There's a lot going on in the book in the sense that it involves three different story lines, plus a romance. Two of those story lines are wrapped up by the end. The third will be a continuing thread similar to Terri Blackstock's If I Run series. 

The book shows promise, opening with a suspenseful scene in which the heroine is dangerously confronted by her past (though I did find one aspect that stretched the imagination). From there, it slips into more of a mild romantic mystery than a romantic suspense as Jill sets out to clear the father of her very generous landlord and love interest of murder charges. I did enjoy the character of Nonni. She was somewhat of an entertaining cliché. The connection between Jill and Eric didn't come off as strong for me.

Hiding in Plain Sight moved at a good pace, but I would have liked to have seen more explanation into the heroine's underlying plight. Unlike Ms. Blackstock's series, we don't really know what the issue is other than it involves her brother. While she's in Charleston, the tension of being on the run simply is not there, and after the first couple of scenes, it almost seems she doesn't worry about the threat. I'd be looking over my shoulder at every turn. To be fair, Ms. Ellis' books have never been true suspense. However, I think this one could use stronger tension by keeping the underlying story in the mind of the reader throughout.

From a pure escapist viewpoint, I enjoyed the book (and the food sounded great). I wish my star rating could rise higher than 3.8, but in comparison to other novels (some by the author) this is simply an average story with some plot points that had me scratching my head.

3.5 stars

Mary Ellis wooed me to her writing by immersing me in different settings in her Secrets if the South series. And I was thrilled to see she’s continuing that trend (albeit with a new series) in Charleston, South Carolina.

After a threat from her past creates a need for Kate to leave Savannah, she is handed her first solo case. One that seems cut and dry. Kate is happy to find a place to live in the form of a suite above an Italian restaurant in the heart of Charleston. But there’s something suspicious happening to the family that tuns Bella Trattoria.

This book has a bit of everything for readers—suspense, mystery, danger, emotions, secrets, and romance. With a couple of issues unresolved by the final pages, you can bet I’ll be watching for the next installment of the Kate Weller mysteries.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

3 stars

Number one in a new mystery series. The series follows Kate Weller, and her many alias, through the southern US. She's on the run from a gang her adopted brother Liam fell in with after their adoptive parent's death. This action takes place in the periphery while Jill (Kate) solves two cases for the PI firm that is her current employer. Lots of stuff going on in just 224 pages. Was a good read and I'll certainly read a least the next few series releases.

A heart-warming, exciting, clean romantic mystery. I am thrilled to see it is the first of a series after getting to the ending. I want more! Kate/Jill is only 25 so her naivete is easy to forgive. The religious mentions are not overwhelming and help ground the character without being preachy. I look forward to reading the next one.

Kate Weller is on her way to a party on Jekyll Island when a black van runs her off the road and shoots out her back window. Turning down a path to the marina, she escapes temporarily from the van, but finds herself knee deep in the marshy waters surrounding Savannah, GA. Kate won't tell the police all that she knows, because she's been running from these people for a while now. She does let her friends at Price Investigations know part of what is going on, so they give her a new name, identification, car, and phone. Hopefully this will keep her safe while she is in Charleston, SC on another investigation.

Now with credentials as Jill Wyatt, Kate rents a charming little suite above an Italian restaurant from Eric Manfredi. Her job here is to find the natural sister of Charlotte Sugarman, an adopted lady who is in need of a liver transplant. No match has been found, and Charlotte's days are numbered unless her natural sister is a good match. While busy with her investigation, Eric's restaurant experiences a series of catastrophic mishaps. Could someone be trying to sabotage the restaurant's business? While still working on her endeavor to find this missing sister, Jill (Kate) looks into the misfortunes surrounding the restaurant as well. Can she find Charlotte's sister and uncover the restaurant saboteur before her past catches up with her again?

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT is the first book in a spin-off new series from Mary Ellis entitled Marked for Retribution. Kate Weller is introduced as a new private investigator with Price Investigations. I've been on several adventures with these folks in Ms. Ellis's Secrets of the South series. I'm sure this new series will be just as exciting and adventurous. Jill (Kate) is a strong heroine, but questions herself as to whether or not this PI work is really for her. She's surrounded by good supporting characters who encourage her at times and reel her back in at others. This is a story about going beyond the call of duty for your client. It's also about understanding the master plan and having faith to see it through. If inspirational fiction and a good cozy mystery are your genre, this is a great read for you.

