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Hidden
The truth lies in the darkest places...
Jen Taylor has a secret.
In 1987 the body of fourteen-year-old Kelly was found on a railway track and Jen believes she was responsible for her death.
Now an adult, Jen is approached by Kelly’s mother, who asks her to help investigate her daughter’s murder.
But Jen is hiding more than anyone knows.
As the investigation is reopened by Jen, along with her former friend Claire, secrets from the past come to light and when another murder takes place, the case takes a sinister turn.
Did Jen really kill Kelly and can she ever right the wrongs of the past?
Lisa Sell's Hidden is a crime thriller which you won't be able to put down, it's perfect for readers who enjoy books like Claire McGowan's What You Did and C.L. Taylor's Sleep. As well as for fans of authors like Louise Jensen, Rachel Abbott and Heidi Perks.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2019
332 people are currently reading
627 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Sell
10 books82 followersLisa Sell is an author of mystery, thriller, and crime novels. Her novels can be dark, nostalgic, serious, and humorous.
A sense of place in her writing is important to Lisa. Her books are often set in Oxfordshire and Dorset.
When she's not writing, Lisa is usually cat wrangling, adding cheese to most dishes, or tackling her to-be-read pile of books.
Find out more about Lisa and her books in the following places:
Facebook: lisasellwriter
Instagram: lisasellwriter
A sense of place in her writing is important to Lisa. Her books are often set in Oxfordshire and Dorset.
When she's not writing, Lisa is usually cat wrangling, adding cheese to most dishes, or tackling her to-be-read pile of books.
Find out more about Lisa and her books in the following places:
Facebook: lisasellwriter
Instagram: lisasellwriter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
August 25, 2019
HIDDEN is a crime/mystery debut novel by author Lisa Sell.
In 1987 when Claire and Jen were fourteen, the body of fourteen-year-old Kelly was found on a railway track, on the council estate where they lived died. Kelly’s mum, Doreen wants their help to find out what happened. It looked like suicide or an accident but she is convinced, it’s something else.
Jen believes she was responsible for her death. Jen Taylor has a secret.
Now an adult, Jen is approached by Doreen, who recently has been diagnosed with cancer, and asks Jen to help investigate her daughter’s murder before she dies.
Now Jen’s friend Claire and mum Ellen and Doreen are now on Jen’s case to find out the truth.
“She may think she needs the truth but it won’t give her comfort. Living with the knowledge I killed her daughter is unbearable. I should know. It’s better for her to remain ignorance.”
But Jen is hiding more than anyone knows. People on the estate always have secrets.
As the investigation is reopened by Jen, along with her former friend Claire, secrets from the past come to light and when another murder takes place, the case takes a disturbing turn.
Did Jen really kill Kelly?
This gripping crime mystery alternates between present and past (1987). The characters are believable and come alive on the page. The story takes many twists and turns and it’s not until I got near to the end, did I realize who the perpetrator was. Lots of red herrings thrown in to send the reader off in many different tangents. I loved the build-up and the premise of the novel. This author shows much promise, and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for providing me with a digital copy.
In 1987 when Claire and Jen were fourteen, the body of fourteen-year-old Kelly was found on a railway track, on the council estate where they lived died. Kelly’s mum, Doreen wants their help to find out what happened. It looked like suicide or an accident but she is convinced, it’s something else.
Jen believes she was responsible for her death. Jen Taylor has a secret.
Now an adult, Jen is approached by Doreen, who recently has been diagnosed with cancer, and asks Jen to help investigate her daughter’s murder before she dies.
Now Jen’s friend Claire and mum Ellen and Doreen are now on Jen’s case to find out the truth.
“She may think she needs the truth but it won’t give her comfort. Living with the knowledge I killed her daughter is unbearable. I should know. It’s better for her to remain ignorance.”
But Jen is hiding more than anyone knows. People on the estate always have secrets.
As the investigation is reopened by Jen, along with her former friend Claire, secrets from the past come to light and when another murder takes place, the case takes a disturbing turn.
Did Jen really kill Kelly?
