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The Secrets You Hide
In her
eyes, no-one is innocent...
A knock-out read for fans of Clare Mackintosh, Anatomy of a Scandal and Apple Tree Yard.
Georgia Sage has a gift: she can see evil in people. As a courtroom artist she uses her skills to help condemn those who commit terrible crimes. After all, her own brutal past means she knows innocence is even rarer than justice.
But when she is drawn back into the trial that defined her career, a case of twisted family betrayal, she realises her own reckless pursuit of justice may have helped the guilty go free.
As Georgia gets closer to the truth behind the Slater family, something happens that threatens not only her career - but even her own sanity. At first, she fears her guilt around the events of her terrible childhood is finally coming back to haunt her.
The truth turns out to be even more terrifying . . .
THE SECRETS YOU HIDE is an ambitious rocket of a novel. Every layer, every twist, every revelation makes you question the very characters you thought you could trust, and rethink a plot you thought you were beginning to unravel...
A knock-out read for fans of Clare Mackintosh, Anatomy of a Scandal and Apple Tree Yard.
Georgia Sage has a gift: she can see evil in people. As a courtroom artist she uses her skills to help condemn those who commit terrible crimes. After all, her own brutal past means she knows innocence is even rarer than justice.
But when she is drawn back into the trial that defined her career, a case of twisted family betrayal, she realises her own reckless pursuit of justice may have helped the guilty go free.
As Georgia gets closer to the truth behind the Slater family, something happens that threatens not only her career - but even her own sanity. At first, she fears her guilt around the events of her terrible childhood is finally coming back to haunt her.
The truth turns out to be even more terrifying . . .
THE SECRETS YOU HIDE is an ambitious rocket of a novel. Every layer, every twist, every revelation makes you question the very characters you thought you could trust, and rethink a plot you thought you were beginning to unravel...
Audio CD
First published October 4, 2018
48 people are currently reading
1865 people want to read
About the author
Kate Helm
5 books106 followersI was born in Lancashire, and worked as a journalist covering courts and crime, before becoming a BBC reporter and producer in news and current affairs.
I also wrote documentary and drama scripts, including the BBC1 programme: Angel of Death: The Story of Beverly Allitt. Kate Helm is a pseudonym for me - under my own name, Kate Harrison, I've written women's fiction (like The Secret Shopper's Revenge), teen fiction (including Soul Beach) AND health/diet books about 5:2, intermittent fasting and 'The Dirty Diet.'
And in 2021, I'll add a third name to my list - Eva Carter, with the epic love story How to Save a Life.
I use pen names because my books are so different - Eva and Carter are both family names, while I chose Helm because the original name for Brighton, the city where I live - and find so much inspiration - is Brighthelmstone.
I also wrote documentary and drama scripts, including the BBC1 programme: Angel of Death: The Story of Beverly Allitt. Kate Helm is a pseudonym for me - under my own name, Kate Harrison, I've written women's fiction (like The Secret Shopper's Revenge), teen fiction (including Soul Beach) AND health/diet books about 5:2, intermittent fasting and 'The Dirty Diet.'
And in 2021, I'll add a third name to my list - Eva Carter, with the epic love story How to Save a Life.
I use pen names because my books are so different - Eva and Carter are both family names, while I chose Helm because the original name for Brighton, the city where I live - and find so much inspiration - is Brighthelmstone.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
October 15, 2022
Georgia has an unusual career as a courtroom artist. But not your typical artist. She possesses the ability to see the evil in people and weave that into her drawings. Making her one of the top in her field.
But Georgia has secrets from her past that she’s managed to keep hidden her entire adult life. But when she starts having hallucinations she’s certain she’s losing her mind. Unfortunately, she discovers the reason for the freakish images could be so much worse.
I had trouble following along as the storyline progressed. Georgia’s character seemed to immediately change once the reason for the hallucinations was found. And the amount of characters (real or otherwise👻) just left me confused.
I listened to the audio and enjoyed the narrator, but overall just an average experience.
There are many glowing reviews so I hope your experience is better!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media🎧
But Georgia has secrets from her past that she’s managed to keep hidden her entire adult life. But when she starts having hallucinations she’s certain she’s losing her mind. Unfortunately, she discovers the reason for the freakish images could be so much worse.
I had trouble following along as the storyline progressed. Georgia’s character seemed to immediately change once the reason for the hallucinations was found. And the amount of characters (real or otherwise👻) just left me confused.
I listened to the audio and enjoyed the narrator, but overall just an average experience.
There are many glowing reviews so I hope your experience is better!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media🎧
June 3, 2019
What initially starts off as a court room drama soon escalates into a gripping crime thriller as this unique debut by Helm is a genuine page turner.
Courtroom artist Georgia Sage believes she can instantly spot any evil in a person, that’s why her drawings are so successful. She really captures the scene.
But when elements from her traumatic childhood starting to resurface, the hallucinations she is starting to experience soon take a detrimental impact on her work...
A really clever character driven piece as the normality of a court trail allows the reader to get to know Georgia, I had already grown attached to the character once her backstory was explored during the second half of the novel.
I feel that locations are always important in crime novels as it adds a sense of realism.
So I liked that it was held back long enough to keep me guessing, but with many recognisable locations and bus routes I’d solved it by Chapter 8!
With leads into the court case during the first half of the novel as footballer Sam Carr is on trail accused of rape.
Now the team that he plays for is never stated, I soon assumed he’d have played for the local Premier League side...
That added an extra layer of interest for me!!
That probably explains why it instantly grabbed my attention.
Courtroom artist Georgia Sage believes she can instantly spot any evil in a person, that’s why her drawings are so successful. She really captures the scene.
But when elements from her traumatic childhood starting to resurface, the hallucinations she is starting to experience soon take a detrimental impact on her work...
A really clever character driven piece as the normality of a court trail allows the reader to get to know Georgia, I had already grown attached to the character once her backstory was explored during the second half of the novel.
I feel that locations are always important in crime novels as it adds a sense of realism.
So I liked that it was held back long enough to keep me guessing, but with many recognisable locations and bus routes I’d solved it by Chapter 8!
With leads into the court case during the first half of the novel as footballer Sam Carr is on trail accused of rape.
Now the team that he plays for is never stated, I soon assumed he’d have played for the local Premier League side...
That added an extra layer of interest for me!!
That probably explains why it instantly grabbed my attention.
January 22, 2019
Georgia Sage has a gift: she can see evil in people. She works as a courtroom artist using her skills to help condemn those who commit terrible crimes. We learn what happens in Georgia's past and the reason why she doubts her own sanity. The first part of the book covers a rape trial which is where we learn just what being a court artist entails. Georgia starts to see mysterious figures, the first being a young boy, that no one else can see. Then she gets caught up in investigating a series of crimes, miles from her home in the Forest of Dean.
The first chapter of this book grabs your attention and does not let up until the book is finished. I like Georgia and the insight that we got into courtroom artists. The story is told from Georgia's point of view. This is quite a pacy read. It's hard reviewing this book as there are so many spoilers I could unintentionally give away. It's hard to believe that this is a debut novel. It's well written and thought out.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre and the author Kate Helm for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The first chapter of this book grabs your attention and does not let up until the book is finished. I like Georgia and the insight that we got into courtroom artists. The story is told from Georgia's point of view. This is quite a pacy read. It's hard reviewing this book as there are so many spoilers I could unintentionally give away. It's hard to believe that this is a debut novel. It's well written and thought out.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre and the author Kate Helm for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2019
A unique crime novel about a courtroom artist called Georgia Sage who after a tragic childhood gets drawn into an old trial, which she is determined to pursue justice.
The Secrets You Hide has every element you could want in a thriller: murder, mystery, love, abuse, jealousy and such sadness! All this combined made for an absolutely compelling read which I just could not put down.
The characters were so well described that I feel in love with each of them, especially protagonist Georgia Sage who I so wanted her to do right. She comes across as vulnerable but with a steel interior. Oli, dear Oli a constant reliable friend and Neena the journalist always out for a story but remained a good friend.
There are such depths to this book and so many twists and turns, this made for an unpredictable reading and I was baffled how it would end. This is a certain page-turner and the writing throughout was a good pace for a thriller keeping you on the edge of your seat.
Well done to Kate Helm, a debut crime novel under this name and an excellent read which I shall be recommending to family and friends.
