Having read with enthusiasm the other books in the author’s Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne series, I was delighted to be chosen to read an ARC of the latest one. I certainly was not disappointed! Lest you think that you have to read the entire series, you do not because this book can be a stand alone. I just know that once you have read this one, you will want to read the others! In this latest one, there is a series of three murders, all decades apart and all eerily alike. A young woman’s dead body is left in the middle of nowhere in the little town of Millers Kill and the head of law enforcement each time is left stymied as to who killed her and why she was left in their town. The point of view switches between the different chiefs of police, starting in the 50’s with Chief Harry McNeil, in the 70’s with Chief Jack Liddle and in the present with Chief Russ Van Alstyne. Following the clues and finding the connections is a real dilemma for Russ, who calls upon his wife, Episcopalian minister Clare, to help follow and solve the mystery. This was a powerfully written police procedural with some very creative and unexpected twists. I loved getting to know Clare and Russ again and how their human foibles are presented. Clare is having difficulty getting used to being a new mother and juggling that with her other responsibilities as well as helping Russ to find out who is disturbing the peace in their little town by dropping bodies there every few decades. Fans of police procedurals and mystery/suspense will definitely want to read this book!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

All I can say is how did I not read any of the first eight books in this series. This is a well-written and fast-paced drama that that spanned decades but it’s the present day that tells the story that had me completely immersed in all facets as the author intended. A tightly woven and multi-arc mystery where the tone set the stage to how well this story was going to be told. Baring no expense, this story takes hold where the suspect list is small with little clues but it is the details that kept me riveted to the drama unfolding. The art of planting red herrings. . .Julia is perfect at that because the more I read, the more the directions changed and when it all came together, the one missing piece, created a finished puzzle. But wait, there was more. And that ending. . . yeah, I can’t wait to see where that leads to.

I loved this book! It was well worth the wait for the next installment in this series, and Julia Spencer-Fleming did not disappoint. The rich character development makes me feel like I know Claire and Russ. The three cases in different time periods made the mystery very interesting. Great read!!

Having read the first two novels in this series featuring Police Chief Russ and Episcopal Priest Clare (who as I remember kept sticking her nose into his cases playing amateur sleuth). It had been several years since I'd read anything about them. Apparently a few more novels came along in which they evidently married, and now have a baby and Clare is going through postpartum issues.

Millers Kill is an interesting setting for the mysteries that they get involved in. The current case Russ is drawn into mimics a case in which Russ was a person of interest, when he was just back from Vietnam, in 1972. A Jane Doe found dead in a party dress with no apparent cause of death. The same thing happened in 1952, twenty years prior and now in present day as well, same M.O. The crime solving seemed interesting enough for awhile but got bogged down with personal issues becoming more of a soap opera for me than a mystery.

My opinion of this novel is not much better than what I thought of the previous novels. Just OK. I was dismayed to see the struggles that Clare was going through in her personal life as I had the impression she was a stronger woman than what they show us here. I don't think I can give this more than a 3-star rating.

I did not realize this was part of a series while reading the book so it is easily read as a stand alone novel. An unusual story that covers three time periods. and was quite interesting. You won't see the twists coming. The cover gives adequate description of the book so no need for me to re hash it here. Characters are fluid so there may be more to the series coming! Enjoy!
I received this book as a complimentary copy for an unbiased review.The opinions expressed are my own.Thanks to the author,publisher,and NetGalley for the ARC.

Hid from Our Eyes by Julia Spencer-Fleming. A great addition in The Rev. Claire Fergussen & Russ Van Alstyne Mystery series. We had a long wait for this book but well worth the read. It went back and forth in time and had more than one storyline.

So I didn't realize at first this was part of a series. I cant imagine how much more I would have enjoyed if I was already invested in these characters. Either way, I highly recommend. I love the premise of murders throughout different time periods with a common connection. Kept me wanting more by unraveling a little at a time. Cant wait to read more from this author!

This book has so much promise, but regrettably that promise, for the most part, remains unfulfilled. It’s lovely to have our old friends Russ and Clare back, but the plot is so laden with coincidences and improbabilities that I found it hard to enjoy Hid From Our Eyes. The most realistic component of the novel is the portrayal of two new parents adjusting to life with an infant while both working demanding jobs with extra stress during a time in which his job is in peril and they both take important roles in solving what should have been an intriguing murder. Unfortunately the methods and motivations of the most current and two predecessor murders are too difficult to believe. I hope the next entry in this series will come more quickly and with more resonance than this one.

I received an ARC of this book It is an intriguing story of three women found dead in the same area over a long period of time. Many characters and threads are inter-woven in this compelling mystery. I was pulled right in and couldn't put it down!

3 murders in different time frames, 1952, 1972 and present day. Are they all tied together. I can't say when was the last time that I read a book that wasn't cookie cutter. Well this is it. Keeps you guessing for a while and even when you get to the end you're still not sure. I loved this book.

Julia Spencer-Fleming has built a family with Clare and Russ then set them in a community that has some very bad trouble on the horizon. Hid from Our Eyes centers on a series of murders that are too similar to be committed by different killers but spread across too many years to be committed by the same killer. Our heroes must dig deep to find some very surprising suspects. Great read all around.

Hid from Our Eyes is the ninth mystery novel in the series which focuses on and around the lives of the two protagonistThe Reverend Clare Fergusson, and her now husband, Sheriff Russ Van Alstyne. Though it is perhaps because I have only read the first two books in the series, this latest one did not live up to those.

The mystery is solid. Separated from each other by decades are three single deaths of young, well dressed women, with no sign of cause. In fact the Van Alstyne was a suspect in the 1972 version, while now he must investigate the one that happened under his watch.

The book is so bogged down beyond the premise that, for me, it was definitely was not a page turner. As I am an Episcopal priest, I am less enthused than some of my colleagues to see a fictional, amateur detective representing someone in my vocation, especially if the character does not act in accordance with the job. Fergusson never does, and it usually has me yelling into the pages of my book, or screen on my device, about how "we" were taught never to do that. Perhaps, that is why in this installment the character is such a mess, and that brings me to what really does not work here.
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The book in total quickly becomes less mystery and more soap opera. And then it keeps adding plot points to become almost laughable. Clare struggles with alcoholism, and post pregnancy issues. She does not want to put her infant in another's care, but cannot focus on what she has to do at the office. Her superiors always seem to always be looking over her shoulder, and the Associate priest appears to be moving for Clare's full time job. If this is not enough we get a seminary intern thrown into the mix, and not just any intern, but a transgendered one. I have not problem with any of this, but it was almost like the author decided to end this series, and determined to throw in everything that she could think of.

Though I always loved the premise of this character, and felt, with reservations, that the earlier works were decent enough, I definitely cannot recommend Hid from Our Eyes. After the fact, I wish this one had been hidden from mine.

Hid from Our Eyes by Julia Spencer-Fleming is the ninth installment in the Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne mystery series. In this book, there is an intricately planned murder mystery spanning decades--1952, 1972, and present day. I admire the writer's planning and vigor, because I assume this was not an easy book to write.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I found the plot interesting and engaging, and it was very well written. However, I didn't realize this was the ninth installment in a series, so unfortunately, I felt completely out of the loop. This is not a standalone story. Not only does it end on a cliffhanger, but it also has threaded many plot lines from other books. You absolutely have to read the other books before reading this one. With that being said, I plan to start from the beginning and reread this book before book ten releases.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest, unbiased opinion.

Hid From Our Eyes by Julia Spencer-Fleming is a book in a series. I learned this as I was reading this book and I haven't had the pleasure to read the others but I imagine they are just as good, if not better than this one. Also, a backstory to this book would be a fantastic read!

This story travels between a few different timelines and murders as a suspect is sought after. The detective who is in charge of solving the case was a suspect in the murder of the second woman. There's three murders all together and it seems they have a serial killer on their hands. It's a great read with twists and turns that are unexpected with a bit of a cliffhanger at the end that leaves it open for another book.

This was an incredible story about murder that spanned decades. I loved the story-line - I was already drawn in with just the jacket cover. - and I really enjoyed the characters. This author did an excellent job of developing the characters from the beginning of the story to the end, with their outlook and attitudes changing with their age and the progression of the story. There is no superhero, and the leads do as much wrong as they do right, but it all wraps up with an ending that you don't see coming but that you can feel good about. This is a book that you don't want to put down once you start it ... the details are rich and it evokes deep emotion. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone who likes whodunits or crime stories!

So glad th series are back Clare and Ross draw me right in feel like old friends.Another investigation another group of interesting characters to follow such a good series hope next one comes faster.#netgalley#st.martins

I’ve been waiting for this book for years and it didn’t disappoint. She’s spoken at our library before and is a wonderful, kind speaker who shares great stories and details about the writing process and the business of writing.

Hid From Our Eyes has time jumps between 1952, 1972, and present day as the police try to solve a crime they're not sure is a murder, when a young woman is found abandoned. There's no signs of trauma but no answers as to how she wound up where she is. An interesting take on this is that Russ was a suspect in the 1972 death, and now he's trying to investigate the current day one.

In addition to this, Russ and Claire are managing at being parents. For two community figures that help others and don't blink that others rely on them, it's interesting to see how they don't reach out for help (and Claire clearly, desperately needs it) as they adjust to parenting. Russ' mother is watching baby Ethan sometimes but when Claire has to run to a parishioner, everything is on the fly (which makes me wonder if ministers take mat leave in countries that actually offer it? I hope so).

In addition to this case, the county is looking at shutting the police force down and switching to state police, which will be the end of Russ' job and for many others. The political tension and stress on top of the investigation are adding up, and it seems to have nowhere to go but get worse.

The mystery comes nicely together and Spencer-Fleming balances the different time periods very well. The crossing between past and present day and how individuals have changed (or haven't) provide the reader with additional challenges in figuring out how these deaths are all connected. There are also several subplots including a new intern at the church, Kevin Flynn undercover and in town (and finally having a long overdue conversation with Hadley), and more about Jack's past and how Russ wound up where he is.


Hid From Our Eyes is a bittersweet addition to the series and will be a hit with contemporary mystery fans.

Thanks netgalley. I enjoyed this story, although it's hard it put into words a review of this one. The characters are somewhat believable.

Hid From Our Eyes tells the story of three unsolved mysteries each more than twenty years apart. They all take place in the same small town. Each murdered woman is found on the same stretch of deserted highway. The cause of death is unconfirmed in all three cases. The story goes back and forth between time periods that the murders took place. The police chief in each case was around the small town as a young man when each murder takes place. Are they part of the mystery? The final solution was a surprise. All in all, it’s a great read!