What do you think?
Rate this book
Hiding Out
SOMEONE DOESN'T WANT THE TRUTH TO BE UNCOVERED. . .
Saturday April 26th 2003: Toby Ellis was looking after his four-month-old nephew, Derek Ellis. He nipped into his local newsagents, leaving the pram outside. Toby claimed he left the child for no longer than two minutes - but during this time, little Derek was abducted. Six days later the baby's body was discovered, buried in a nearby wooded area. Cause of death: a blow to the head. No one was ever charged with the murder and the case has remained ongoing.
As part of their final media degree assessment, three university students - Natalie Driver, Vic Grant, and J.J. Collins - decide to make a podcast about the cold case which happened in Colecastle 14 years ago.
But the students' podcast stirs up big trouble for the trio. After the first one goes out, Vic receives a call from a listener, claiming to have new evidence about the day Derek was snatched. He and J.J. go to meet the source - only to disappear themselves. The only contact Natalie has received is a text sent from J.J.'s phone which reads "We're watching you. Stop this now."
Now Natalie is in hiding, claiming she fears for her safety. Her nightly podcasts are attracting more and more interest - #whereisnatalie and #findvicandjj are rife with speculation. But are the three students actually in danger? Or - as their lecturer Dr. Lena Bewick believes - is this all an elaborate media hoax?
RUNNING TIME ⇒ 3hrs. and 45mins.
©2020 Gerard Stembridge (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Saturday April 26th 2003: Toby Ellis was looking after his four-month-old nephew, Derek Ellis. He nipped into his local newsagents, leaving the pram outside. Toby claimed he left the child for no longer than two minutes - but during this time, little Derek was abducted. Six days later the baby's body was discovered, buried in a nearby wooded area. Cause of death: a blow to the head. No one was ever charged with the murder and the case has remained ongoing.
As part of their final media degree assessment, three university students - Natalie Driver, Vic Grant, and J.J. Collins - decide to make a podcast about the cold case which happened in Colecastle 14 years ago.
But the students' podcast stirs up big trouble for the trio. After the first one goes out, Vic receives a call from a listener, claiming to have new evidence about the day Derek was snatched. He and J.J. go to meet the source - only to disappear themselves. The only contact Natalie has received is a text sent from J.J.'s phone which reads "We're watching you. Stop this now."
Now Natalie is in hiding, claiming she fears for her safety. Her nightly podcasts are attracting more and more interest - #whereisnatalie and #findvicandjj are rife with speculation. But are the three students actually in danger? Or - as their lecturer Dr. Lena Bewick believes - is this all an elaborate media hoax?
RUNNING TIME ⇒ 3hrs. and 45mins.
©2020 Gerard Stembridge (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
- GenresAudiobook
Audible Audio
First published June 18, 2020
4 people want to read
About the author
Gerard Stembridge
17 books47 followersGerard "Gerry" Stembridge is an Irish writer, director and actor. He was educated at CBS Sexton Street in Limerick. While attending University College Dublin, he was auditor of the Literary and Historical Society. He taught English and drama at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Clontarf.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 14, 2020
From BBC Radio 4:
As part of their final Media Degree assessment at NUC in Northern Ireland, three final year university students - Natalie Driver, JJ Collins and Vic Grant - decide to make a podcast about a cold case which happened in Colecastle fourteen years ago. On Saturday April 26th 2003, Toby Ellis was minding his four month old nephew, Derek Ellis. He nipped into his local newsagents and left the pram outside on the street. He claimed he left the child for no longer than two minutes. During this time, the baby was abducted and six days later the infant's body was discovered buried in a nearby wooded area, Mountford. Cause of death, a blow to the head. No one was ever charged with the murder and the case has remained on-going.
The first episode of Hiding Out is a podcast hosted by one of the students, Natalie; she reveals she is currently in hiding fearing for her safety. Having published their first podcast on The Murder at Colecastle, her fellow student Vic had received a call from someone who had heard the podcast claiming they had new evidence about the day the child was abducted. Vic and JJ met with the source. That was 3 days ago and no one has seen or heard from either Vic or JJ since... The only contact Natalie has received is a text sent from her classmate JJ's phone which reads "We're watching you. Stop this now." Natalie knows their disappearance is clearly linked to digging into the murder of Derek Ellis. If she finds them, she may finally find the truth of what happened in Colecastle. Natalie's nightly podcasts of 'Hiding Out' are attracting more and more interest - #whereisnatalie and #findvicandjj are rife with speculation. Are these three students actually in danger? Or - as their media lecturer believes - is this all an elaborate media hoax?
Episode 1 of 15
After working on a college podcast, student Natalie Driver fears for her safety and is forced into hiding.
Episode 2 of 15
Episode 3 of 15
Natalie is contacted by someone who may have information on the missing students.
Episode 4 of 15
Natalie's nightly podcast attracts the attention of the local media
Episode 5 of 15
JJ regrets ever having agreed to go along with Vic's plan.
Episode 6 of 15
Dr Bewick receives a call from the police concerning the missing students.
Episode 7 of 15
Natalie receives a distressing email from Caroline Ellis, the dead infant's mother.
Episode 8 of 15
Natalie realises just how much pain her podcast is causing the Ellis family.
Episode 9 of 15
On visiting Vic's parents, Lena makes a disturbing discovery.
Episode 10 of 15
Natalie realises that hiding out comes at a price.
Episode 11 of 15
Inspector Halpin has some uncomfortable questions for Lena.
Episode 12 of 15
Natalie has a crucial lead on the Ellis murder which takes her to Scotland.
Episode 13 of 15
Vic reveals his master plan to Natalie.
Episode 14 of 15
Natalie has escaped from the cottage, but will Vic let her go so easily?
Episode 15 of 15
Dr Bewick reveals the shocking outcome of the podcast.
Gerard Stembridge wrote the screenplay for the film 'Ordinary Decent Criminal' starring Kevin Spacey and co-wrote the film 'Nora' about James Joyce and Nora Barnacle, starring Ewan McGregor. He has also directed several of his own screenplays including 'About Adam' starring Kate Hudson and Stuart Townsend. He recently wrote the feature film 'The Randomer' (2016) produced by the students of the Filmbase Masters Programme in Digital Feature Film Production in Dublin. He has also written four novels.
As part of their final Media Degree assessment at NUC in Northern Ireland, three final year university students - Natalie Driver, JJ Collins and Vic Grant - decide to make a podcast about a cold case which happened in Colecastle fourteen years ago. On Saturday April 26th 2003, Toby Ellis was minding his four month old nephew, Derek Ellis. He nipped into his local newsagents and left the pram outside on the street. He claimed he left the child for no longer than two minutes. During this time, the baby was abducted and six days later the infant's body was discovered buried in a nearby wooded area, Mountford. Cause of death, a blow to the head. No one was ever charged with the murder and the case has remained on-going.
The first episode of Hiding Out is a podcast hosted by one of the students, Natalie; she reveals she is currently in hiding fearing for her safety. Having published their first podcast on The Murder at Colecastle, her fellow student Vic had received a call from someone who had heard the podcast claiming they had new evidence about the day the child was abducted. Vic and JJ met with the source. That was 3 days ago and no one has seen or heard from either Vic or JJ since... The only contact Natalie has received is a text sent from her classmate JJ's phone which reads "We're watching you. Stop this now." Natalie knows their disappearance is clearly linked to digging into the murder of Derek Ellis. If she finds them, she may finally find the truth of what happened in Colecastle. Natalie's nightly podcasts of 'Hiding Out' are attracting more and more interest - #whereisnatalie and #findvicandjj are rife with speculation. Are these three students actually in danger? Or - as their media lecturer believes - is this all an elaborate media hoax?
Episode 1 of 15
After working on a college podcast, student Natalie Driver fears for her safety and is forced into hiding.
Episode 2 of 15
Episode 3 of 15
Natalie is contacted by someone who may have information on the missing students.
Episode 4 of 15
Natalie's nightly podcast attracts the attention of the local media
Episode 5 of 15
JJ regrets ever having agreed to go along with Vic's plan.
Episode 6 of 15
Dr Bewick receives a call from the police concerning the missing students.
Episode 7 of 15
Natalie receives a distressing email from Caroline Ellis, the dead infant's mother.
Episode 8 of 15
Natalie realises just how much pain her podcast is causing the Ellis family.
Episode 9 of 15
On visiting Vic's parents, Lena makes a disturbing discovery.
Episode 10 of 15
Natalie realises that hiding out comes at a price.
Episode 11 of 15
Inspector Halpin has some uncomfortable questions for Lena.
Episode 12 of 15
Natalie has a crucial lead on the Ellis murder which takes her to Scotland.
Episode 13 of 15
Vic reveals his master plan to Natalie.
Episode 14 of 15
Natalie has escaped from the cottage, but will Vic let her go so easily?
Episode 15 of 15
Dr Bewick reveals the shocking outcome of the podcast.
Gerard Stembridge wrote the screenplay for the film 'Ordinary Decent Criminal' starring Kevin Spacey and co-wrote the film 'Nora' about James Joyce and Nora Barnacle, starring Ewan McGregor. He has also directed several of his own screenplays including 'About Adam' starring Kate Hudson and Stuart Townsend. He recently wrote the feature film 'The Randomer' (2016) produced by the students of the Filmbase Masters Programme in Digital Feature Film Production in Dublin. He has also written four novels.
Displaying 1 of 1 review