The Secrets You Hide has every element you could want in a thriller: murder, mystery, love, abuse, jealousy and such sadness! All this combined made for an absolutely compelling read which I just could not put down.
The characters were so well described that I feel in love with each of them, especially protagonist Georgia Sage who I so wanted her to do right. She comes across as vulnerable but with a steel interior. Oli, dear Oli a constant reliable friend and Neena the journalist always out for a story but remained a good friend.
There are such depths to this book and so many twists and turns, this made for an unpredictable reading and I was baffled how it would end. This is a certain page-turner and the writing throughout was a good pace for a thriller keeping you on the edge of your seat.
Well done to Kate Helm, a debut crime novel under this name and an excellent read which I shall be recommending to family and friends.
January 31, 2019
Firstly I would say I am not sure knowing this was the author, Kate Harrison, who wrote one of my fav series of books ever ‘The Secret Shopper’ etc helped or hindered! The author has changed her pen name as this is a totally different genre, as say not sure if knowing was a good thing!!
Georgia is a court room artist, you know when you see the sketches on the news where the press are not allowed in, usually well drawn and you cast your eye and sometimes make a judgement on the person by that picture, well she is one of those, got to say that part of the book was fascinating and interesting to learn her feelings re who she was drawing.......Georgia also has a past ( naturally ) but one that will shock you ( the beginning of the book that deals with this is brilliantly atmospheric )
Georgia then gets involved,all rather quickly, in a complex story re a ‘hero’ Dad who saved 2 of his family in a fire that was started by his son!
She also starts having hallucinations
Then she has to deal with her own past and as it turns out her scary present
You then are taken back and forth with the various plots and storylines and all this whilst carrying on her job at the court which is a harrowing rape case, a lot for her and at times a lot for the reader to take in
The book was thorough on detail both character and story but every so often I felt almost overwhelmed by it all as it veered off into its various directions
I kinda liked Georgia, mostly, although her more than occasional self pity I skimmed over in the end as ‘had heard it all before’ from her
The endings ( for the various storylines ) all came together in a believable ( if not guessable for a couple of the plotlines ) way
I did enjoy the book but at times found it more hard work than I wanted it to be
A great author who I look forward to reading the next book she writes ( under either name!! )
6/10 3 Stars
January 23, 2019
Absolutely brilliant. A unique female character, Georgia Sage, whom I enjoyed from the beginning. This is a true psychological thriller with unpredictable twists and turns you do not see coming. The ease with which you are taken back to Georgia’s tragic past, interwoven with her medically uncertain future, career dilemma and hunt for the truth, makes this one read I could not put down. From chapter one to the last page I was gripped.
January 1, 2020
This was an absorbing slow burn crime mystery/psychological thriller with an interesting and different protagonist - a court reporter who draws the defendants for the media as cameras are not allowed in court. She is well aware that how she draws the defendants can influence people's perceptions of them. The story is about what happens when she uses her skills to try and maybe have too much influence because she thinks she can read people. It kept me engaged.
December 7, 2020
I'm so conflicted with this book. A part of me thinks this was a really good book, but at the same time I wasn't really gripped by the story.
There's twists, a slow build up of what happened in Georgia's past and how it then links in with the present. It's an okay story, it's worth the read but not one I'd go back to.
I felt more sad by the book than anything, I hate the parts with Georgia/Suzanne's little brother, I mean I know she was just a child herself and she can't be blamed but it was just so sad reading some parts (by reading the book that becomes clearer). I think I would have preferred the book without the parts with her little brother, it was just too much sadness for me and like others that involve ones like that I had to skip those parts as much as I could.
There's twists, a slow build up of what happened in Georgia's past and how it then links in with the present. It's an okay story, it's worth the read but not one I'd go back to.
I felt more sad by the book than anything, I hate the parts with Georgia/Suzanne's little brother, I mean I know she was just a child herself and she can't be blamed but it was just so sad reading some parts (by reading the book that becomes clearer). I think I would have preferred the book without the parts with her little brother, it was just too much sadness for me and like others that involve ones like that I had to skip those parts as much as I could.
September 26, 2018
"The Secrets You Hide" by Kate Helm is one of those books you really want to keep reading and not want to stop, it's easy to read, clearly written and with an exciting premise it really does keep you hooked from page one. The opening chapter was brilliant at grabbing the reader's attention and once read, it becomes a very compelling story.
I liked the unusual premise of using a court artist as the main protagonist who believes she can feel and sense evil in people. I liked her a lot and it was interesting to see how court artists actually feature in a courtroom having myself seen artists' sketches in the media before during trials. I was particularly interested in the footballers rape trial that she was working on during the first half of the book and felt it was handled exceedingly true to life.
The author has also done her medical research, as I was very intrigued by a diagnosis made during the story which promptly made me google the conditions and symptoms. Understanding these conditions really helped with making the book more realistic for me, as I'd never heard of anything like it before.
There isn't a lot of action in the story, it is very character driven from the point of view of Georgia the main character, but the ending is fast paced, tense and very unexpected and I liked how the denouement fully pulled together the many threads of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading how it all played out.
I liked all of the characters especially Oli the barrister and ex boyfriend of Georgia and I truly felt for Suzanne/Georgia's tragic childhood background, especially after she explained properly what happened that day with her family and how she reacted to her younger brother too before it all happened. Very sad and I did sorely feel for her guilt.
I can see why this book would be recommended for fans of Clare Mackintosh, as the slow burn feel to the novel just accentuates every twist and turn until you really don't know who to trust. Very clever and excellently written.
The author Kate Helm has previously published successful books under the name Kate Harrison but this is her first thriller under her new pseudonym and what a debut it is too!
A very cleverly plotted and thought out thriller, I'd have no hesitation in recommending and I really do hope there'll be more by Kate Helm again in the future.
5 stars
Merged review:
"The Secrets You Hide" by Kate Helm is one of those books you really want to keep reading and not want to stop, it's easy to read, clearly written and with an exciting premise it really does keep you hooked from page one. The opening chapter was brilliant at grabbing the reader's attention and once read, it becomes a very compelling story.
I liked the unusual premise of using a court artist as the main protagonist who believes she can feel and sense evil in people. I liked her a lot and it was interesting to see how court artists actually feature in a courtroom having myself seen artists' sketches in the media before during trials. I was particularly interested in the footballers rape trial that she was working on during the first half of the book and felt it was handled exceedingly true to life.
The author has also done her medical research, as I was very intrigued by a diagnosis made during the story which promptly made me google the conditions and symptoms. Understanding these conditions really helped with making the book more realistic for me, as I'd never heard of anything like it before.
There isn't a lot of action in the story, it is very character driven from the point of view of Georgia the main character, but the ending is fast paced, tense and very unexpected and I liked how the denouement fully pulled together the many threads of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading how it all played out.
I liked all of the characters especially Oli the barrister and ex boyfriend of Georgia and I truly felt for Suzanne/Georgia's tragic childhood background, especially after she explained properly what happened that day with her family and how she reacted to her younger brother too before it all happened. Very sad and I did sorely feel for her guilt.
I can see why this book would be recommended for fans of Clare Mackintosh, as the slow burn feel to the novel just accentuates every twist and turn until you really don't know who to trust. Very clever and excellently written.
The author Kate Helm has previously published successful books under the name Kate Harrison but this is her first thriller under her new pseudonym and what a debut it is too!
A very cleverly plotted and thought out thriller, I'd have no hesitation in recommending and I really do hope there'll be more by Kate Helm again in the future.
5 stars
I liked the unusual premise of using a court artist as the main protagonist who believes she can feel and sense evil in people. I liked her a lot and it was interesting to see how court artists actually feature in a courtroom having myself seen artists' sketches in the media before during trials. I was particularly interested in the footballers rape trial that she was working on during the first half of the book and felt it was handled exceedingly true to life.
The author has also done her medical research, as I was very intrigued by a diagnosis made during the story which promptly made me google the conditions and symptoms. Understanding these conditions really helped with making the book more realistic for me, as I'd never heard of anything like it before.
There isn't a lot of action in the story, it is very character driven from the point of view of Georgia the main character, but the ending is fast paced, tense and very unexpected and I liked how the denouement fully pulled together the many threads of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading how it all played out.
I liked all of the characters especially Oli the barrister and ex boyfriend of Georgia and I truly felt for Suzanne/Georgia's tragic childhood background, especially after she explained properly what happened that day with her family and how she reacted to her younger brother too before it all happened. Very sad and I did sorely feel for her guilt.
I can see why this book would be recommended for fans of Clare Mackintosh, as the slow burn feel to the novel just accentuates every twist and turn until you really don't know who to trust. Very clever and excellently written.
The author Kate Helm has previously published successful books under the name Kate Harrison but this is her first thriller under her new pseudonym and what a debut it is too!
A very cleverly plotted and thought out thriller, I'd have no hesitation in recommending and I really do hope there'll be more by Kate Helm again in the future.
5 stars
Merged review:
"The Secrets You Hide" by Kate Helm is one of those books you really want to keep reading and not want to stop, it's easy to read, clearly written and with an exciting premise it really does keep you hooked from page one. The opening chapter was brilliant at grabbing the reader's attention and once read, it becomes a very compelling story.
I liked the unusual premise of using a court artist as the main protagonist who believes she can feel and sense evil in people. I liked her a lot and it was interesting to see how court artists actually feature in a courtroom having myself seen artists' sketches in the media before during trials. I was particularly interested in the footballers rape trial that she was working on during the first half of the book and felt it was handled exceedingly true to life.
The author has also done her medical research, as I was very intrigued by a diagnosis made during the story which promptly made me google the conditions and symptoms. Understanding these conditions really helped with making the book more realistic for me, as I'd never heard of anything like it before.
There isn't a lot of action in the story, it is very character driven from the point of view of Georgia the main character, but the ending is fast paced, tense and very unexpected and I liked how the denouement fully pulled together the many threads of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading how it all played out.
I liked all of the characters especially Oli the barrister and ex boyfriend of Georgia and I truly felt for Suzanne/Georgia's tragic childhood background, especially after she explained properly what happened that day with her family and how she reacted to her younger brother too before it all happened. Very sad and I did sorely feel for her guilt.
I can see why this book would be recommended for fans of Clare Mackintosh, as the slow burn feel to the novel just accentuates every twist and turn until you really don't know who to trust. Very clever and excellently written.
The author Kate Helm has previously published successful books under the name Kate Harrison but this is her first thriller under her new pseudonym and what a debut it is too!
A very cleverly plotted and thought out thriller, I'd have no hesitation in recommending and I really do hope there'll be more by Kate Helm again in the future.
5 stars
October 3, 2022
The narrator of this audiobook did a great job of pulling me into the mysteries that surround Georgia, a courtroom artist. Showing me the intriguing and complicated side of this profession.
Georgia sees things others don’t. These visions are an integral part of her work. They lead her to detect hidden elements of the accused and she uses those to create pictures that can sway jury members.
When she finds out she is going blind, it puts a new perspective on her visions and life in general. There were several twists that I didn’t predict, which made this an intriguing read.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a gifted copy through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#thesecretsyouhide #katehelm #dreamscapemedia #netgalley #audiobook #ARC #honestreview #bookreviewer #crimeandcocktailsbookcrew #mysteryandthrills #bookaddict #thrilleraddict #thrillersofinstagram #bookstagrammer #lovebooks #bookreviewersofinstagram #lovetoreadbooks#cantstopreading #fortheloveofbooks #bookrecommendations #readingintherockies #mustread #justfinishedreading #thrillerfiction #coloradoreader
Georgia sees things others don’t. These visions are an integral part of her work. They lead her to detect hidden elements of the accused and she uses those to create pictures that can sway jury members.
When she finds out she is going blind, it puts a new perspective on her visions and life in general. There were several twists that I didn’t predict, which made this an intriguing read.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a gifted copy through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#thesecretsyouhide #katehelm #dreamscapemedia #netgalley #audiobook #ARC #honestreview #bookreviewer #crimeandcocktailsbookcrew #mysteryandthrills #bookaddict #thrilleraddict #thrillersofinstagram #bookstagrammer #lovebooks #bookreviewersofinstagram #lovetoreadbooks#cantstopreading #fortheloveofbooks #bookrecommendations #readingintherockies #mustread #justfinishedreading #thrillerfiction #coloradoreader
October 6, 2018
How often do we look at someone and immediately decide whether we like them or not? How often are we wrong and does our initial idea of someone change? What if you’re a court artist, like Georgia Sage? She thinks she has a firm grasp on people’s faces and can spot evil in a flash. After all, she’s been drawing them for years and she knows what to look out for. With a few simple brush strokes, she can get her opinion of a suspect at a trial across to a tv audience as well. But what if she’s wrong?
Drawn back to one of the first court cases Georgia attended, she may need to face up to the fact she possibly helped the guilty party go free. While searching for the truth and hopefully seeing justice served, Georgia finds herself confronted with her own dark past. A chilling event from her childhood has haunted her ever since but the truth is even more devastating. As Georgia will soon discover for herself.
This compelling story has a lot to offer. Not only is there the wonderful setting in Brighton but there’s a murder to solve and for once, there’s not a detective in sight. There’s just Georgia, a normal young woman, albeit it a tad damaged. While the pace was maybe somewhat on the slow side at the beginning, I found myself utterly engrossed, wondering what was going on. But then!
I’m not a fan of this whole “twist you won’t see coming” thing but guess what?! There was a twist I didn’t see coming! It changed the entire storyline, tilting it right onto its head, making me sit up just that little bit straighter. All of a sudden, an “average” crime thriller turned into something highly original and unusual and I absolutely loved it!
With a unique premise and an exciting first chapter, this had me utterly gripped. A slow burner, yes, but packed full of emotion and intriguing characters. The Secrets You Hide is well-plotted, brilliantly written, addictive and hugely satisfying. If you enjoy your crime thrillers and you’re looking for something that’s a little bit different, look no more! I’m incredibly excited to find out what Kate Helm comes up with next.
Drawn back to one of the first court cases Georgia attended, she may need to face up to the fact she possibly helped the guilty party go free. While searching for the truth and hopefully seeing justice served, Georgia finds herself confronted with her own dark past. A chilling event from her childhood has haunted her ever since but the truth is even more devastating. As Georgia will soon discover for herself.
This compelling story has a lot to offer. Not only is there the wonderful setting in Brighton but there’s a murder to solve and for once, there’s not a detective in sight. There’s just Georgia, a normal young woman, albeit it a tad damaged. While the pace was maybe somewhat on the slow side at the beginning, I found myself utterly engrossed, wondering what was going on. But then!
I’m not a fan of this whole “twist you won’t see coming” thing but guess what?! There was a twist I didn’t see coming! It changed the entire storyline, tilting it right onto its head, making me sit up just that little bit straighter. All of a sudden, an “average” crime thriller turned into something highly original and unusual and I absolutely loved it!
With a unique premise and an exciting first chapter, this had me utterly gripped. A slow burner, yes, but packed full of emotion and intriguing characters. The Secrets You Hide is well-plotted, brilliantly written, addictive and hugely satisfying. If you enjoy your crime thrillers and you’re looking for something that’s a little bit different, look no more! I’m incredibly excited to find out what Kate Helm comes up with next.
December 30, 2018
There is a great deal of information to take in with this book. There are plots on plots on plots, giving the book a great amount of depth and complexity.
It took a while to get to grips with how things fitted together and it was all from Georgia's point of view.
We have what happened in Georgia's past, her current work as a courtroom artist, the reasoning behind why she is doubting her own sanity, and a couple of cases that are told in depth.
For most of the first half of the book we see the court proceedings of a big rape trial, which introduces us to just what a courtroom artist does, as well was Georgia's ex - Oli - and a very realistic if not traumatic telling of what happens at one of these trials.
Having read previous books by Kate Harrison, Kate Helms, last author name, I knew she was able to write books that would grab me. In this her crime book, she has found some new angles to the genre and told a complex story,.
I was always a few steps behind Georgia in this, and never really had a concrete theory, but even while events are being explained and secrets are being told, its a book that will definitely keep your interest and you guessing.
Thank you to Netgalley and Zaffre for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
It took a while to get to grips with how things fitted together and it was all from Georgia's point of view.
We have what happened in Georgia's past, her current work as a courtroom artist, the reasoning behind why she is doubting her own sanity, and a couple of cases that are told in depth.
For most of the first half of the book we see the court proceedings of a big rape trial, which introduces us to just what a courtroom artist does, as well was Georgia's ex - Oli - and a very realistic if not traumatic telling of what happens at one of these trials.
Having read previous books by Kate Harrison, Kate Helms, last author name, I knew she was able to write books that would grab me. In this her crime book, she has found some new angles to the genre and told a complex story,.
I was always a few steps behind Georgia in this, and never really had a concrete theory, but even while events are being explained and secrets are being told, its a book that will definitely keep your interest and you guessing.
Thank you to Netgalley and Zaffre for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
December 9, 2018
This was a really good read too. Georgia is a courtroom artist who feels like she can see evil in people. She suffered a terrible trauma in her childhood and this has impacted her as an adult. She is forced to re-look at a conviction from early in her career and begins to question whether she might have helped put an innocent person in prison. The really fascinating thing about this thriller for me was the way it made me think about how I might look at a person and judge them. The novel really makes you question how often judgements are made when the person in question could be completely innocent. This is a thrilling novel that will keep you guessing right until the end, it’s such an engaging read and I recommend it!
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
January 16, 2025
Complex, twisty, slow burn of a story, switching between present and the past, it's one of those stories that grow on you, draw you in and make you forget about everything until you turned the last page. Good really really good.
September 4, 2022
This was okay.
Great plot idea and interesting characters, but quite a bit longer than it needed to be.
With a lot of unnecessary bits this probably could have been 1/2 as long.
I loved the narrator (Emma Powell), so at least there was a fabulous voice guiding me along.
Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for my DRC.
Great plot idea and interesting characters, but quite a bit longer than it needed to be.
With a lot of unnecessary bits this probably could have been 1/2 as long.
I loved the narrator (Emma Powell), so at least there was a fabulous voice guiding me along.
Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for my DRC.
December 27, 2022
"Atmospheric!"
Kate Helm's debut THE SECRETS YOU HIDE is a spellbinding taut, twisty blending of psychological, legal, and investigative crime thriller told from the perspective of the mysterious Georgia Sage—a courtroom artist with a dark, troubled past.
Georgia Sage has a gift: she can see evil in people. As a courtroom artist, she uses her skills to help condemn those who commit terrible crimes. After all, her brutal past means she knows innocence is even rarer than justice.
Georgia had a tragic childhood. Georgia comes to realize that everyone has their secrets. What happened twenty years ago? She was a tragic survivor. Her mother, her brother Pip gone, and her dad is in prison. Why was she saved?
She prides herself in helping put away criminals with her drawings in the courtroom. The courtroom scenes are vividly created and the creation of Georgia's images are descriptive. Her skill in capturing poses and expressions has the potential to influence opinions and outcomes. Both good and evil.
When Georgia gets pulled into an old trial, she is determined to pursue justice.
However, she starts second-guessing herself with visions and hallucinations. Is she going crazy? Soon she learns she may be going blind with "Best disease."
About BEST Disease: Friedrich Best presented a detailed pedigree of the disease in 1905, Best vitelliform macular dystrophy, or Best disease, is hereditary retinal dystrophy involving the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE and leads to a characteristic bilateral yellow "egg-yolk" appearance of the macula.
Not a good thing for someone whose life needs her eyes to draw and perform her duties as a courtroom artist. The doctor said she had been using adaptive strategies as a workaround, but her site is slowly failing.
I LOVE legal and crime thrillers and courtroom dramas. This one also crosses into psychological as well as medical and literary fiction. The book is very well done, and the writing is superb. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Emma Powell, delivered an outstanding and engaging performance.
I also enjoyed the artistic side of the book with the portraits and the many layers, which serve as a metaphor and parallels with the characters' lives in the novel to be peeled back and unraveled.
The author keeps you glued to the pages, and as a reader, you are dying to find out what happened in Georgia's childhood and why she is haunted, changing her name and life. This part of the story was the most intriguing.
As a side storyline: Jim Fielding. Is he lying? Jim Fielding hero who rescued two kids from a fire in his house but could not save his pregnant wife. A fire his son went to prison for starting. Georgia is revisiting the storyline of Jim Fielding, a case from her past, to paint a portrait for a book commission (she has to revisit one of her first trials) where she was the artist.
Who was guilty, and did the right person go down?
Georgia uses her art to dig deeper into the case as a distraction technique from her life, slowly unraveling in front of her. She is a bit of an enigma and complex with survivors' guilt.
THE SECRETS YOU HIDE appears to be the author's debut crime thriller writing under Kate Helm, a pseudonym for author Kate Harrison. The novel is very deep and thought-provoking and enjoyed listening. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to #DreamscapeMedia and #NetGalley for an ALC (audiobook) to listen, review, and enjoy and for introducing this talented author.
Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4.5 Stars ✨✨✨✨💫
Pub Date: Sep 6, 2022
Sep 2022 Must-Read Books
Kate Helm's debut THE SECRETS YOU HIDE is a spellbinding taut, twisty blending of psychological, legal, and investigative crime thriller told from the perspective of the mysterious Georgia Sage—a courtroom artist with a dark, troubled past.
Georgia Sage has a gift: she can see evil in people. As a courtroom artist, she uses her skills to help condemn those who commit terrible crimes. After all, her brutal past means she knows innocence is even rarer than justice.
Georgia had a tragic childhood. Georgia comes to realize that everyone has their secrets. What happened twenty years ago? She was a tragic survivor. Her mother, her brother Pip gone, and her dad is in prison. Why was she saved?
She prides herself in helping put away criminals with her drawings in the courtroom. The courtroom scenes are vividly created and the creation of Georgia's images are descriptive. Her skill in capturing poses and expressions has the potential to influence opinions and outcomes. Both good and evil.
When Georgia gets pulled into an old trial, she is determined to pursue justice.
However, she starts second-guessing herself with visions and hallucinations. Is she going crazy? Soon she learns she may be going blind with "Best disease."
About BEST Disease: Friedrich Best presented a detailed pedigree of the disease in 1905, Best vitelliform macular dystrophy, or Best disease, is hereditary retinal dystrophy involving the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE and leads to a characteristic bilateral yellow "egg-yolk" appearance of the macula.
Not a good thing for someone whose life needs her eyes to draw and perform her duties as a courtroom artist. The doctor said she had been using adaptive strategies as a workaround, but her site is slowly failing.
I LOVE legal and crime thrillers and courtroom dramas. This one also crosses into psychological as well as medical and literary fiction. The book is very well done, and the writing is superb. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Emma Powell, delivered an outstanding and engaging performance.
I also enjoyed the artistic side of the book with the portraits and the many layers, which serve as a metaphor and parallels with the characters' lives in the novel to be peeled back and unraveled.
The author keeps you glued to the pages, and as a reader, you are dying to find out what happened in Georgia's childhood and why she is haunted, changing her name and life. This part of the story was the most intriguing.
As a side storyline: Jim Fielding. Is he lying? Jim Fielding hero who rescued two kids from a fire in his house but could not save his pregnant wife. A fire his son went to prison for starting. Georgia is revisiting the storyline of Jim Fielding, a case from her past, to paint a portrait for a book commission (she has to revisit one of her first trials) where she was the artist.
Who was guilty, and did the right person go down?
Georgia uses her art to dig deeper into the case as a distraction technique from her life, slowly unraveling in front of her. She is a bit of an enigma and complex with survivors' guilt.
THE SECRETS YOU HIDE appears to be the author's debut crime thriller writing under Kate Helm, a pseudonym for author Kate Harrison. The novel is very deep and thought-provoking and enjoyed listening. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to #DreamscapeMedia and #NetGalley for an ALC (audiobook) to listen, review, and enjoy and for introducing this talented author.
Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4.5 Stars ✨✨✨✨💫
Pub Date: Sep 6, 2022
Sep 2022 Must-Read Books
May 11, 2021
An okay read. To be honest, I was plodding on with this happily enough, despite the fact that I wasn't convinced by Georgia's seeing evil...I mean the tagline for the book is "She can see DANGER. But can she see the TRUTH" & without wanting to give anything away, I think that pretty much tells you that things ain't going to be as she thinks!
Anyway.....circumstances meant I'd to put the book down for a day or so, & on going back to it found my enthusiasm had considerably waned. I didn't really care about Georgia, Daniel or any of the characters & didn't believe in the scenarios & events.
