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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Another great Claire and Russ story. I loved the blending of three different eras. Hopefully it wont be too long before we find out where we go next.
Julia Spencer Fleming says it herself in the acknowledgments of her latest book, Hid From Our Eyes. Six years. Six long years, her many fans, including me, have waited for book nine in the The Rev. Clare Fergusson & Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries. To boot, number eight left us on a bit of a cliff with some unfinished business. If I was upset, I soon forgave Julia when I learned why there was so long a hiatus and thank her publisher, St. Martin's Press and her literary agents, The Jane Rotrosen Agency, for supporting Julia during hard times. Now we, her fans can do our part by welcoming her back with open arms when this book is published April 7, 2020. If you've never read the series, do yourself a favor and start with [b:In the Bleak Midwinter|30846731|In the Bleak Midwinter (Rev. Clare Fergusson & Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries, #1)|Julia Spencer-Fleming|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1467721011l/30846731._SY75_.jpg|265055] If like me, you've been patiently or even impatiently waiting, you will not be disappointed. Those six years were worth the wait. Thank you Juila Spencer-Fleming for plugging on.
ARC provided by Publisher, St. Martin's Press, Edelweiss, and Author Julia Spencer-Fleming. Hardbound edition to be released April 7, 2020.
ARC provided by Publisher, St. Martin's Press, Edelweiss, and Author Julia Spencer-Fleming. Hardbound edition to be released April 7, 2020.
I received an advanced reader copy of Hid From Our Eyes from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley, in return for my honest opinion.
Hid From Our Eyes by Julia Spencer-Fleming is a story about overcoming your demons to become a better version of yourself. A young girl has been found dead on the side of the road with no discernible cause of death. Millers Kill Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne can’t help but realize how similar this case is to one that happened decades earlier- one that he was the main suspect of. Russ’s wife, Clare, is struggling with sobriety, working as a reverend and being a new mom. Between work, marriage and being a new father, Russ’s life is really stretched thin. Will Russ Van Alstyne be able to solve this crime and finally clear his name? Will Russ be able to keep his marriage on track?
This books was a real struggle for me- there were too many characters, too many storylines, and none were able to keep my interest. Hid From Our Eyes will be available Tuesday, April 7, 2020.
#juliaspencerfleming #hidfromoureyes #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #mystery #mysterybooks #readin2020 #stmartinspress #minotaurbooks #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic
For more of my reviews visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/WhattheBook/ or http://whatthebook-reviews.tumblr.com/ or follow me on Instagram @whatthebook__.
Hid From Our Eyes by Julia Spencer-Fleming is a story about overcoming your demons to become a better version of yourself. A young girl has been found dead on the side of the road with no discernible cause of death. Millers Kill Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne can’t help but realize how similar this case is to one that happened decades earlier- one that he was the main suspect of. Russ’s wife, Clare, is struggling with sobriety, working as a reverend and being a new mom. Between work, marriage and being a new father, Russ’s life is really stretched thin. Will Russ Van Alstyne be able to solve this crime and finally clear his name? Will Russ be able to keep his marriage on track?
This books was a real struggle for me- there were too many characters, too many storylines, and none were able to keep my interest. Hid From Our Eyes will be available Tuesday, April 7, 2020.
#juliaspencerfleming #hidfromoureyes #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #mystery #mysterybooks #readin2020 #stmartinspress #minotaurbooks #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic
For more of my reviews visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/WhattheBook/ or http://whatthebook-reviews.tumblr.com/ or follow me on Instagram @whatthebook__.
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
I can only find one problem with this book and that is entirely my own. I haven't read the first seven books in this series and you should always read in order. I had never heard about this author when Edelweiss and Minotaur Books gave me the chance to try this book and now I have to get the first books and catch up on the great characters Julia Spencer-Fleming has created. Very different problems from most small town series I've read. I strongly recommend this.
Very good story. Loved the 3 time lines (and I think she did a great show making sure we knew which time line it was). Great mystery, good treatment of the victims, loved Clare & Russ's continuing story now with Ethan. Really enjoyed all the loose ends tying up - didn't guess at all who was guilty. Can't wait to read book 10.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The different timelines make for one of her best books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Medical content, Abortion, Murder, Alcohol
Minor: Cancer
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Hid from Our Eyes is the 9th mystery in the Clare Fergusson & Russ Van Alstyne series by Julia Spencer-Fleming. Released 7th April 2020 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 352 pages and available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
Although it's been 6+ years since the 8th book in the series, it wasn't a problem for me to keep the characters or their relationships straight. The author provides the necessary backstory in the narrative, so new readers won't need a dramatis personae list to keep them sorted either. It would work moderately well as a standalone. What might be slightly more problematic is the three interwoven timelines: 1952, 1972, and the modern day. The characters are overlapping, and one of the chief suspects from the murder in 1972 is a young Russ Van Alstyne, now chief of police. The delineation isn't always clear since some of the same characters appear in more than one timeline. The similarities in the (very) cold case murders and the modern day are well done and the writing in general is very capable and engaging.
Much of the book is concerned with the Reverend Clare, husband Russ, their infant son, and their day to day struggle to manage professional and family life. Clare is a recovering alcoholic and that is an important theme in the book also. The author has a deft touch with suspense and characterization and overall the book is quite good. There are some dark themes which are potentially triggering (substance abuse, fetal alchohol syndrome, depression, trauma). The language is rough(ish) with multiple usage of damn, hell, and similar and a couple of "f-bombs" used in context.
Four stars. Well written and engaging. Likely moreso for prior fans of the series who have built up a relationship with the characters.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
Hid from Our Eyes is the 9th mystery in the Clare Fergusson & Russ Van Alstyne series by Julia Spencer-Fleming. Released 7th April 2020 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 352 pages and available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
Although it's been 6+ years since the 8th book in the series, it wasn't a problem for me to keep the characters or their relationships straight. The author provides the necessary backstory in the narrative, so new readers won't need a dramatis personae list to keep them sorted either. It would work moderately well as a standalone. What might be slightly more problematic is the three interwoven timelines: 1952, 1972, and the modern day. The characters are overlapping, and one of the chief suspects from the murder in 1972 is a young Russ Van Alstyne, now chief of police. The delineation isn't always clear since some of the same characters appear in more than one timeline. The similarities in the (very) cold case murders and the modern day are well done and the writing in general is very capable and engaging.
Much of the book is concerned with the Reverend Clare, husband Russ, their infant son, and their day to day struggle to manage professional and family life. Clare is a recovering alcoholic and that is an important theme in the book also. The author has a deft touch with suspense and characterization and overall the book is quite good. There are some dark themes which are potentially triggering (substance abuse, fetal alchohol syndrome, depression, trauma). The language is rough(ish) with multiple usage of damn, hell, and similar and a couple of "f-bombs" used in context.
Four stars. Well written and engaging. Likely moreso for prior fans of the series who have built up a relationship with the characters.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes