Underground

by J.L. Hyde

After suffering for years in her thankless and stressful role working for a restaurant group in Illinois, Lindy Michaels finally catches a break when her husband, Hayden, receives a promotion that will allow her to quit her job. The only catch? It requires them to move to Oklahoma City.

After relocating, Lindy spends more and more of her newfound free time with her online group of true-crime enthusiasts and even makes a real-life friend from the group, who happens to live in Oklahoma.

The women quickly become close as they meet weekly to drink coffee and discuss their lives and the latest headlines. The peace is short-lived when they find themselves in the middle of their own true crime nightmare after a terrifying encounter connects them to the case of a local missing woman. Just how far will they go to find answers?

Genres: Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Fiction

186 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 2021

About the author

Hi Everyone!

Thank you for stopping by to rate my books or see my reviews. I don't spend much time on Goodreads, as it's not great for the mental health of an author to obsess over their own reviews.

I simply rate books as I finish reading them, and if you'd like a full review, check out my Instagram - @bookandbeerreview - where I keep it light, funny, and never disrespect fellow authors!

Happy reading!

Reviews

[Donita Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I've read in awhile!! I thought I had it all figured out but the reveal took me by surprise! I hope this is the first of many novels to come. Jamie, you are now one of my favorite authors!!

[Anthony Fratto · Rating 2 out of 5]

I once heard that JFK advised Frank Sinatra to leave politics out of his show. Reason? Because you will automatically loose half your audience otherwise!
It becomes apparent early on in this book that the narrator’s voice as well as the main character are left of center and hate all things to the right of center. This nearly had me giving up on reading this book, it surely was not for me, who is right of center. Wanting to be fair and open minded I pushed on.
The book is rather well written. The Author obviously is educated. As far as “who dun its” are concerned I had figured out the mystery very early on. This is not a deal breaker, I normally do have it figured early on, no matter the Author. This author’s hatred for all things on the Right, For God, Country, Men, Marriage, just made “cracking this case” way to easy, child’s play. The Author’s agenda, the message they wanted to spread was so predictable, that any grade school child could have predicted the ending of this book with In the first 50 pages.
Over all this book was a complete waste of my time to read. I am sure however that any liberal, democrat , people left of center would love it.

[Tor Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st review I’ve ever written, so it won’t be much. Underground deserves to be reviewed though! The characters are relatable even with the polarity of personalities between them all. The author’s descriptions of various scenes make you feel like you are actually in the pages. The plot twist at the end of the book... I am shooketh! Unbelievable. Generally you can anticipate certain aspects of a plot twist, but this twist had my jaw in my lap. Absolutely incredible new author! I’ve already found her on social media just to be notified when her next book is released. She’s made me commit to reading new, up-and-coming, self-published authors! 🙌🏽

[April Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I have never left a review on here, but I felt that this book definitely warranted one! I'm a huge fan of true crime and thriller novels, so Underground was the best of both worlds for me! Loved all of the twists and turns this novel had to offer. Definitely kept my attention and it was hard to put down. Can't wait to see what else Jamie has in store for us! #fireupchips

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Audiobook Review:
Underground by J.L. Hyde

If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that keeps you on edge, Underground is an absolute must-listen!

📖 The Story: J.L. Hyde weaves a dark and gripping mystery around Lindy Michaels, a woman who finds solace in a true crime community—until she and her friend become entangled in a real-life disappearance. The tension builds masterfully, keeping you questioning who can be trusted.

🎧 The Narration: Jessica Renee Brown's performance is phenomenal—she delivers a voice that is both immersive and emotionally gripping. Her pacing is spot on, making every twist hit with full impact. She has risen to my top-tier narrators!

✨ Why It’s 5 Stars:
✅ Engaging Plot – A mystery that keeps you guessing until the final reveal.
✅ Atmospheric Storytelling – Hyde’s writing pulls you into Lindy's world completely.
✅ Top-Tier Narration – Ryan’s delivery enhances every chilling moment.

Underground is an unforgettable audiobook experience, blending psychological suspense with riveting narration. If you’re a fan of true crime vibes and gripping thrillers, this one is a must-add to your listening queue!

[Megan Stover · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading the Grady Lake series I was excited to jump into another J.L. Hyde book, but this was kind of a letdown. I kept waiting for something else to happen. And the title threw me since “the Underground” is literally talked about in one chapter and then never revisited. 🤷🏼‍♀️ still looking forward to reading the rest of Hyde’s catalog, but this one just didn’t do it for me.

[Sara Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uh oh

This was a cute, but sophomoric who done it. It had good details, but was somewhat predictable. Even the ending seemed a little contrived. It might be a better fit for a novice mystery reader.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this locally set (Oklahoma City) thriller with landmarks that I have frequented many times. So refreshing to read a fun crime book that was fast and furious and still surprised me at the end.

Well done. JL Hyde! Cheers.

[Ashley Chmielewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this! That last page was perfect!

[Morgan Valente · Rating 3 out of 5]

def enjoyed. anticipated the ending fs but still a good read

[Amanda Dove · Rating 5 out of 5]

hard to put down, and finished every chapter going, oh man oh man one more chapter..

5/5 Yoops and big you betcha!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great debut novel! Loved how it all came together!!

[Alicia House · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. I love a good twist and this book delivered. I 100% recommend!

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - murder mystery fans falling into real life murder mystery was a fun premise

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started this book and couldn’t stop. It’s a quick page turner that I finished in one night. The author draws you in from the first few pages. Lindy is such a relatable character: a workaholic, a wife, and a loyal friend. The drama and suspense that develops around her keeps you entertained and wanting more. Highly suggest this book! A great and fast-paced novel!

[Twylla Kerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

It started a little slow but loved the twist at the end!

[K.C. Van Nuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

The "Underground" is a fantastic debut novel by JL Hyde! I found myself keeping my kids distracted with other things so that I could keep reading chapter after chapter (why do our kids always want to talk with us when we are reading something good but have selective hearing when we are trying to talk with them!?).  The story is so intriguing that you will get hooked and not want to put the book down. I can't wait for more from the author! 👏👏👏

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but ...

Good book, but I knew who the killer was early on in the book. The author also brings in many left wing and God comments that I personally not appreciate.

[Luke Custer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Underground by J.L. Hyde was an interesting debut novel, though it felt a bit more sophomoric compared to her later works. You can definitely tell she was still figuring out her voice and style as a writer. The story, set in Oklahoma City, takes place in the "Underground," a real-life place that added an intriguing element to the setting. I appreciated the setting and the atmosphere Hyde built, but I found most of the characters, including Lindy, the main protagonist, difficult to connect with. They weren't really likeable, which made it harder to invest in the story on an emotional level.

While the plot was fairly predictable throughout, the epilogue was a pleasant surprise with a twist that I didn't see coming, which gave the book a bit of a redemption arc in the final moments. Overall, The Underground was worth reading as a look into Hyde's early work, but it's not one I'd likely revisit. That said, it's clear that Hyde has grown a lot as a writer over the past few years, and I'm really excited to see what her next book has in store. It's evident she's become much stronger in her craft, and I can't wait to see her continue to evolve.

[BookD · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Addictive Thriller That Keeps You Guessing!

I can’t believe I missed this book, I love everything that Hyde writes! This one was good, but probably my least favorite of all her books. I gave it 4 stars because it did everything a thriller should. It had me hooked, trying to guess the mystery and invested in the characters. But I’m just unsatisfied with the ending. I wasn’t really surprised, but I wish it felt more finished. It just leaves you with your jaw dropped and then it’s over. This would be good if there was another book, but there’s not. I hate endings like this. For me, as much as I enjoy a book/series, if the ending isn’t satisfying I don’t like the book and don’t recommend it. But if endings like that don’t bother you, this is a very good and hard to put down thriller!

[Kristy May · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such an interesting concept and definitely had the creepy factor going for it. The idea of a hidden underground network of businesses and secrets was really intriguing, and I loved the unsettling atmosphere throughout.

That said, the pacing didn’t quite work for me. For a shorter book, it felt like it took a long time to move forward, and I found myself getting a bit impatient waiting for things to really unfold. The story itself wasn’t bad at all, I was invested in what was happening, but it just dragged more than I expected.

The characters and relationships added tension (especially the dynamics between the couples), but at times it felt a little repetitive.

Overall, a solid thriller with a great premise, just slower than I wanted.

[Jennie Reads Plenty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very fast read and my first book by J.L. Hyde. The story was predictable almost from the start, but it still held my attention enough that I finished it in a couple hours.

The pacing felt off to me. A lot of the book moved slowly and focused on details that didn’t really seem important, then suddenly the last few chapters felt rushed and wrapped up way too fast.

The author also makes her political views very obvious throughout the book, especially toward Republicans, so if that kind of thing bothers you, I’d probably avoid this one.

With all that said, I still found it entertaining enough for a quick binge read. I already own other books by this author and her ratings are high, though so are Freida McFadden’s 😂 so I’ll still give another one a try eventually

[Jessica Wilczynski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lindy and her husband Hayden decide to leave Chicago for a job opportunity for Hayden in Oklahoma. Lindy is part of an online group that is into true crime. She realizes another member Callie also lives in Oklahoma so they decide to meet up when she arrives. They seem to be adjusting well to their new home and Lindy and Callie have become fast friends but their love for true crime hits close to come when they get involved in a missing persons case.

This was a very short book under 200 pages but I feel like the beginning 75% was really slow and not a lot happened and the ending was rushed and needed more. It had potential but fell a little flat for me.

[Danielle Benjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story and characters were built up strong. I had a hard time reading the book—-it just wasn’t keeping my attention. I also don’t care for endings to be rushed and this one seemed that way. The author spent the entire book leading up to the entire story being finished/concluded in 2-3 paragraphs (if I remember correctly). I felt like the very last paragraph was summed up entirely too quickly but liked the curveball that was thrown. I’d probably read a second book to the series to see how the author develops since this is her first book.

[Sally Vrooman Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading four other books by this author I decided to read the first book she published. J.L. Hyde laughs when speaking of her first book on TikTok and all of the mistakes in the book. I personally thought it was a great story and am surprised she hasn’t wrote a sequel. I love a good mystery with a surprise twist at the end. J.L. Hyde accomplished that with this book, didn’t see the ending coming. I’m so glad I discovered J.L. Hyde as I enjoy her writing style. I look forward to reading all of her books in the future.

[J.C. Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun mystery with a surprise ending! We follow a happily married couple moving to a new town, where the young wife befriends a Facebook friend in real life, the two women having true crime fascinations (Sounds like my kinda gals!) Soon, the friends become embroiled in a real-life mystery that hits closer to home than either could possibly imagine. This had a nice twist at the end and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this author's work!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goooodness!!! I flew through this one, as always with her books. They’re so stinking good! Proof that you don’t need to write a 350+ page story for it to be a page-turner and amazing.

Love the short chapters that kept me turning page after page.
This one left me wondering what would happen next when I wasn’t reading.

AND THAT ENDING! WHAAAT! I really thought I had it completely figured out like halfway through. Oh dang, was I wrong! And now I’m worried about Lindy 😩

[Dani Cushman, First of her name, Mother of Westies · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.74-4 ⭐️ this was a slow burn. Nothing of note really happens for the first ⅔ of the book. Your just getting to know the. Characters and OKC. That’s not a deal broker because when it really takes off it’s pretty non stop. I was able to figure out most of the who-dun-it. That wasn’t hard, but that last chapter was wild. All in all a good book. Kept me interested and wanting to have a quiet moment to read. Not bad for her first book, not as great as her others. I will continue to be a fan.

[Maddy Szymanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was blown away by this first novel from J.L. Hyde. The characters are well written and relatable and the main character, Lindy, is a joy to follow along with. I enjoyed every second of reading this book and the ending was a nice surprise. I found myself wanting more at the end and enjoyed the easy, turn paging read.

[Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun + twisty read! As with all of JL Hyde's books, I devoured this one. I just love her writing style & how she keeps me on the edge of my seat until the very last word.
I lived in Oklahoma for 13ish years so several of the places & things felt familiar, but I fully thought The Underground was fictitious. It is now on my list of things to check it out next time I'm up that way!
5 stars.