In short, not a bad read just a disappointing one.
Anyway.....circumstances meant I'd to put the book down for a day or so, & on going back to it found my enthusiasm had considerably waned. I didn't really care about Georgia, Daniel or any of the characters & didn't believe in the scenarios & events.
In short, not a bad read just a disappointing one.
Read
October 31, 2018Engaging character-driven investigative thriller with an original psychological angle.
The Secrets You Hide is a compelling character-driven thriller featuring troubled courtroom artist, Georgia Sage, and combines an original premise with an emotive angle and short, lucid chapters that keep the story unfolding and the action rolling! Whilst I do not think the plot is the most credible and relies heavily on the reader connecting with the lead protagonist, the tight writing and the impressively well crafted progression of the story certainly make for a cracking read. Despite being Kate Helm’s debut thriller her previous writing efforts under her real name, Kate Harrison, have clearly paid dividends and I hope she continues her foray into crime thriller land.
Thirty-one-year-old Georgia Sage believes that everyone has a streak of evil within them and for the last thirteen years she has done what little she can to ensure justice is done through her job as a courtroom artist. Not only does she think that she can separate the guilty from the innocent but, more crucially, use the courtroom sketches that she produces to influence justice by building up the layers of an individual to reveal who they really are. But everything about Georgia Sage herself is a lie, from her name to the fictional past that she has invented and the pretence that she lets people see in order to keep her vulnerabilities hidden. Clearly still traumatised by a devastating act of violence at the age of eleven that left her mother and younger brother dead and her father incarcerated, she struggles with survivors guilt, the many “what ifs” and her own pivotal part in the atrocity. Unwilling to confront her own history Georgia prefers to concentrate on her career and so when she starts to see ‘visions’ of people from her past cases she ascribes it to stress, lack of sleep and the effects of a hangover! Finally urged to see a counsellor in the hope of overcoming a worrying phenomenon that has begun to impinge on her life she must firstly overcome her trust issues, speak of the past that stole her childhood and finally meet with medical specialists.
Coinciding with the appearance of these visions is the news of a forthcoming book featuring the work of artists in the criminal justice field and when Georgia is commissioned to revisit a past case that stayed with in order to create a new piece for the book she eagerly accepts. Editor, Benjamin, soon homes in on Georgia’s first big case and the defining portraits of teenage arsonist, Daniel Fielding, and his heroic father and lifesaver, Jim Fielding. Might this proposal explain her visions and why see keeps seeing Charlie, one of the two young children who Jim dramatically saved from the fire that killed his second wife, Tessa, and his unborn child? Unsettled by this coincidence she nevertheless sets to work and travels to Ashdean to catch-up with Jim but soon finds that not everyone sees him as the modern day saint portrayed in her initial artwork. It seems no one is without a story about the real Jim Fielding with many insinuating that he might not be what he appears. Concerned that her initial portrait of Daniel might have condemned an innocent man to a prison sentence Georgia gets closer to Jim with the intention of identifying the truth, only to become increasingly fearful that she might be way out of depth and potentially facing a cold-hearted killer.. but is it Jim or Daniel? Kate Helm portrays both Jim and Daniel Fielding as fairly ambiguous characters making it difficult to place full trust in either which serves to generates a palpable sense of unease.
Gradually Georgia comes to realise that she must face her own reasons for meddling in the Fielding case and stop “hijacking other people’s pain” and face up to her own by confronting the residual guilt of the final argument that set the events in her family nightmare in motion. If Georgia can forgive herself, perhaps in turn she can come to understand her father’s own personal demons and thereby forgive him too? And maybe if she is no longer looking for the hidden evil in everyone it will allow her to see more and therefore live a fuller life?
I had not previously encountered a lead protagonist courtroom artist in crime fiction and it was fascinating to discover just how much I did not realise about the job, from not being able to sketch whilst the court is in session to how their work can influence the public perception and media reporting. The backdrop to Georgia’s personal troubles is a high-profile rape trial with a famous footballer in the dock that is brilliantly realistic and takes time to make a number of points about the injustices in the prosecution of rape trials, from the often brutal cross-examination of the plaintiff that casts aspersions on their character and sexual history to the disclosure practices.
The character development of Georgia is excellent and despite knowing from the get-go of her traumatic past the actual details are not explicitly revealed until much later on in the story with a continual drip-feed of details heightening suspense. This approach serves the story well as Georgia’s character is similarly gradually fleshed out and her motivations and own issues become all the more understandable as her history is made apparent. Although I found the heavy-handed attention drawn to her visions did not make her a character who I could immediately connected with she did become increasingly more sympathetic and her determination to face her past and confront her suspicions regarding Jim Fielding really ratchets up the suspense in the final quarter of the novel. Georgia’s support network and closest friends are those she works alongside, from her receptive ex-boyfriend and barrister, Oliver (Oli) Priest, to her snarky news reporting colleague, Neena Kaur, who is always on hand with a quip who add warmth and humour to the story.
There is an impressive amount of depth in The Secrets You Hide from the factors behind Georgia’s own father’s actions to the background to the Fielding case and Georgia coming to terms with a radically different future to what she envisaged. The medical investigation into her vision is brilliantly accessible, sensitively recounted and obviously thoroughly researched. This aspect together with a unique premise make for an refreshingly different psychological thriller that sticks in the readers mind. For readers prepared to suspend disbelief debut thriller author Kate Helm has produced a fascinating and suspenseful novel with succinct chapters that are conducive to squeezing in just one more! A gloriously readable story with my only slight disappointment an increasing far-fetched denouement and the credibility of Georgia’s journey from first experiencing visions to her deteriorating medical prognosis all taking place over six-weeks. The icing on the cake, however, is Georgia confronting her own father with a last-gasp revelation that is guaranteed to send readers reeling..!
Whilst I expect the storyline is not the most plausible, The Secrets You Hide, is a brilliant mix of a psychological thriller and investigative crime drama all seen from the unusual perspective of a courtroom artist with her own personal demons.
The Secrets You Hide is a compelling character-driven thriller featuring troubled courtroom artist, Georgia Sage, and combines an original premise with an emotive angle and short, lucid chapters that keep the story unfolding and the action rolling! Whilst I do not think the plot is the most credible and relies heavily on the reader connecting with the lead protagonist, the tight writing and the impressively well crafted progression of the story certainly make for a cracking read. Despite being Kate Helm’s debut thriller her previous writing efforts under her real name, Kate Harrison, have clearly paid dividends and I hope she continues her foray into crime thriller land.
Thirty-one-year-old Georgia Sage believes that everyone has a streak of evil within them and for the last thirteen years she has done what little she can to ensure justice is done through her job as a courtroom artist. Not only does she think that she can separate the guilty from the innocent but, more crucially, use the courtroom sketches that she produces to influence justice by building up the layers of an individual to reveal who they really are. But everything about Georgia Sage herself is a lie, from her name to the fictional past that she has invented and the pretence that she lets people see in order to keep her vulnerabilities hidden. Clearly still traumatised by a devastating act of violence at the age of eleven that left her mother and younger brother dead and her father incarcerated, she struggles with survivors guilt, the many “what ifs” and her own pivotal part in the atrocity. Unwilling to confront her own history Georgia prefers to concentrate on her career and so when she starts to see ‘visions’ of people from her past cases she ascribes it to stress, lack of sleep and the effects of a hangover! Finally urged to see a counsellor in the hope of overcoming a worrying phenomenon that has begun to impinge on her life she must firstly overcome her trust issues, speak of the past that stole her childhood and finally meet with medical specialists.
Coinciding with the appearance of these visions is the news of a forthcoming book featuring the work of artists in the criminal justice field and when Georgia is commissioned to revisit a past case that stayed with in order to create a new piece for the book she eagerly accepts. Editor, Benjamin, soon homes in on Georgia’s first big case and the defining portraits of teenage arsonist, Daniel Fielding, and his heroic father and lifesaver, Jim Fielding. Might this proposal explain her visions and why see keeps seeing Charlie, one of the two young children who Jim dramatically saved from the fire that killed his second wife, Tessa, and his unborn child? Unsettled by this coincidence she nevertheless sets to work and travels to Ashdean to catch-up with Jim but soon finds that not everyone sees him as the modern day saint portrayed in her initial artwork. It seems no one is without a story about the real Jim Fielding with many insinuating that he might not be what he appears. Concerned that her initial portrait of Daniel might have condemned an innocent man to a prison sentence Georgia gets closer to Jim with the intention of identifying the truth, only to become increasingly fearful that she might be way out of depth and potentially facing a cold-hearted killer.. but is it Jim or Daniel? Kate Helm portrays both Jim and Daniel Fielding as fairly ambiguous characters making it difficult to place full trust in either which serves to generates a palpable sense of unease.
Gradually Georgia comes to realise that she must face her own reasons for meddling in the Fielding case and stop “hijacking other people’s pain” and face up to her own by confronting the residual guilt of the final argument that set the events in her family nightmare in motion. If Georgia can forgive herself, perhaps in turn she can come to understand her father’s own personal demons and thereby forgive him too? And maybe if she is no longer looking for the hidden evil in everyone it will allow her to see more and therefore live a fuller life?
I had not previously encountered a lead protagonist courtroom artist in crime fiction and it was fascinating to discover just how much I did not realise about the job, from not being able to sketch whilst the court is in session to how their work can influence the public perception and media reporting. The backdrop to Georgia’s personal troubles is a high-profile rape trial with a famous footballer in the dock that is brilliantly realistic and takes time to make a number of points about the injustices in the prosecution of rape trials, from the often brutal cross-examination of the plaintiff that casts aspersions on their character and sexual history to the disclosure practices.
The character development of Georgia is excellent and despite knowing from the get-go of her traumatic past the actual details are not explicitly revealed until much later on in the story with a continual drip-feed of details heightening suspense. This approach serves the story well as Georgia’s character is similarly gradually fleshed out and her motivations and own issues become all the more understandable as her history is made apparent. Although I found the heavy-handed attention drawn to her visions did not make her a character who I could immediately connected with she did become increasingly more sympathetic and her determination to face her past and confront her suspicions regarding Jim Fielding really ratchets up the suspense in the final quarter of the novel. Georgia’s support network and closest friends are those she works alongside, from her receptive ex-boyfriend and barrister, Oliver (Oli) Priest, to her snarky news reporting colleague, Neena Kaur, who is always on hand with a quip who add warmth and humour to the story.
There is an impressive amount of depth in The Secrets You Hide from the factors behind Georgia’s own father’s actions to the background to the Fielding case and Georgia coming to terms with a radically different future to what she envisaged. The medical investigation into her vision is brilliantly accessible, sensitively recounted and obviously thoroughly researched. This aspect together with a unique premise make for an refreshingly different psychological thriller that sticks in the readers mind. For readers prepared to suspend disbelief debut thriller author Kate Helm has produced a fascinating and suspenseful novel with succinct chapters that are conducive to squeezing in just one more! A gloriously readable story with my only slight disappointment an increasing far-fetched denouement and the credibility of Georgia’s journey from first experiencing visions to her deteriorating medical prognosis all taking place over six-weeks. The icing on the cake, however, is Georgia confronting her own father with a last-gasp revelation that is guaranteed to send readers reeling..!
Whilst I expect the storyline is not the most plausible, The Secrets You Hide, is a brilliant mix of a psychological thriller and investigative crime drama all seen from the unusual perspective of a courtroom artist with her own personal demons.
August 16, 2022
3.8
This was very good; it took me a long stretch to get into it (20%) and I came close to quitting because the beginning is so fractured, untethered. It starts out as a courtroom drama but that isn’t the story.
Once I realized what the story was actually about (mystery who did it) I was surprised but excited. Overall, the book is cleaver. Very well thought out with superb attention to details. I also surprised with “the truth” for once. it wasn’t a twist per se but it was surprising. I also loved the unique and original explanation for her symptoms (she sees people who aren’t there), most important let’s 👏 for the facts that there wasn’t a crappy confessional and that the bad guy didn’t turn maniacal. It was showing not telling 👍 also LOVED that the ending was… poetic. What a rare treat.
I stayed plugged in but didn’t find this a true page turner and the action is steady but not fast.
Great audio narrator as well. Definitely recommend 👍 for folks who read in this genre often.
My only complaint (other than the slow, rambling, confused, and boring beginning), is i has difficulty believing how quickly things progressed, only to slow down. This doesn’t make sense medically. Maybe I should have googled it.
SUMMARY: Georgia mother and young brother were murdered by her father when she was 11. After foster care she changed her name and hasn’t told anyone (not her ex bf, friends, coworkers) who she really is. Her job is a courtroom sketch artist. She’s been hired to put a book together of her sketches from trials over the year. The book requires her to go back to an early case that begins to haunt her. She wonders if the courts got it right and what really happened. The rest of the book is her trying to sleuth that out (the reader does learn what really happened; I didn’t guess it correctly). As this who-done-it “investigation” goes on, Georgia had problems with her sight, which causes interpersonal and personal problems. As she’s dealing with that fallout, she learns her father is dying and wants to see her. She doesn’t want to see him but it’s been eating at her for 20 years why he killed her family and spared her. Does she dare learn that answer? And for that matter, what really happened that fateful day?
Thanks netgalley for my ARC
Love the cover and title too! Everything about this book from top to bottom fits well !
This was very good; it took me a long stretch to get into it (20%) and I came close to quitting because the beginning is so fractured, untethered. It starts out as a courtroom drama but that isn’t the story.
Once I realized what the story was actually about (mystery who did it) I was surprised but excited. Overall, the book is cleaver. Very well thought out with superb attention to details. I also surprised with “the truth” for once. it wasn’t a twist per se but it was surprising. I also loved the unique and original explanation for her symptoms (she sees people who aren’t there), most important let’s 👏 for the facts that there wasn’t a crappy confessional and that the bad guy didn’t turn maniacal. It was showing not telling 👍 also LOVED that the ending was… poetic. What a rare treat.
I stayed plugged in but didn’t find this a true page turner and the action is steady but not fast.
Great audio narrator as well. Definitely recommend 👍 for folks who read in this genre often.
My only complaint (other than the slow, rambling, confused, and boring beginning), is i has difficulty believing how quickly things progressed, only to slow down. This doesn’t make sense medically. Maybe I should have googled it.
SUMMARY: Georgia mother and young brother were murdered by her father when she was 11. After foster care she changed her name and hasn’t told anyone (not her ex bf, friends, coworkers) who she really is. Her job is a courtroom sketch artist. She’s been hired to put a book together of her sketches from trials over the year. The book requires her to go back to an early case that begins to haunt her. She wonders if the courts got it right and what really happened. The rest of the book is her trying to sleuth that out (the reader does learn what really happened; I didn’t guess it correctly). As this who-done-it “investigation” goes on, Georgia had problems with her sight, which causes interpersonal and personal problems. As she’s dealing with that fallout, she learns her father is dying and wants to see her. She doesn’t want to see him but it’s been eating at her for 20 years why he killed her family and spared her. Does she dare learn that answer? And for that matter, what really happened that fateful day?
Thanks netgalley for my ARC
Love the cover and title too! Everything about this book from top to bottom fits well !
February 16, 2019
This book is a real page turner with a very unique main character that will steer you through the book and your emotions.
Georgia is a courtroom artist that can feel and see the evil in people. She believes that through her drawings she can help put the guilty people behind bars, but does she always get it right ? And what secrets does Georgia have in her own past.
After receiving a commission for an entry into an upcoming book Georgia has to revisit one of her first trials, where she was the artist. By going back over the case will her opinions of the innocent and guilty parties remain the same or did she not see something in the original trial that will change everything !!
This really is a great book with a very unique storyline. An unexpected heroine who is battling her own past and future. This one will have you turning the pages to try and found out what the truth really is.
Thank you to Bonnier Zaffre and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.
Georgia is a courtroom artist that can feel and see the evil in people. She believes that through her drawings she can help put the guilty people behind bars, but does she always get it right ? And what secrets does Georgia have in her own past.
After receiving a commission for an entry into an upcoming book Georgia has to revisit one of her first trials, where she was the artist. By going back over the case will her opinions of the innocent and guilty parties remain the same or did she not see something in the original trial that will change everything !!
This really is a great book with a very unique storyline. An unexpected heroine who is battling her own past and future. This one will have you turning the pages to try and found out what the truth really is.
Thank you to Bonnier Zaffre and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.
