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The Ways We Hide
From the New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday comes a sweeping World War II tale of an illusionist whose recruitment by British Intelligence sets her on a perilous, heartrending path
Raised amid the hardships of Michigan's Copper Country, Fenna Vos has learned to focus on her own survival-even now, with the Second World War raging in faraway countries. Though she performs onstage as the assistant to an unruly escape artist, behind the curtain she's the mastermind of their act. After all, her honed ability to control her surroundings and elude entrapments, physical or otherwise, reliably suppresses the traumas of her youth.
For all her planning, however, Fenna fails to predict being called upon by British Intelligence. Tasked with creating escape tools to thwart the Germans, MI9 seeks those with specialized skills for a war nearing its breaking point. Fenna reluctantly joins the unconventional team as an inventor. But when a test of her loyalty draws her deep into the fray, she discovers no mission is more treacherous than escaping one's past.
Inspired by stunning true accounts, The Ways We Hide is a riveting story of love and loss, the wars we fight—on the battlefields and within ourselves—and the courage found in unexpected places.
Raised amid the hardships of Michigan's Copper Country, Fenna Vos has learned to focus on her own survival-even now, with the Second World War raging in faraway countries. Though she performs onstage as the assistant to an unruly escape artist, behind the curtain she's the mastermind of their act. After all, her honed ability to control her surroundings and elude entrapments, physical or otherwise, reliably suppresses the traumas of her youth.
For all her planning, however, Fenna fails to predict being called upon by British Intelligence. Tasked with creating escape tools to thwart the Germans, MI9 seeks those with specialized skills for a war nearing its breaking point. Fenna reluctantly joins the unconventional team as an inventor. But when a test of her loyalty draws her deep into the fray, she discovers no mission is more treacherous than escaping one's past.
Inspired by stunning true accounts, The Ways We Hide is a riveting story of love and loss, the wars we fight—on the battlefields and within ourselves—and the courage found in unexpected places.
536 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2022
1203 people are currently reading
38689 people want to read
About the author
Kristina McMorris
17 books2,909 followersKRISTINA MCMORRIS is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of two novellas and seven historical novels, including the million-copy bestseller Sold on a Monday and, most recently, the instant international bestseller The Ways We Hide, selected as Target’s top-five reads of 2022. A recipient of more than twenty national literary awards, she previously hosted weekly TV shows for Warner Bros. and an ABC affiliate, beginning at age nine with an Emmy Award-winning program, and owned a wedding-and-event-planning company until she had far surpassed her limit of "Y.M.C.A." and chicken dances. Kristina splits her time between San Diego and Portland, Oregon, where she’s the proud mom of two teenage boys who recently stripped her of her longstanding boast of being “tall for an Asian.” For more, visit KristinaMcMorris.com
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April 16, 2025
The Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris
Narrated by Cassandra Campbell
Fenna Vos has not had an easy life. But at the beginning of the book we find her doing something close to her heart. She is a skilled magician, the brains behind a magic show where she portrays the male star's assistant, with Charles getting all the accolades while she fumes because he's started veering off script. It's finally too much and the duo have harsh words for each other. When British military intelligence asks her to join M19 so her expertise can be used to design items to aid the military, she's open to trying something new.
There is an event in her past that colors Fenna's life. She was one of the few children who survived a tragedy that has left her with moments of fear and panic. And there is a man who is never really out of her thoughts but her fears caused her to run away from him. Arie was a childhood friend who became more but Fenna couldn't handle the risk of what he was asking of her. If there is one thing that Fenna is good at it's running away.
I enjoyed the historical touches of this story, Fenna's inspiration of all things Houdini, the mentions of real life events and people, even when some of the real details were altered for sake of the story. The time and place and happenings ring true and this story has given me more trails to follow as I will dig deeper into the things that happen in this story.
I do think I would have enjoyed the story more, though, if we were privy to fewer of Fenna's thoughts and reflections. Right smack dab in the middle of very dangerous action scenes, we get long detailed jaunts down memory lane or angst ridden reflections on what might have been. Fenna can lose focus at the most inconvenient times, forgetting to speak the correct language, forgetting to take important papers, making what could be deadly mistakes at the worse moments. It seems like the biggest obstacle in Fenna's life just might be Fenna herself and I would have liked to have been inside her head less because so many of her thoughts were very repetitive.
Cassandra Campbell's narration seems to fit Fenna and her journey very well. Overall, this is a story of family and one thing that Fenna does well is understand the importance of family. Actually, that understanding is part of what makes her afraid to reach for a future family, when there has been so much loss in her past. There may be a war going on around Fenna but she has her own war going on inside her heart and head, too.
First pub Sep 6 2022
Thank you to RB Media/Recorded Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
Narrated by Cassandra Campbell
Fenna Vos has not had an easy life. But at the beginning of the book we find her doing something close to her heart. She is a skilled magician, the brains behind a magic show where she portrays the male star's assistant, with Charles getting all the accolades while she fumes because he's started veering off script. It's finally too much and the duo have harsh words for each other. When British military intelligence asks her to join M19 so her expertise can be used to design items to aid the military, she's open to trying something new.
There is an event in her past that colors Fenna's life. She was one of the few children who survived a tragedy that has left her with moments of fear and panic. And there is a man who is never really out of her thoughts but her fears caused her to run away from him. Arie was a childhood friend who became more but Fenna couldn't handle the risk of what he was asking of her. If there is one thing that Fenna is good at it's running away.
I enjoyed the historical touches of this story, Fenna's inspiration of all things Houdini, the mentions of real life events and people, even when some of the real details were altered for sake of the story. The time and place and happenings ring true and this story has given me more trails to follow as I will dig deeper into the things that happen in this story.
I do think I would have enjoyed the story more, though, if we were privy to fewer of Fenna's thoughts and reflections. Right smack dab in the middle of very dangerous action scenes, we get long detailed jaunts down memory lane or angst ridden reflections on what might have been. Fenna can lose focus at the most inconvenient times, forgetting to speak the correct language, forgetting to take important papers, making what could be deadly mistakes at the worse moments. It seems like the biggest obstacle in Fenna's life just might be Fenna herself and I would have liked to have been inside her head less because so many of her thoughts were very repetitive.
Cassandra Campbell's narration seems to fit Fenna and her journey very well. Overall, this is a story of family and one thing that Fenna does well is understand the importance of family. Actually, that understanding is part of what makes her afraid to reach for a future family, when there has been so much loss in her past. There may be a war going on around Fenna but she has her own war going on inside her heart and head, too.
First pub Sep 6 2022
Thank you to RB Media/Recorded Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
September 6, 2022
***HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY***
THIS BOOK WAS SIMPLY WONDERFUL IN EVERY WAY!!
I have read all of this author’s novels and enjoyed them but this is my new favorite!
Fenna Voss is a determined and unique character I can root for!! She goes through multiple life changing events but KEEPS ON GOING!!! She finds ways to help deal with her traumatic childhood. She learned a lot from her father and her best friend Arie and his family about how to survive in this world.
We get to know Fenna while she is still a child, living with her father in Michigan’s Copper Country. Fenna’s story feels so real, so relatable in it’s honesty. Her relationship with Arie was so very special and I wanted to see all go well for them.
When we join her as an adult, she’s now the BRAINS behind a Magician/Illusionist act and is getting tired of being treated as an assistant. She is thinking of starting her own show or perhaps a different career.
After one late show an English gentleman from the crowd asks to speak to her. Major Hutton is asking if she could aid the war efforts by using her skills to design gadgets, hidden maps, a huge array of things to help stranded soldiers, etc. Fenna didn’t even know MI9 existed!! Being recruited by the British allies is quite unusual but she decides to join the team there.
She meets some brilliant people working in this area of British intelligence. I loved learning about all of the hidden compartments, gadgets and other things that MI9 designed. There are maps so thin they can be encased between the front and back of board games!!
A large portion of the book takes place during the war when Fenna is actually acting as an operative on the ground in the Netherlands. I always love any female “spies” and Fenna is amazing in her drive to protect those she loves. She has a select purpose for being there but I will leave you to discover that.
There are multiple stories within this novel yet it flows together seamlessly.
Kristina is a masterful storyteller and I always love to read what prompted the writing of this novel. It is extremely close to her heart.
I recommend this to anyone who loves a character driven novel that is impeccably researched and based on true events. There are scenes that will make you tearful and others that will leave you feeling uplifted!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through EW.
It was my pleasure to read and review this terrific Fall novel which is set to publish on September 6, 2022
THIS BOOK WAS SIMPLY WONDERFUL IN EVERY WAY!!
I have read all of this author’s novels and enjoyed them but this is my new favorite!
Fenna Voss is a determined and unique character I can root for!! She goes through multiple life changing events but KEEPS ON GOING!!! She finds ways to help deal with her traumatic childhood. She learned a lot from her father and her best friend Arie and his family about how to survive in this world.
We get to know Fenna while she is still a child, living with her father in Michigan’s Copper Country. Fenna’s story feels so real, so relatable in it’s honesty. Her relationship with Arie was so very special and I wanted to see all go well for them.
When we join her as an adult, she’s now the BRAINS behind a Magician/Illusionist act and is getting tired of being treated as an assistant. She is thinking of starting her own show or perhaps a different career.
After one late show an English gentleman from the crowd asks to speak to her. Major Hutton is asking if she could aid the war efforts by using her skills to design gadgets, hidden maps, a huge array of things to help stranded soldiers, etc. Fenna didn’t even know MI9 existed!! Being recruited by the British allies is quite unusual but she decides to join the team there.
She meets some brilliant people working in this area of British intelligence. I loved learning about all of the hidden compartments, gadgets and other things that MI9 designed. There are maps so thin they can be encased between the front and back of board games!!
A large portion of the book takes place during the war when Fenna is actually acting as an operative on the ground in the Netherlands. I always love any female “spies” and Fenna is amazing in her drive to protect those she loves. She has a select purpose for being there but I will leave you to discover that.
There are multiple stories within this novel yet it flows together seamlessly.
Kristina is a masterful storyteller and I always love to read what prompted the writing of this novel. It is extremely close to her heart.
I recommend this to anyone who loves a character driven novel that is impeccably researched and based on true events. There are scenes that will make you tearful and others that will leave you feeling uplifted!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through EW.
It was my pleasure to read and review this terrific Fall novel which is set to publish on September 6, 2022
September 9, 2022
In a Nutshell: Slightly outlier review coming up! This started off strongly but I lost interest midway the book. Loved everything connected to magic. Was bored by almost everything set in Holland. But yes, this isn’t a typical WWII fiction, so there is some novelty to the plot.