This gripping crime mystery alternates between present and past (1987). The characters are believable and come alive on the page. The story takes many twists and turns and it’s not until I got near to the end, did I realize who the perpetrator was. Lots of red herrings thrown in to send the reader off in many different tangents. I loved the build-up and the premise of the novel. This author shows much promise, and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for providing me with a digital copy.
August 27, 2019
Jennifer Taylor is a killer. It's been a lot of years, but in 1987 the body of 14-year-old Kelly was found. Jen was the last person who saw her, they had a terrible fight. She's been trying to atone.
Out of the blue, Kelly's mother has called her. She is dying of cancer and wants to know exactly what happened to her daughter before she dies. Since Kelly was found on a railroad track, it's commonly thought that Kelly either had an accident or she committed suicide. Her mother has always thought she was murdered.
Jen, along with her childhood friend, Claire, are begged to investigate. Jen thinks maybe she can guide their exploration into a different direction. How on earth could she confess now?
Secrets from the past have a way of surfacing, and when another murder takes place, Jen and Claire find themselves in more danger than they could ever have imagined.
The book bounces back and forth from the present with flashbacks to the eighties. I loved all the references from that time. The characters are finely drawn and memorable. It was a little slow in the beginning .... lots of characters with all their backstories. The pacing did increase and the suspense became palpable. The ending was unpredictable.
Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this debut crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, the opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Out of the blue, Kelly's mother has called her. She is dying of cancer and wants to know exactly what happened to her daughter before she dies. Since Kelly was found on a railroad track, it's commonly thought that Kelly either had an accident or she committed suicide. Her mother has always thought she was murdered.
Jen, along with her childhood friend, Claire, are begged to investigate. Jen thinks maybe she can guide their exploration into a different direction. How on earth could she confess now?
Secrets from the past have a way of surfacing, and when another murder takes place, Jen and Claire find themselves in more danger than they could ever have imagined.
The book bounces back and forth from the present with flashbacks to the eighties. I loved all the references from that time. The characters are finely drawn and memorable. It was a little slow in the beginning .... lots of characters with all their backstories. The pacing did increase and the suspense became palpable. The ending was unpredictable.
Many thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books for the digital copy of this debut crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, the opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
August 28, 2019
Hidden is a astonishingly good,twisty tale of secrets,families,lies,manipulation,friendships,community,
control,abuse,denial and one determined mother's need to discover the truth behind her daughter Kelly's death. Doreen didn't believe that her daughter committed suicide back in the eighties and in the present day has asked Ellen and Claire Woods and Kelly's friend Jen to help her uncover the truth.
But Jen is very reluctant to start digging into the past because she has a secret,a secret that if it was uncovered would destroy many lives including her own.
This enthralling thriller is predominantly voiced by Jen although we do get the opportunity to read the thoughts of other characters as the story that flips back and forth in time unfolds. There was references to the pop culture of the early eighties scattered throughout the chapters set in the past. Mentions of Duran Duran (my favourite group) and Band Aid invoked memories of my younger years. The author's descriptions of Rembrandt Estate where Jen and Claire grew up were so realistic,you could actually imagine it being a real life estate some where in the UK. The mixed bag of vivid believable residents could be any one of our neighbours. The queen bee who everyone seemed happy to let control the neighbourhood (and yes,I have been unfortunate enough to have known one of these people in my lifetime) or were just too scared to stand up to in case they ended up being ostracized. The neighbourhood bullies,cheating spouses,family who are looked down in and ridiculed,abusive parents,false friendships and loveable old lady and her dog. Every household was harbouring some sort of secret,some of the characters were likeable and some were not so likeable. I think I suspected every character (apart from Scruff the dog) at one point as I frantically turned the pages of this gripping thriller. But what happened to poor Holly on that fateful day on the train tracks?
Hidden is a exceedingly well written,debut thriller that builds in intensity as the story unfolds, the layers are peeled away and the shocking,heart breaking truth is revealed. There was quite a few suspects,twists and turns and the story keeps the reader guessing. I really enjoyed this debut thriller,this author has talent and I look forward to reading more books written by this author in the future.
Many thanks to Heather Fitt of Bloodhound Books for a arc of this book and the opportunity to take part in the Blog tour
control,abuse,denial and one determined mother's need to discover the truth behind her daughter Kelly's death. Doreen didn't believe that her daughter committed suicide back in the eighties and in the present day has asked Ellen and Claire Woods and Kelly's friend Jen to help her uncover the truth.
But Jen is very reluctant to start digging into the past because she has a secret,a secret that if it was uncovered would destroy many lives including her own.
This enthralling thriller is predominantly voiced by Jen although we do get the opportunity to read the thoughts of other characters as the story that flips back and forth in time unfolds. There was references to the pop culture of the early eighties scattered throughout the chapters set in the past. Mentions of Duran Duran (my favourite group) and Band Aid invoked memories of my younger years. The author's descriptions of Rembrandt Estate where Jen and Claire grew up were so realistic,you could actually imagine it being a real life estate some where in the UK. The mixed bag of vivid believable residents could be any one of our neighbours. The queen bee who everyone seemed happy to let control the neighbourhood (and yes,I have been unfortunate enough to have known one of these people in my lifetime) or were just too scared to stand up to in case they ended up being ostracized. The neighbourhood bullies,cheating spouses,family who are looked down in and ridiculed,abusive parents,false friendships and loveable old lady and her dog. Every household was harbouring some sort of secret,some of the characters were likeable and some were not so likeable. I think I suspected every character (apart from Scruff the dog) at one point as I frantically turned the pages of this gripping thriller. But what happened to poor Holly on that fateful day on the train tracks?
Hidden is a exceedingly well written,debut thriller that builds in intensity as the story unfolds, the layers are peeled away and the shocking,heart breaking truth is revealed. There was quite a few suspects,twists and turns and the story keeps the reader guessing. I really enjoyed this debut thriller,this author has talent and I look forward to reading more books written by this author in the future.
Many thanks to Heather Fitt of Bloodhound Books for a arc of this book and the opportunity to take part in the Blog tour
January 4, 2020
This was my first audio book for 2020 I really enjoyed it. It was so much more than I had expected it to be
Great storyand narrative
Great storyand narrative
August 26, 2019
“Jen Taylor has a secret.
In 1987 the body of fourteen-year-old Kelly was found on a railway track and Jen believes she was responsible for her death.
Now an adult, Jen is approached by Kelly’s mother, who asks her to help investigate her daughter’s murder.
But Jen is hiding more than anyone knows.”
I was intrigued by the above and couldn’t wait to read this book, and I wasn’t disappointed.
This is a great read that alternates between the past and the present and as the story goes on, more and more is revealed.
I loved the references to the 80s and the author took me down memory lane a number of times.
This is a gripping crime thriller that will have you hooked and desperate to know if Jen really was responsible for Kelly’s death.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read this book.
In 1987 the body of fourteen-year-old Kelly was found on a railway track and Jen believes she was responsible for her death.
Now an adult, Jen is approached by Kelly’s mother, who asks her to help investigate her daughter’s murder.
But Jen is hiding more than anyone knows.”
I was intrigued by the above and couldn’t wait to read this book, and I wasn’t disappointed.
This is a great read that alternates between the past and the present and as the story goes on, more and more is revealed.
I loved the references to the 80s and the author took me down memory lane a number of times.
This is a gripping crime thriller that will have you hooked and desperate to know if Jen really was responsible for Kelly’s death.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read this book.
February 22, 2025
a cold case full of
compelling characters
and intricacies, well built
and heartbreaking, about
side effects of guilt. ♡
compelling characters
and intricacies, well built
and heartbreaking, about
side effects of guilt. ♡
August 24, 2019
I have now read 97 books so far this year, this has topped all of them and more.
I can not put into words how brilliant this book is.
Lisa Sell you are a genius.
I URGE everyone to read this.
I can not put into words how brilliant this book is.
Lisa Sell you are a genius.
I URGE everyone to read this.
August 25, 2019
The 80s are brilliantly brought to life in this debut novel. Main character, Jen, has a secret that we share with her from the outset. Years ago, fourteen-year-old Kelly Pratt died and Jen thinks she is responsible for Kelly's death. The how and why are still to be revealed as the reader is drawn into the mystery when Jen reluctantly returns home to help Kelly's mother, who is desperate to discover the truth.
Flitting back and forth between the past and the present, the author presents a perfectly drawn slice of life on an 80s council estate, while offering up a growing list of suspects and motives for what really happened to Kelly, and with plenty of red herrings thrown in for good measure, the final reveal is both plausible and satisfying as you realise you have missed all of the little clues peppered throughout the story.
This author's talent lies in her attention to detail and, with smart writing and a cast of engaging characters, she is definitely one to watch.
Flitting back and forth between the past and the present, the author presents a perfectly drawn slice of life on an 80s council estate, while offering up a growing list of suspects and motives for what really happened to Kelly, and with plenty of red herrings thrown in for good measure, the final reveal is both plausible and satisfying as you realise you have missed all of the little clues peppered throughout the story.
This author's talent lies in her attention to detail and, with smart writing and a cast of engaging characters, she is definitely one to watch.
August 12, 2019
Having followed Lisa Sell's blog for a while, I jumped at the chance to be a beta reader for her novel, Hidden.
Set in the present, with flashbacks to the eighties, it follows the story of a group of estate kids and a tragic event that still has repercussions for Jen today. The characters are well written, some likable, others less so, and it took me back to the group I hung out with back in the day!
Being an 80s kid, I loved all the references, and the story is full of twists as details are revealed. A great debut novel from Lisa Sell, and I look forward to reading more from this author. Highly recommend!
Set in the present, with flashbacks to the eighties, it follows the story of a group of estate kids and a tragic event that still has repercussions for Jen today. The characters are well written, some likable, others less so, and it took me back to the group I hung out with back in the day!
Being an 80s kid, I loved all the references, and the story is full of twists as details are revealed. A great debut novel from Lisa Sell, and I look forward to reading more from this author. Highly recommend!
August 16, 2019
Absolutely loved this book! Lisa is a new author to me and after reading the blurb I couldn’t wait to read the book.
I’m not going to give the plot away though as I hate that when reading reviews, what I will say is that it’s set now but has regular flashbacks to the 80s, the music & fashion references are spot on! This was a time close to my heart 💓
There are lots of characters but each is integral to the story & their storylines all cross at different parts. I guessed about 3/4 the way through who the killer was but that didn’t spoil the ending.
I highly recommend this book.
I’m not going to give the plot away though as I hate that when reading reviews, what I will say is that it’s set now but has regular flashbacks to the 80s, the music & fashion references are spot on! This was a time close to my heart 💓
There are lots of characters but each is integral to the story & their storylines all cross at different parts. I guessed about 3/4 the way through who the killer was but that didn’t spoil the ending.
I highly recommend this book.
September 17, 2019
A lot of crime thrillers are all fast-paced, page-turning plot which is great, and what you would expect, but sometimes they leave me unsatisfied as a reader because the characters are underdeveloped or just props to drive the story along. This debut novel manages to achieve a genuinely gripping pace, the twists and turns you would hope for, an ending I did not see coming and characters that are fully developed and realistically flawed enough to stimulate empathy. Even for the less likable ones. Jen Taylor is the main protagonist and in the beginning, I didn't warm to her. I much preferred her lively side-kick Claire and ex, Johnny. Jen is a counsellor with a hidden past which has now come back to haunt her. A girl died on the housing estate she grew up on in the 1980's and Jen has always believed she was responsible. Now Kelly's mother is begging her and reporter Claire to dig into the past and find out the truth about what really happened to her daughter. In order to hide her own guilt, Jen has to play along but dreads what might be uncovered. The story does have a lot of characters, but I found that realistic, as it is set on a council estate and the people there all play their parts in the plot. The story is told by jumping between the present-day investigation and the events of the past that led up to the death. I enjoy this style as it's always illuminating to see the characters as children and witness what shaped their personalities and behaviour. Indeed, Jen's childhood and the chapters told in the past were what encouraged me to feel sympathy and empathy for her character. I also loved the 1980's nostalgia, and as I also grew up on a council estate during the 80's and 90's, I could really identify with the setting which was incredibly authentic and also made it stand out from a lot of other crime thrillers. All in all a very solid debut and I think the majority of crime thriller fans would enjoy this.
September 20, 2019
Lisa Sell's debut crime drama is a gripping tale of guilt, secrets and familial abuse. Structured around an amateur investigation into a friend's death in 1987, the rueful protagonist Jen must throw her snooping companions off the scent or finally confront her own culpability for Kelly's murder.
Although I'm not a big reader of this genre – what I like to call the Domestic Thriller – Sell's book is a masterwork of 80s nostalgia, laced with the constant tension of Jen's fateful actions coming to light. It's impeccably edited (which these days is unfortunately worth mentioning from a small press), and kept me turning the pages to the surprising conclusion.
Although I did anticipate the big twist at the book's centre, the following denouement was completely unexpected. Meanwhile, my review docks that final fifth star merely out of a stylistic aversion to the reminiscent scenes being in a sort of omniscient voice, where I would have preferred Jen's perspective throughout. Otherwise a great read. Recommended!
Although I'm not a big reader of this genre – what I like to call the Domestic Thriller – Sell's book is a masterwork of 80s nostalgia, laced with the constant tension of Jen's fateful actions coming to light. It's impeccably edited (which these days is unfortunately worth mentioning from a small press), and kept me turning the pages to the surprising conclusion.
Although I did anticipate the big twist at the book's centre, the following denouement was completely unexpected. Meanwhile, my review docks that final fifth star merely out of a stylistic aversion to the reminiscent scenes being in a sort of omniscient voice, where I would have preferred Jen's perspective throughout. Otherwise a great read. Recommended!
August 24, 2019
Hidden is the first book by Lisa Sell that I have read. I must say, the storyline is complex, the characters are developed very well. This story is about a young girl who is found on the railroad tracks in a development area. The girl was not liked by her peers or other peers parents. I felt very sorry for the girl. The story in the paper said she committed suicide. But that was not the case. Her mother who is now dying of cancer wants the truth to come out before she dies. This is where many things are hidden. This isn't a story about just one family. There are many families in The Rembrandt Estate that have cause to keep things hidden. To you Lisa Sell, a job well done!!! I would like to thank Bloodhound Books for a copy of this book that I gladly reviewed.
August 29, 2019
Impressive. This is a brilliant mystery with red herrings and twists and turns. A rich, deep story unfolds as the author outlines the murder's impact on people's lives in a poor residential area. A tale of growth and setbacks and community draw the reader in. The author's impeccable attention to detail gifts the reader with the ability to visualize the scenes as they unfold. This story shows depth of character, with anticipatory plots that veer off, and a protagonist that doesn't disappoint. Ms Sell moves to the top of her class, it is an exceptional work for a first book.
June 24, 2024
I really liked the book. often I get confused with alternative timelines but it worked in this case. The characters were great and the setting of a council estate in the 80s was very realistic. It shows the damage abuse can cause through the generations. It's very sad that Kelly was let down by so many people and it sadly feels very realistic. The only thing was I wasn't entirely sure that I 100% bought the identity of the killer, I had not suspected the person but it may have been because I was listening through audiobook while doing other things - I would like to buy a paperback and read those parts again. I will be looking out for more by this author.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
August 27, 2019
When a book opens with " When I was 14, I killed a girl", you know that either you will be reading something akin to Agatha Christie's 'Witness For The Prosecution' or a complex novel to identify the true killer. I will not say which one 'Hidden' falls into however it is very well written and keeps feeding you red herrings throughout.
Initially the jumping from the present to the past was slightly distracting as was the amount of different characters that we were introduced to but this only added to the complexity of the story and more realistic. The setting in a council estate in the 1980's could be anywhere and reminded me of my upbringing in the 70's with a mother like Jen's (the 14 year old killer) who hated living in a tower block and made it so perfect inside, it didn't feel like a home!
The story isn't just about who killed Kelly but also getting justice and truth for her dying mother, sibling rivalry, love and friendships between teenagers and how our parents can shape us - if they choose so!
Overall I'd give it 4.5* and thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.
Initially the jumping from the present to the past was slightly distracting as was the amount of different characters that we were introduced to but this only added to the complexity of the story and more realistic. The setting in a council estate in the 1980's could be anywhere and reminded me of my upbringing in the 70's with a mother like Jen's (the 14 year old killer) who hated living in a tower block and made it so perfect inside, it didn't feel like a home!
The story isn't just about who killed Kelly but also getting justice and truth for her dying mother, sibling rivalry, love and friendships between teenagers and how our parents can shape us - if they choose so!
Overall I'd give it 4.5* and thanks to Bloodhound Books for the ARC to review.
September 10, 2019
Hidden is the first book that I have read by Lisa Sell and I know it won’t be my last. The story starts with Jennifer (Jen) making a shocking proclamation from her childhood and then we are along for the ride on how her life came to be. There are a generous amount of twists and turns with plenty of flashbacks which carry you through the ages. The characters are well thought out and you truly delve into who they are and how they fit into the council; adults and children alike. This book really covers all the bases of family dynamics (as messed up as they are), friendships, young love/long lost love and murder.
November 4, 2019
I liked this book for several reasons. The setting is great - both time and place - and the characters, of which there are enough to keep you guessing, are intriguing. You never really know where you're at, what and who to believe right to the end. It wasn't always easy to relate to the main character, Jen, in the beginning, but the deeper you get into the book, the more you grow to understand her inner workings and how they tie into her past and present situation - and why she tends to make things difficult for herself so often. Overall, I was well entertained from start to finish.
August 27, 2019
“Hidden” by Lisa Sell is a great 80’s based psychological thriller. The cover is very striking and eye catching.
It’s based in a council estate so there is a lot of characters to the story - this did confuse me for quite a lot of the book, but I still really enjoyed it.
A well written story with red herrings thrown in to throw the reader off the scent until the final scenes.
I look forward to reading more from this author very soon.
It’s based in a council estate so there is a lot of characters to the story - this did confuse me for quite a lot of the book, but I still really enjoyed it.
A well written story with red herrings thrown in to throw the reader off the scent until the final scenes.
I look forward to reading more from this author very soon.
August 15, 2019
Honestly couldn’t put this book down!! Really likeable and believable characters and absolutely loved taking a trip down memory lane with all the 80’s references!
Gripping to the end and couldn’t guess the ending at all until the very last second. Absolutely loved it and can’t wait to read more from this author.
Gripping to the end and couldn’t guess the ending at all until the very last second. Absolutely loved it and can’t wait to read more from this author.
August 30, 2019
Interesting read, could relate to a lot of the characters and a good storyline
August 2, 2024
Lots of secrets, lots of lies
April 24, 2022
A dying woman's wish to uncover the truth about her daughter's death in 1987 and another's attempts to relinquish her guilty and bury the past once and for all. I really liked this book and the writing style ticked all of the boxes. A captivating blurb that hooks you instantly. This book has all of the raw ingredients of a good quality crime mystery in abundance. Secrets, lies, murder, and the unexpected are expertly woven together with characters that you will loathe and others you cant help but root for. This book definitely ignites the inner detective in the reader and before you know it you are swept along with the plot itching to find who, what, where, and why. I thoroughly recommend this book and will definitely be buying and reading more from this author in the future.
August 27, 2019
Jen is training to be a counsellor, but she has now own problems..all stemming from her childhood on the Rembrandt estate.
A young girl, Kelly, had died on the railway track…Jen believes it was her fault and the guilt has troubled her ever since.
Kelly’s mum, Doreen, now ill, is trying to find out the truth….how did Kelly die?
There’s Jen, made to befriend Kelly by her domineering mum. Claire, her friend who wants to be a reporter……Johnny, who she has a secret crush on and her brother, Liam, the golden boy…
Just who would want to hurt Kelly ? Who knows the truth and why would they keep it to themselves?
This is a disturbing read, from the treatment of children by their parents and guardians to the bullying by siblings and peers and it is heartbreaking at times. It has such a believability and a sense of reality, all due to the incredibly descriptive, emotion packed writing by Lisa Sell. I loved the 80’s references too….Twonk…I haven’t heard that in years…. Utterly compelling from start to finish.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
A young girl, Kelly, had died on the railway track…Jen believes it was her fault and the guilt has troubled her ever since.
Kelly’s mum, Doreen, now ill, is trying to find out the truth….how did Kelly die?
There’s Jen, made to befriend Kelly by her domineering mum. Claire, her friend who wants to be a reporter……Johnny, who she has a secret crush on and her brother, Liam, the golden boy…
Just who would want to hurt Kelly ? Who knows the truth and why would they keep it to themselves?
This is a disturbing read, from the treatment of children by their parents and guardians to the bullying by siblings and peers and it is heartbreaking at times. It has such a believability and a sense of reality, all due to the incredibly descriptive, emotion packed writing by Lisa Sell. I loved the 80’s references too….Twonk…I haven’t heard that in years…. Utterly compelling from start to finish.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
August 30, 2019
"When I was 14, I killed a girl."
Lisa Sell's debut novel, Hidden, is an absolute ride! When a grieving mother, diagnosed with cancer, is desperate to solve the mystery surrounding her daughter's death, she inadvertently asks Kelly's killer to help. What follows is a web so twisted, you can't help but turn the pages.
Told in two timelines - the 1980s and the present - Hidden brings together so many well-written characters that are immensely charming and utterly despicable (sometimes both). Their backstories, loaded with secrets, lies, and dysfunction, pull you in and leave you with a feeling of relatability that is rare in the genre. Establishing those layered backstories means the start is a little slow, but it's quick to abate once the twists and turns and little red herrings start seeping in, and little by little, the pace picks up, the suspense builds, and you're hit with an ending that you won't see coming.
If you're an 80's kid like me, you'll definitely get a kick out of the references, but even if you're just a general psychological thriller fan, Lisa Sell is definitely an author you should have on your bookshelf!
Lisa Sell's debut novel, Hidden, is an absolute ride! When a grieving mother, diagnosed with cancer, is desperate to solve the mystery surrounding her daughter's death, she inadvertently asks Kelly's killer to help. What follows is a web so twisted, you can't help but turn the pages.
Told in two timelines - the 1980s and the present - Hidden brings together so many well-written characters that are immensely charming and utterly despicable (sometimes both). Their backstories, loaded with secrets, lies, and dysfunction, pull you in and leave you with a feeling of relatability that is rare in the genre. Establishing those layered backstories means the start is a little slow, but it's quick to abate once the twists and turns and little red herrings start seeping in, and little by little, the pace picks up, the suspense builds, and you're hit with an ending that you won't see coming.
If you're an 80's kid like me, you'll definitely get a kick out of the references, but even if you're just a general psychological thriller fan, Lisa Sell is definitely an author you should have on your bookshelf!
September 14, 2019
Jen Taylor is a trainee councillor with a secret.
Brought up on a council estate in the 1980’s with a mother who abused her and a weak father she dreamt of becoming a doctor in order to escape. However her actions towards another girl, Kelly, sends her spiralling into drink and drug abuse.
As she is trying to build herself up and leave the drink and drugs behind she is taken back to her childhood by a friend, Claire who is a journalist, and is trying to find answers to Kelly’s death. Kelly’s mum doesn’t believe she took her own life and she want answers before she herself dies.
This book frustrated me a little at first as I was inundated by characters, reminding me of a Dickens novel. However I soon became enthralled by the main characters and began to empathise with them, especially Kelly.
The story takes many twists and turns and it’s not until I got near to the end I realised who the culprit was.
The blurb says it’s an absolutely gripping crime mystery and I couldn’t agree more. I have voluntarily reviewed this book as an ARC reader for Bloodhound books
Brought up on a council estate in the 1980’s with a mother who abused her and a weak father she dreamt of becoming a doctor in order to escape. However her actions towards another girl, Kelly, sends her spiralling into drink and drug abuse.
As she is trying to build herself up and leave the drink and drugs behind she is taken back to her childhood by a friend, Claire who is a journalist, and is trying to find answers to Kelly’s death. Kelly’s mum doesn’t believe she took her own life and she want answers before she herself dies.
This book frustrated me a little at first as I was inundated by characters, reminding me of a Dickens novel. However I soon became enthralled by the main characters and began to empathise with them, especially Kelly.
The story takes many twists and turns and it’s not until I got near to the end I realised who the culprit was.
The blurb says it’s an absolutely gripping crime mystery and I couldn’t agree more. I have voluntarily reviewed this book as an ARC reader for Bloodhound books
August 26, 2019
Jen works in a counselling office and is training to be a counsellor. She has had a rough ride and all credit to her has pulled herself back in line and on the up. However Jen has a secret- when she was a child she killed another girl and no one found out, her death was put down to either suicide or misadventure. When she meets with the girls mother she explains that she now only has a few months to live and believes that Kelly was murdered and would Jen help with some of her old friends to try and find out what went on. Jen understandably is quaking in her shoes. Did she really kill her or was there more to that day? We are taken back in alternate chapters to the 1980’s when the story began and I loved some of the references to that era (being of a certain age!) There are quite a few characters to discover and who fits where but this is well done without overdoing the detail. A clever plot, an interesting read and a touch of nostalgia.
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August 26, 2019
This is Lisa Sell's first novel - and what a cracker it is!
Jen fled from her old life after leaving a girl for dead after an argument. The inquest stated the cause of death was suicide, but Jen is convinced she was responsible for Kelly's death and has kept this secret to herself since childhood. Her old friend Claire contacts her out of the blue, asking her to help look into what happened that day in 1987. Kelly's mother is seriously ill and doesn't believe her daughter would have killed herself, so wants to discover the truth behind Kelly's death before she herself passes away.
The book moves seamlessly between the past and present, with a fantastic portrayal of life on an eighties housing estate. There are many characters in this story, but as the author is so talented at creating them, there is no confusion over who is who.
This is an excellent read and I look forward to more by this writer. Highly recommended to those loving a good mystery.
Jen fled from her old life after leaving a girl for dead after an argument. The inquest stated the cause of death was suicide, but Jen is convinced she was responsible for Kelly's death and has kept this secret to herself since childhood. Her old friend Claire contacts her out of the blue, asking her to help look into what happened that day in 1987. Kelly's mother is seriously ill and doesn't believe her daughter would have killed herself, so wants to discover the truth behind Kelly's death before she herself passes away.
The book moves seamlessly between the past and present, with a fantastic portrayal of life on an eighties housing estate. There are many characters in this story, but as the author is so talented at creating them, there is no confusion over who is who.
This is an excellent read and I look forward to more by this writer. Highly recommended to those loving a good mystery.
August 21, 2019
First book by Lisa Sell, to say I enjoyed it is an understatement! Jen is a counsellor in training but, while helping others she has her own burden to carry. She has a secret noone knows and when the past comes back to haunt her, she embarks on a mission to make sure noone finds out that secret. The story flits back and forward, 1 chapter the past then the next the present, I enjoyed this format and I felt connected to Jen within both past and present. The truth emerges as the story unfolds but, the truth is harder to deal with that what Jen herself has been hiding. I didn't guess the ending and found the red herrings throughout added to the mystery.
A massive thank you to Bloodhound books and Lisa Sell for the Advanced Readers Copy I received in exchange for a honest review.
A massive thank you to Bloodhound books and Lisa Sell for the Advanced Readers Copy I received in exchange for a honest review.
August 25, 2019
This book took a while to get into however the more I got into it the better it got. A grieving mother was determined to find out who killed her daughter some years earlier before she herself died. Jen Taylor had lived with a guilt for many years thinking she had killed Kelly but had she?
As the investigation progressed there were many red herrings put in place for the reader.
My only misgivings about this book were it jumped around a lot which got a bit confusing and there was a lot of different characters in the book. The author, Lisa Sell, was setting the scene for which ultimately was a very good book with lots of twists and turns.
Thank you to Bloodhound books for the ARC.
As the investigation progressed there were many red herrings put in place for the reader.
My only misgivings about this book were it jumped around a lot which got a bit confusing and there was a lot of different characters in the book. The author, Lisa Sell, was setting the scene for which ultimately was a very good book with lots of twists and turns.
Thank you to Bloodhound books for the ARC.
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