She travels from place to place for her work. With an assumed name, no permanent residence, no ties to anyone she should be safe, but her brother's enemies find her anyway...

Severn House and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It has been published.

After being shot at and her car dumped in the river, she comes clean with her employer. Instead of firing her, he agrees with her request for random assignments and fake names. But she's still not safe.

She solves her next two cases, falls in love, and then they find her again...

I didn't like the ending but I expect there will be another book to carry the story along.

The story is suspenseful, full of human emotion and draws you into caring about her characters. It will keep you reading.

I loved, this book, what a great page turner and I now can’t wait for the next book, there better be one as we rather ended on a cliff hanger.
I have enjoyed each and every book in this series, and was happy to find another new book in the series of the Price Agency!
This story contains more than one, and at times it’s non-stop action, you never know what is going to happen next. There is murder and attempted murder, arson, larceny, assault, and even blowing up cars, and more.
I want more of Kate/Jill and hope that we will soon be back with the Monfredi family, I need some more answers!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Severn House Publishers, and was not required to give a positive review.

In this first of a new modern series, Kate Weller is on the run and ends up as a P.I. in Charleston, South Carolina trying to trace a sibling of a terminal ill woman. Meanwhile she gets in involved with her landlord, Eric Manfredi, and his family problems which have escalated to murder.
With the undertones of religion in the story, it really didn't capture my imagination. Probably too much veering towards a cosy mystery for my tastes.
A NetGalley Book

This is a Christian fiction book, with enough romance and suspense to satisfy the readers of all these genres. I enjoyed getting to know Kate Weller, AKA Jill Wyatt. Since she is running from danger in her past, Kate changes her name to Jill early in the book. Escaping her past may not be easy but Kate easily falls into her new job as an investigator with Price Investigagtions. Her first task with them is to find a lost sibling of Charlotte Sugarman, a pathetic individual who is quickly dying of liver failure and needs her sibling to donate to her. I did not find the Sugarmans very well portrayed: it was like an instant camera picture that is not fully developed. I did enjoy the interaction between Eric Manfredi, Kate’s landlord, who quickly becomes interested in her romantically. Kate’s involvement with Eric pulls her into a murder mystery that is very satisfying for mystery buffs. Since this was the first book in a new series by Mary Ellis, I look forward to continuing the series. . I certainly enjoyed the setting in Charleston, South Carolina since I was fortunate enough to live there for almost a decade and recognized many of the landmarks referred to in the book. I was a little disappointed that the ending leaves several things hanging, but knowing that this is a series, my expectation is that these things will be addressed in future books. I definitely want to read the next book in the Kate Weller series. . The author is talented in drawing the reader into the story and holding you there with the suspense and romantic elements.

Mary Ellis brings us an excellent tale set in Georgia and the Golden Isles, with a cast of enjoyable characters and a fairly involved mystery. This is a novel that will take you away from all that, and if you don't have a beach to read on, you can enjoy this mystery taking place on those nice sandy ones in Georgia.

I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Mary Ellis and Severn House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all, for sharing your hard work with me.

I first was introduced to Mary Ellis through her Amish books. This book has a little mystery and a romance. I must say it was a little slow for me but I kept reading and found myself liking it in the end. I was gifted am arc of this book from the publisher through netgalley. The opinions are my own.

This book has a backstory about why the main character has to keep moving and changing her identity, it has romance, and a couple investigative cases our heroine is involved in solving. All-in-all an enjoyable read. I generally like a bit more mystery and a little less romance. I did like that the romance developed slowly and there were no bodice-ripping scenes.

Back with price Investigations of Southern cities, Kate Weller is a traveling PI who’s being threatened by associates of her imprisoned brother. Why they’re after her, she doesn’t know.
She goes to Charleston to find a birth sibling of a drying woman, hoping for a liver transplant. Kate lives in an apartment above an Italian restaurant operated by hunky Eric Manfredi. The Manfredi family has mysteries of their own to solve.
Kate didn’t seem like a smart investigator. She confronts a murder suspect without telling anyone her plans. She doesn’t call the police and a bomb squad when her threateners claim Eric’s van is tampered with. The story ends abruptly; a sequel is needed.
I enjoy Mary Ellis’ books, but this one falls a bit short.

This book plodded along at an even pace, although I constantly wanted to nudge it a bit more. I wanted a bit more clarification and a bit more action all along. While the story line and characters were good, I just wanted more out of the entire book. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't captivating.

Kate Weller is the newest member of Price Investigation , changes her name and takes a case in Charleston , South Carolina where she hides in plain sight . I really struggled with this book . I just couldn't get into the book or the characters . Thanks to #Netgalley and #SevernHousePublishers for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review ! #HidingInPlainSight

Hiding in Plain Sight by Mary Ellis – A Review

Summer is almost here and Mary Ellis’s latest novel, Hiding in Plain sight, is a great by-the-pool read.

Working under a new name in a new job as a PI, Kate Weller thinks she’s outrun her past but when her past almost kills her she flees taking an assignment in Charleston. Despite her intention to stay aloof and alone she quickly becomes embroiled in the lives of the people around her.

This was most definitely a page-turner for me, however I struggled with the romantic relationship in the novel. In particular, Eric’s romantic interest in Kate (aka Jill). It seemed too quick and somehow inauthentic despite being frequently given his close-third POV.

Despite that I enjoyed the read and would recommend it to fans of thrillers. It’s very well plotted.

FYI The novel also includes religious elements but they were not over the top and shouldn’t deter anyone.

Hiding in Plain Site by Mary Ellis. Severn House Aug 1
Kate is training to be a traveling PI, and loving it. Noticing a car four days in a row at her apt, she wants to keep her past, in the past. Going to a party, ended with a van pushing her car into the river and gun shots. Being in the marsh, staying hidden, didn’t anyone hear the shot.
Luckily she had phone, to call a co worker and they called the police. Didn’t tell them she knew who they were, and it was a warning, next
would be death. The mob, her brother, what is going on, that is ruining her life. She helps others, Eric wants more, a commitment, can she give one. Will the letters and calls keep coming, and she has to run again. This was a great plot, that has the tension to the end, hopefully there will be more with Kate.or known as Jill now.. GivenARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

Hiding in plain sight by Mary Ellis.
a fantastic read. I loved kate Weller who was the main character.
Kate's on the run from a troubled past. she's the newest member of price investigations. she covers her tracks by changing her Name and takes a case in Charleston, South Carolina.
renting a room with a view kate sets about trying to find her adopted clients natural siblings. she tracks down a long lost sister, meanwhile her landlord, Eric Manfredi business is being targeted by rivals. Erics father gets arrested for murder. kate is determined to prove his innocence. can she find the real culprit before a killer from her own past tracks her down?
I loved the story couldn't put it down. although kate was my favourite character I liked Beth and Eric loved how Beth was with him. thought she was cheeky. can't wait to read more. 5*.

I thought the settings was very good loved the characters believe readers will enjoy it very much..Mary did a wonderful job! Had finished in two days I recommend this book hope readers will love. loved the title and I love the stories by this author. Received my copy from NetGalley thanks so much!

2 and 1 / 2 stars

Kate Weller moves to Charleston, SC seeking to escape her past. She takes a job with Price Investigations and her trainer is very pleased with how quickly she caught on to the job. She is now a private investigator and she likes her job.

When Kate’s beloved Mustang is run off the road and sinks in water, she is devastated. But more concerning are the shots fired at her. Her past has found her.

After coming clean with her new boss and her friends in the agency, Kate gets a new assignment and a new name. She now calls herself Jill Wyatt. Her new task is tracking down the natural siblings of an adopted woman. The job sounds like fun and Kate/Jill is excited about it. The clients’ names are David and Charlotte Sugarman. Charlotte is in the hospital waiting for a liver donor. She is hoping that one of her siblings will donate half of their livers – if they are a match.

She tracks down one of the women, and the problems begin.

This book just didn’t do it for me. Perhaps I’m getting jaded or something, but the relationship between Jill and Eric irritated the heck out of me. Eric is trying to be nice and Jill is so suspicious of him that she can’t see straight. Nah, this book was not for me. For a woman supposedly so smart, she sure acted dumb. Also the plot was too formulaic.

I want to thank NetGalley and Severn House for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read and review.