Story Synopsis:
✔ The initial half of the book was outstanding. Beginning with Fenna’s stage experiences in the US in 1943, going back to 1928 for a glimpse of her younger years, and moving back to 1943 London, where Fenna was trying to settle into her role as an inventor for the Allied troops - the content was relatively fast-paced, and kept me invested.
❌ Once the storyline reached Holland where Fenna is on a secret mission, the content became repetitive and slow. I had to force myself to concentrate and continue. My mind kept wandering.
✔ I loved all the elements of Fenna’s life that were connected to magic. Her stage life, her creative thinking, her astounding inventions, her sleight of hand, her strong admiration for Harry Houdini – all were written well. Her Dutch background is also put to good use.
❌ The second half hardly makes use of her magical skills. It is like the book forgot her capabilities as an illusionist and just wanted to focus on her skills as a spy.
✔ Fenna is a strong character and makes for a mostly compelling historical mc. Her brain is her biggest asset and the book chooses to focus on this than her physical appeal. I appreciate this angle.
❌ Her decision-making was questionable at times. Her reason for moving away from her hometown was unconvincing. I didn’t understand why she couldn’t communicate her worry to the concerned person instead of running away secretly.
✔ The first half was fast.
❌ The second half was slooooowwwwwwww and seemed to go on and on.
✔ The ending was somewhat worth the effort.
✔ There are quite a few topics in the story – magic, personal tragedies, inventions, rescue missions, romance, family issues, the WWII. I enjoyed most of these. Seeing the WWII from the pov of a woman illusionist was a fun experience.
❌ The one topic I didn’t like at all was the rescue mission in Holland. Unfortunately, this formed the biggest chunk of the book. If this part were crisper, I might have enjoyed the book more.
✔ The book incorporates plenty of real life incidents into its narrative. The author explains these very well in her author’s note. Her research is outstanding. I never knew the extent to which “magic” was involved in the WWII! I learnt a lot about history from this book, though I have been an avid reader of the historical fiction genre.
❌ The first person narration doesn’t work in favour of the book. There is a lot of inner rambling which further reduces the pacing. This is more pronounced during the mission, where Fenna is alone and hence voices her thoughts on almost everything.
✔ The plot seems to proceed in compartmentalised sections. There is the stage life of the magician, then the 1928 flashback, then the 1943 London segment, the Holland mission and finally the tying up of every end. It was almost like reading a fresh novel after each section than a continuation.
❌ While I did like the first two sections for their content, I felt that the book didn’t come together into a cohesive whole. As each section deals with a fresh location and a fresh situation, the transition took time.
❌ I don’t like romance when it comes up in non-romance genre books. It is, more often than not, irrelevant to the main plot. This story could have easily been written without the romantic track.
✔ The direction of the romance took me by surprise. This is what sets the romance in the book apart from others in this genre, a small saving grace.
All in all, maybe my high expectations also contributed to my disappointment. I expected a story more focussed on Fenna’s inventive skills, and when that angle disappeared, it took my interest along with it. I am NOT giving up on this author yet because her plotting and her research left me fairly impressed. Hoping for a better experience the next time around.
This is an outlier review, so please go through the other, more positive reviews, before you take a call on this title.
3 stars, mostly for the brilliant first half.
My thanks to author Kristina McMorris, Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Ways We Hide”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
A special thanks to my GR friend Dorie whose words brought the book into my life. Do check out her strong stamp of approval for this work.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
After being orphaned at an early age, Fenna Vos has learned how to survive on her own. Though a master inventor and magician, she is forced to play assistant to an escape artist to keep the 1940s audience happy. When an officer of the British Intelligence spots her and asks her to come to London to help out with the WWII efforts using her inventions, Fenna reluctantly joins the team, and is soon part of a dangerous mission in Holland. This mission will be the test of her loyalty in many ways.
The story comes to us in the first person perspective of Fenna.
✔ The initial half of the book was outstanding. Beginning with Fenna’s stage experiences in the US in 1943, going back to 1928 for a glimpse of her younger years, and moving back to 1943 London, where Fenna was trying to settle into her role as an inventor for the Allied troops - the content was relatively fast-paced, and kept me invested.
❌ Once the storyline reached Holland where Fenna is on a secret mission, the content became repetitive and slow. I had to force myself to concentrate and continue. My mind kept wandering.
✔ I loved all the elements of Fenna’s life that were connected to magic. Her stage life, her creative thinking, her astounding inventions, her sleight of hand, her strong admiration for Harry Houdini – all were written well. Her Dutch background is also put to good use.
❌ The second half hardly makes use of her magical skills. It is like the book forgot her capabilities as an illusionist and just wanted to focus on her skills as a spy.
✔ Fenna is a strong character and makes for a mostly compelling historical mc. Her brain is her biggest asset and the book chooses to focus on this than her physical appeal. I appreciate this angle.
❌ Her decision-making was questionable at times. Her reason for moving away from her hometown was unconvincing. I didn’t understand why she couldn’t communicate her worry to the concerned person instead of running away secretly.
✔ The first half was fast.
❌ The second half was slooooowwwwwwww and seemed to go on and on.
✔ The ending was somewhat worth the effort.
✔ There are quite a few topics in the story – magic, personal tragedies, inventions, rescue missions, romance, family issues, the WWII. I enjoyed most of these. Seeing the WWII from the pov of a woman illusionist was a fun experience.
❌ The one topic I didn’t like at all was the rescue mission in Holland. Unfortunately, this formed the biggest chunk of the book. If this part were crisper, I might have enjoyed the book more.
✔ The book incorporates plenty of real life incidents into its narrative. The author explains these very well in her author’s note. Her research is outstanding. I never knew the extent to which “magic” was involved in the WWII! I learnt a lot about history from this book, though I have been an avid reader of the historical fiction genre.
❌ The first person narration doesn’t work in favour of the book. There is a lot of inner rambling which further reduces the pacing. This is more pronounced during the mission, where Fenna is alone and hence voices her thoughts on almost everything.
✔ The plot seems to proceed in compartmentalised sections. There is the stage life of the magician, then the 1928 flashback, then the 1943 London segment, the Holland mission and finally the tying up of every end. It was almost like reading a fresh novel after each section than a continuation.
❌ While I did like the first two sections for their content, I felt that the book didn’t come together into a cohesive whole. As each section deals with a fresh location and a fresh situation, the transition took time.
❌ I don’t like romance when it comes up in non-romance genre books. It is, more often than not, irrelevant to the main plot. This story could have easily been written without the romantic track.
✔ The direction of the romance took me by surprise. This is what sets the romance in the book apart from others in this genre, a small saving grace.
All in all, maybe my high expectations also contributed to my disappointment. I expected a story more focussed on Fenna’s inventive skills, and when that angle disappeared, it took my interest along with it. I am NOT giving up on this author yet because her plotting and her research left me fairly impressed. Hoping for a better experience the next time around.
This is an outlier review, so please go through the other, more positive reviews, before you take a call on this title.
3 stars, mostly for the brilliant first half.
My thanks to author Kristina McMorris, Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Ways We Hide”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
A special thanks to my GR friend Dorie whose words brought the book into my life. Do check out her strong stamp of approval for this work.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
September 6, 2022
4.5 stars
Magic tricks, WW2, gadgets, British Military and romance equal an absorbing and gripping tale by the author old Sold on a Monday.
There is so much packed into this book and yet it not only worked - but it also floored me. Fenna Vos learned how to survive at a young age. Her mother died in childbirth, and she was raised by her father. She was in the Italian Hall disaster in 1913. I had not heard of this and after reading about it, I turned to Wikipedia to learn more. She and her best friend, Arie Jansen, communicate by a series of knocks.
Fenna has always been fascinated by magic and grows up to work as an assistant to Charlie, an escape artist. One evening after work she is approached by a man who wants to recruit her to work with his secret M19 team designing escape aids.
Doesn't sound too exciting, does it? Yet, after the first couple of chapters, I could not put this book down. Fenna is tasked with designing tools and gadgets which will help the soldiers and spies to escape and stay one step ahead of the Germans during the war.
WOWZA! This was such a well written and extensively researched book. Fenna was a great character. I rooted for her the entire book. This book is full of courage, intrigue, and romance as well. I love reading about people being placed in difficult situations and watching as they shine. Fenna is very clever and talented. She also feels very real as she is strong yet flawed.
This one will stay with me for quite some time.
Highly Recommend.
#TheWaysWeHide #NetGalley
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Magic tricks, WW2, gadgets, British Military and romance equal an absorbing and gripping tale by the author old Sold on a Monday.
There is so much packed into this book and yet it not only worked - but it also floored me. Fenna Vos learned how to survive at a young age. Her mother died in childbirth, and she was raised by her father. She was in the Italian Hall disaster in 1913. I had not heard of this and after reading about it, I turned to Wikipedia to learn more. She and her best friend, Arie Jansen, communicate by a series of knocks.
Fenna has always been fascinated by magic and grows up to work as an assistant to Charlie, an escape artist. One evening after work she is approached by a man who wants to recruit her to work with his secret M19 team designing escape aids.
Doesn't sound too exciting, does it? Yet, after the first couple of chapters, I could not put this book down. Fenna is tasked with designing tools and gadgets which will help the soldiers and spies to escape and stay one step ahead of the Germans during the war.
WOWZA! This was such a well written and extensively researched book. Fenna was a great character. I rooted for her the entire book. This book is full of courage, intrigue, and romance as well. I love reading about people being placed in difficult situations and watching as they shine. Fenna is very clever and talented. She also feels very real as she is strong yet flawed.
This one will stay with me for quite some time.
Highly Recommend.
#TheWaysWeHide #NetGalley
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Read
May 15, 2022I am sooo excited for The Ways We Hide to soon reach readers' hands! As with nearly all my novels, the premise of this book began with a stunning piece of lesser-known history—in this case, the classified use of Monopoly boards to smuggle escape aids to Allied POWs during the Second World War. Fascinated, I dove into research to learn more.
I soon discovered that the British intelligence department responsible for this ingenious tactic was MI9, or what I've come to fondly dub the "go-go-gadget team of WWII." Trust me when I say that more than a few of the devices they engineered would absolutely amaze you.
Most of all, though, I can't wait for you to meet Fenna Vos, a skilled illusionist whose life will lead her—and you, I hope!—through a twisting adventure full of love, loss, family, and danger. In the meantime, thank you, dear readers, for your continued support. I truly hope you enjoy!!
