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Hidden Intentions
When thirteen-year-old Cailey Marshall’s mission to an abandoned Texas house goes wrong, she must find ways to escape from her ruthless kidnappers and survive, while her parents are forced into making a deadly choice to save their daughter and discover the truth. Cailey sets out on a dare devised by her clique of friends, but the dare goes horribly wrong. When her father, Barry Marshall, discovers that his daughter’s adventurous game got her kidnapped by Anne Murphy and her cohorts, he is faced with a deadly dilemma. Anne’s ultimatum requires him to kill his brother or Cailey dies. She refuses to tell him why his brother must die. On the other hand, a mother will do anything for her child. It is Erin, who without hesitation, goes out on a limb to save her daughter. Even if it means murder to do it. Meanwhile, Cailey must deal with Anne’s sadistic torment if she hopes to survive.
340 pages, Paperback
Published December 5, 2020
4 people want to read
About the author
Alan Brenham
40 books110 followersAlan Brenham is the pseudonym of Alan Behr, an American author and attorney.
He served as a law enforcement officer before earning a law degree from Baylor University and worked as a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney for twenty-two years.
Alan began his writing craft by studying novels by Michael McGarrity, James Hayman, and Michael Connelly.
He has authored ten crime fiction novels. Alan and his wife, Lillian, currently live in the Central Texas area.
He served as a law enforcement officer before earning a law degree from Baylor University and worked as a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney for twenty-two years.
Alan began his writing craft by studying novels by Michael McGarrity, James Hayman, and Michael Connelly.
He has authored ten crime fiction novels. Alan and his wife, Lillian, currently live in the Central Texas area.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 6, 2021
First mistake --- 13-year-old Cailey Marshall takes on a dare from some school friends. She is to enter an abandoned house where something has been hidden that she has to find. Second mistake -- she didn't tell anyone except her best friend where she was going ...and she made her swear she'd never tell.
Now she finds herself kidnapped and then locked in a room ..somewhere. She's attached to chains and the windows are boarded up. So far, there's only three of them .. 2 women and 1 really scary man.
The kidnappers have been contacted ... in order to get their daughter back, her father must kill his own brother. He has 7 days to complete the task.
The plot is tightly woven, with alternating chapters of Cailey and her mindset, and the parents, whose worst nightmare has come true. The family is somewhat dysfunctional, but willing to do almost anything to get Cailey back. The brother they want killed already has issues ... and then he suggests an alternate way to convince the kidnappers he has been killed. Cailey's mother is all for killing her brother-in-law, so she's high on the list of suspects of those who want the brother dead.
The suspense starts almost immediately, and then goes up by several degrees when Cailey learns what's going to happen to her if her parents don't find her ...soon. All the characters are finely drawn ... some with issues, some are just downright scary. The unexpected and surprising ending came fast and furious.
Many thanks to the author / Book Sirens for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and completely my own.
Now she finds herself kidnapped and then locked in a room ..somewhere. She's attached to chains and the windows are boarded up. So far, there's only three of them .. 2 women and 1 really scary man.
The kidnappers have been contacted ... in order to get their daughter back, her father must kill his own brother. He has 7 days to complete the task.
The plot is tightly woven, with alternating chapters of Cailey and her mindset, and the parents, whose worst nightmare has come true. The family is somewhat dysfunctional, but willing to do almost anything to get Cailey back. The brother they want killed already has issues ... and then he suggests an alternate way to convince the kidnappers he has been killed. Cailey's mother is all for killing her brother-in-law, so she's high on the list of suspects of those who want the brother dead.
The suspense starts almost immediately, and then goes up by several degrees when Cailey learns what's going to happen to her if her parents don't find her ...soon. All the characters are finely drawn ... some with issues, some are just downright scary. The unexpected and surprising ending came fast and furious.
Many thanks to the author / Book Sirens for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and completely my own.
April 1, 2024
Cailey Marshall is no longer the child we saw in book one, “Game Piece.” Maturing, becoming more independent, and well into middle school, this second book “Hidden Intentions” centers around an older Cailey. Barry has positively adjusted his priorities and the Marshall family seems to be thriving.
Until it is all ripped apart with the kidnapping of Cailey Marshall and the demands to kill Barry’s brother, Stuart, within seven days. Author Alan Brenham leaves readers asking themselves, would you kill your own family to save your daughter?
This tense game of cat and mouse, between the kidnappers and Marshall family pushes everyone’s emotions to the brink. Revolving around Cailey, her captivity, and her captors, while simultaneously putting Barry and wife, Erin, at odds with their decisions, relationships, strength, and emotions are all tested within.
Brenham has a powerful ability to captivate and thrash readers with his plots, supporting cast of characters, and psychological turmoil. From Erin’s parents to Barry’s brother, the runaways, and kidnappers, “Hidden Intentions” was a whirlwind of a ride.
As a parent, I found myself struggling to come to grips with the scenario the Marshall family was facing. Struggling to maintain independence from the police, while trying to do everything to get your daughter back. Every parent’s worst nightmare is on full display in Brenham’s second book in The Barry Marshall Series.
