The Hidden

Melanie Golding

2021 • 336 pages

Ratings11

Average rating3.9

Following her acclaimed debut Little Darlings, Melanie Golding's newest folkloric suspense is a spine-tingling twist on Celtic mythology. One dark December night, in a small seaside town, a little girl is found abandoned. When her mother finally arrives, authorities release the pair, believing it to be an innocent case of a toddler running off. Gregor, a seemingly single man, is found bludgeoned and left for dead in his apartment, but the discovery of children's toys raises more questions than answers. Every night, Ruby gazes into Gregor’s apartment, leading to the discovery of his secret family: his unusually silent daughter and his mentally unstable wife, Constance, who insists that she is descended from the mythological Selkies. She begs Ruby to aid in finding the sealskin that Gregor has hidden from her, making it impossible to return to her people. DS Joanna Harper's investigation into Gregor’s assault leads her to CCTV footage of the mother-daughter pair from town. Harper realizes she knows the woman almost as well as she knows herself: it's her estranged daughter, Ruby. No matter the depth of Ruby’s involvement, she knows she will choose her daughter over her career. Steeped in local legend and exploring the depths of what it means to be a mother, Melanie Golding's newest novel is "a lyrical and atmospheric folktale for the modern age." (Bustle, on Little Darlings)

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Natasha

3.5 stars. Folklore meets thriller in this page turning new novel from Little Darlings author Melanie Golding. A child is abandoned on the seashore and is later claimed by her frantic mother who lost her. Only, it isn't her mother.

So begins the story of a loner, Ruby, who becomes entangled in the lives of her neighbours- Gregor, the charismatic charming man, Leonie - his adorable daughter and Constance - his mysterious, aloof and seemingly unhinged ex partner. But all is not as it seems ..... (da da da!!)

While this wasn't the most shocking thriller I've read, and sometimes the characters' choices made me want to throw the book across the room, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it.

June 29, 2021

Ivy Pages

Rating: 4.75 leaves out of 5
Characters: 4.5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 4.5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Mythology
Type: Audiobook
Worth?: Yes!

First want to thank Netgalley for letting me listen to this audiobook.

Second I want it to be known I am not a fan of detective books but this one was very much worth the pick up. You have multiple point of views but they are done so well that it isn't a problem. This story had me wanting to know more and more and I just NEEDED to know how it ended. I will admit the ending left me a bit sad, wasn't what I really wanted but it was still good enough to give it such a high rating.

My first book by Melanie Golding did not disappoint!

November 9, 2021

The Sassy BookwormSupporter

⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Hidden is an engaging psychological thriller blended with folklore featuring Selkies. This book had me hooked from page one. The writing was fantastic. It was well paced. The setting was very atmospheric. The plot was captivating. Especially with the added bits of folklore, and the characters were well developed. My only real complaint about the book is that I wish something happened in the time jump epilogue that didn't. However, I understood the reasoning why it didn't. All in all, this was a wonderful read!

ARC Via NetGalley

February 2, 2022