I soon discovered that the British intelligence department responsible for this ingenious tactic was MI9, or what I've come to fondly dub the "go-go-gadget team of WWII." Trust me when I say that more than a few of the devices they engineered would absolutely amaze you.
Most of all, though, I can't wait for you to meet Fenna Vos, a skilled illusionist whose life will lead her—and you, I hope!—through a twisting adventure full of love, loss, family, and danger. In the meantime, thank you, dear readers, for your continued support. I truly hope you enjoy!!
July 17, 2022
Fenna Vos is raised by her widowed father in Michigan, her mother died in childbirth, he’s a Dutch immigrant, and a copper miner. Life for Fenna hasn’t been easy, things get worse when she’s involved in the Italian Hall disaster, and she's one of the lucky survivors. Fenna has the support of her best friend Arie Jansen, and his lovely parents. Fenna's always been fascinated by magic tricks, she and Arie communicated using secrets knocks and codes.
An adult Fenna has a job preforming as an assistant for illusionist Charles Bouchard, after a serious of incidents and she's over of his silly antics. Fenna's shocked to be recruited by British intelligence, designing escape aids with Clayton Hutton, and his secret M19 team.
Objects that can be used by the allied forces and help win the war, things like maps, compasses, magnetic razors, sharp files and soon she's known as the gadget girl. With only a few days notice, Fenna is sent on a dangerous mission into Holland, she needs to find someone from her past, and nothing goes as planned. Has her best friend turned into a traitor, Fenna uses her wits, magic tricks, looks, anything to stay one step ahead of the Germans, and save a little girl.
I received a copy of The Way We Hide by Kristina McMorris from Edelweiss and Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review. It’s an incredible WW II story based around true facts, the main character Fenna has to face things that have haunted her since she was a child, to undertake a hazardous, and treacherous journey into Holland. A gripping and extremely well written narrative by Ms. McMorris about, war, loss, espionage, courage, coping with the unexpected challenges, finding the inner strength to overcome the obstacles, and surviving in a war-torn country. Five stars from me, I highly recommend reading both The Way We Hide and the authors previous book Sold On A Monday.
An adult Fenna has a job preforming as an assistant for illusionist Charles Bouchard, after a serious of incidents and she's over of his silly antics. Fenna's shocked to be recruited by British intelligence, designing escape aids with Clayton Hutton, and his secret M19 team.
Objects that can be used by the allied forces and help win the war, things like maps, compasses, magnetic razors, sharp files and soon she's known as the gadget girl. With only a few days notice, Fenna is sent on a dangerous mission into Holland, she needs to find someone from her past, and nothing goes as planned. Has her best friend turned into a traitor, Fenna uses her wits, magic tricks, looks, anything to stay one step ahead of the Germans, and save a little girl.
I received a copy of The Way We Hide by Kristina McMorris from Edelweiss and Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review. It’s an incredible WW II story based around true facts, the main character Fenna has to face things that have haunted her since she was a child, to undertake a hazardous, and treacherous journey into Holland. A gripping and extremely well written narrative by Ms. McMorris about, war, loss, espionage, courage, coping with the unexpected challenges, finding the inner strength to overcome the obstacles, and surviving in a war-torn country. Five stars from me, I highly recommend reading both The Way We Hide and the authors previous book Sold On A Monday.
September 18, 2022
Favorite author alert. Several years ago I read The Edge of Lost over Thanksgiving vacation, and I will never forget the experience. The book was literally on my kitchen counter to read every spare minute while I was making the big meal. Kristina McMorris delivers every time, and The Ways We Hide is definitely rivaling The Edge of Lost for that very top spot. This beauty is now available!
Fenna Vos is an illusionist, and wow, did I ever enjoy the depiction of her magic shows. So intriguing and kept me rapt. Because of her clever talent, British intelligence reaches out to recruit her to design escape aids for prisoners during World War II.
Based on true events, Fenna’s story could not have been more fascinating. I was not familiar with the invention of these escape aids or much of the behind the scenes work of intelligence during the war. The book is chock full of rich detail. I cannot imagine the work that went into layering the story together, as it gels masterfully. There’s romance, darkness, intrigue, tension, and peril, with an endearing main character I’m certain everyone will root for.
If you love to be completely swept up in a well-told historical that brings out all the emotions, you can’t miss this book!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Fenna Vos is an illusionist, and wow, did I ever enjoy the depiction of her magic shows. So intriguing and kept me rapt. Because of her clever talent, British intelligence reaches out to recruit her to design escape aids for prisoners during World War II.
Based on true events, Fenna’s story could not have been more fascinating. I was not familiar with the invention of these escape aids or much of the behind the scenes work of intelligence during the war. The book is chock full of rich detail. I cannot imagine the work that went into layering the story together, as it gels masterfully. There’s romance, darkness, intrigue, tension, and peril, with an endearing main character I’m certain everyone will root for.
If you love to be completely swept up in a well-told historical that brings out all the emotions, you can’t miss this book!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
October 21, 2022
3.5 ⭐
I don't even know how to rate this book. On one hand, it really wasn't bad and it had several elements I appreciated. But on the other, it was completely different from what I was expecting, and it's kind of hard to see the story for what it is when all I have in my head it what it could have been.
For starters, why is this book tagged as fantasy on Goodreads? When you have an illusionist girl, designing escape tools to help fight against Germans in WW2 and a fantasy element, you kind of prepare yourself for a story much larger than it really was. The whole time I waited for something huge to happen, and that prevented me from enjoying the story for what it was.
That said, I did like the resilience as the main vibe of the book. I especially loved the parts that describe Fenna's childhood. They made me completely invested, and I even though this might end up being one of my favorite books ever.
Unfortunately, some of the spell lost its magic the further we got into the book. I was hoping for some big twist, but everything just kept going exactly as you'd think it would. Still, if you enjoy WW2 stories, you'll probably enjoy this book way more than I did.
Thank you to RB Media and NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of The Ways We Hide Kristina McMorris in exchange for an honest review.
I don't even know how to rate this book. On one hand, it really wasn't bad and it had several elements I appreciated. But on the other, it was completely different from what I was expecting, and it's kind of hard to see the story for what it is when all I have in my head it what it could have been.
For starters, why is this book tagged as fantasy on Goodreads? When you have an illusionist girl, designing escape tools to help fight against Germans in WW2 and a fantasy element, you kind of prepare yourself for a story much larger than it really was. The whole time I waited for something huge to happen, and that prevented me from enjoying the story for what it was.
That said, I did like the resilience as the main vibe of the book. I especially loved the parts that describe Fenna's childhood. They made me completely invested, and I even though this might end up being one of my favorite books ever.
Unfortunately, some of the spell lost its magic the further we got into the book. I was hoping for some big twist, but everything just kept going exactly as you'd think it would. Still, if you enjoy WW2 stories, you'll probably enjoy this book way more than I did.
Thank you to RB Media and NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of The Ways We Hide Kristina McMorris in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2022
The Ways We Hide by Kristina M Morris. A book set during WW2 starting in Michigan. Fenna lives with her father and best friend Arie. After her dad dies she is placed in an orphanage. She runs away to find Arie and his family. Always playing practical jokes and learning to be like Houdini. She moves to England to make gadgets to help POWs escape. She eventually moves on to Denmark and finds Arie. From there tells a harrowing tale of Nazi’s, death and escaping. She finds her way back to Arie’s family.
September 15, 2022
I have been a fan of Kristina McMorris ever since I read Sold on a Monday. She has a way of immersing the reader into the lives of the characters she writes about. Ways We Hide was no exception. Although Ways We Hide started out a little slow for me, it wasn’t long before I was completely hooked and absorbed in the story. I felt such compassion and admiration for the two primary characters of Fenn and Arie. It was hard not to like them and root for them. Kristina McMorris not only transported me back in time in her newest historical fiction saga but allowed me to learn new things due to her impeccable research. She placed Fenn and Arie at the Italian Hall Disaster in Eden Springs in 1928. The disaster actually occurred in Calumet, Michigan in 1913. The date and place were altered to fit the story. Finn and Arie were living in Eden Springs with their families and were not only present during this tragedy but they were victims of it as well. The families that settled in Copper County were a mishmash of different nationalities, Dutch and German being the most abundant and common. At that Christmas Eve party, organized for the striking miners and their families, 73 deaths occurred. When someone falsely made a claim of a fire, everyone rushed to the stairs to escape the building. That stampede resulted in tragedy and death. More children than anyone else died that night. As Finn was being crushed under the bodies on top of her, it was Arie’s reassuring gestures and words that saved both of their lives that night. That avoidable tragedy haunted Fenn for her whole life but helped to forge the beautiful friendship between Fenn and Arie. Fenn had also started developing an interest and talent for magic and illusion. She was most influenced by the talent of Harry Houdini.
Things in Michigan’s copper mining district grew harder and harder. When Arie’s father was offered a new and more promising position, Arie and his family moved to Amesboro, Michigan. Arie came to tell Fenn his news. She knew she would miss him. Arie was Fenn’s only and best friend. Shortly after Arie’s departure, the unthinkable happened. Fenn’s father died leaving her an orphan. Her mother had died several years before and Fenn had no other family. She was placed in an orphanage. Fenn was bullied there and wanted to escape in the worst way. She devised an ingenious plan and managed to escape. Fenn made her way by bus to Amesboro and Arie. Arie’s family took Fenn in and they became her family. Fenn continued practicing magic. When Fenn and Arie discovered that they truly had feelings for each other that went beyond the friendship they had built they acted on it. Somehow, without Fenn and Arie realizing it, they had fallen in love with each other. Arie wanted Fenn to marry him but that old tragedy would once again come back to haunt Fenn and influence Fenn’s actions. Fenn would leave Arie and the only family she knew. She would begin her career in illusion in earnest.
During the early 1940’s, Fenn’s career as an illusionist prospered and she gained the recognition that she had always desired. One night in New York, as Fenn was making her way home after a performance, she was presented with an opportunity that she had a hard time passing up. Fenn was recruited by British intelligence to use her unique skills to make gadgets to aid captured soldiers. Fenn needed to make sure that the person who had tried to recruit her was legitimate so she reached out to Arie. He was now employed by the army as an engineer. She had had no contact with Arie since her untimely and sudden departure. Arie was surprised but not too pleased that Fenn had called him. He had not heard from her since she vanished from his life. After Arie told Fenn he knew of her recruiter, Fenn readily accepted the challenge and found herself in London. During that time, Arie came to see her one time and then vanished somewhere in Holland. Arie’s reputation and safety were on the line. Fenn’s feelings for him had never dissipated. She volunteered to go to Holland to try and find Arie, clear his name and bring him home safely. What would Fenn find when she was dropped into Nazi controlled Holland? Would her gadgets and knowledge of illusions help save her and Arie? What secrets was Arie hiding? Would Fenn’s efforts and resourcefulness help her to locate Arie and bring him home safely?
Kristina McMorris was able to weave historical details, real people, actual events and facts with some fiction to create Ways We Hide. It brought with it intrigue, dangers, temptations, cruelties, hope, struggles, family, love, loyalty and ingenuity. I instantly connected with the characters in Ways We Hide. Kristina McMorris once again proved to be a masterful storyteller. In the author’s note, Kristina McMorris, noted that the “grim fallout at Bethnal Green station” in London actually occurred. Many of the gadgets Fenn was given credit for designing were actually developed by Hutton, the man who recruited Fenn. Most of the gadgets mentioned were actually used by the soldiers. I really enjoyed reading Ways We Hide and highly recommended it.
Thank you to Sourcebook Landmark for allowing me to read Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Publication was September 6, 2022.
Things in Michigan’s copper mining district grew harder and harder. When Arie’s father was offered a new and more promising position, Arie and his family moved to Amesboro, Michigan. Arie came to tell Fenn his news. She knew she would miss him. Arie was Fenn’s only and best friend. Shortly after Arie’s departure, the unthinkable happened. Fenn’s father died leaving her an orphan. Her mother had died several years before and Fenn had no other family. She was placed in an orphanage. Fenn was bullied there and wanted to escape in the worst way. She devised an ingenious plan and managed to escape. Fenn made her way by bus to Amesboro and Arie. Arie’s family took Fenn in and they became her family. Fenn continued practicing magic. When Fenn and Arie discovered that they truly had feelings for each other that went beyond the friendship they had built they acted on it. Somehow, without Fenn and Arie realizing it, they had fallen in love with each other. Arie wanted Fenn to marry him but that old tragedy would once again come back to haunt Fenn and influence Fenn’s actions. Fenn would leave Arie and the only family she knew. She would begin her career in illusion in earnest.
During the early 1940’s, Fenn’s career as an illusionist prospered and she gained the recognition that she had always desired. One night in New York, as Fenn was making her way home after a performance, she was presented with an opportunity that she had a hard time passing up. Fenn was recruited by British intelligence to use her unique skills to make gadgets to aid captured soldiers. Fenn needed to make sure that the person who had tried to recruit her was legitimate so she reached out to Arie. He was now employed by the army as an engineer. She had had no contact with Arie since her untimely and sudden departure. Arie was surprised but not too pleased that Fenn had called him. He had not heard from her since she vanished from his life. After Arie told Fenn he knew of her recruiter, Fenn readily accepted the challenge and found herself in London. During that time, Arie came to see her one time and then vanished somewhere in Holland. Arie’s reputation and safety were on the line. Fenn’s feelings for him had never dissipated. She volunteered to go to Holland to try and find Arie, clear his name and bring him home safely. What would Fenn find when she was dropped into Nazi controlled Holland? Would her gadgets and knowledge of illusions help save her and Arie? What secrets was Arie hiding? Would Fenn’s efforts and resourcefulness help her to locate Arie and bring him home safely?
Kristina McMorris was able to weave historical details, real people, actual events and facts with some fiction to create Ways We Hide. It brought with it intrigue, dangers, temptations, cruelties, hope, struggles, family, love, loyalty and ingenuity. I instantly connected with the characters in Ways We Hide. Kristina McMorris once again proved to be a masterful storyteller. In the author’s note, Kristina McMorris, noted that the “grim fallout at Bethnal Green station” in London actually occurred. Many of the gadgets Fenn was given credit for designing were actually developed by Hutton, the man who recruited Fenn. Most of the gadgets mentioned were actually used by the soldiers. I really enjoyed reading Ways We Hide and highly recommended it.
Thank you to Sourcebook Landmark for allowing me to read Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Publication was September 6, 2022.
October 11, 2022
We meet Fenna Vos as a child in Copper Country living with her father after her mother died in childbirth.
Her father worked in the copper mines, and they were on strike so life was hard.
Fenna meets Arie during a Christmas Party that turned deadly...a true event.
A little later, we follow Fenna as she escapes from an orphanage and goes back home to live with Arie and his family.
Fenna and Arie are in love, but Fenna can't marry because she said she would never be a good mother since the screams from the Christmas event of screaming children still rings in her ears.
She then leaves Arie...she is heartbroken and she knows he will be too.
Fenna learns tricks and is in a Vaudville show when she is approached by an intelligence officer who wants her to help them defy the Germans.
We follow her through the war as she helps invent gadgets for soldiers that look like one thing but could be a razor or a compass or anything to help soldiers escape.
The turned down edge of the cover gives a clue about one of the clever gadgets created.
Fenna was a very determined, brave girl and woman.
Despite the historical aspect and the interesting facts about the inventions and the as-always marvelous writing style and extensive research of Ms. McMorris, THE WAYS WE HIDE was not that attention-grabbing for me.
It moved along slowly and took a while for me to be fully engaged in the story line, but the last quarter of the book pulled me in.
Those readers who enjoy historical fiction and want to learn something new will definitely enjoy this book that I think could have been a bit shorter.
Her author notes give wonderful facts you won’t want to miss reading.
Of special interest is the meaning of Fenna's last name.
Check out the turned down corner of the cover for a clue of what’s inside. 4/5
This book was given to me by the publisher and Book Browse for an honest review.
Her father worked in the copper mines, and they were on strike so life was hard.
Fenna meets Arie during a Christmas Party that turned deadly...a true event.
A little later, we follow Fenna as she escapes from an orphanage and goes back home to live with Arie and his family.
Fenna and Arie are in love, but Fenna can't marry because she said she would never be a good mother since the screams from the Christmas event of screaming children still rings in her ears.
She then leaves Arie...she is heartbroken and she knows he will be too.
Fenna learns tricks and is in a Vaudville show when she is approached by an intelligence officer who wants her to help them defy the Germans.
We follow her through the war as she helps invent gadgets for soldiers that look like one thing but could be a razor or a compass or anything to help soldiers escape.
The turned down edge of the cover gives a clue about one of the clever gadgets created.
Fenna was a very determined, brave girl and woman.
Despite the historical aspect and the interesting facts about the inventions and the as-always marvelous writing style and extensive research of Ms. McMorris, THE WAYS WE HIDE was not that attention-grabbing for me.
It moved along slowly and took a while for me to be fully engaged in the story line, but the last quarter of the book pulled me in.
Those readers who enjoy historical fiction and want to learn something new will definitely enjoy this book that I think could have been a bit shorter.
Her author notes give wonderful facts you won’t want to miss reading.
Of special interest is the meaning of Fenna's last name.
Check out the turned down corner of the cover for a clue of what’s inside. 4/5
This book was given to me by the publisher and Book Browse for an honest review.
July 9, 2022
This is an entertaining, well-written, fast paced, historical fiction novel set during WWII, which is based on true events. It is tragic and heart-breaking, and has suspense, perseverance, a heart-warming romance, heroism, and hope. The female protagonist is likable, caring, courageous, intelligent, confident and resilient. The author's notes at the at the end of this novel are interesting and informative, and are truly appreciated.
NetGalley and Sourcebook Landmark kindly provided me with an ARC of this novel, and this is my honest opinion.
NetGalley and Sourcebook Landmark kindly provided me with an ARC of this novel, and this is my honest opinion.
July 7, 2022
Compulsively readable, The Ways We Hide is a fresh and unique approach to yet another hidden and fascinating front of WWII. These characters will stay in readers’s hearts long after the book is finished. Kristina McMorris has outdone herself, again.
August 1, 2022
3.5 stars
Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for an egalley in exchange for an honest review
This historical novel takes its readers from Michigan's Copper Country in the 1920's to New York, London, and Amsterdam in the 1940's. I have been on a self imposed rest from WWII fiction for the majority of the year. The one exception was Girl in the Blue Coat which I read in June. Truth was, I felt I had oversaturated myself after many years been obsessed and I just needed to find different periods of history to learn more about. But had I ever read a WWII story about an illusionist being involved in the war effort? Nope, I never really had.
Our main protagonist is Fenna Vos, daughter of Dutch immigrants, Fenna learned how to survive on her own. Although she regrets the distance that now exists between her and the boy she loved, Fenna is intrigued to go to London and see what she can do. Once there, she is recruited to M19 and works for Major Hutton as they create game boards to help with the war effort. This is of course based on research that the author discovered and thus uses it in the storyline. Very interesting!
Readers are also given more of Fenna's backstory and while doing this Kristina McMorris uses the history researched about the Italian Hall Disaster, 1913. This historical event provides the inspiration of a fictional event that takes place in her novel's timeline. All of this is explained in the informative author's novel at the end of the book. Again, very interesting history!
I should also add that there's another piece of history which McMorris uses about the London bombings and the descriptions of that event felt so realistic and created a very tense atmosphere.
Do you feel that I am on the cusp of a BUT?
Yes, yes, I am! As coincidences happen in novels, Fenna, while in London, comes face to face with Arie, her first love, the one she almost married. This brief encounter will then spiral into how the remainder of the novel is going to play out. So Fenna later learns that Arie's conduct has come under the war offices scrutiny. Fenna feels defensive about her friend and sets out to clear his name. This eventually leads her to going to Holland to find him.
And that my fellow readers is when yours truly completely forgot that there was a world war going on. Because the WHOLE plot becomes about this relationship and there's some plot twists that did jolt me to the realities but they felt like they HAD to be placed. I KNOW a lot of my fellow reviewers LOVED this story( I see all those 5 stars on NetGalley!)but I guess for myself personally, I just find this romance vein in the genre is actually the chief reason that I became so tired out with WWII fiction in the first place. Because the protagonist has been set up that they're making their contribution to the war effort and I saw that when Fenna was in London. But then in Holland it becomes something else that left me wishing the book had not taken that route. Again, that's just MY PERCEPTION ON AN ELEMENT OF A PLOT THAT TRIGGERS ME AS A READER.
I look forward hopefullyto a genuine and rich discussion with fellow reviewers and readers about this book. I don't want my last paragraph to be the only thing that people respond to because as I highlighted there are some very interesting historical events that Kristina McMorris brought to light that were what kept me reading.