Until it is all ripped apart with the kidnapping of Cailey Marshall and the demands to kill Barry’s brother, Stuart, within seven days. Author Alan Brenham leaves readers asking themselves, would you kill your own family to save your daughter?
This tense game of cat and mouse, between the kidnappers and Marshall family pushes everyone’s emotions to the brink. Revolving around Cailey, her captivity, and her captors, while simultaneously putting Barry and wife, Erin, at odds with their decisions, relationships, strength, and emotions are all tested within.
Brenham has a powerful ability to captivate and thrash readers with his plots, supporting cast of characters, and psychological turmoil. From Erin’s parents to Barry’s brother, the runaways, and kidnappers, “Hidden Intentions” was a whirlwind of a ride.
As a parent, I found myself struggling to come to grips with the scenario the Marshall family was facing. Struggling to maintain independence from the police, while trying to do everything to get your daughter back. Every parent’s worst nightmare is on full display in Brenham’s second book in The Barry Marshall Series.
January 19, 2021
If you enjoy steady action, an intense plot, complex dynamics, and a happy ending, then give Hidden Intentions a try.
After some digging, I found Hidden Intentions is the second novel in a series about the Marshall family. Game Piece is the first book. You don't have to read book one to pick up on the plot emphasized within these pages. Although there are plot points from the first novel that make me curious about what happened. It seems as if the Marshalls have had their fair share of trouble, and it continues in this second installment. We begin with thirteen-year-old Cailey Marshall being kidnapped, while out on a dare, and follow-up with her parents being informed of her abduction. The price needed for their daughter's release? Her father has to kill his brother.
Author Alan Brenham does a good job of setting up his scenes and diving into conflict during the very first chapter. He keeps the flow of the story moving between the main protagonist Cailey and her parents as well as one of the kidnappers. This benefits the reader by getting the inside look at what's happening on both sides of the situation. The pacing is quick and keeps moving throughout each chapter. The overall mystery at work keeps the reader guessing and engages you to get it read.
The intricate reasons why Cailey was kidnapped create suspense and tension. You're reading every chapter hoping to learn more. You will get caught up in the storyline, desire for Cailey to escape or be rescued, and have hope for retribution. The author does an admirable job of pulling all the strings together and tying it into an acceptable bow.
There are a few reasons this book sets itself apart from other books in crime and kidnapping categories. I can appreciate the originality, entangled rationale, and most of all, the ending. Because of the harsh violence and inconsistent attitude toward Cailey by Clint - one of the kidnappers, some of the language, the ambiguity of the parent's relationship at the end, and some improbable situations, I was led to struggle with what to rate this. However, I believe "it's worth a read" (3/5) for anyone who likes action-based mysteries, crime thrillers, and coming of age books.
I do encourage you to please give it a try and see what you think.
Thanks to the author and Reedsy Discovery for allowing me to read and give an honest review.
To find our more details, please read my blog review: https://rebeccaswriteinspirations.blo...
After some digging, I found Hidden Intentions is the second novel in a series about the Marshall family. Game Piece is the first book. You don't have to read book one to pick up on the plot emphasized within these pages. Although there are plot points from the first novel that make me curious about what happened. It seems as if the Marshalls have had their fair share of trouble, and it continues in this second installment. We begin with thirteen-year-old Cailey Marshall being kidnapped, while out on a dare, and follow-up with her parents being informed of her abduction. The price needed for their daughter's release? Her father has to kill his brother.
Author Alan Brenham does a good job of setting up his scenes and diving into conflict during the very first chapter. He keeps the flow of the story moving between the main protagonist Cailey and her parents as well as one of the kidnappers. This benefits the reader by getting the inside look at what's happening on both sides of the situation. The pacing is quick and keeps moving throughout each chapter. The overall mystery at work keeps the reader guessing and engages you to get it read.
The intricate reasons why Cailey was kidnapped create suspense and tension. You're reading every chapter hoping to learn more. You will get caught up in the storyline, desire for Cailey to escape or be rescued, and have hope for retribution. The author does an admirable job of pulling all the strings together and tying it into an acceptable bow.
There are a few reasons this book sets itself apart from other books in crime and kidnapping categories. I can appreciate the originality, entangled rationale, and most of all, the ending. Because of the harsh violence and inconsistent attitude toward Cailey by Clint - one of the kidnappers, some of the language, the ambiguity of the parent's relationship at the end, and some improbable situations, I was led to struggle with what to rate this. However, I believe "it's worth a read" (3/5) for anyone who likes action-based mysteries, crime thrillers, and coming of age books.
I do encourage you to please give it a try and see what you think.
Thanks to the author and Reedsy Discovery for allowing me to read and give an honest review.
To find our more details, please read my blog review: https://rebeccaswriteinspirations.blo...
July 22, 2025
Hidden Intentions is a fast-paced, emotionally gripping thriller about a teenage girl kidnapped on a dare gone wrong, and the desperate fight her parents launch to bring her home. The story delivers suspense from the start, with multiple perspectives that keep the tension high. Cailey is a strong and likable protagonist, and the family dynamics add real depth. While some parts of the writing feel a bit young and a few plot turns are a bit convenient, overall it’s a compelling and heartfelt read that kept me turning pages. Great for fans of suspenseful family dramas with strong female characters.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews