Hide and Seek

A Detective Al Harris Cold Case #1

by Rob Costa

Hide and Seek – A Detective Al Harris Cold Case What Would You Do If The Stalker You Thought Had Disappeared Was Suddenly Back? Fifteen years ago Mary Anne Cromway was stalked by a violent psychopath that police were never able to identify. As the stalker became more obsessive and threatening, her boyfriend Bobby went missing. The town assumed that troublemaking Bobby had been playing a trick and had decided to run away when he got in too deep—or that Mary Anne was behind all of it herself. They were especially suspicious when the stalker disappeared right after Bobby did. Fifteen years later, Mary Anne receives another note from her stalker. She knew exactly who to go to for help. The Detective Al Harris Cold Case Book 1: Hide and Seek Book 2: Hook Line and Sinker Book 3: Close to Home Book 4: Snake in the Grass Book 5: Echoes of the Past Book 6: The Lost Boy Book 7: Lingering Shadows Book 8: Concrete Graveyard VISIT WWW.CYANIDEPUBLISHING.COM AND DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE CRIME / MYSTERY STARTER LIBRARY

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense

69 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 18, 2017

Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

When she was 17, Mary Anne Cromway gained a stalker. Police never identified the culprit. The stalker escalated quickly ... from notes and little gifts ... to a dead cat ... to threats to her and her family. Her boyfriend, Bobby, went missing , but police suspected that he had been the one responsible ... or that he had just taken off. The stalker seemed to disappear at the same time.

It's now 15 years later and the notes from the stalker has started again.

Turning to Detective Harris, who only works cold crimes, she wants him to investigate ... she is sure that this time the stalker is coming to kill her.

This novella of 69 pages is quite riveting. It's a page-turner with plenty of twists and turns leading to a surprising conclusion. Terrific short story intro to series.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Ann Cromway was stalked by a psychopath who became increasing violent. The police couldn't identify who the stalker really was, but they all thought it was Mary Ann's boyfriend Bobby. But Bobby went missing. Fifteen years later, Mary Ann starts getting notes from her stalker. Will Detective Al Harris be able to find the stalker this time? Was the stalker Bobby? Why is he back terrorizing Mary Ann after all this time? You will have to read the book to find out.I would like to thank Cyanide Publishing for a copy of this book. I voluntarily reviewed it and the review is my own opinion.

[Emmie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story. But as always with these novellas, I have to complain. It was just too short. This book has potential, if the author could just have fleshed it out a bit more, as well as added more information about the history of the stalking I think it would have been a great suspense.

As it is the culprit sneaks up on you, completely unexpected.

Thank you to Cyanide publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Mcf1nder_sk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick little read, introducing the reader to Detective Al Harris. Harris worlds in the Cold Case department, dealing with his own personal demons until a new case arrives. A former stalking victim pleads for help when her stalker returns after 15 years, threatening to kill her.
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This is a very short (68 page) story, which doesn't leave much time for character development, but Costa has introduced us to a cast of characters is will be fun to see grow a the series unfolds. The story was a tautly-written one, with a gripping pace and a decent conclusion. Here's to hoping the series can continue the drama.
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My Rating: 3.75/5 stars

[Will Decker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story surprised me. While the plot was a slightly twisted version of an age old premise, and the characters needed a bit more fleshing out, the author has an easy-reading style of writing that flows and is entertaining. Since the story was a mystery, I kept trying to figure out who might be behind it all. Didn't like that the culprit was brought in so late in the story, but hey, that's just me. I was looking for the twist that wasn't there.

[Felicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I loved the character Detective Al Harris, I really felt the short story didn't do justice to the story. There were hints about his back story but the stalking case was almost completely in the present. I wish it had been more fleshed out to give the readers a chance to figure out who the stalker was and it not be some random person that we had never heard of.

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and tightly plotted psychological suspense story. A cranky cold cases Detective, his loyal assistant, and the victim of a years old stalking that begins again are the main characters and that’s really all that’s needed. Plan on reading more of this author!

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily to leave a review

[Barbara Bales · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, this is not a book. It is a short story dressed up and sold as a book.
The prose is pedestrian, the plot is contrived, the details are rushed, the book is not a success.
I did finish it, all 63, large print pages, but I didn't have any other light mystery/ detective books to read at the time. Now it's finished and I'm eagerly looking forward to a decent book to read.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tightly plotted, with great characters and enticing writing, this book will keep you hooked until the very end.

The main character is perfect, and I'm really looking forward to read more books with Al Harris as protagonist.

I was provided with this book in exchange for an honest review.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short story that really held your interest. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and will definitely read the others in the series. An old fashioned detective with a backstory that gives him an attitude and also a big heart.

[Annette Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this grumpy older detective and his smart and sassy sidekick/office queen. This is a very smart, slick, fast paced crime thriller with an old murder mystery too. It is all written with a sense of great humour that is sometimes dark and dour which I especially enjoyed.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never even heard of this author until a few days ago and since the story was only 68 pages long I figured what the heck. My gain! A captivating detective read engrossing main character and the story has an unexpected twist.

[Patty U. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good short story. A woman has a stalker come back after 15 years. The detective, Al, works cold cases, so he gets the job of finding the stalker. He finds the stalker and things are better in two days! guess that's why it is a short story!!

[James Overcash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stand alone, stalker mystery

Short,quick read with a surprise villain. Resolution obtained. Wasn't ready for the quick ending! Would love to see further development of main characters in upcoming series.

[Zain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

I really hoped to like this book. I even purchased seven more from the author, thinking I would enjoy the book, but the detective is a bore and the story is too cliched.

[Sandra Holladay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this story as part of The Murder Book which has 10 full length stories. Although this one was a pretty short story so the characters weren’t very well developed. I was surprised that the main character (detective) slept and drank on the job and chose what cases he would take.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Al Harris has been assigned to the Cold Case section, then one day Mary Anne Cromway walks in stating that her stalker from fifteen years ago has returned.
Harris investigates.
An enjoyable crime novella

[Belinda Earl Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rob Costa does a good job outlining his characters both physically and psychologically. He has obviously done research into procedure. I liked his Detective Harris.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good

[Alice Followill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I gave this book four stars because it kept me interested to the end. I thought it could be a little bit longer though.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hide and Seek was a quick read.

It was well written and holds your interest. A fast paced story that keeps on track and keeps you in suspense

[David Pyrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great short story, stalked again after 15 years, detective al Harris picks up the case and pace. The book flows nicely thro the story to a climatic end.

[Stephanie Quesnelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy mystery novel with pretty limited character development. Not a great book but a great book for relaxing on vacation if that makes sense.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable

Nothing to this story. Little to no excitement. The killer reviled wit the quickness. Kept waiting for the WOW it was a no show.

[Stephanie Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't really care for this. Not sure what kind of dept lets an officer sleep, drink etc during the day, and choose which cases he will take. Read as part of the Murder Book.

[Tammy Damore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awww , too short!!!

I loved the book but, for me, it ended much to quickly. I will definitely read more from this author in hopes of much more entertainment. Fun read. Thank You

[Vina Phuspitsari Pohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story

I think its a good short story. The way he wrote is great. Not revealing and very nice. I enjoyed it before my sleep.

[Lisa Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A psychopath, a spurned crush, and a dectetive with a troubled past really connected this story. I was given this free review copy at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out really good. And then it was over. It felt like I read the beginning and end of a book and skipped over the middle. It was just too short. I wanted more story.

[Cindy Crissman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written but no need to waste an HOUR for this predictable story.