Expected Publication Date o6/09/22
Goodreads Review Published 01/08/22
#TheWaysWeHide #NetGalley
Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for an egalley in exchange for an honest review
This historical novel takes its readers from Michigan's Copper Country in the 1920's to New York, London, and Amsterdam in the 1940's. I have been on a self imposed rest from WWII fiction for the majority of the year. The one exception was Girl in the Blue Coat which I read in June. Truth was, I felt I had oversaturated myself after many years been obsessed and I just needed to find different periods of history to learn more about. But had I ever read a WWII story about an illusionist being involved in the war effort? Nope, I never really had.
Our main protagonist is Fenna Vos, daughter of Dutch immigrants, Fenna learned how to survive on her own. Although she regrets the distance that now exists between her and the boy she loved, Fenna is intrigued to go to London and see what she can do. Once there, she is recruited to M19 and works for Major Hutton as they create game boards to help with the war effort. This is of course based on research that the author discovered and thus uses it in the storyline. Very interesting!
Readers are also given more of Fenna's backstory and while doing this Kristina McMorris uses the history researched about the Italian Hall Disaster, 1913. This historical event provides the inspiration of a fictional event that takes place in her novel's timeline. All of this is explained in the informative author's novel at the end of the book. Again, very interesting history!
I should also add that there's another piece of history which McMorris uses about the London bombings and the descriptions of that event felt so realistic and created a very tense atmosphere.
Do you feel that I am on the cusp of a BUT?
Yes, yes, I am! As coincidences happen in novels, Fenna, while in London, comes face to face with Arie, her first love, the one she almost married. This brief encounter will then spiral into how the remainder of the novel is going to play out. So Fenna later learns that Arie's conduct has come under the war offices scrutiny. Fenna feels defensive about her friend and sets out to clear his name. This eventually leads her to going to Holland to find him.
And that my fellow readers is when yours truly completely forgot that there was a world war going on. Because the WHOLE plot becomes about this relationship and there's some plot twists that did jolt me to the realities but they felt like they HAD to be placed. I KNOW a lot of my fellow reviewers LOVED this story( I see all those 5 stars on NetGalley!)but I guess for myself personally, I just find this romance vein in the genre is actually the chief reason that I became so tired out with WWII fiction in the first place. Because the protagonist has been set up that they're making their contribution to the war effort and I saw that when Fenna was in London. But then in Holland it becomes something else that left me wishing the book had not taken that route. Again, that's just MY PERCEPTION ON AN ELEMENT OF A PLOT THAT TRIGGERS ME AS A READER.
I look forward hopefullyto a genuine and rich discussion with fellow reviewers and readers about this book. I don't want my last paragraph to be the only thing that people respond to because as I highlighted there are some very interesting historical events that Kristina McMorris brought to light that were what kept me reading.
Expected Publication Date o6/09/22
Goodreads Review Published 01/08/22
#TheWaysWeHide #NetGalley
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2022
I have most of Kristina McMorris’s works on my TBR, though so far, I’ve only had a chance to read two of her books — this book, her newest novel
The Ways We Hide
, and her previous one,
Sold on a Monday
, which came out back in 2018. While I have every intention of getting through McMorris’s backlist at some point, I also don’t want to miss any of her new works — which is why, as soon as I saw that she had a new book coming out this month, I requested an ARC before even reading the summary of what the book would be about. After I got approved, I went back and read the blurb, which made me even more intrigued and excited to read the novel. While I’ve read plenty of books set during World War II and covering various themes, one that I haven’t come across is exactly what McMorris’s new book explores: the role of magicians / illusionists in the war effort. Up until this point, I’ve always thought about magicians as entertainers, never realizing that there were very practical ways they could put their skills to use during the war, such as helping to design escape plans and contraptions or other gadgets that could hide things such as maps. This was a fascinating concept to me and an angle not often explored in WWII-themed fiction. Not only that though, in terms of this particular story, the illusionist is a woman (the main character Fenna Vos), which is even more rare given the time period and the prevalent society conventions at the time.
From a historical perspective, McMorris did a great job relaying the various elements related to real-life events and people, as well as establishing an atmospheric sense of time and place. I remember reading somewhere that McMorris mentioned this is one of her more ambitious novels to date, which I can totally see, as this one actually covered quite a bit of ground, with a time period spanning 1928 to 1945, a setting across three different countries (United States, England, the Netherlands), and a multitude of historical events / people covered (which I didn’t actually realize until I read her Author’s Note at the end of the book). The meticulous research she did in preparation was obvious in the way she was able to utilize so much descriptive detail throughout the story, whether in reference to historical events and people, or even the gadgets created for military use. Also, with Fenna’s background as the daughter of Dutch immigrants and so parts of the story revolves around the Dutch community she grows up in, I ended up learning a lot in that area as well.
In addition to the story being well-written, the characters were also well-drawn, with Fenna written in a way where, as readers, we can’t help rooting for her through all the hardships. With that said however, I honestly found it difficult to connect with her on an emotional level — which is strange given the entire story was told from Fenna’s first person point of view, so we are privy to all her inner thoughts and feelings. I think part of the reason for this is because, for me, some parts of the story ended up focusing a bit too much on Fenna’s romantic relationship with Arie, to the point that it drove a large part of Fenna’s actions and decisions during a certain portion of the story. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but given the premise of the story and the highly dangerous situations she often found herself in, some of her actions came across as irrational and illogical. While the romance piece wasn’t overwhelming compared to the rest of the story, it was a little distracting for me because I was expecting more focus on the historical piece and how Fenna uses her skills as an illusionist and escape artist in her work with MI9. This was also the main reason I ended up rating this 4 stars instead of 5, as I felt like the direction of the story strayed a bit near the midway mark and also, the emotional connection was lacking.
Overall, I definitely liked this one quite a bit and recommend it as a worthwhile read, especially for the different and refreshing angle it presents in terms of WWII historical fiction.
Received e-ARC from Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley and print ARC via BookBrowse First Impressions program.
From a historical perspective, McMorris did a great job relaying the various elements related to real-life events and people, as well as establishing an atmospheric sense of time and place. I remember reading somewhere that McMorris mentioned this is one of her more ambitious novels to date, which I can totally see, as this one actually covered quite a bit of ground, with a time period spanning 1928 to 1945, a setting across three different countries (United States, England, the Netherlands), and a multitude of historical events / people covered (which I didn’t actually realize until I read her Author’s Note at the end of the book). The meticulous research she did in preparation was obvious in the way she was able to utilize so much descriptive detail throughout the story, whether in reference to historical events and people, or even the gadgets created for military use. Also, with Fenna’s background as the daughter of Dutch immigrants and so parts of the story revolves around the Dutch community she grows up in, I ended up learning a lot in that area as well.
In addition to the story being well-written, the characters were also well-drawn, with Fenna written in a way where, as readers, we can’t help rooting for her through all the hardships. With that said however, I honestly found it difficult to connect with her on an emotional level — which is strange given the entire story was told from Fenna’s first person point of view, so we are privy to all her inner thoughts and feelings. I think part of the reason for this is because, for me, some parts of the story ended up focusing a bit too much on Fenna’s romantic relationship with Arie, to the point that it drove a large part of Fenna’s actions and decisions during a certain portion of the story. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but given the premise of the story and the highly dangerous situations she often found herself in, some of her actions came across as irrational and illogical. While the romance piece wasn’t overwhelming compared to the rest of the story, it was a little distracting for me because I was expecting more focus on the historical piece and how Fenna uses her skills as an illusionist and escape artist in her work with MI9. This was also the main reason I ended up rating this 4 stars instead of 5, as I felt like the direction of the story strayed a bit near the midway mark and also, the emotional connection was lacking.
Overall, I definitely liked this one quite a bit and recommend it as a worthwhile read, especially for the different and refreshing angle it presents in terms of WWII historical fiction.
Received e-ARC from Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley and print ARC via BookBrowse First Impressions program.
September 15, 2022
The Ways We Hide is a gripping historical fiction that begins with Fenna Vos apparently assisting master magician Charles at their show in Brooklyn. But appearances can be deceiving as Fenna, or Fen, is the expert who has crafted this show and taught Charles all he knows. The future holds so much for them, and the world as it’s now 1942 and the beginning of the United States’ entry into the War. There are changes on the way for this pair.
Before moving forward, the author returns to Fenna’s childhood in copper country, in Michigan, and important events that formed who she would be. These include a terrible Christmas Eve disaster that scarred her for life, a childhood friend that grew to be much more, her early love of magic that helped her deal with tragedy.
And beyond the magic shows, back to 1942, not in her wildest dreams would she have expected to be approached by a representative of British military intelligence. This man has seen her shows, recognized her skills and presents her with an offer to assist the war effort in England designing devices to help allied soldiers evade capture or escape prison.
There are many more layers to this novel, especially interpersonal ones which I prefer to leave to readers to uncover. And there is action aplenty once Fenna reaches England but I am not going to spoil any of that. This is a great novel that keeps you reading to find out what is coming next.
Perhaps my only concern was that at times I felt it seemed a bit much happening, but the afterword reveals the true history behind the details. Still a lot to have happened to one person though such things so occur in some peoples’ lives.
Recommended. This a well written historical novel that covers aspects of history not well known and does it in exciting ways.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Before moving forward, the author returns to Fenna’s childhood in copper country, in Michigan, and important events that formed who she would be. These include a terrible Christmas Eve disaster that scarred her for life, a childhood friend that grew to be much more, her early love of magic that helped her deal with tragedy.
And beyond the magic shows, back to 1942, not in her wildest dreams would she have expected to be approached by a representative of British military intelligence. This man has seen her shows, recognized her skills and presents her with an offer to assist the war effort in England designing devices to help allied soldiers evade capture or escape prison.
There are many more layers to this novel, especially interpersonal ones which I prefer to leave to readers to uncover. And there is action aplenty once Fenna reaches England but I am not going to spoil any of that. This is a great novel that keeps you reading to find out what is coming next.
Perhaps my only concern was that at times I felt it seemed a bit much happening, but the afterword reveals the true history behind the details. Still a lot to have happened to one person though such things so occur in some peoples’ lives.
Recommended. This a well written historical novel that covers aspects of history not well known and does it in exciting ways.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
June 28, 2022
This story is a fictional story dating back to 1942 when WW2 was going on. I’m definitely in the minority with my 3 star rating but I had a hard time following this story. I’m sure it’s just me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my review.
July 30, 2022
Kristina McMorris' book The Ways We Hide is a touching work of historical fiction. Set during World War II, the book follows the story of Fenna, an illusionist who joins the British army intelligence. She uses her specialized expertise as an inventor designing escape aids for the military. Fenna embarks on the most dangerous mission of her life as she is forced to come face-to-face with her past.
The Way We Hide takes a few chapters to get into, but quickly becomes a page-turner. For those that enjoy magic and illustration, the premise is extremely interesting. Additionally, the story is an emotional retelling of WWII events. For a captivating side note, there are elements of romance sprinkled throughout. Be sure to read the author's notes regarding the history behind the novel. It is a fascinating source of information.
Kristina McMorris is the author of six books, two of which are bestsellers. This is my second book by this author. I also enjoyed Sold on Monday which is McMorris' New York Times best-selling book published in 2018.
Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris is available on September 6th.
(4.25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫)
Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, for sharing this very interesting look back in history. Your kindness is appreciated!
The Way We Hide takes a few chapters to get into, but quickly becomes a page-turner. For those that enjoy magic and illustration, the premise is extremely interesting. Additionally, the story is an emotional retelling of WWII events. For a captivating side note, there are elements of romance sprinkled throughout. Be sure to read the author's notes regarding the history behind the novel. It is a fascinating source of information.
Kristina McMorris is the author of six books, two of which are bestsellers. This is my second book by this author. I also enjoyed Sold on Monday which is McMorris' New York Times best-selling book published in 2018.
Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris is available on September 6th.
(4.25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫)
Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, for sharing this very interesting look back in history. Your kindness is appreciated!
August 20, 2022
A Remarkable Tale of Intrigue and Illusion
SUMMARY
Fenna Vos’s mother died in childbirth, but Fenna is a survivor. She learned how to survive at an early age of ten when she was caught in a stampede. When her best friend, Arie Jansen gave her a book of magic tricks, her life was changed forever. She consumed the book and taught herself how to do all the illusions, escapes and magic tricks it contained. She keenly watched other magicians in films and theaters whenever she could and learned even more by studying and deconstructing their acts.
In 1942, Fenna, now 23, is performing a fairly successful magic show two times a day. Although she is the mastermind of the show, she partners with Charles Bouchard and they are currently performing in a Brooklyn, NY medium size theater. On her way home late one rainy night, Fenna is approached by an older gentleman with the British military. Christopher Clayton Hutton believes Fenna has “unique and innovative skills that should be used for a grander purpose than amusement on a stage.” He wants her to design secret and hidden escape aids to help the Allies thwart the Germans in WWII. Reluctantly, Fenna moves to London to use her skills to assist with the war effort. When drawn deep into a secret mission, she soon learns the true meaning of loyalty and courage.
REVIEW
THE WAYS WE HIDE is a remarkable tale of intrigue and illusion inspired by several actual events. Author Kristina McMorris’s writing is as spellbinding as Fenna’s copy of Houdini’s Book of Magic Tricks. The story is poignantly told from Fenna’s point of view and is smartly structured with shifts between the traumatic events of her youth and the current day
Fenna experiences many gut-wrenching events and you can’t help but be amazed at her courage both as a child and an adult in overcoming the obstacles put in her way. The unique childhood friendship she had with Arie plays a delightful and considerable role in Fenna’s life. Fenna’s character was superbly written. Her strengths, weaknesses and needs, and fears were all evident, making her come alive on the page.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher Sourcebooks Landmark
Published September 6, 2022
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
SUMMARY
Fenna Vos’s mother died in childbirth, but Fenna is a survivor. She learned how to survive at an early age of ten when she was caught in a stampede. When her best friend, Arie Jansen gave her a book of magic tricks, her life was changed forever. She consumed the book and taught herself how to do all the illusions, escapes and magic tricks it contained. She keenly watched other magicians in films and theaters whenever she could and learned even more by studying and deconstructing their acts.
In 1942, Fenna, now 23, is performing a fairly successful magic show two times a day. Although she is the mastermind of the show, she partners with Charles Bouchard and they are currently performing in a Brooklyn, NY medium size theater. On her way home late one rainy night, Fenna is approached by an older gentleman with the British military. Christopher Clayton Hutton believes Fenna has “unique and innovative skills that should be used for a grander purpose than amusement on a stage.” He wants her to design secret and hidden escape aids to help the Allies thwart the Germans in WWII. Reluctantly, Fenna moves to London to use her skills to assist with the war effort. When drawn deep into a secret mission, she soon learns the true meaning of loyalty and courage.
REVIEW
THE WAYS WE HIDE is a remarkable tale of intrigue and illusion inspired by several actual events. Author Kristina McMorris’s writing is as spellbinding as Fenna’s copy of Houdini’s Book of Magic Tricks. The story is poignantly told from Fenna’s point of view and is smartly structured with shifts between the traumatic events of her youth and the current day
Fenna experiences many gut-wrenching events and you can’t help but be amazed at her courage both as a child and an adult in overcoming the obstacles put in her way. The unique childhood friendship she had with Arie plays a delightful and considerable role in Fenna’s life. Fenna’s character was superbly written. Her strengths, weaknesses and needs, and fears were all evident, making her come alive on the page.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher Sourcebooks Landmark
Published September 6, 2022
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
September 6, 2022
I have no idea where to start with my thoughts about this mesmerizing book, which held me under its spell for every deep emotion, every heart-pounding scene, every line of superbly-crafted prose. It’s apt to use a magical term to describe a book that features an illusionist, an escape artist, a woman who uses her cunning and intellect during WWII. Fenna Vos is one of the most extraordinary characters ever to inhabit a novel. Her life is shaped by hardships and trauma that left deep psychological scars, but also left her with a profound instinct for bravery and survival. Completely enraptured, I was swept up by Fen’s journey from 1928 Michigan when Fenna is an 11-year-old living with her widowed father; to her teenage years when she first discovers the magic of Houdini and also her first love; to 1942 when she is the mastermind of a magic act, until she is recruited by British intelligence to use her skills to design gadgets and escape aids to help defeat the Nazis. I was completely invested in every aspect of Fenna’s life, always on the edge of my seat, as she faced memories and regret that haunted her, at the same time facing treachery and danger during wartime. I cried for her and with her, I celebrated her victories, I was fraught with worry, I was amazed by her cleverness, and I was in awe of her courage.
July 6, 2022
4.5 ⭐️
When I first started reading this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. A new author. A new style of writing. A new plot and characters. I will admit, some of the chapters were a bit too slow-paced for my liking, but then the author would take readers back in time to relive Fenna's childhood days. Those were some of my favorite flashbacks, especially between Fenna and Arie. They were so wholesome and sweet, and Arie really is the best 🥹
If you're sitting down to read this book and you're wondering how on earth do magic tricks fit in to a WW2 story, I was right there with you. At first, it almost seemed like the first few chapters were unnecessary. BUT. As I got into the story more, I realized what an essential part magic tricks played towards 3/4 of the book, so trust me, if you don't understand initially, you will as you read more.
I was honestly conflicted in my rating because I thought this story was shaping up to be a 3.5 star read. And then, as I read more, it became a 4-star read. But, because of a few scenes (I'll explain more down below), it was back down to 3.5 stars. But then. About 80% into the story, my heart broke. And it became 4 stars again. But THEN. About 93% into the story, there was this one scene that literally broke my heart. I'm not a crier when it comes to books. I've honestly never cried before. So when I say this, it truly shows how the author did such an incredible job of writing this scene: I. Was. Blinking. Back. Tears. So. Hard. And. If. I. Didn't. Have. To. Go. To. Bed. I. Might. Have. Cried.
THAT scene, and the way the author ended the story with such a bittersweet but hopeful ending, brought this book up to 4.5 stars. Endings are so important for authors to nail. It ties the story together, leaving the reader crying happy or sad tears, wishing there was more to the story or it had ended sooner, and sealing the deal on the final rating the reader will give. The author NAILED this ending. It was one of the best endings I've ever read in my life--and I've read a lot of books, trust me.
So. This story is a 4.5 read for me. Why not 5 stars? Well, because of this...
Content Warning: There were two scenes I skipped because, well, Arie and Fenn loved each other. And in two specific scenes, their love led them to show it in a "what couples would do on their honeymoon night" kind of way (that sounds so awkward to say, hahaha!). As a Christian, I don't read scenes that include s*x. I'm going to mention the chapters, so if content like this is something you don't want to read but still want to give this book a try, you can skip those scenes. Chapter 24 and Chapter 70 (these CW scenes are only about 1 page long, so I completely skipped the page when I knew where the scene was going, so it's easy not to read it).
Minus the CW, I honestly have no complaints about this book. I still can't get over how 93% into the story and until the very last page, how I was fighting tears, and just how the author ended the book...this is a story I won't forget for quite some time.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of The Ways We Hide. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.
When I first started reading this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. A new author. A new style of writing. A new plot and characters. I will admit, some of the chapters were a bit too slow-paced for my liking, but then the author would take readers back in time to relive Fenna's childhood days. Those were some of my favorite flashbacks, especially between Fenna and Arie. They were so wholesome and sweet, and Arie really is the best 🥹
If you're sitting down to read this book and you're wondering how on earth do magic tricks fit in to a WW2 story, I was right there with you. At first, it almost seemed like the first few chapters were unnecessary. BUT. As I got into the story more, I realized what an essential part magic tricks played towards 3/4 of the book, so trust me, if you don't understand initially, you will as you read more.
I was honestly conflicted in my rating because I thought this story was shaping up to be a 3.5 star read. And then, as I read more, it became a 4-star read. But, because of a few scenes (I'll explain more down below), it was back down to 3.5 stars. But then. About 80% into the story, my heart broke. And it became 4 stars again. But THEN. About 93% into the story, there was this one scene that literally broke my heart. I'm not a crier when it comes to books. I've honestly never cried before. So when I say this, it truly shows how the author did such an incredible job of writing this scene: I. Was. Blinking. Back. Tears. So. Hard. And. If. I. Didn't. Have. To. Go. To. Bed. I. Might. Have. Cried.
THAT scene, and the way the author ended the story with such a bittersweet but hopeful ending, brought this book up to 4.5 stars. Endings are so important for authors to nail. It ties the story together, leaving the reader crying happy or sad tears, wishing there was more to the story or it had ended sooner, and sealing the deal on the final rating the reader will give. The author NAILED this ending. It was one of the best endings I've ever read in my life--and I've read a lot of books, trust me.
So. This story is a 4.5 read for me. Why not 5 stars? Well, because of this...
Content Warning: There were two scenes I skipped because, well, Arie and Fenn loved each other. And in two specific scenes, their love led them to show it in a "what couples would do on their honeymoon night" kind of way (that sounds so awkward to say, hahaha!). As a Christian, I don't read scenes that include s*x. I'm going to mention the chapters, so if content like this is something you don't want to read but still want to give this book a try, you can skip those scenes. Chapter 24 and Chapter 70 (these CW scenes are only about 1 page long, so I completely skipped the page when I knew where the scene was going, so it's easy not to read it).
Minus the CW, I honestly have no complaints about this book. I still can't get over how 93% into the story and until the very last page, how I was fighting tears, and just how the author ended the book...this is a story I won't forget for quite some time.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of The Ways We Hide. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.
April 26, 2023
I have long loved hearing Kristina McMorris speak at Tucson Festival of Books. It’s no surprise that, as a child TV personality for Warner Brothers, she engages the crowd. I’ve read another or her books – The Edge of Lost – and enjoyed it.
I loved the premise of this novel: bold, female illusionist called upon by British Intelligence to create escape tools to thwart the Germans during WWII.
The story might have resonated more with me if it had remained along this vein, but the magic took second stage after the first section. Then the novel seemed to take on a love-story vibe, and then veered into spy-espionage territory for more than ¾ of the book. Neither is my preferred genre – and especially the constant tension that, in this particular novel, doesn’t quite put the characters in enough peril. Inevitably, they escape/survive time and again; it became a bit predictable and a little exhausting.
And, as many of my reader friends know, it is the rare first-person story that knocks my socks off. I’m really wondering (my POV biases aside) if this book would have been better served by a third-person telling, as there is so much internalization, all starting with “I” “I” “I”… (And, interestingly, this book has more uses of the word ‘thus’ than I have ever come upon before). Overall, this one was a bit more commercial than my traditional fare – but compelling, yes, and I see the reader appeal.
There is lots to appreciate. So much historic research went into this book, that it’s hard even for me to fathom (so much of it fascinating, and shared in the author’s note at the end). I think Kristina McMorris fans will enjoy this one as well – even though it is a long book, at 536 pages.
There was a great surprise at the end, also: a recipe for invisible ink. I’m feeling compelled to try it!
My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the copy!
I loved the premise of this novel: bold, female illusionist called upon by British Intelligence to create escape tools to thwart the Germans during WWII.
The story might have resonated more with me if it had remained along this vein, but the magic took second stage after the first section. Then the novel seemed to take on a love-story vibe, and then veered into spy-espionage territory for more than ¾ of the book. Neither is my preferred genre – and especially the constant tension that, in this particular novel, doesn’t quite put the characters in enough peril. Inevitably, they escape/survive time and again; it became a bit predictable and a little exhausting.
And, as many of my reader friends know, it is the rare first-person story that knocks my socks off. I’m really wondering (my POV biases aside) if this book would have been better served by a third-person telling, as there is so much internalization, all starting with “I” “I” “I”… (And, interestingly, this book has more uses of the word ‘thus’ than I have ever come upon before). Overall, this one was a bit more commercial than my traditional fare – but compelling, yes, and I see the reader appeal.
There is lots to appreciate. So much historic research went into this book, that it’s hard even for me to fathom (so much of it fascinating, and shared in the author’s note at the end). I think Kristina McMorris fans will enjoy this one as well – even though it is a long book, at 536 pages.
There was a great surprise at the end, also: a recipe for invisible ink. I’m feeling compelled to try it!
My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the copy!
July 12, 2022
What an amazing World War 2 historical novel from a new author to me. It was not only wonderfully written, but the time the author used to use actual historical events to write her story.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for a digital advanced copy of the book via NetGalley. Publication date is anticipated for September 6, 2022.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for a digital advanced copy of the book via NetGalley. Publication date is anticipated for September 6, 2022.
December 27, 2022
From the author of Sold on a Monday, author Kristina McMorris delivers a gripping tale of love, loss, sacrifice, and family.
Inspired by actual events, THE WAYS WE HIDE is a story of an unforgettable heroine, beautifully written and meticulously researched, a mix of WWII spy story, mystery, magic, illusion, a little romance, and historical fiction rolled into one intriguing novel.
A perfect title with many meanings. Ideal for book clubs and further discussions.
Included in the Book:
Author's Note (behind the book/inspiration)
Recipes from Fenna
Reading Group Guide
Images from Fenna's Journey
Further Reading
Her website includes a very extensive fun Book Club Kit.
From the Italian Hall Disaster and its parallel tragedy at Bethnal Green Station to the efforts of M19, Houdini, and the Dutch Resistance, plus those of the Engelandvaarders, The Ways We Hide highlights myriad stunning pieces of history.
Initially from Michigan's copper mining region, told from Fenna Vos' POV from 1928 (Michigan), 1942 (Brooklyn, NY), 1943 (London, England), Epilogue 1945 (Chicago)— Fenna is a successful illusionist and assistant in a magical show. She is the person in charge. The one teaching, envisioning, solving. Both the composer and the conductor are virtually unseen at center stage.
From past to present the narrative shifts from the many traumatic events of Fenna and Arie's youth to the present day. As the story begins to unfold, we get some backstory of her childhood tragedies and her happier moments with her father and childhood best friend, Arie.
Major Christopher Clayton Hutton recruits her to M19 with the creation of hidden gadgets to help aid in the war efforts for British allies. He believes her unique and innovative skills should be utilized for a grander purpose than amusement on a stage.
Excellent storytelling, the characters come alive on the page. Strong themes of family, love, loss, and sacrifice are apparent throughout and are the driving force behind Fenna's and Arie's actions.
Highly relatable characters, and a strong protagonist, I enjoyed Fenna's story and all the historical events and learning more about M19, Monopoly, the game boards, cards, and others that helped aid war efforts, and the fun facts of Houdini's history.
While I do not read a lot of historical fiction (preferring suspense, mystery, thrillers, domestic, psychological, legal, and literary fiction); however, since I read Sold On A Monday and enjoyed it, there are select authors I read in this genre. For fans of the author and historical fiction lovers.
I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by Cassandra Campbell (one of my favorite narrators), and the reason for requesting it, with superb and engaging performance!
A special thank you to #RecordedBook #RBMedia and #Negalley for an ALC in exchange for an honest review. I also purchased the e-book, which I switched back and forth with audio.
Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Sept 6, 2022
Sep 2022 Must-Read Books
Inspired by actual events, THE WAYS WE HIDE is a story of an unforgettable heroine, beautifully written and meticulously researched, a mix of WWII spy story, mystery, magic, illusion, a little romance, and historical fiction rolled into one intriguing novel.
A perfect title with many meanings. Ideal for book clubs and further discussions.
Included in the Book:
Author's Note (behind the book/inspiration)
Recipes from Fenna
Reading Group Guide
Images from Fenna's Journey
Further Reading
Her website includes a very extensive fun Book Club Kit.
From the Italian Hall Disaster and its parallel tragedy at Bethnal Green Station to the efforts of M19, Houdini, and the Dutch Resistance, plus those of the Engelandvaarders, The Ways We Hide highlights myriad stunning pieces of history.
Initially from Michigan's copper mining region, told from Fenna Vos' POV from 1928 (Michigan), 1942 (Brooklyn, NY), 1943 (London, England), Epilogue 1945 (Chicago)— Fenna is a successful illusionist and assistant in a magical show. She is the person in charge. The one teaching, envisioning, solving. Both the composer and the conductor are virtually unseen at center stage.
From past to present the narrative shifts from the many traumatic events of Fenna and Arie's youth to the present day. As the story begins to unfold, we get some backstory of her childhood tragedies and her happier moments with her father and childhood best friend, Arie.
Major Christopher Clayton Hutton recruits her to M19 with the creation of hidden gadgets to help aid in the war efforts for British allies. He believes her unique and innovative skills should be utilized for a grander purpose than amusement on a stage.
Excellent storytelling, the characters come alive on the page. Strong themes of family, love, loss, and sacrifice are apparent throughout and are the driving force behind Fenna's and Arie's actions.
Highly relatable characters, and a strong protagonist, I enjoyed Fenna's story and all the historical events and learning more about M19, Monopoly, the game boards, cards, and others that helped aid war efforts, and the fun facts of Houdini's history.
While I do not read a lot of historical fiction (preferring suspense, mystery, thrillers, domestic, psychological, legal, and literary fiction); however, since I read Sold On A Monday and enjoyed it, there are select authors I read in this genre. For fans of the author and historical fiction lovers.
I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by Cassandra Campbell (one of my favorite narrators), and the reason for requesting it, with superb and engaging performance!
A special thank you to #RecordedBook #RBMedia and #Negalley for an ALC in exchange for an honest review. I also purchased the e-book, which I switched back and forth with audio.
Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Sept 6, 2022
Sep 2022 Must-Read Books
March 25, 2023
This book was barely a 4 star for me and it was about 200 pages too long. The story was complete and predictable however I thought there are much better stories out there on the subject of the horrors of WW2 . On reflection now as I think back on it, I am changing my rating to a 3. It took me a long time to get through it and I did not even read the early timeline section of the book as I am so done with duel timeline stories. This was a book club selection.
September 25, 2022
Book Review
The Ways We Hide
Kristina McMorris
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
Multi Award winning McMorris weaves another heartfelt moving historical fiction gem, destined to be a blockbuster bestseller to rival her amazing Sold On Monday and secure multiple literary awards.
Young Fenna Vos, raised solely by her Dutch miner father in a small immigrant filled town in Michigan, has struggled to overcome early tragedy and adversity to forge a place in a man’s world by utilizing her obsession with the magic and illusions of Harry Houdini.
The story opens in 1942 with Fenna performing on stage as an assistant to Charles Bouchard, as he performs feats of magic and escapology to thunderous hoots, hollers and applause from the audience. But, actually she is the mastermind behind his “death defying” escapes. She has groomed him and devised and choreographed the illusions and magic, and yet, performs as “his assistant” for over three years on tour. She remains at center stage virtually unseen. She is approached after the performance by Christopher Clayton Hutton, who proposes and offers a job in London as a wartime civil servant to assist him. Her job would be to devise gadgets and escape aids to thwart the Germans in order to save lives of Allied soldiers and P.O.W.s. Hutton is well aware that Fenna is the brains behind their act, and is desirous of obtaining her unusual skill set for MI9’s war effort. Fenna vividly recalls being immersed as a child watching spy and detective adventures at the movies, and accepts the offer with trepidation. She has no inkling that eventually she will leave the comfortable confines of London, and request to be dropped behind enemy lines in occupied Holland to find and clear the name of her dear childhood friend and love of her life, Arie Jansen. He has disappeared without a trace and is suspected of being a Nazi collaborator.
