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Rachel Marin Thriller #1
Hide Away
From the bestselling author of the Henry Parker series comes a page-turning thriller about a vigilante who’s desperate to protect her secrets—and bring a killer to justice.
On the surface, Rachel Marin is an ordinary single mother; on the inside, she’s a fierce, brilliant vigilante. After an unspeakable crime shatters her life, she changes her identity and moves to a small town in Illinois, hoping to spare her children from further trauma…or worse. But crime follows her everywhere.
When the former mayor winds up dead, Rachel can’t help but get involved. Where local detectives see suicide, she sees murder. They resent her for butting in—especially since she’s always one step ahead. But her investigative genius may be her undoing: the deeper she digs, the harder it is to keep her own secrets buried.
Her persistence makes her the target of both the cops and a killer. Meanwhile, the terrifying truth about her past threatens to come to light, and Rachel learns the hard way that she can’t trust anyone. Surrounded by danger, she must keep her steely resolve, protect her family, and stay one step ahead, or else she may become the next victim.
On the surface, Rachel Marin is an ordinary single mother; on the inside, she’s a fierce, brilliant vigilante. After an unspeakable crime shatters her life, she changes her identity and moves to a small town in Illinois, hoping to spare her children from further trauma…or worse. But crime follows her everywhere.
When the former mayor winds up dead, Rachel can’t help but get involved. Where local detectives see suicide, she sees murder. They resent her for butting in—especially since she’s always one step ahead. But her investigative genius may be her undoing: the deeper she digs, the harder it is to keep her own secrets buried.
Her persistence makes her the target of both the cops and a killer. Meanwhile, the terrifying truth about her past threatens to come to light, and Rachel learns the hard way that she can’t trust anyone. Surrounded by danger, she must keep her steely resolve, protect her family, and stay one step ahead, or else she may become the next victim.
367 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2020
7555 people are currently reading
8529 people want to read
About the author
Jason Pinter
28 books613 followersJason Pinter is the bestselling author of HIDE AWAY and A STRANGER AT THE DOOR in his Rachel Marin series, as well as six other novels: the acclaimed Henry Parker series (The Mark, The Guilty, The Stolen, The Fury, and The Darkness), the stand-alone thriller The Castle, as well as the middle-grade adventure novel Zeke Bartholomew: SuperSpy, and the children’s book Miracle. His books have over one million copies in print worldwide and have been optioned for film. He has been nominated for numerous awards, including the Thriller Award, Strand Critics Award, Barry Award, and Shamus Award, and more
He is the Founder and Publisher of the independent publisher Polis Books, as well as Agora, an imprint launched in 2019 dedicated to diverse and underrepresented voices in crime fiction. He was honored by Publishers Weekly’s Star Watch, which “recognizes young publishing professionals who have distinguished themselves as future leaders of the industry.” He has written for the New Republic, Entrepreneur, the Daily Beast, Esquire, and more. He lives in New Jersey, with his wife and their two daughters. Visit him at www.JasonPinter.com, and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @JasonPinter.
He is the Founder and Publisher of the independent publisher Polis Books, as well as Agora, an imprint launched in 2019 dedicated to diverse and underrepresented voices in crime fiction. He was honored by Publishers Weekly’s Star Watch, which “recognizes young publishing professionals who have distinguished themselves as future leaders of the industry.” He has written for the New Republic, Entrepreneur, the Daily Beast, Esquire, and more. He lives in New Jersey, with his wife and their two daughters. Visit him at www.JasonPinter.com, and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @JasonPinter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 973 reviews
June 8, 2020
Q: “What do you have against the police?” ...
“The same thing I have against genital herpes.” (c)
Q: You’re totally unhinged, Ms. Marin.”
“I never claimed to be fully hinged.” (c)
Q: “Let me ask you a question, Ms. Marin... Do you go looking for trouble on a daily basis?” (c)
The Sherlock vibe is a bit hard to miss. A good thing that I liked ACD when I was a kid.
'Wackadoo'.
Q:
You need my money like I need a submarine. (c)
Q:
Sometimes behind the kindest eyes lay the darkest hearts. (c)
Q:
“Life would suck if you were an orc,” said Serrano. “You’re born ugly. You grow up ugly. There are a billion of you, and you’re all ugly. Has there ever been an attractive orc? Like, has a boy orc ever looked at a girl orc and said, ‘Whoa, that is one fine-looking orc lady’? ...
“Makes you thankful, doesn’t it? We’re pretty lucky to be human. We could have been born orcs.”...
“You have problems, John. Deep-seated problems. You should see a therapist about this goblin stuff.” (c) Whoa.
Q:
Your daughter is quite the conversationalist. Your son, well, let’s just say I’ve had better conversations with my shoe. (c)
Q:
He was as relaxed as a guy who’d just been pulled over by a SWAT team. (c)
“The same thing I have against genital herpes.” (c)
Q: You’re totally unhinged, Ms. Marin.”
“I never claimed to be fully hinged.” (c)
Q: “Let me ask you a question, Ms. Marin... Do you go looking for trouble on a daily basis?” (c)
The Sherlock vibe is a bit hard to miss. A good thing that I liked ACD when I was a kid.
'Wackadoo'.
Q:
You need my money like I need a submarine. (c)
Q:
Sometimes behind the kindest eyes lay the darkest hearts. (c)
Q:
“Life would suck if you were an orc,” said Serrano. “You’re born ugly. You grow up ugly. There are a billion of you, and you’re all ugly. Has there ever been an attractive orc? Like, has a boy orc ever looked at a girl orc and said, ‘Whoa, that is one fine-looking orc lady’? ...
“Makes you thankful, doesn’t it? We’re pretty lucky to be human. We could have been born orcs.”...
“You have problems, John. Deep-seated problems. You should see a therapist about this goblin stuff.” (c) Whoa.
Q:
Your daughter is quite the conversationalist. Your son, well, let’s just say I’ve had better conversations with my shoe. (c)
Q:
He was as relaxed as a guy who’d just been pulled over by a SWAT team. (c)
February 20, 2021
I am woman, hear me roar. Helen Reddy
Pinter’s first book in a new series gripped me from the opening chapter, never letting go through to its satisfying conclusion. This was that ideal combination of well-developed characters you care about and a complex, unpredictable plot.
Rachel Marin’s family suffered an unspeakable crime, one that is slowly revealed in flashbacks, while in the present she lives the quiet life of a single, suburban mom until the death of the town’s former mayor pushes her into action. She insinuates herself into the investigation and is thrust into a sinister web of deception that may put her family at risk once again, but she’ll go down fighting.
Thank you, Jason Pinter, for writing a female character that is both fierce and fallible. This is not some femme fatale, nor is she the gullible and clueless heroine that has become the thriller norm. I look forward to more from this author and the next book in this series!
