Secrets and Suspense

Before you even notice the title These Things Hidden (Heather Gudenkauf) the words ‘Fans of Jodi Picoult will devour this’ (Red Magazine) bounce off the cover at you. So in the interests of finding read-a-likes for all Jodi’s fans (of which I am sporadically one) while she works on her next novel, I took this book home over the weekend. And couldn’t put it down.

This is a story of secrets which are gradually revealed through the voices of four different women. Allison lost her reputation as a golden girl when she was sent to prison. Her sister Brynn is shy and quiet and also struggling with the events that sent Allison to prison. Charm is training to become a nurse while struggling to care for her step-dad, the only father she has ever known who is kind to her. Claire counts her blessings every day which include five year old Joshua, a miracle boy who fulfils her dream of motherhood.

It is young Joshua upon whom all the secrets and woman’s lives converge in this suspenseful page turner. Each chapter is told in the voice of one of the woman, it is easy to recognise each one and the chapters are short which keeps the pace of the novel going. I found I got very caught up with the characters. At times I wanted to slap them and at other times I cried for them.

If you like authors such as Jodi Picoult, Linwood Barclay, Sophie Hannah or Debbie Macomber, then this is a book you should definitely try.