McMorris utilizes flashback chapters of Fenna’s early life in 1928 to lay the foundations of her early life, exposure to tragedy, and mechanisms to overcome her adversity to life in an orphanage that lead to her future motivations and independence. She had disabling nightmares after experiencing the trampling tragedy on a stairway, at a Christmas Party.. After someone falsely called “fire” both adults and children were trampled to death. She envisions caskets nightly, some filled with her own image. Arie Jansen proved to be a godsend in his nightly offering her solace and a distracting story about brave knights, dragons, and pirates. He also gave her a book that would alter her life forever. She found on her pillow, a pocket-sized book: Houdini’s Big Little Book of Magic and Stunts. Fenna sets out to make her own way in the world.
Kristina McMorris weaves a complex and twisted tale with multiple interwoven subplots, with elegant and passionate prose that immerses the reader with an escalating tale of secrets, intrigue, desperation, friendship and love. This evocative tale results in a compulsive page turner to find closure in Fenna Vos’ life. This gripping story of survival was inspired by multiple true events and real persons, as disclosed by the author in an insightful Afterword.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark Publishers for supplying an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
..... Published at Mystery and Suspense Magazine ...
The Ways We Hide
Kristina McMorris
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
Multi Award winning McMorris weaves another heartfelt moving historical fiction gem, destined to be a blockbuster bestseller to rival her amazing Sold On Monday and secure multiple literary awards.
Young Fenna Vos, raised solely by her Dutch miner father in a small immigrant filled town in Michigan, has struggled to overcome early tragedy and adversity to forge a place in a man’s world by utilizing her obsession with the magic and illusions of Harry Houdini.
The story opens in 1942 with Fenna performing on stage as an assistant to Charles Bouchard, as he performs feats of magic and escapology to thunderous hoots, hollers and applause from the audience. But, actually she is the mastermind behind his “death defying” escapes. She has groomed him and devised and choreographed the illusions and magic, and yet, performs as “his assistant” for over three years on tour. She remains at center stage virtually unseen. She is approached after the performance by Christopher Clayton Hutton, who proposes and offers a job in London as a wartime civil servant to assist him. Her job would be to devise gadgets and escape aids to thwart the Germans in order to save lives of Allied soldiers and P.O.W.s. Hutton is well aware that Fenna is the brains behind their act, and is desirous of obtaining her unusual skill set for MI9’s war effort. Fenna vividly recalls being immersed as a child watching spy and detective adventures at the movies, and accepts the offer with trepidation. She has no inkling that eventually she will leave the comfortable confines of London, and request to be dropped behind enemy lines in occupied Holland to find and clear the name of her dear childhood friend and love of her life, Arie Jansen. He has disappeared without a trace and is suspected of being a Nazi collaborator.
McMorris utilizes flashback chapters of Fenna’s early life in 1928 to lay the foundations of her early life, exposure to tragedy, and mechanisms to overcome her adversity to life in an orphanage that lead to her future motivations and independence. She had disabling nightmares after experiencing the trampling tragedy on a stairway, at a Christmas Party.. After someone falsely called “fire” both adults and children were trampled to death. She envisions caskets nightly, some filled with her own image. Arie Jansen proved to be a godsend in his nightly offering her solace and a distracting story about brave knights, dragons, and pirates. He also gave her a book that would alter her life forever. She found on her pillow, a pocket-sized book: Houdini’s Big Little Book of Magic and Stunts. Fenna sets out to make her own way in the world.
Kristina McMorris weaves a complex and twisted tale with multiple interwoven subplots, with elegant and passionate prose that immerses the reader with an escalating tale of secrets, intrigue, desperation, friendship and love. This evocative tale results in a compulsive page turner to find closure in Fenna Vos’ life. This gripping story of survival was inspired by multiple true events and real persons, as disclosed by the author in an insightful Afterword.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark Publishers for supplying an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
..... Published at Mystery and Suspense Magazine ...
September 4, 2022
Heart-wrenching, charged, and atmospheric!
The Ways We Hide is an absorbing, enthralling, tragic tale set during WWII that follows Fenna Vos, a young American magician who, after taking a position working in England with Christopher Hutton at MI9 inventing “escape-and-evasion gadgets” for airmen and POWS, requests to be dropped into occupied Holland to find her childhood friend and love of her life who has seemingly disappeared without a trace and believed to be a traitor and Nazi collaborator.
The prose is eloquent and polished. The characters are driven, courageous, and resilient. And the plot, including all the subplots, unravel and intertwine seamlessly into an absorbing tale of life, loss, family, tragedy, desperation, secrets, danger, friendship, magical illusions, survival, and war.
Overall, The Ways We Hide is a passionate, rich, evocative tale by McMorris that transports you to another time and place and immerses you so thoroughly into the personalities, feelings, and lives of the characters within it that you can’t help but be fully absorbed and invested. I can honestly say I devoured this novel, and it is hands down one of my favourite reads of the year!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Ways We Hide is an absorbing, enthralling, tragic tale set during WWII that follows Fenna Vos, a young American magician who, after taking a position working in England with Christopher Hutton at MI9 inventing “escape-and-evasion gadgets” for airmen and POWS, requests to be dropped into occupied Holland to find her childhood friend and love of her life who has seemingly disappeared without a trace and believed to be a traitor and Nazi collaborator.
The prose is eloquent and polished. The characters are driven, courageous, and resilient. And the plot, including all the subplots, unravel and intertwine seamlessly into an absorbing tale of life, loss, family, tragedy, desperation, secrets, danger, friendship, magical illusions, survival, and war.
Overall, The Ways We Hide is a passionate, rich, evocative tale by McMorris that transports you to another time and place and immerses you so thoroughly into the personalities, feelings, and lives of the characters within it that you can’t help but be fully absorbed and invested. I can honestly say I devoured this novel, and it is hands down one of my favourite reads of the year!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2022
"For me it all passed in an emotionless blur..."
Sadly, that quote from the book sums up my experience reading it.
There were some moments in this book that I liked but I wasn't deeply moved or swept up in the story at all. The writing is choppy, clustered, and dragged on and on. I'm positive this book could have been 200 pages shorter. (Its 497 pages, paperback)
The MC was unlikable for me. She made choices that didn't make sense/confused me/angered me and I never cared for her.
there's SOO much inner monologuing and info dumping, which is fine sometimes, but I couldn't handle it here.
I love books that have little dialogue and lots of descriptions. I read Orlando by Virginia Wolf for heaven's sake and loved it. But the difference here is the writing. Orlando was poetic, lyrical and passionate. This was mostly one note, and uninspiring. I'm not trying to be mean. I'm just being honest. I'm genuinely happy for anyone who enjoys this book. Maybe I just can't see what other 4- and 5-star reviewers see. I appreciate the plot and the real historical events, but overall, not a book for me.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Characters - 6
Atmosphere/Setting - 5
Writing Style - 2
Plot - 7
Intrigue - 3
Logic/Relationships - 5
Enjoyment - 3
Total: 31
Divided by 7 = 4.4 (2 stars)
1.1-2.2 *
2.3-4.5 **
4.6-6.9 ***
7.0-8.9 ****
9.0-10 *****
Sadly, that quote from the book sums up my experience reading it.
There were some moments in this book that I liked but I wasn't deeply moved or swept up in the story at all. The writing is choppy, clustered, and dragged on and on. I'm positive this book could have been 200 pages shorter. (Its 497 pages, paperback)
The MC was unlikable for me. She made choices that didn't make sense/confused me/angered me and I never cared for her.
there's SOO much inner monologuing and info dumping, which is fine sometimes, but I couldn't handle it here.
I love books that have little dialogue and lots of descriptions. I read Orlando by Virginia Wolf for heaven's sake and loved it. But the difference here is the writing. Orlando was poetic, lyrical and passionate. This was mostly one note, and uninspiring. I'm not trying to be mean. I'm just being honest. I'm genuinely happy for anyone who enjoys this book. Maybe I just can't see what other 4- and 5-star reviewers see. I appreciate the plot and the real historical events, but overall, not a book for me.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Characters - 6
Atmosphere/Setting - 5
Writing Style - 2
Plot - 7
Intrigue - 3
Logic/Relationships - 5
Enjoyment - 3
Total: 31
Divided by 7 = 4.4 (2 stars)
1.1-2.2 *
2.3-4.5 **
4.6-6.9 ***
7.0-8.9 ****
9.0-10 *****
August 25, 2022
2.5 ⭐️ Maybe I’m an outlier but this book really didn’t do it for me. My favorite part was the first section, and the rest was sort of downhill. I had hoped the magic would have been a bigger component of the story, and it just wasn’t (a missed opportunity IMO). This book was also far too long for what it was. I wish I could put my finger on what didn’t work for me, but I found myself not really wanting to pick this book up.
September 6, 2022
The Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris is a fascinating work of historical fiction. Set during World War II, the book tells the story of Fenna Vos, an illusionist who works for British army intelligence. Using her unique expertise as an inventor and magician, she creates escape aids for the military.
This novel may take a few pages to get into, but hang on. It’s worth it. Fenna must face her past, events that have haunted her since she was a child, in order to undertake a dangerous journey into Holland. Mrs. McMorris writes an exciting and well-developed narrative about war, valor, loss, military intelligence, and courage. Inspired by true events, this is a tale of dealing with unforeseen challenges, of finding the inner strength to overcome the obstacles, and of surviving in a country ravaged by war.
For those who enjoy magic, this book offers a look behind the scenes. Besides an informative retelling of WWII events, there are also elements of romance throughout the story. Following this exciting story, read the author's notes regarding the history behind the novel. They provide a valuable source of information.
This novel may take a few pages to get into, but hang on. It’s worth it. Fenna must face her past, events that have haunted her since she was a child, in order to undertake a dangerous journey into Holland. Mrs. McMorris writes an exciting and well-developed narrative about war, valor, loss, military intelligence, and courage. Inspired by true events, this is a tale of dealing with unforeseen challenges, of finding the inner strength to overcome the obstacles, and of surviving in a country ravaged by war.
For those who enjoy magic, this book offers a look behind the scenes. Besides an informative retelling of WWII events, there are also elements of romance throughout the story. Following this exciting story, read the author's notes regarding the history behind the novel. They provide a valuable source of information.
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