Pinter’s first book in a new series gripped me from the opening chapter, never letting go through to its satisfying conclusion. This was that ideal combination of well-developed characters you care about and a complex, unpredictable plot.
Rachel Marin’s family suffered an unspeakable crime, one that is slowly revealed in flashbacks, while in the present she lives the quiet life of a single, suburban mom until the death of the town’s former mayor pushes her into action. She insinuates herself into the investigation and is thrust into a sinister web of deception that may put her family at risk once again, but she’ll go down fighting.
Thank you, Jason Pinter, for writing a female character that is both fierce and fallible. This is not some femme fatale, nor is she the gullible and clueless heroine that has become the thriller norm. I look forward to more from this author and the next book in this series!
March 2, 2020
Rachel Marin may look like a quiet mom, but she’s fierce and on the hunt to make things right. She is a victim of a horrible crime, which leads her to change her name and move to a small town. She’s trying her best to protect her children.
The former mayor of her new town is found dead, and Rachel gets involved to help. She sees a murder where the cause of death was ruled a suicide. The police resent her involvement, mostly because she tends to be right.
These actions put her in the crosshairs of a killer and the police at the same time. Rachel is in danger, and now she must use her scruples to get out of it and keep her family safe.
Hide Away was so much fun. Rachel is a character you can’t help but love. She kicks it and takes names later. I was impressed with the pacing, and I was kept entertained throughout.
Overall, Hide Away is a brilliant start to an exciting new series with a refreshing female lead. I’m all in.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
The former mayor of her new town is found dead, and Rachel gets involved to help. She sees a murder where the cause of death was ruled a suicide. The police resent her involvement, mostly because she tends to be right.
These actions put her in the crosshairs of a killer and the police at the same time. Rachel is in danger, and now she must use her scruples to get out of it and keep her family safe.
Hide Away was so much fun. Rachel is a character you can’t help but love. She kicks it and takes names later. I was impressed with the pacing, and I was kept entertained throughout.
Overall, Hide Away is a brilliant start to an exciting new series with a refreshing female lead. I’m all in.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
November 19, 2020
Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/re...
Looking for a thriller that would keep my mind racing throughout, I turned to this new series by Jason Pinter. With a woman who’s hiding her past from the authorities, but it adamant about helping with a murder investigation, Pinter pulls readers in with Hide Away. He reveals everything in a slow and deliberate fashion, keeping the reader guessing and trying to piece it all together. A police procedural with a twist, this will appeal to fans of the genre, as well as the reader looking for something across numerous timelines.
She calls herself Rachel Marin, but that’s not her real name. Something happened a number of years ago that’s forced her to flee with her two children and try to stay two steps in front of someone who’s lurking in the shadows. Whatever it is, the threat is real and ongoing, forcing Rachel to stay hyper vigilant, while living just outside of Chicago.
After the Ashby PD are called to the scene of a body found on the ice below a bridge, the first thought is suicide. Things must have been going wrong for the victim, which is substantiated once the woman is identified as former mayor Constance Wright. Her fall from grace, like this leap from a bridge, was anything but graceful.
While watching the news the following morning, Rachel Marin sees the story and does some of her own calculations. Marin calls the Ashby PD and reports that this was a murder, citing the physics of the event as being impossible to replicate by a suicidal jumper. Intrigued, two homicide detectives take her information under advisement and commence their own questioning. When Marin appears at the home of the victim’s ex-husband, she worms her way inside and finds additional information that points to a potential suspect. While the information is welcomed, Marin’s presence is not and she’s told to steer clear.
As the police investigation gains momentum, it is soon apparent that there is more to Constance Wright that meets the eye. Her downfall came from an apparent affair with a staff member, but her admits under questioning that he was paid to fabricate it, something that Marin discovers as well. She is trying to work the angles and provide a pathway for the police without stepping on any toes. All this, while balancing two children who are at completely different levels of acceptance of her sleuthing.
When Marin appears on the scene again, her involvement crosses the line one too many times and she’s taken into custody. It’s now time to look at Marin, not as a suspect, but to determine who she is and why she has such a connection to the case. Background checks turn up empty and the cash purchase of her current home raises red flags. She is a mystery without a past, not something that Ashby PD sees often.
While Constance Wright’s killer is out there, they remain as yet unknown. Marin and her family have already been put in danger, which does not seem to be dissipating the more this amateur sleuth sticks out her neck. It’s time to take action or wait for another body to appear, one currently named Rachel Marin.
Having never read anything by Jason Pinter before, I was unsure what I ought to expect. That being said, I was highly impressed with the writing and presentation of this piece, which mixes a police procedural with civilian criminal investigation and adds some layers of mystery to keep the reader guessing.
Rachel Marin proves a great protagonist, offering bits and pieces of her life throughout the story, while shielding much from the reader and those she encounters. Her backstory is a little hazy, but with use of flashback chapters, the reader learns a little more, without fully understanding the story behind her husband’s apparent murder. Marin is sharp and on point when it comes to the investigation, laying out her theories effectively and staying active, while crossing the line when her enthusiasm gets the better of her.
Pinter adds a strong set of supporting characters as well, keeping the story interesting on many levels. The detectives drive the story as the police investigation progresses, while the suspects and various witnesses offer some interesting theories for the reader to ponder throughout. Those who can help shape Rachel Marin’s story as a person are an essential part of the piece as well, as the reader seeks to assemble things and answer the ‘who are you’ question that lingers.
The story itself was unlike many I have read in the thriller genre. The mix of civilian sleuth with an active police investigation will prove useful as the series continues. Pinter also adds a layer of mystery surrounding the story of Rachel Marin’s true identity and whatever she’s fled. With a strong narrative that evolves throughout, Pinter hooks the reader in the early chapters. Flashback chapters that fill in some of the Marin gaps prove helpful, while still keeping the reader in the dark as to what’s really going on. Chapters not only alternate in time period, but also with their length. This keeps the reader on their toes, never knowing what’s to come or how detailed the analysis will be. Great banter between characters and a stellar plot with a handful of nefarious characters provides something for all readers to enjoy, while trying to peel back the ‘whodunit’ portion of the story. I cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel to see if it packs just as much of a punch.
Kudos, Mr. Pinter, for a great start to a series. I think you found a definite fan in me, which leaves me wanting to read more of your work!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/re...
Looking for a thriller that would keep my mind racing throughout, I turned to this new series by Jason Pinter. With a woman who’s hiding her past from the authorities, but it adamant about helping with a murder investigation, Pinter pulls readers in with Hide Away. He reveals everything in a slow and deliberate fashion, keeping the reader guessing and trying to piece it all together. A police procedural with a twist, this will appeal to fans of the genre, as well as the reader looking for something across numerous timelines.
She calls herself Rachel Marin, but that’s not her real name. Something happened a number of years ago that’s forced her to flee with her two children and try to stay two steps in front of someone who’s lurking in the shadows. Whatever it is, the threat is real and ongoing, forcing Rachel to stay hyper vigilant, while living just outside of Chicago.
After the Ashby PD are called to the scene of a body found on the ice below a bridge, the first thought is suicide. Things must have been going wrong for the victim, which is substantiated once the woman is identified as former mayor Constance Wright. Her fall from grace, like this leap from a bridge, was anything but graceful.
While watching the news the following morning, Rachel Marin sees the story and does some of her own calculations. Marin calls the Ashby PD and reports that this was a murder, citing the physics of the event as being impossible to replicate by a suicidal jumper. Intrigued, two homicide detectives take her information under advisement and commence their own questioning. When Marin appears at the home of the victim’s ex-husband, she worms her way inside and finds additional information that points to a potential suspect. While the information is welcomed, Marin’s presence is not and she’s told to steer clear.
As the police investigation gains momentum, it is soon apparent that there is more to Constance Wright that meets the eye. Her downfall came from an apparent affair with a staff member, but her admits under questioning that he was paid to fabricate it, something that Marin discovers as well. She is trying to work the angles and provide a pathway for the police without stepping on any toes. All this, while balancing two children who are at completely different levels of acceptance of her sleuthing.
When Marin appears on the scene again, her involvement crosses the line one too many times and she’s taken into custody. It’s now time to look at Marin, not as a suspect, but to determine who she is and why she has such a connection to the case. Background checks turn up empty and the cash purchase of her current home raises red flags. She is a mystery without a past, not something that Ashby PD sees often.
While Constance Wright’s killer is out there, they remain as yet unknown. Marin and her family have already been put in danger, which does not seem to be dissipating the more this amateur sleuth sticks out her neck. It’s time to take action or wait for another body to appear, one currently named Rachel Marin.
Having never read anything by Jason Pinter before, I was unsure what I ought to expect. That being said, I was highly impressed with the writing and presentation of this piece, which mixes a police procedural with civilian criminal investigation and adds some layers of mystery to keep the reader guessing.
Rachel Marin proves a great protagonist, offering bits and pieces of her life throughout the story, while shielding much from the reader and those she encounters. Her backstory is a little hazy, but with use of flashback chapters, the reader learns a little more, without fully understanding the story behind her husband’s apparent murder. Marin is sharp and on point when it comes to the investigation, laying out her theories effectively and staying active, while crossing the line when her enthusiasm gets the better of her.
Pinter adds a strong set of supporting characters as well, keeping the story interesting on many levels. The detectives drive the story as the police investigation progresses, while the suspects and various witnesses offer some interesting theories for the reader to ponder throughout. Those who can help shape Rachel Marin’s story as a person are an essential part of the piece as well, as the reader seeks to assemble things and answer the ‘who are you’ question that lingers.
The story itself was unlike many I have read in the thriller genre. The mix of civilian sleuth with an active police investigation will prove useful as the series continues. Pinter also adds a layer of mystery surrounding the story of Rachel Marin’s true identity and whatever she’s fled. With a strong narrative that evolves throughout, Pinter hooks the reader in the early chapters. Flashback chapters that fill in some of the Marin gaps prove helpful, while still keeping the reader in the dark as to what’s really going on. Chapters not only alternate in time period, but also with their length. This keeps the reader on their toes, never knowing what’s to come or how detailed the analysis will be. Great banter between characters and a stellar plot with a handful of nefarious characters provides something for all readers to enjoy, while trying to peel back the ‘whodunit’ portion of the story. I cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel to see if it packs just as much of a punch.
Kudos, Mr. Pinter, for a great start to a series. I think you found a definite fan in me, which leaves me wanting to read more of your work!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
February 22, 2021
Intriguing, fast paced thriller with compelling characters. I had a little trouble with the plot. It was a stretch to believe a strong, determined woman would put her children in harms way, for someone she barely knew; given the horrors from the families past, were still unresolved.
February 5, 2020
Hide Away is probably the best Amazon Prime First Read choice I've ever made. It was an easy decision, because I've read previous books by Jason Pinter and enjoyed them.
This is his best book yet. It's full of action, the mystery is excellent, and it's well written. But it's primarily a character-driven tale. There are no cardboard characters or stereotypes here. The protagonist, Rachel Marin, is unique. I've never come across a heroine quite like her before.
I especially liked the interaction between the kids and the police detectives, especially Serrano, which includes many references to Lord of the Rings. I just happened to be listening to the audiobook of The Two Towers when I started reading this. I guess you could call that "synchronicity." Anyway, Tolkien fans will get extra enjoyment from this book.
This is his best book yet. It's full of action, the mystery is excellent, and it's well written. But it's primarily a character-driven tale. There are no cardboard characters or stereotypes here. The protagonist, Rachel Marin, is unique. I've never come across a heroine quite like her before.
I especially liked the interaction between the kids and the police detectives, especially Serrano, which includes many references to Lord of the Rings. I just happened to be listening to the audiobook of The Two Towers when I started reading this. I guess you could call that "synchronicity." Anyway, Tolkien fans will get extra enjoyment from this book.
March 8, 2020
A pretty readable thriller that falls apart once you start thinking about it.
The plot was decent but the reveals were very anticlimactic and many decisions made by characters were unbelievable. I was disappointed to read how the bad guy just confessed everything to the protagonist before trying to kill her, I thought we were past that cliche!
My biggest problem was not being able to connect or even like the main character Rachel. She was not a good person. She constantly said her children were her whole world yet she continued to put them in danger and almost got them killed or orphaned several times. She was rude, trying to be witty but actually being annoying, made cringy statements left and right. She was also inhumanly strong and smart. I can't believe that she became a genius just by reading books for several years. She was instantly able to name every gun she saw which is realistic because I always see my husband do that. But she also managed to name the exact model of a gun just by the sound of it firing! This is just not possible. The author went too far with her character and made her completely unrelatable.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas&Mercer for this eARC.
The plot was decent but the reveals were very anticlimactic and many decisions made by characters were unbelievable. I was disappointed to read how the bad guy just confessed everything to the protagonist before trying to kill her, I thought we were past that cliche!
My biggest problem was not being able to connect or even like the main character Rachel. She was not a good person. She constantly said her children were her whole world yet she continued to put them in danger and almost got them killed or orphaned several times. She was rude, trying to be witty but actually being annoying, made cringy statements left and right. She was also inhumanly strong and smart. I can't believe that she became a genius just by reading books for several years. She was instantly able to name every gun she saw which is realistic because I always see my husband do that. But she also managed to name the exact model of a gun just by the sound of it firing! This is just not possible. The author went too far with her character and made her completely unrelatable.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas&Mercer for this eARC.
March 1, 2020
Rachel Marin is a single mom with children Eric and Megan who is trying to escape her past and make a new start in Ashby, Illinois. When the disgraced former Mayor's body is found laying on top of a frozen river, appearing to be suicide, Rachel knows that it was murder.
What follows is a fast paced thriller where Rachel puts her life on the line to find out the truth, much to the ire of Detectives Serrano and Talley. The detectives can't figure why Rachel is so dogged in her pursuit of justice for Constance and begin to suspect she has a part to play.
The story is told through the POV of both Rachel and the detectives. Rachel's story is told through two timelines, the present and the events leading up to what caused her to flee from where she originally lived in Connecticut. The changing of the POV and different timelines is seamless and very well done.
I like how we get to know Rachel over time and how events in her backstory coincide with her actions in the present. The chemistry between Rachel and her children as well as Rachel and Serrano and Serrano and Talley feel realistic and not forced. The plot to me wasn't predictable, although like most thrillers, suspension of belief is necessary. Overall a fun read that I would recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher Thomas and Mercer for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
What follows is a fast paced thriller where Rachel puts her life on the line to find out the truth, much to the ire of Detectives Serrano and Talley. The detectives can't figure why Rachel is so dogged in her pursuit of justice for Constance and begin to suspect she has a part to play.
The story is told through the POV of both Rachel and the detectives. Rachel's story is told through two timelines, the present and the events leading up to what caused her to flee from where she originally lived in Connecticut. The changing of the POV and different timelines is seamless and very well done.
I like how we get to know Rachel over time and how events in her backstory coincide with her actions in the present. The chemistry between Rachel and her children as well as Rachel and Serrano and Serrano and Talley feel realistic and not forced. The plot to me wasn't predictable, although like most thrillers, suspension of belief is necessary. Overall a fun read that I would recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher Thomas and Mercer for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 7, 2021
3.5 ☆
Hide Away launched a new thriller series, which introduced an atypical female main protagonist-turned-vigilante. Rachel Marin is a 30-something mother of two, Eric and Megan. The Marin family has been living in the Chicago suburb of Ashby for the past three years.
Hide Away began with a gruesome tragedy contrasted against the banality of suburbia. My attention was immediately caught and my curiosity about that initial event was slowly satisfied as the present day progressed. During Rachel's morning news video habit, she learned of a recent death that had occurred just below the local bridge. From her careful scrutiny of the news footage, Rachel identified the deceased and made another startling observation. The disgraced former mayor, Constance Wright, has been found lying on top of the frozen river. Wright's death suggested suicide.
Things aren't what they appear on the surface. Rachel is not content to let Wright's killer get away with murder and she inserts herself into the police investigation. Detective Leslie Tally is far from pleased, while her partner Detective John Serrano is slightly more indulgent.
The plotline was very good and I didn't predict any part of the mystery. This aspect was strong enough to mitigate the rough prose and sometimes clunky dialogue. Maybe it's because I've been reading John le Carré's early books, which exhibit an elegance in his turn of phrase, that made this book's style appear a little gauche in comparison. Pinter attempted to provide fully drawn characters. Although I felt empathy for Rachel given her history, I wasn't emotionally drawn to her. She was a single-minded person, whose crusade overshadowed what should have been a healthy self-preservation instinct given that she has two dependents. Because some of my favorite characters have vigilante streaks, I expected to be more emotionally engaged. Oh well, this was entertaining enough to look into the sequel - A Stranger at the Door.
Hide Away launched a new thriller series, which introduced an atypical female main protagonist-turned-vigilante. Rachel Marin is a 30-something mother of two, Eric and Megan. The Marin family has been living in the Chicago suburb of Ashby for the past three years.
Sometimes there are truths in fiction. In fantasy. Sometimes made-up stories tell us more about who we are than reality.
Hide Away began with a gruesome tragedy contrasted against the banality of suburbia. My attention was immediately caught and my curiosity about that initial event was slowly satisfied as the present day progressed. During Rachel's morning news video habit, she learned of a recent death that had occurred just below the local bridge. From her careful scrutiny of the news footage, Rachel identified the deceased and made another startling observation. The disgraced former mayor, Constance Wright, has been found lying on top of the frozen river. Wright's death suggested suicide.
"Here's your last lesson, Blondie. Nobody gives you the right to protect yourself. People take things from you. Nobody gives them permission to do it. They just take.
You protect one, or you protect none."
Things aren't what they appear on the surface. Rachel is not content to let Wright's killer get away with murder and she inserts herself into the police investigation. Detective Leslie Tally is far from pleased, while her partner Detective John Serrano is slightly more indulgent.
The plotline was very good and I didn't predict any part of the mystery. This aspect was strong enough to mitigate the rough prose and sometimes clunky dialogue. Maybe it's because I've been reading John le Carré's early books, which exhibit an elegance in his turn of phrase, that made this book's style appear a little gauche in comparison. Pinter attempted to provide fully drawn characters. Although I felt empathy for Rachel given her history, I wasn't emotionally drawn to her. She was a single-minded person, whose crusade overshadowed what should have been a healthy self-preservation instinct given that she has two dependents. Because some of my favorite characters have vigilante streaks, I expected to be more emotionally engaged. Oh well, this was entertaining enough to look into the sequel - A Stranger at the Door.
February 29, 2020
There’s been a theme in many thrillers over the past few years (especially if the main character is a woman) where she’s delusional and helpless and frankly, I’m beyond sick of reading books with these pathetic women. This book had none of that nonsense, Rachel is the polar opposite of a weak woman, she’s the kind of kickass character that you can not only root for, you can respect her and I couldn’t get enough of her sheer grit and determination.
I was pleasantly surprised that a big aspect of this book focused on police procedure but it was coupled with Rachel’s own story and it was revealed slowly via flashbacks, you know something awful happened but getting to the what takes some time. It build up suspense slowly with that storyline but the other plot line in contradiction was fast paced making for a really engrossing read. Basically if you like domestic suspense AND a police procedural you’ll like this because you get a little bit of both worlds. A super solid start to a new series and finally, a heroine I can enjoy!
I was pleasantly surprised that a big aspect of this book focused on police procedure but it was coupled with Rachel’s own story and it was revealed slowly via flashbacks, you know something awful happened but getting to the what takes some time. It build up suspense slowly with that storyline but the other plot line in contradiction was fast paced making for a really engrossing read. Basically if you like domestic suspense AND a police procedural you’ll like this because you get a little bit of both worlds. A super solid start to a new series and finally, a heroine I can enjoy!
January 15, 2021
Fast paced with a stellar storyline! This is a must read for mystery/thriller readers!
Plus Rachel Marin is a total bad ass!!
Plus Rachel Marin is a total bad ass!!
March 23, 2020
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
HIDE AWAY (Rachel Marin Thriller Book #1) by Jason Pinter is the start of a new thriller series featuring a single mother turned vigilante that had me so engrossed I could not put it down. Rachel Marin is a compelling new main character and I cannot wait for more books in this series!
After an unspeakable crime shatters a mother and her small children’s lives, she changes their identities and moves from the east coast to a small town in Illinois. Rachel Marin emerges from this tragedy changed not only emotionally, but physically. She vows that she will always be able to protect her children in the future.
The disgraced former mayor of Rachel’s town is dead. To all the first responders it appears to be a tragic suicide, but not to Rachel when she sees the pictures from the scene on the news. The former mayor was kind to Rachel when she first moved to town and she will not let authorities believe this was anything but a murder that needs to be solved.
Rachel inserts herself into the investigation because she has reason to distrust law enforcement, much to Sergeant Seranno and Tally’s displeasure. She finds herself in the crosshairs of the police as well as a killer.
This is an amazing new female kick-butt character to love! How she transformed her body and brain to protect her children was fierce. Even as she works to find justice for others, she has to find her own equilibrium between blind anger, true justice and the emotional fall-out on her children. The plot is intricate and intense even as flashbacks pop up to show how Rachel became the woman she is in the present.
I highly recommend this fast paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller with a strong female protagonist!
HIDE AWAY (Rachel Marin Thriller Book #1) by Jason Pinter is the start of a new thriller series featuring a single mother turned vigilante that had me so engrossed I could not put it down. Rachel Marin is a compelling new main character and I cannot wait for more books in this series!
After an unspeakable crime shatters a mother and her small children’s lives, she changes their identities and moves from the east coast to a small town in Illinois. Rachel Marin emerges from this tragedy changed not only emotionally, but physically. She vows that she will always be able to protect her children in the future.
The disgraced former mayor of Rachel’s town is dead. To all the first responders it appears to be a tragic suicide, but not to Rachel when she sees the pictures from the scene on the news. The former mayor was kind to Rachel when she first moved to town and she will not let authorities believe this was anything but a murder that needs to be solved.
Rachel inserts herself into the investigation because she has reason to distrust law enforcement, much to Sergeant Seranno and Tally’s displeasure. She finds herself in the crosshairs of the police as well as a killer.
This is an amazing new female kick-butt character to love! How she transformed her body and brain to protect her children was fierce. Even as she works to find justice for others, she has to find her own equilibrium between blind anger, true justice and the emotional fall-out on her children. The plot is intricate and intense even as flashbacks pop up to show how Rachel became the woman she is in the present.
I highly recommend this fast paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller with a strong female protagonist!
February 19, 2020
I was so disappointed with this book. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book with so many holes in the plot.
1. If one is a good mother who puts her children first, above all else as the Mom in the book says, then one does not run around being late so that her reliable child sitter quits. One also does not constantly put her children in danger while she pursues her curiosity about a murder in her town. And really- she would let her little boy be on the porch while she opened the bag with her husband’s remains. Who would do that to a child?
2. The author loves cliff hangers for which most are explained later but some are never explained.
3. The Mom and law enforcement find the two bad adults who were going to kill the little girl at the school. What law enforcement agency allows a citizen- the Mom, in this case, to take the risk of walking across the school yard with a big doll and possibly be killed by these bad people. Surely they could think of another plan. The bad adult’s car was stolen so how’d they put a GPS device on it? And the list of holes goes in and on.
4. The Mom has enough money so that she doesn’t have to work but works as a cover. So why work at a job she obviously hates? Why not get a job she likes.
There are at least 15 more holes in this story. Disappointed!!!
1. If one is a good mother who puts her children first, above all else as the Mom in the book says, then one does not run around being late so that her reliable child sitter quits. One also does not constantly put her children in danger while she pursues her curiosity about a murder in her town. And really- she would let her little boy be on the porch while she opened the bag with her husband’s remains. Who would do that to a child?
2. The author loves cliff hangers for which most are explained later but some are never explained.
3. The Mom and law enforcement find the two bad adults who were going to kill the little girl at the school. What law enforcement agency allows a citizen- the Mom, in this case, to take the risk of walking across the school yard with a big doll and possibly be killed by these bad people. Surely they could think of another plan. The bad adult’s car was stolen so how’d they put a GPS device on it? And the list of holes goes in and on.
4. The Mom has enough money so that she doesn’t have to work but works as a cover. So why work at a job she obviously hates? Why not get a job she likes.
There are at least 15 more holes in this story. Disappointed!!!
March 14, 2020
The first few chapters were confusing. But then, the story exploded and moved at rocket pace to the surprising end. Every character was well developed. I look forward to other books in this series.
September 20, 2020
3.7 stars
February 25, 2020
Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Marla Warren
Jason Pinter brings us a new hero in the form of Rachel Marin and she is a powerhouse – just like his new thriller, Hide Away! From victim to vigilante, Hide Away takes the reader on a deep dive into the world of Rachel Marin, and it is deep indeed. Using flashbacks and slowly filling in the gaps as he goes, Pinter has written an engrossing thriller that is incredibly hard to put down.
The book opens with Rachel making dinner for her family, living a life where her primary concern is potentially burning a casserole. But everything changes in the blink of an eye when a terrible crime rips their world apart.
We immediately skip forward 7 years to the current storyline and we can tell right away that this Rachel is an entirely different person. She has changed herself inside and out, in every possible way: a new identity, new mindset, new physical abilities, and more. She has set her mind to the ideas that she will always protect her two children, and that she will never EVER be a victim again.
But even in this new town, crime seems to find Rachel. When a body is found at the base of a bridge, on a frozen river, Rachel realises that without her this case might not be solved. Inserting herself into the investigation doesn’t sit well with some of the officers on the case, leading to a tumultuous partnership/competition/adversarial setting. Sometimes helpful, sometimes overstepping boundaries, Rachel is eventually made to realise that she is putting her children in danger – the one thing she swore she would never do.
But by this point, Rachel has sunk her teeth into a target. She remembers times where she let go, with terrible consequences. This time she is determined to keep going until the killer is found and apprehended. She has seen too many criminals victimise too many people, and she is determined that, at least in this case, she is going to see that this killer will never hurt anyone else.
Early on, Rachel comes across as a little bit over the top. She seems a little too able to do absolutely everything, bordering into Batman-territory. But as you get flashbacks about what she has done and how hard she has worked to get to this point, you can’t help but get behind her 100 percent. She isn’t perfect, she is very human, and extremely well written.
The non-linear timeline might be frustrating for some readers (even though it’s one of my favourite storytelling devices) as there are quite a few events referred to in the book that the reader has to wait quite a bit for their reveal. But the reveals do come, and they are always worth the wait.
Hide Away is certainly a thrill ride, but it is also a story about overcoming victimhood, maintaining family bonds, growing stronger, and learning who and when to trust. Pinter has created a heroine who is mentally and physically capable of holding her own against just about anyone, and I am here for it!
Jason Pinter brings us a new hero in the form of Rachel Marin and she is a powerhouse – just like his new thriller, Hide Away! From victim to vigilante, Hide Away takes the reader on a deep dive into the world of Rachel Marin, and it is deep indeed. Using flashbacks and slowly filling in the gaps as he goes, Pinter has written an engrossing thriller that is incredibly hard to put down.
The book opens with Rachel making dinner for her family, living a life where her primary concern is potentially burning a casserole. But everything changes in the blink of an eye when a terrible crime rips their world apart.
We immediately skip forward 7 years to the current storyline and we can tell right away that this Rachel is an entirely different person. She has changed herself inside and out, in every possible way: a new identity, new mindset, new physical abilities, and more. She has set her mind to the ideas that she will always protect her two children, and that she will never EVER be a victim again.
But even in this new town, crime seems to find Rachel. When a body is found at the base of a bridge, on a frozen river, Rachel realises that without her this case might not be solved. Inserting herself into the investigation doesn’t sit well with some of the officers on the case, leading to a tumultuous partnership/competition/adversarial setting. Sometimes helpful, sometimes overstepping boundaries, Rachel is eventually made to realise that she is putting her children in danger – the one thing she swore she would never do.
But by this point, Rachel has sunk her teeth into a target. She remembers times where she let go, with terrible consequences. This time she is determined to keep going until the killer is found and apprehended. She has seen too many criminals victimise too many people, and she is determined that, at least in this case, she is going to see that this killer will never hurt anyone else.
Early on, Rachel comes across as a little bit over the top. She seems a little too able to do absolutely everything, bordering into Batman-territory. But as you get flashbacks about what she has done and how hard she has worked to get to this point, you can’t help but get behind her 100 percent. She isn’t perfect, she is very human, and extremely well written.
The non-linear timeline might be frustrating for some readers (even though it’s one of my favourite storytelling devices) as there are quite a few events referred to in the book that the reader has to wait quite a bit for their reveal. But the reveals do come, and they are always worth the wait.
Hide Away is certainly a thrill ride, but it is also a story about overcoming victimhood, maintaining family bonds, growing stronger, and learning who and when to trust. Pinter has created a heroine who is mentally and physically capable of holding her own against just about anyone, and I am here for it!
February 2, 2020
I selected Hide Away as my Amazon First Reads selection, but to be honest I wasn’t 100% drawn to any of the options this month and almost didn’t select one. Ultimately, I liked the idea of a police procedural type of mystery and chose this one.
My ultimate fear was that the story would drag or that I would feel obligated to finish a book that didn’t really interest me. Thankfully, this wasn’t the case. I found myself so entranced by it that I would mean to read only a chapter and then several chapters later look up to realize what I had done. At one time I was so engrossed in the book that I discovered that I had completely missed the time I had planned to go to lunch.
The story features a mother of two named Rachel Marin. Due to an event that happens in the first chapter, she learns that the police and government institutions can let you down and makes her a bit jaded. Afterwards, she refuses to ever be helpless again and learns how to protect her and her family all the while studying to become familiar with forensic and investigative processes. When a body is discovered on the frozen river in Ashby, Illinois it immediately gives the impression it is a suicide. However, using the knowledge she has gained, Rachel is able to quickly determine that it is not suicide and anonymously calls the police with the precise detailed reason why it is instead a homicide allowing her and the two main detectives in the story – Detectives Tally and Serrano – to meet and begin interacting.
Time and time again Rachel involves herself in the murder investigation getting her into various types of situations as well as frustrating the police many times over. The two detectives in the book are both capable with unique stories of their own and even though Rachel tries their patience more than once the three of them sort of work very well together (as much as can be expected with a civilian putting themselves into an official investigation.)
Overall, I found the storytelling very engaging and enjoyable. It wasn’t over the top as I have found other thrillers sometimes can be, although I did think Rachel had a lot more skill and knowledge than a typical person might have. I enjoyed the “detectiving” part, but what truly sold it for me was how the two children and the detectives interactions were woven together creating what I felt was a very cohesive narrative.
My ultimate fear was that the story would drag or that I would feel obligated to finish a book that didn’t really interest me. Thankfully, this wasn’t the case. I found myself so entranced by it that I would mean to read only a chapter and then several chapters later look up to realize what I had done. At one time I was so engrossed in the book that I discovered that I had completely missed the time I had planned to go to lunch.
The story features a mother of two named Rachel Marin. Due to an event that happens in the first chapter, she learns that the police and government institutions can let you down and makes her a bit jaded. Afterwards, she refuses to ever be helpless again and learns how to protect her and her family all the while studying to become familiar with forensic and investigative processes. When a body is discovered on the frozen river in Ashby, Illinois it immediately gives the impression it is a suicide. However, using the knowledge she has gained, Rachel is able to quickly determine that it is not suicide and anonymously calls the police with the precise detailed reason why it is instead a homicide allowing her and the two main detectives in the story – Detectives Tally and Serrano – to meet and begin interacting.
Time and time again Rachel involves herself in the murder investigation getting her into various types of situations as well as frustrating the police many times over. The two detectives in the book are both capable with unique stories of their own and even though Rachel tries their patience more than once the three of them sort of work very well together (as much as can be expected with a civilian putting themselves into an official investigation.)
Overall, I found the storytelling very engaging and enjoyable. It wasn’t over the top as I have found other thrillers sometimes can be, although I did think Rachel had a lot more skill and knowledge than a typical person might have. I enjoyed the “detectiving” part, but what truly sold it for me was how the two children and the detectives interactions were woven together creating what I felt was a very cohesive narrative.
February 5, 2020
The single worst opening sentence in the literary history of the Western world. “The night her family was ripped apart, the woman stood by her oven, watching the chicken cook through the glass, thinking to herself there was nothing on earth more terrible than a burnt casserole.”
And I think to myself, “I just bet she’s in for a big surprise.” I wasn’t going to stick around long enough to find out
I quit reading right there
And I think to myself, “I just bet she’s in for a big surprise.” I wasn’t going to stick around long enough to find out
I quit reading right there
March 4, 2020
*Per FTC regulations, I won and received this e-book for free in a Goodreads Giveaway. This contest has played no part in influencing the following review.
Two words: Copy Editor. Hire one, immediately.
I recall seeing Hide Away as one of the options for Amazon First Reads, and distinctly remember reading the premise and rolling my eyes at the same tired trope that has plagued the publishing industry for the past decade. Unfortunately, I must have left it on my “to-read” shelf and entered the giveaway prior to knowing what I know now because here we are…
For starters, do not start a book with a quote that is plastered all over social media memes and could moonlight for a tween’s inspirational bedroom poster. Unless the quote is so significantly linked to the text, just do not.
Thus, it follows that this line of thinking should also apply to the actual novel itself. I struggled to not rip my hair out every time I read another cliché. These are peppered throughout, so steer clear if such phrases irritate you as well.
Aside from the overused quotes and clichés, here is why I am confident that no copy editor reviewed this draft (despite what the author’s note claims). For one, the writer went through the effort to name tendons, muscles, bones, etc., continuously named real locations, and yet, somehow the most important locations, i.e., where this book takes place, were fiction. Make them all fake or make them all real; stick to a constant.
Second, there are tons of glaring grammar, word choice, and reader confusion issues. Fix it. I don’t care that we are in a tech age, it’s sloppy. If anything, technology should make it easier to spot. The word “trundled,” which was not used correctly the first time, should not be used twice in the span of two pages. Just saying.
Also, no self-respecting copy editor would permit an author to ramble on regarding insignificant and inane details. For example, the velocity of a body dropping from X height, plus the fact that it was all entirely written in italicized font? Most readers are going to glaze over that entire section.
The amount of pop culture references also does not make sense. They were not from one time period, a single medium, etc. They just seemed as if they were space-fillers.
As for things that are not technical and possibly, only I care about…Her background does not match-up. I get it. I understand her backstory and her motive, etc., but there is no way she has all this knowledge and then misses the murderer who is so obvious that even the readers have picked up on it. I am not buying anything about her character and what is worse, she is either unlikeable or just plain boring to read about. I could care less about Rachel* as the main character. She was not developed well enough, or at all. Why did it even take until half-way through the book to describe her “lessons”?
Additionally, normally I do not mind time jumps and actually enjoy chapters from different characters’ p.o.v., but the time-jumps between these particular chapters made no sense and could have been condensed. They were confusing, dull, and dragged the story on further than it needed to be (which btw someone tell Amazon to fix their e-formatting because I was led astray hoping this agony would end by page 359, and it most certainly continued on for at least 10 more chapters).
In conclusion, the biggest takeaway I got from this is that I now understand why people say, “show, don’t tell” when you are writing. This book was all tell and no show, and that fellow readers is precisely why I rated it one star.
Two words: Copy Editor. Hire one, immediately.
I recall seeing Hide Away as one of the options for Amazon First Reads, and distinctly remember reading the premise and rolling my eyes at the same tired trope that has plagued the publishing industry for the past decade. Unfortunately, I must have left it on my “to-read” shelf and entered the giveaway prior to knowing what I know now because here we are…
For starters, do not start a book with a quote that is plastered all over social media memes and could moonlight for a tween’s inspirational bedroom poster. Unless the quote is so significantly linked to the text, just do not.
Thus, it follows that this line of thinking should also apply to the actual novel itself. I struggled to not rip my hair out every time I read another cliché. These are peppered throughout, so steer clear if such phrases irritate you as well.
Aside from the overused quotes and clichés, here is why I am confident that no copy editor reviewed this draft (despite what the author’s note claims). For one, the writer went through the effort to name tendons, muscles, bones, etc., continuously named real locations, and yet, somehow the most important locations, i.e., where this book takes place, were fiction. Make them all fake or make them all real; stick to a constant.
Second, there are tons of glaring grammar, word choice, and reader confusion issues. Fix it. I don’t care that we are in a tech age, it’s sloppy. If anything, technology should make it easier to spot. The word “trundled,” which was not used correctly the first time, should not be used twice in the span of two pages. Just saying.
Also, no self-respecting copy editor would permit an author to ramble on regarding insignificant and inane details. For example, the velocity of a body dropping from X height, plus the fact that it was all entirely written in italicized font? Most readers are going to glaze over that entire section.
The amount of pop culture references also does not make sense. They were not from one time period, a single medium, etc. They just seemed as if they were space-fillers.
As for things that are not technical and possibly, only I care about…Her background does not match-up. I get it. I understand her backstory and her motive, etc., but there is no way she has all this knowledge and then misses the murderer who is so obvious that even the readers have picked up on it. I am not buying anything about her character and what is worse, she is either unlikeable or just plain boring to read about. I could care less about Rachel* as the main character. She was not developed well enough, or at all. Why did it even take until half-way through the book to describe her “lessons”?
Additionally, normally I do not mind time jumps and actually enjoy chapters from different characters’ p.o.v., but the time-jumps between these particular chapters made no sense and could have been condensed. They were confusing, dull, and dragged the story on further than it needed to be (which btw someone tell Amazon to fix their e-formatting because I was led astray hoping this agony would end by page 359, and it most certainly continued on for at least 10 more chapters).
In conclusion, the biggest takeaway I got from this is that I now understand why people say, “show, don’t tell” when you are writing. This book was all tell and no show, and that fellow readers is precisely why I rated it one star.
March 16, 2020
Rachel Marin met the former mayor a while back .. before she was murdered. The police think this was either an accident or suicide ... but Rachel knows it was murder.
Now all she has to do is to convince the detectives who are leading the investigation. But Rachel has no love of the cops ... she doesn't trust them to do what's right.
Rachel has a secret ... one that traumatized her and her young children. She's changed their names, moved across the country, and started a new life for them.
She's afraid her secrets may be uncovered, but she can't just walk away. She inserts herself into the investigation ... much to the cops' displeasure. They resent her for butting in ... but what she tells them makes them take a second look.
Her sheer determination to get at the truth makes her a target of both the cops ... and a killer.
This is a great start to what looks like will be a terrific series. Rachel is a unique character... and one who will bear watching in the future. As a crime fiction, this is well written with deftly drawn characters and plenty of twists and turns to keep the fingers moving at a fast pace ... just to see what happens next. Looking forward to the next book in this series!
Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / Amazon Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of this terrific crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Now all she has to do is to convince the detectives who are leading the investigation. But Rachel has no love of the cops ... she doesn't trust them to do what's right.
Rachel has a secret ... one that traumatized her and her young children. She's changed their names, moved across the country, and started a new life for them.
She's afraid her secrets may be uncovered, but she can't just walk away. She inserts herself into the investigation ... much to the cops' displeasure. They resent her for butting in ... but what she tells them makes them take a second look.
Her sheer determination to get at the truth makes her a target of both the cops ... and a killer.
This is a great start to what looks like will be a terrific series. Rachel is a unique character... and one who will bear watching in the future. As a crime fiction, this is well written with deftly drawn characters and plenty of twists and turns to keep the fingers moving at a fast pace ... just to see what happens next. Looking forward to the next book in this series!
Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / Amazon Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of this terrific crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
October 12, 2020
Rachel running but why?
One day her life chances when her and her son finds something horrible on their front porch.
Moving changing her name and learning to defend herself and her kids she finds herself helping the police to solve a murder of a Mayor.
But the polices not so sure about Rachel.
She's hiding something.
Interesting how her past finally comes together. Enjoyed the mystery of it all.
One day her life chances when her and her son finds something horrible on their front porch.
Moving changing her name and learning to defend herself and her kids she finds herself helping the police to solve a murder of a Mayor.
But the polices not so sure about Rachel.
She's hiding something.
Interesting how her past finally comes together. Enjoyed the mystery of it all.
January 31, 2021
Hide Away is my first book by this author, Jason Pinter. And one of the reasons I wanted to read it was because I saw he has a sequel coming out in a month or so and I have it on hold at my library. What a great action-packed book this was and I loved Rachel Marin. I was cheering for her in the whole book!! Looking forward to A Stranger at the Door, book #2.
March 1, 2020
"Sometimes behind the kindest eyes lay the darkest hearts."
Seven years ago Olivia Powell and her children devastated and life would never be the same again.
Rachel Marin and her two children have changed their identities and moved to the small town of Ashby, Illinois. Rachel has spent the last seven years preparing herself so no one will ever hurt her or her children again.
Then one day, as she tries to live a quiet, unassuming life, she sees that a friend of hers is dead - the ex-mayor of their small town. While the police see suicide, Rachel sees murder.
I've enjoyed author Pinter's books in the past and this is a winner - and the start of a new series featuring Rachel. In the past seven years she has trained vigorously and has become a part-time vigilante.
This was an exciting story, sad but fulfilling. I liked the characters - not just Rachel but the two detectives she becomes acquainted with. There are twists I didn't see coming until almost the end of the book. I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for book two in the series.
I received this book from Thomas & Mercer through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
Seven years ago Olivia Powell and her children devastated and life would never be the same again.
Rachel Marin and her two children have changed their identities and moved to the small town of Ashby, Illinois. Rachel has spent the last seven years preparing herself so no one will ever hurt her or her children again.
Then one day, as she tries to live a quiet, unassuming life, she sees that a friend of hers is dead - the ex-mayor of their small town. While the police see suicide, Rachel sees murder.
I've enjoyed author Pinter's books in the past and this is a winner - and the start of a new series featuring Rachel. In the past seven years she has trained vigorously and has become a part-time vigilante.
This was an exciting story, sad but fulfilling. I liked the characters - not just Rachel but the two detectives she becomes acquainted with. There are twists I didn't see coming until almost the end of the book. I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for book two in the series.
I received this book from Thomas & Mercer through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
April 7, 2020
In this small town, Rachel Marin does not cause any extra interest. Keeping a low profile is what she seeks and being a single mother of two kids is all she hopes for. Just to lie low after the horrific events that tore her family apart and left her children bereft and tormented.
When a former mayor turns up dead, and especially since the detectives want to deem it suicide, Rachel steps in with theories that support her view that it was murder. Both detectives find Rachel intrusive but they are helpless because she seems to be always one step ahead of them with definite supporting evidence for all her theories.
The story was very good, the characters were strong and appealing - from the detectives going in blind into an investigation which was overcast with political intrigue and corruption and then we have Rachel herself - her inner core of steel where all she wanted to do was protect her children.
Very entertaining read. Beautifully written.
When a former mayor turns up dead, and especially since the detectives want to deem it suicide, Rachel steps in with theories that support her view that it was murder. Both detectives find Rachel intrusive but they are helpless because she seems to be always one step ahead of them with definite supporting evidence for all her theories.
The story was very good, the characters were strong and appealing - from the detectives going in blind into an investigation which was overcast with political intrigue and corruption and then we have Rachel herself - her inner core of steel where all she wanted to do was protect her children.
Very entertaining read. Beautifully written.
January 22, 2021
3,300 Amazon Reviews 4.4 Avg
8,254 Goodread reviews 4.2 Avg
Okay, it was good. This is a story about a woman who experiences extreme violence and pain. There is a vigilante element and a protect your family element.
What I liked:
- It is very well written.
-Lots of twists and turns.
-Interesting.
-This is a complex story that covers a lot of ground.
-It has a good ending.
What I didn't like:
-It just seemed a little too long. Some parts seemed to drag a little, could have been more condensed. But it is possible it is just developed well with some depth and I just wanted it to move quicker.
Yes, I recommend it. Very good.
8,254 Goodread reviews 4.2 Avg
Okay, it was good. This is a story about a woman who experiences extreme violence and pain. There is a vigilante element and a protect your family element.
What I liked:
- It is very well written.
-Lots of twists and turns.
-Interesting.
-This is a complex story that covers a lot of ground.
-It has a good ending.
What I didn't like:
-It just seemed a little too long. Some parts seemed to drag a little, could have been more condensed. But it is possible it is just developed well with some depth and I just wanted it to move quicker.
Yes, I recommend it. Very good.
May 27, 2020
I reeeally liked this book! Rachel and her keen observations were fascinating to read about. Those same observations led to her unsolicited, over-involvement in the case, which for some readers may have been carried a bit too far at times. Having said that, did I mention I really liked this book?😉 There are back and forth time sequences, which I normally dislike, but I found them easy to follow. I was glad to read more of who Rachel was and how it led to who she has become. I can't wait to read book two in the series!
February 11, 2022
Very much impressed with the main character. So believable and real. I unfortunately have to wait a year for book 2 in the series.
June 16, 2020
Fast paced! Couldn't put it down! Loved it!
February 19, 2020
Loved the ending! What a surprise
No spoilers but if you love a good thriller this book is for you! I'm so glad I finished this detective thriller, excellent ending
No spoilers but if you love a good thriller this book is for you! I'm so glad I finished this detective thriller, excellent ending
September 14, 2019
Rachel Marin is a bold and complicated woman, running from a tragic past while caring for her two children. A super-sleuth, she’s sort of a cross between Wonder Woman and Sherlock Holmes. When a friend appears to have committed suicide, Rachel can instantly see that it was murder and tips off the police. Not happy with their laxidasical response, she investigates on her own with the cops just one step behind her. It all comes to a heart-pounding climax when Rachel zeroes in on the murderer. If you’re a fan of Robert Dugoni’s Tracy Crosswhite, you’ll love this first book in the Rachel Marin series.
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