February 10, 2019
Georgia Sage works as a court artist, bringing what goes on behind the courtroom doors to life. Given the opportunity to produce a portrait of a hero, Jim Fielding, who saved the lives of two children but lost his wife in the fire, Georgia comes to realise that everyone has their secrets, including her.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I've never really thought about the role of court artist, even though we still see their work on TV in the UK, and I found it really interesting. Georgia was a fairly sympathetic main character, and there were a couple of good twists in the story line. I would definitely recommend it.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Bonnier Zaffre, for the opportunity to review an ARC.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I've never really thought about the role of court artist, even though we still see their work on TV in the UK, and I found it really interesting. Georgia was a fairly sympathetic main character, and there were a couple of good twists in the story line. I would definitely recommend it.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Bonnier Zaffre, for the opportunity to review an ARC.
September 14, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for accepting my request to read and review The Secrets You Hide.
Author: Kate Helm
Published: 09/06/22
Narrator: Emma Powell
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Right away I was drawn into the story by narrator Emma Powell. She has a Rebecca dark noir voice: "Last night I dreamed I went to Manderley again.". Oh yes, I was ready.
Helm writes a new back story for me. I have never seen the world through the eyes of a courtroom artist. I enjoyed every bit of what she showed. Throughout the story, the artist thinks about her past as well as the people she is drawing. There is no book without a mystery. I found the story interesting and teared up several times.
The author introduces what I find has to be an artist's nightmare. This was respectfully written. As this is a work of fiction, I didn't verify any claims. Reading is a hobby and each genre can be written realistically. If this were a text book or nonfiction book, I would have looked a thing or two up.
There is a fair amount of family drama, stranger drama, and profanity. However, at the end of the book I was satisfied and happy with how I chose to spend my time. I recommend going into this book with little information and let the story unfold.
Finally, the red herring is an old overused trope. 3.5 stars (not rounding up).
Author: Kate Helm
Published: 09/06/22
Narrator: Emma Powell
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Right away I was drawn into the story by narrator Emma Powell. She has a Rebecca dark noir voice: "Last night I dreamed I went to Manderley again.". Oh yes, I was ready.
Helm writes a new back story for me. I have never seen the world through the eyes of a courtroom artist. I enjoyed every bit of what she showed. Throughout the story, the artist thinks about her past as well as the people she is drawing. There is no book without a mystery. I found the story interesting and teared up several times.
The author introduces what I find has to be an artist's nightmare. This was respectfully written. As this is a work of fiction, I didn't verify any claims. Reading is a hobby and each genre can be written realistically. If this were a text book or nonfiction book, I would have looked a thing or two up.
There is a fair amount of family drama, stranger drama, and profanity. However, at the end of the book I was satisfied and happy with how I chose to spend my time. I recommend going into this book with little information and let the story unfold.
Finally, the red herring is an old overused trope. 3.5 stars (not rounding up).
September 6, 2022
I listened to the audiobook of the story. It is a very character driven book with a fast paced ending. The author must have had to do medical research as she explained the genetic disease in lay person's terms in the novel, which I found very helpful. I will be on the lookout for not only books by Kate Helm, but also Kate Harrison and Eva Carter, other names she writes under.
September 11, 2024
Overall very enjoyable. I listened to the audio and sometimes had a hard time figuring out who was talking because there was only one narrator. Nice twist at the end though that I wasn’t expecting.
November 9, 2018
So much more than psychological thriller, ‘The Secrets You Hide’ is a wonderful example of storytelling, rich with character and a sense of place, with a fascinating and original premise. Perhaps it should come as no surprise therefore, to learn it’s not a novel by a first time author; we may not know ‘Kate Helm’ but the book is in fact the first in its genre by Kate Harrison, author of the ‘Secret Shopper’ series, as well as the ‘’Soul Beach’ YA trilogy. Some readers (myself included) may also be familiar with her ‘5/2’ series of fasting / healthy eating books.
’The Secrets You Hide’ is like none of these however, it’s the pacy tale of Georgia, a court room artist with a tragic past, who starts to see mysterious figures - initially a small boy - that no one else can and then gets caught up in investigating a series of crimes many miles from her Brighton home in the eerie Forest of Dean. The reason for her ‘second sight’ proves fascinating, and from the outset I was on her side, sympathising with her frustrations and fury.
On audio the book is narrated beautifully with the voiceover adopting different voices for each character, and had me listening at every opportunity - finally finishing it at 2am this morning. I absolutely loved it, and recommend it not just to those who enjoy thrillers but also fans of contemporary fiction who are looking for something a bit different.
In this respect the cover - which I like - perhaps doesn’t say as much as it could; this book is more colourful in terms of character and complex in themes than the monotones suggest. But that’s a moot point, I’d just say don’t hesitate to give it a go, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Highly recommended.
Merged review:
So much more than psychological thriller, The Secrets You Hide is a wonderful example of storytelling, rich with character and a sense of place, with a fascinating and original premise. Perhaps it should come as no surprise therefore, to learn it’s not a novel by a first time author; we may not know the name ‘Kate Helm’ but this is in fact the first in its genre by Kate Harrison, author of the ‘Secret Shopper’ series, as well as the ‘’Soul Beach’ YA trilogy. Some readers (myself included) may also be familiar with her ‘5/2’ series of fasting / healthy eating books.
’The Secrets You Hide’ is like none of these however, it’s the pacy tale of Georgia, a court room artist with a tragic past, who starts to see mysterious figures - initially a small boy - which no one else can and then gets caught up in investigating a series of crimes many miles from her Brighton home in the eerie Forest of Dean. The reason for her ‘second sight’ proves fascinating, and from the outset I was on her side, sympathising with her frustrations and fury.
On audio the book is narrated beautifully with the voiceover adopting different voices for each character, and had me listening at every opportunity - finally finishing it at 2am this morning. I absolutely loved it, and recommend it not just to those who enjoy thrillers but also fans of contemporary fiction who are looking for something a bit different. In this respect the cover - which I like - perhaps doesn’t say as much as it could; this book is more colourful in terms of character and complex in themes than the monotones suggest. But that’s a moot point, I’d just say don’t hesitate to give it a go, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Highly recommended.
’The Secrets You Hide’ is like none of these however, it’s the pacy tale of Georgia, a court room artist with a tragic past, who starts to see mysterious figures - initially a small boy - that no one else can and then gets caught up in investigating a series of crimes many miles from her Brighton home in the eerie Forest of Dean. The reason for her ‘second sight’ proves fascinating, and from the outset I was on her side, sympathising with her frustrations and fury.
On audio the book is narrated beautifully with the voiceover adopting different voices for each character, and had me listening at every opportunity - finally finishing it at 2am this morning. I absolutely loved it, and recommend it not just to those who enjoy thrillers but also fans of contemporary fiction who are looking for something a bit different.
In this respect the cover - which I like - perhaps doesn’t say as much as it could; this book is more colourful in terms of character and complex in themes than the monotones suggest. But that’s a moot point, I’d just say don’t hesitate to give it a go, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Highly recommended.
Merged review:
So much more than psychological thriller, The Secrets You Hide is a wonderful example of storytelling, rich with character and a sense of place, with a fascinating and original premise. Perhaps it should come as no surprise therefore, to learn it’s not a novel by a first time author; we may not know the name ‘Kate Helm’ but this is in fact the first in its genre by Kate Harrison, author of the ‘Secret Shopper’ series, as well as the ‘’Soul Beach’ YA trilogy. Some readers (myself included) may also be familiar with her ‘5/2’ series of fasting / healthy eating books.
’The Secrets You Hide’ is like none of these however, it’s the pacy tale of Georgia, a court room artist with a tragic past, who starts to see mysterious figures - initially a small boy - which no one else can and then gets caught up in investigating a series of crimes many miles from her Brighton home in the eerie Forest of Dean. The reason for her ‘second sight’ proves fascinating, and from the outset I was on her side, sympathising with her frustrations and fury.
On audio the book is narrated beautifully with the voiceover adopting different voices for each character, and had me listening at every opportunity - finally finishing it at 2am this morning. I absolutely loved it, and recommend it not just to those who enjoy thrillers but also fans of contemporary fiction who are looking for something a bit different. In this respect the cover - which I like - perhaps doesn’t say as much as it could; this book is more colourful in terms of character and complex in themes than the monotones suggest. But that’s a moot point, I’d just say don’t hesitate to give it a go, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Highly recommended.
December 31, 2019
UPDATE - FINAL REVIEW 31/12/2019
Ohhh this was a good and interesting thriller; I haven't read anything similar to this which is always a win for me as sometimes I find that all thrillers just blur into one another and that didn't happen for me with this one!
This was a real page turner and I really couldn't put it down; although it starts off as a court room drama it quickly becomes a character driven thriller; getting into Georgia's head and trying to understand her experiences and how that's impacted her as an adult is the biggest thriller of them all. I can't even imagine how Georgia functions on a daily basis knowing that her father killed her mother and brother and that she was left alive... it's likely to fuck you up a little bit. And this adds such a layer to Georgia especially with the job she does because you can't help but wonder if this affects her judgement at all.
I was really pleased by the twists in this book because I really didn't see them coming and, like Georgia, I was sent on a wild goose chase expecting one thing and ending up with another. I honestly don't want to give away any spoilers to this book but I do recommend reading it. Good, fast-paced thriller!
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Review based on an excerpt...
The Secrets You Hide tells the story of Georgia, a Court room illustrator, but that's not all she is. Georgia has a gift, although i'm not sure you would call it a gift if it was yours. Georgia can see evil in people, everywhere she goes she can see this evil around people. Georgia uses this gift in her day job, drawing pictures of the criminals so the public condemn them. Yet Georgia is haunted by the image of a young boy in a football strip. Who is this young boy? And what does he have to do with Georgia?
Georgia also has a mysterious past of a family tragedy when she was a child. The synopsis really intrigued me from first reading it, and the plot is definitely an interesting and unique idea. Very curious about where this book is going to go, and definitely one to add to my shelf.
The real question of this book for me is; does Georgia's attempt to ensure people get punished, also make her a guilty party?
Ohhh this was a good and interesting thriller; I haven't read anything similar to this which is always a win for me as sometimes I find that all thrillers just blur into one another and that didn't happen for me with this one!
This was a real page turner and I really couldn't put it down; although it starts off as a court room drama it quickly becomes a character driven thriller; getting into Georgia's head and trying to understand her experiences and how that's impacted her as an adult is the biggest thriller of them all. I can't even imagine how Georgia functions on a daily basis knowing that her father killed her mother and brother and that she was left alive... it's likely to fuck you up a little bit. And this adds such a layer to Georgia especially with the job she does because you can't help but wonder if this affects her judgement at all.
I was really pleased by the twists in this book because I really didn't see them coming and, like Georgia, I was sent on a wild goose chase expecting one thing and ending up with another. I honestly don't want to give away any spoilers to this book but I do recommend reading it. Good, fast-paced thriller!
------------------------------
Review based on an excerpt...
The Secrets You Hide tells the story of Georgia, a Court room illustrator, but that's not all she is. Georgia has a gift, although i'm not sure you would call it a gift if it was yours. Georgia can see evil in people, everywhere she goes she can see this evil around people. Georgia uses this gift in her day job, drawing pictures of the criminals so the public condemn them. Yet Georgia is haunted by the image of a young boy in a football strip. Who is this young boy? And what does he have to do with Georgia?
Georgia also has a mysterious past of a family tragedy when she was a child. The synopsis really intrigued me from first reading it, and the plot is definitely an interesting and unique idea. Very curious about where this book is going to go, and definitely one to add to my shelf.
The real question of this book for me is; does Georgia's attempt to ensure people get punished, also make her a guilty party?
September 30, 2018
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this. It had such an interesting premise - Georgia is a court artist who can see evil in the people she paints, and she herself has a secret of her own, which slowly gets revealed as she revisits an old court case.
Georgia made a pretty good main character. She's an independent, successful woman who is top of her game, she has a female rival in her career but it mostly remains civil, with only the occasional moment of bitchiness. It's enough to keep it real but thankfully avoids turning into anything else. The supporting characters have mostly faded into the background, but they all felt necessary at the time, adding depth to the story and helping Georgia along the way.
I loved waiting for the big reveal. It kept me on my toes the whole time, as I thought I'd guessed what had happened and then something would happen and it'd be left wondering if I'd got it wrong. I went through multiple theories over the course of the book, and yet I still hadn't guessed the full reveal! It just goes to show how clever Helm's writing it. I love being surprised by a book and this didn't disappoint.
Pick this up. It's well worth a read!
I really enjoyed this. It had such an interesting premise - Georgia is a court artist who can see evil in the people she paints, and she herself has a secret of her own, which slowly gets revealed as she revisits an old court case.
Georgia made a pretty good main character. She's an independent, successful woman who is top of her game, she has a female rival in her career but it mostly remains civil, with only the occasional moment of bitchiness. It's enough to keep it real but thankfully avoids turning into anything else. The supporting characters have mostly faded into the background, but they all felt necessary at the time, adding depth to the story and helping Georgia along the way.
I loved waiting for the big reveal. It kept me on my toes the whole time, as I thought I'd guessed what had happened and then something would happen and it'd be left wondering if I'd got it wrong. I went through multiple theories over the course of the book, and yet I still hadn't guessed the full reveal! It just goes to show how clever Helm's writing it. I love being surprised by a book and this didn't disappoint.
Pick this up. It's well worth a read!
September 14, 2018
I read this book in one day (small hours of the morning still count as the night before). It was intriguing, interesting, scary and in places, sad ... all in the same package.
Georgia is a court artist and feels she can read people. Her drawings subtly affect the public's perception of those in the dock. It's not much, but it's all she can do to help justice take its course. When she's offered a commission to paint someone from a past case, she starts to be haunted by the people in the case. Georgia herself has secrets and nothing is quite what it seems.
I was really intrigued by the explanation for Georgia's visions (arrgh, trying not to give spoilers is so hard). The psychological thriller element was excellent and I really didn't see the twist coming. The family drama element was more interesting to me and the two threads complemented each other beautifully. I also liked that the setting was Brighton. I don't know the area very well, but the descriptions were vivid and I felt like I was there.
I'll definitely look out for more from Kate Helm. I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley.
Georgia is a court artist and feels she can read people. Her drawings subtly affect the public's perception of those in the dock. It's not much, but it's all she can do to help justice take its course. When she's offered a commission to paint someone from a past case, she starts to be haunted by the people in the case. Georgia herself has secrets and nothing is quite what it seems.
I was really intrigued by the explanation for Georgia's visions (arrgh, trying not to give spoilers is so hard). The psychological thriller element was excellent and I really didn't see the twist coming. The family drama element was more interesting to me and the two threads complemented each other beautifully. I also liked that the setting was Brighton. I don't know the area very well, but the descriptions were vivid and I felt like I was there.
I'll definitely look out for more from Kate Helm. I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley.
October 10, 2018
I think it is fair to say if I started reading on the 7th and finished on the 8th, this book was unputdownable... I realise that is not an actual word, but I really could not stop reading. I needed to know who did it and I did not see the end coming at all.
If you have read any of my reviews before you will know that I don’t write book descriptions or spoilers. I will, however, tell you if a book is good or not. This book is so worth the purchase, I can’t wait for Kate to write more. Her story telling is compelling and the descriptions of surroundings and people are full, you can almost see them (although that could just be my overactive imagination). The pace of this book is such that it does indeed sweep you up with Georgia’s need to find out what was going on. - ok that might be a spoiler. My only advice is if you love a thriller, you will love this. I always figure it out by the end but I most definitely did not with this.
If you have read any of my reviews before you will know that I don’t write book descriptions or spoilers. I will, however, tell you if a book is good or not. This book is so worth the purchase, I can’t wait for Kate to write more. Her story telling is compelling and the descriptions of surroundings and people are full, you can almost see them (although that could just be my overactive imagination). The pace of this book is such that it does indeed sweep you up with Georgia’s need to find out what was going on. - ok that might be a spoiler. My only advice is if you love a thriller, you will love this. I always figure it out by the end but I most definitely did not with this.
February 23, 2024
This was a really interesting plot. A court artist is asked to revisit one of the most famous cases that she drew pictures for. Everything is not what it seemed at the time it was in court. She has always been confident that she can tell the guilty from the innocent, but she’s not sure of anything anymore. She is struggling with things in her life currently as well as in her past. These collide with revisiting the old case. A good pace, with mysteries solved, clues revealed in a way that kept me reading.
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