and actually it’s a really well written I mean its not Shakespeare, but what it is it feel real like someone had an actual story to tell and they have put it down on paper, it is a little clunky and there are some random large words thrown in here or there to sound intelligent or more refined, and random Colloquialisms which actually made me like it more, and it just worked for me 5 stars
So I am a speedreader, and I read a lot like a lot. But currently I’m off work while I recover from a small procedure, as such my kindle is in overdrive I have read so much more than I normally do but hey. So I picked this up as a punt, and actually it’s a really well written I mean its not Shakespeare, but what it is it feel real like someone had an actual story to tell and they have put it down on paper, it is a little clunky and there are some random large words thrown in here or there to sound intelligent or more refined, and random Colloquialisms which actually made me like it more, and it just worked for me 5 stars
February 8, 2025
Good fun
Although it took some work, this was a good read that was worth it. My biggest caveat would be that it does have some risque scenes and cursing, but nothing too much. The poor woman has no idea what she's in for when she meets three strangers, but it's quite a ride!
Although it took some work, this was a good read that was worth it. My biggest caveat would be that it does have some risque scenes and cursing, but nothing too much. The poor woman has no idea what she's in for when she meets three strangers, but it's quite a ride!
June 10, 2025
This is a book that will be hard to put down. It blends folklore, urban legends and fast paced writing. The characters are very relatable, making every page count.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews