This was an atmospheric suspense with lots of intrigue and a mystical, gothic feel. I found the plot to be fresh and original. Though it had magical elements, it was believable. The characters were well-drawn and sympathetic. Great for fans of Jennifer McMahon and Chris Bohjalian.

Summary: The book is an amazing blend of a fantasy novel, psychopath murder mystery, and a story of the love of a mother and her child. Building on a myth about “selkies,” the author effectively links music, especially from a violin, to all these stories and to the sea. One feels oneself floating from one tale to another.

The story starts dramatically--a little girl abandoned on the street and then claimed by Ruby, a single woman with a penchant for playing the violin. Ruby and Constance, the biological mother, have planned this escape together, but why? The story alternates between NOW and THEN tales so learn bits and pieces about a man, Gregor, aka, the “yoga man.” that we learn that Constance and her daughter, Leonie, are being held by Gregor against their will. Ruby is drawn into the NOW story by her love of music and her violin playing as comforting to Constance and the little girl. When fear becomes overwhelming, they flee to the sea.

A story of good and evil, love and music, mothers and children. A rewarding, enchanting, and mysterious read.

In The Hidden by Melanie Golding you get to read from the point of view of three very different women. The story begins a few days before Christmas,at the beach where Constance has abandoned her daughter Leonie. Constance was supposed to wait for Ruby before going into the sea, but she had to choose her life over her daughter. Next we meet DS Joanna Harper when she arrives at the crime scene where a severely beaten man is left to die in a bathtub. The connecting link between Constance, the case and Joanna is Ruby, Joanna's estranged daughter and the woman left in charge of Leonie.
Steeped in local legend and exploring the depths of what it means to be a mother, The Hidden asks how far we'll go to save the ones we love.

I thought this book was so good and an amazing thriller read for autumn. The story was so gripping and kept you on the edge of your seat the entire time. The transition between the POVs is flawless and how the different storylines are woven together is magnificent. Even though the three women in the book commit a lot of transgressions I always felt it was the right thing. This is a book I highly recommend.

This book grabbed me from the first page. I didn't want to put the book down once I started... Definitely a must read.

Golding returns to familiar themes of love, motherhood and folklore with the Hidden - the much anticipated follow up to her excellent debut Little Darlings.
The character-driver thriller again reaches into the depths of folklore - this time centering a story around seal people (Selkies) and the bonds of motherhood across a number of generations.
Unfortunately, this one doesn't hit the same highs as her debut, suffering from pacing issues early and a myriad of interconnecting story lines that never seem to get in the road of each other rather than letting the story progress.

Melanie Golding’s The Hidden is a thriller that has a selkie legend woven thru it.

There are multiple voices in the story, one belonging to Ruby the estranged daughter of Detective Joanna Harper, the second one to Joanna herself, then the voice of the injured man, and an occasional voice of the mother Constance. Then the author also works out ways to screw our minds by introducing the THEN and NOW technique and it all boils down to an engrossing read.

The opening chapter of a toddler abandoned in the harshest winter outside a shop followed up with blood water dripping out of the ceiling, YIKES, that was one hell of a way to hook the reader in, but the pacing becomes a tad slower as the THEN comes into the picture of Ruby’s history with her neighbor and his mentally incompetent wife and their 2 yr old daughter.

As Joanna’s investigation zooms into a crunch when she realizes the presence of her daughter in the unconscious victim’s life, objectivity becomes lost as Joanna struggles to remain as a copper rather than a mother. By weaving the Selkie fairy tale, there’s a sense of unreality to the whole story of Constance and even though excellently done by the author, that knuckle-worthy tension did seem to lose steam at the end. The description of the islands was so beautiful, and the music of the seals played thru the violin, now that is something I wouldn’t mind hearing every day!

But by the end of it all, it was not the thriller that had me thinking about the story but the question raised by the author in her acknowledgment about the choice of a woman in captivity to return to her roots leaving her children to fend for themselves. It is a question that will never have a completely indisputable answer, isn’t it?

Compelling 4 stars☂️☂️☂️☂️


Many thanks to Net Galley, Crooked Lane Books, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.

This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India, Book Bub, Medium.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

I love the way Melanie Golding weaves folklore into her novels creating a rich urban fantasy. This one was a little more difficult for me to get into than her first book Little Darlings was. It took until almost halfway before I was truly invested in the characters and was glued to the pages. I love the folklore used in this story, the Roane have always interested me. This story is about a man, the selkie he imprisons by stealing her coat, their daughter, and a musician. Also involved is the musicians complicated relationship with her biological mother/adoptive sister. I did think this book took some interesting turns which were fun. The writing is fabulous and the story is tragically beautiful. I gave this one 3.5 stars but rounded up.

Though there were a lot of interesting things in this story, I had a lukewarm reaction to it. I want a suspense novel to build the tension so much I don’t want to put the book down, and that just wasn’t the case with The Hidden.

In one part of a seaside village, police and social services are called when a two-year-old is found wandering alone in the cold. The mother shows up, chastened and frantic. Authorities assume it’s a simple case of a toddler darting away without her mother seeing where she went and let the pair go.

In another part of town, Detective Sergeant Joanna Harper is investigating a man known as Gregor who is close to death after suffering a head injury. When she sees the surveillance tape, she recognizes the woman as her estranged daughter Ruby. Except their relationship is more complicated than it seems, as is their relationship with their parents.

Ruby befriended a woman who believes she’s a selkie, or a part of a group known as “seal people,” who, when they shed their skin, can appear human. A selkie is mythology for many people, but Constance believes it’s real. Naturally, Ruby thinks she might have some mental health issues but wants to help.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES NOVEMBER 9, 2021.

This was an interesting book. It was not completely what I expected. I love a good mystery or thriller. I don’t read myths or legendary type books. This felt like this to me throughout the book I’ve read so many great reviews. I’m just not sure this book was for me. Please give this book a try if you are into these kind of stories.

Thanks to NETGALLY for my advanced copy for my honest review

Melanie Golding can do no wrong, and once again her newest is totally captivating. A thrilling, up-all-night read.

The Hidden, by Melanie Golding

Short Take: Twisty abduction thriller? Maybe-maybe-not fairy tale? Why not both?

(*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*)

Good morning, duckies! And what a lovely gray, rainy morning it is! I would normally be wittily denouncing (read: whining about) the weather, but after the punishing heat we’ve had for the last way-too-long, I’m enjoying the current storm. Plus, the calendar has turned the page into September, and I don’t know about all of you, but in this house, that means one thing: Halloween candy season!

Ok, there’s more to it than candy, I”m a big fan of comfy hoodies, changing leaves, and all that fun stuff, but the candy is definitely up there. I am ALL ABOUT the peanut butter cups and salted caramel anything - something about the contrasting tastes just works for me in a way that single flavors don’t.

Which is why The Hidden tickled my neurons on a couple of levels. On the surface, it’s your standard chase thriller: Constance has left her baby (Leonie) with her BFF Ruby, and is running away from the baby’s father. Ruby’s close relative, Detective Joanna Harper is trying to get all three of them sorted out, while also uncovering a lot of secrets held by daddy dearest (no spoilers here!).

Cool story so far, right?

But then there’s also Constance’s repeated insistence that she’s a selkie, able to transform into a seal at will, which is obviously just the delusion of a desperately mentally ill woman. Right? Maybe?

Duckies, I’m going to be upfront with you: The Hidden isn’t perfect. The characters are all a little one-note, and I wasn’t always feeling the pacing. The dialogue is OK, nothing too great or too egregious, and there are some real soap-opera moments. But somehow, it just works. The police-chase-thriller story kept me engaged, and the maybe-or-not supernatural elements kept me curious. Not perfect, no, but the originality of Ms. Golding’s tale was enough to gloss over the blemishes.

The Nerd’s Rating: FOUR HAPPY NEURONS (and a whole pile of peanut butter cups, it’s fall, y’all!)

A really good read!

A toddler found on a wintry seafront.

Ruby, estranged from her family. She is lonely with only her violin for company. No friends apart from Sam, who lives on a narrow boat travelling the waterways, so not always close.

A mystery yoga guy, who does his exercises before dawn each day.

A police officer committed to her work to the detriment of her relationship with her girlfriend.

There seems a lot going on at the start of this book, but the story is well written and the characters well developed so they interweave beautifully.

It is quite a lengthy book, but I read it in three goes, it was very addictive!

The psychological thriller aspect, along with the Scottish folklore thread seem an unlikely pairing but it works well. The dark side of the thriller unfolds slowly at times but when the pace picks up it really gets going.

I would definitely recommend.

Thank you NetGalley.

Thank you for my early review copy. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I believe this book will be a huge bestseller.

I absolutely adored The Hidden, I loved the characters of Ruby, Jo, Constance and Lorie. The story kept me gripped, I honestly couldn’t put it down and I loved the Selkie folklore mixed in with the story.

I enjoyed Little Darlings but Melanie has surpassed it with The Hidden; I will absolutely be reading all her future books.

The Hidden is the first book I have read by Melanie Golding.  It is a thriller/fantasy and I usually don’t care for fantasy.  The folklore of the Sulkies, or seal people, somehow worked  and actually added something to the overall story line.  It started out slow with a toddler being found wondering around the storefronts of a little seaside  village.  A woman, Ruby, shows up and claims to be the mother but then takes the baby and goes on the run.  As the story unfolds, you meet Constance, the real mother, and Gregor, the father.  Then enters Detective Joanna Harper who is Ruby’s mother.  When she recognizes a picture of Ruby as the woman who took the baby, the story starts to unfold.  It is told from several different view points and several timelines.  You quickly get drawn in wondering who is mentally ill, who is telling the truth, what the heck is really happening.  By the end, I couldn’t put it down.  I will definitely be checking out Little Darlings , also by Melanie Golding.  You will want to check this one out if you like thrillers with a  little fantasy/folklore twist.

I love the cover of this novel and the inside. "The Hidden" is an exciting novel by Melanie Golding. A page turner for sure.

A thriller with selkie folklore! Really great story, it got so suspenseful at parts I had to put the book down! I really enjoyed this book. Even more than her first book Little Darlings. In this story the folklore played a much more active roll in the plot of the story. I definitely will be recommending this one!

Contemporary mystery beautifully Written.
The book doesn’t end the way you want it to, but it ends the way it should.
An engaging and entirely satisfying read!

• ARC Provided via Net Galley

I enjoyed the sheer pleasure of reading this book. Instead of trying to make sense of the choices made by each of the characters at different points along the way, I simply went along for the ride, In doing so, the story held my interest and kept me turning the pages. If you stop to ask yourself “why” any of it happened, or what the point was, or who would do that, I think you’ll be disappointed. But if you can suspend judgment and simply read for the enjoyment of it this book has enough to keep it interesting.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is a story about acceptance...accepting who you are, where you come from, and what family really means. It’s also a crime story with some strange and mysterious characters and a fun tale of folklore and legends. It is also about the lengths one will go to for the children they love, whether their own personal children or those young, little people who come into our lives and wiggle their way into our hearts. You know, those kids that call you auntie or uncle even though there is no blood relation.

On the surface, the story follows Joanna Harper, a police detective, who is trying to solve the mystery of how a man found in critical condition in his bathroom is connected to two seemingly unconnected women and a child. Oh yeah, and just to throw a little twist in there, the latter three have gone missing.

The plot evolves through alternating points of view, mainly between Joanna and Ruby, but a few times with the mystery man. What I like about this type of mystery/crime drama is the dueling timelines. Switching from the past to the present allows the reader to learn essential missing pieces needed to try to solve the mystery on our own. It also creates suspense and tension that captures and holds your attention.

Through the alternating POVs, we learn the challenges that Joanna and Ruby face in their lives, why they made the decisions they have made, and their personal reflections, regrets and growth. With the timelines, Golding does a fantastic job of giving just enough to make us think we know what is going on. That Constance is really crazy, but then maybe she isn’t. The present timeline allows the investigation to play out while the past puts the series of events in order.

Without giving away any spoilers, there is so much more to this book than that. Ruby struggles with who she is and family. Constance struggles with the traditions of her people and longs to go home, but can’t. Both are very different, but the similar emotional distress they each face is very similar. This is what forges their bond.

Now throw in the folktales of the Selkie and Roane, which are seals that can take human shape, and you’ll probably be really confused as to how his serious crime investigation can maintain its depth and sophistication with these Gaelic traditions. It’s actually quite impressive. I was fascinated with this touch of the story. And, it was so effortlessly incorporated. The local folk were in quiet acceptance when other characters interacted with them. Especially when it seemed most of the characters thought the tales being told were just words of a crazy person.

At the end of the book, Golding provides an Author’s Note discussing the incorporation of the Folklore in this book, specifically focusing on “The Mermaid Wife” which is quoted several times throughout the book. I’m so glad she decided to include this supplement because I learned a lot about history and the connection to some of the plot elements she used to develop her narrative.

But, this isn’t the only folktale or legend referenced in the book. Golding did her research and clearly appreciates and respects these tales. It makes me want to delve into this genre a little more, and to read more by her to see what other unique topics get incorporated.

The only major criticism I have about the book is the ending. That climatic moment when all the characters are together and someone, especially in a story like this, is going to die, get seriously hurt or dramatically arrested. I will say that what happens to the characters is fitting, but it was so quick that it almost felt a little anticlimactic. It just felt some of the drama and anticipation that was built up getting to that point just fizzled out. I was left wanting just a little more. But, since I am a big stickler about conclusions, I have to give kudos for providing an epilogue.

If you remember from the beginning, I said that there was a child involved in all this. A sweet little toddler. This two year old had some great character development, which is important because it is through her actions that you can and interpret the dynamics of the relationships and interactions of those around her. You can learn so much by watching a young child. They learn very quickly what is expected in their family. It is through this child that Ruby truly begins to reflect on her own life and the estranged relationship she has with her mother and grandparents.

There is nothing more powerful than the love of a child. As a parent, you would do anything for your child. And, sadly, sometimes, the best thing for your child is the hardest decision to make or action to take. This is seen in Joanna, Ruby and Constance. Three very different women who at the core still have the same desire to do what is best.

I really liked this book. There were a few times where the pace slowed down a little bit for me, but thankfully, it would pick back up. I would totally recommend this book if you like crime and mystery and are looking for a fresh take on it. I loved the folklore, the twisted relationships and was slightly frightened by just how easy it really is to use technology in sinister ways.