I loved the synopsis of this book. It drew me in. I knew nothing of Selkies or the folklore involved and was eager to dive in (pun very much intended).

The first quarter of this book drew me in and then things changed. It all became very repetitive, very slow and very boring. Some of the plot choices were odd and unnecessary. I found myself shaking my head and rolling my eyes more than I would care to admit. I was curious to see where it was all headed but not enough to keep reading before my file expired. I ran out of time to finish, so I gave it a go on audio.
The audio did help move things along, but I also found myself rushing through sections just to get on with it already.
Sadly, this one just wasn't for me. I can see that I am in the minority on this one, so I am sure I am just the wrong audience.

Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane books for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Do you believe in Selkies? Are you a sucker for Scottish folklore and a lover of thrillers?
Then this might just be the book for you!

A 2 year old girl is found sitting all alone outside a shop on a cold December evening!
When Ruby shows up claiming it’s her daughter the social worker in charge hands her the child without further ado. After all, the child did call her mama Bee!

At the same time, a woman nearby, steps into the freezing sea and disappears, and all the way in Sheffield a man is found dying in his bathtub, bleeding from a head injury. All this happens in the first 2-3 chapters ... 😳 but how do these people all connect? That’s for the reader to discover.

This was a very enjoyable little thriller with a touch of the supernatural that could have easily been too far-fetched for the likes of me, but instead was very cleverly woven into the fabric of the story.

After introducing the characters, we go back a few months and meet Ruby, who seems obsessed with secretly watching her handsome neighbour do yoga at dawn. But who are the woman and the girl he is hiding in his flat?

I just loved little Ruby! The author did such a great job of giving us a picture of this little toddler by showing us a few typical mannerisms, but that was enough to get me immediately caught up in her plight.

I don't want to reveal too much about the plot other than that once Ruby befriends her neighbor Gregor and meets the woman and child who live in his apartment, the story really comes to life and I wasn't able to put the book down!

If you don’t mind your thriller mixed in with a little local supernatural folklore don’t miss out on this one.

Out today: November 9th 2021

Celtic Myth, psychological thriller, a dash of magical fairy tale vibes and unique folklore set against the backdrop of a modern day coastal town.

I have to admit that I wasn't fully sure what I was expecting going in. I think I was so entranced by the Celtic aspects and cover that I decided what the heck and dove in pretty blindly. I do not regret it. A psychological thriller drives the majority of this storyline as two women flee the grasp of a killer. I enjoyed the different perspectives between Ruby, her detective sister and Gregor kept the plot on it's toes. I have not read The Mermaid Wife but loved the way Golding ties excerpts into this book.

This is a slow build with a timeline that bounces between the past and the present. Letting the past unfold to explain the current day happenings. I personally like thrillers that have this kind of direction and watching the puzzle pieces fall into place.

I had the ability to listen to this on audio and read the ebook when I could finally settle down for the day. Though I enjoyed both versions I do think that readers who don't enjoy the slow build of psychological thrillers would do better with the audiobook than the ebook. If you are the type of reader who prefers snuggling in for the long haul than the ebook/physical is one you'll adore.

The narrator, Penelope Rawlins, kept to character tones and differences expertly. I especially loved her rendition of little Leonie. It was like having a little toddler right in your lap! Even the male tones were well done and not overly feminine which I appreciated. A narrator I will seek out for future novels.

This was a well crafted psychological thriller that hints at the existence of folkloric things. It leaves you to wonder and imagine at the possibilities. The connection between Ruby and Leonie was beautiful and heart wrenching all at the same time. The found sisterly bonds and true sisterly bonds drove an engaging plot of feminine strength and resilience. There is physical and mental abuse among other types that should be mentioned.

Thank you Dreamscape Media and Crooked Lane Books for opening up my bookish horizons to Melanie Golding and her wonderful story skills. All thoughts are my own.

This tale starts on a dark December night, in a small seaside town, when 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. Meanwhile, a man named Gregor is found lying submerged in his tub, with a head wound, comatose. The police have no idea that these two things have anything in common. Nor do they realize that Gregor is not who he appears to be, the woman who came to pick up the little girl was not her mother after all, and the one who really is her mother is a selkie and she is headed back to be with the rest of her kind.
This book was magical. It gripped me from the very first page. It was such a unique blend of mystery, suspense and folklore that it kept me captivated. I feel like it would appeal to anyone who liked any of those three genres. I highly recommend this one!

I love love love Ms. Golding's reinvention of old folktales and this one about the selkies is no different! How she is able to take what seems like a straight forward story and twist it so much is amazing! None of her characters are what they seem and the reader even gets to learn more about DS Joanna Harper who was introduced in [book:Little Darlings|41806986], which you don't have to have read to thoroughly enjoy this one. Even when I thought I knew where the story was leading, I found I was wrong. It isn't so much that random twists were thrown at the reader, but that the story was so well crafted that the reader got comfortable with their own assumptions. And the words themselves are almost poetry themselves. The reader can feel the sea air around them and the call of the Roane. While reading the book, the concept of men being lured into the sea is easy to understand. Needless to say, after reading Little Darlings I was excited to read The Hidden. Now having read The Hidden, I can confidently say I would read the description on a cereal box if Ms. Golding wrote it.

Ruby is a single woman, lonely, estranged from her family, living her solitary existence, when she notices the man in the apartment across from her. Gregor is young, handsome, seemingly shy, and when Ruby orchestrates a meeting with him she has no idea the perils that await her.
When she enters Gregor's apartment she meets Constance, the woman who lives with him. Gregor says they are together but not "in that way." They share a daughter, who is the product of a one night stand. Constance is mentally ill says Gregor, he allows her to live there because he is helping her. It sounds plausible except for the chilling words Constance speaks to Ruby when they are alone. "What has he told you?" and "Do you believe him?"
This was a captivating mystery with touches of folklore and mythology and loaded with suspense. It also has all the feels that go along with dysfunctional family drama and larger than life characters.
There were times that for me, the police scenes went on a bit long. Even though one of the officers is an indispensable part of the story I just wanted to get back to what was going on with Constance and Ruby. You may feel differently, I just tend to get bored with police investigations.

Thank you, NetGalley, Melanie Golding, and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this book! It releases on November 9th, 2021!

Melanie Golding has written two books and I wasn’t sure if she could knock it out of the park two times in a row. It’s rare. The first is Little Darlings, which is a thriller that told a twisted tale about changelings and I could not get enough! I loved it! When I received The Hidden I could not wait to see what was in store.

This book takes on the tale of the Selkie. The Selkie is a folktale about humans that can change into a seal form that originated in Scotland. Ruby has insomnia and spends her nights watching someone she calls the Yoga Man. When she meets him face to face, she is captivated by him but let down when she discovers there is a woman named Constance living with him, along with their child, Leone. Constance comes off as strange and distant but Leone becomes quite attached to Ruby and the more Ruby comes around, the more she realizes that Constance is in a dangerous position.

Trigger Warnings: Stalker, Abuse, Alcoholism

DS Harper is called to the scene of a man bleeding from the head in his bathtub. The injury isn’t self-inflicted, so hurt this man? Then a little girl is found alone at a shop, the mother turns up saying that the little girl ran away from her. But CCTV shows that the woman the girl arrived with is different than the woman she left with. So who is her real mother? DS Harper knows one of the women…her daughter, Ruby.

Even though these books are standalone reads, there is a link-DS Harper. It was wonderful to see her character again, and this time she gets more time to develop! Like most detectives her job is all-consuming. It affects her relationships, especially her relationship with her daughter. Ruby is absolutely lovely! She is kindness itself, always willing to help those around her. For someone who didn’t receive a lot of love growing up, it just overflows from her. I loved witnessing their growth in this story.

But just like Little Darlings, nothing is as it seems…and that is the best part! Melanie Golding has a way of creating an eerie uncertainty in her plots. Readers never know quite what to think when it comes to the characters. Once again, I was hooked from beginning to end and at some points I found myself gripping my Kindle a little too intensely. Readers will not be disappointed in how the author meshes folklore with psychological thrills with unforgettable characters! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Ruby has been watching her handsome neighbor for a while. Her apartment window has the perfect view right into his flat. Only once has she gotten a glimpse of the woman who lives with him. It seems like he is hiding her, but why?
When Ruby finally meets her neighbors, she is sucked into a surreal situation plucked from Scottish Folklore. The woman, Constance, claims to be a Selkie. She insists her seal coat has been hidden and she is trapped on land. Only Ruby can help her get home.

This was an excellent story. It is a mystery, thriller, suspense read, and a little fairy tale all in one. I was sucked into it very quickly, and consumed the book in only two days.
This is one of those books where things are not as they seem, and you question what is real or just a distraction. I really found myself questioning situations often, and trying to piece the puzzle together with the clues that slowly roll out. I thought the folklore aspect would be too much, but it was perfect. It brought the heart to the plot, and a bit of whimsy. Golding managed to make me a believer in Selkies. Which also sent me down the Google rabbit hole...

This is my second book by this author. I think it will be my last. The story was just ridiculous and I could not make myself interested in the characters or their plight. The connections were both obvious and unbelievable at the same time. I found the writing style to be tedious to continue reading or even listening to. I tried both.

4.5 stars

The Hidden by Melanie Golding is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
DS Joana Harper is called to investigate the assault on Gregor Franks, who was found badly bludgeoned and left for dead in his apartment bath.  He may not survive.

Gregor's apartment brings more questions, as they discovered a crib and children's toys, but neighbours insist he lived alone.

Ruby has been quietly falling for Gregor.  She has been watching  his apartment, from her own apartment  window across the way.  One day she sees another woman and a child in the window, and eventually meets Constance, the mentally troubled wife of Gregor, and their daughter Leonie.  Constance insists that Gregor has hidden her sealskin from her, and without it she cannot return to her people, the mythological Selkies.  Ruby realizes that not all is as it seems, but she is very worried bout Leonie.  She agrees to help Constance escape.

One evening in December, Constance leaves Leonie outside a shop, and Ruby "rescues" her.

Meanwhile, Joana, investigating Gregor's beating, spies Ruby on a CCTV camera with Leonie, and knows trouble is brewing.  Ruby is her daughter.  If it becomes a choice between her job and her daughter, Ruby will win.


My Opinions:   
First, this isn't being touted as a series, but DS Joana Harper plays a major role in this book, and she was in this author's last book, Little Darlings.  I agree, they don't have to be read in order.

This book is about motherhood, and family dynamics.  How far a mother will go to protect her daughter, or herself, and that sometimes the choices aren't clear.  The story is told from the perspectives of Joana, Ruby, and "The Injured Man", and in two timelines.  It is all very straight-forward.

This book mixes mystery and folklore in such a way that the reader starts second-guessing themselves -- well I did.  I loved the legend of the Selkies (seal people).  The author wove the story in and out of the legend, and the whole thing was riveting.

Absolutely loved this book (although it was a little long).

The Hidden begins with a little girl, Leonie seemingly abandoned on the seafront at Cleethorpes, then a woman arrives claiming to be her mother, Constance and tells the authorities that her little girl ran off and she's been searching for her, so they let them go. Then a man is found in his apartment, he has been beaten and left for dead, whilst searching the apartment for clues, they discover a locked room filled with children's toys, D'S Joanna Harper, who is leading the investigation, thinks there is a link between the two cases, and when she delves further she's shocked to see that the woman with the child is her estranged daughter Ruby, she knows that she needs to find Ruby before the police do, she will do anything to protect her child, but she's not the only one desperate to find them, question is, who will get to them first?

This story is told across two timelines; Now and Then, and narrated mainly by Ruby and Joanna, it's a well written book by the author who brought us Little Darlings and we once again get to meet Joanna Harper and learn more about her and her family. This tale is shrouded in mystery and mythology, we learn about the selkies and how they live in a different world to us, their rituals and what happens if those rituals are broken. It also shows how far a mother will go to protect her daughter whatever the cost to herself. I liked how the author started each chapter with a snippet of folklore, as she did in Little Darlings, and even though these are standalone novels they are best read in order to understand the characters backgrounds. If you like fantasy and folklore then Golding gives it all.

I'd like to thank Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

That was really rather beautiful, a wonderful story. I was excited to get this book after I had enjoyed her previous work, Little Darlings, but I think this one is even better.

After weeks of spying on Yoga Man from her 7th floor window, Ruby finally meets him, Gregor Franks, and they become friendly. He seems sweet and shy. She is soon invited over and meets Constance the willowy and wilting mother of his child Leonie, almost two years old. Constance is apparently quite deranged but Gregor takes his responsibilities seriously. Soon Ruby finds herself with feelings for Gregor that she cannot act upon as she has agreed to look after Constance and the child when Gregor, who normally works from home, has to go out.

Eventually the two women become friendly and Constance starts to trust her with the truth about Gregor. He is not what he seems. So the women concoct an audacious plan so that Constance can go back to her people and she will come for Leonie later - which takes us to the start of the book where Constance is supposed to hand Leonie over to Ruby and disappear. This is not a spoiler it’s right at the start of the book. But things don’t go to plan and Ruby has to disappear with Leonie in a desperate effort to keep her safe.

I can’t say anymore about the plot but it was so well done. DS Joanna Harper is Ruby’s much older sister, sort of, and she gets involved with the search for the child. She is also investigating an attempted murder which had everything to do with the rest of the story. It was good to see how both Constance and Ruby gained confidence as they learned to trust each other. It was interesting to watch Harper realise that family is everything and it was scary to watch what Gregor became.

I don’t normally enjoy paranormal elements in my books (and I knew it was coming in this one) but it worked in this story. It was a very light touch and it just suited this slightly ethereal story. This is a book I really enjoyed. And who could go past that beautiful cover which represents the book so well? Many thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

The Hidden is a mystery story containing Celtic folk lore revolving around Selkies- mythological beings who can change from seal to human.

Things become strange when a small child is found abandoned, a woman claims to be her mother, and a man is found bleeding and unconscious in a bathtub…and it’s all strangely connected. The story is told from multiple perspectives, and in a Then and Now format, but was still easy to follow.

I loved that the author allows for the reader to wonder what’s real and not for the majority of the story.

I thought I had it figured out until it did a twirl and hit me in the face with a creepy twist I hadn’t seen coming.

Is this story realistic? Only if you believe in fairytales and ancient lore. 🦭

I personally felt it was a unique thriller, and had fun dabbling in Scottish myths with a side of creepiness.

This book is an amazing story of dark twists & turns until you're completely absorbed in it!!!!!!!!!! It pulls you in from page one & doesn't let go until the last. Leaving you thinking and puzzling on it for days afterwards. I highly recommend this book.

I could not get interested in this book. It just wasn’t my cup,of tea. Thank you for the ARC. I couldn’t relate to the characters or the setting.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, it was an atmospheric mystery thriller that really grabbed me, I had never heard of the folklore about the Selkies which made for a very interesting read and left the hair on my arms tingling in places. With so many stories going on, how do they intertwine? I loved the whodunit scenario and Detective Jo Harper is up against trying to unravel the mystery. Perfect for those looking for escapism.

Melanie Golding’s sophomore novel is, like her first, ‘Little Darlings’, an unconventional blend of psychological thriller, police mystery and mythology. The intuitive young detective from the first novel, DS Joanna Harper, also makes a welcome return as the detective in charge of this case.

In the novel’s opening scene, a small girl is found alone on the street of a small seaside town of Cleethorpes on the English east coast. The police are called, but shortly afterwards a relieved woman appears claiming to be the child’s mother. She tells them the child ran away when her back was turned and she’s been looking for her everywhere. Since the little girl clearly knows her, she is eventually allowed to take her and leave, without the police realising she is not the little girl’s mother.

In Sheffield, DS Joanna Harper has been called to an apartment where a man called Gregor Franks has been found floating in an overflowing bath, beaten and close to death. She discovers a child’s cot, clothes and toys in the apartment, but the neighbours have never been aware of anyone else ever living in the apartment. Why would Gregor keep it a secret?

As she’s leaving the scene of the crime, Joanna notices that her estranged sister Ruby’s flat is in the building opposite. She hasn’t heard from Ruby for quite a while as she isn’t answering her phone and wonders how she’s doing. A talented violinist, she loves her job at a music school and, the last time she spoke to Joanna, mentioned making some new friends, so Joanna hopes she is happy.

Nothing is as it seems on the surface of this novel. Relationships are more complex than they appear and at the centre is one frightened woman who only wants to return to her home and her clan while keeping her daughter safe. A central theme of the novel is the enduring bond between mothers and their children. There are several different types of mothers in this novel, with different relationships to their children, but all of them would do whatever it takes to protect their child.

The events leading up to Gregor’s near death and the search for those involved is told from a range of viewpoints, giving insight into the thoughts and actions of the main characters. A slow boiler of a mystery, stratling revelations are gradually released as all the pieces start to slot together. At times the mood of the novel is atmospheric and almost dark with the wild and restless ocean playing a major role. The folk-lore element of the plot blends in superbly with the modern day mystery, resulting in immersive and engrossing read. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy an unusual element in their crime novels.

It’s not often you find mythical sea creatures and a murderer combined in a story. I really liked that this one was so different from other thrillers I have read lately.

It begins with a little girl being abandoned on the sidewalk on a cold December day. When a woman arrives claiming to be the child’s mother, I knew right away something was fishy—no pun intended.

Around that timeframe, a man is found nearly dead in the bathtub. Was this a suicide attempt or a murder? And how is it connected to the woman and the little girl?

Making the story even more interesting is that the investigator on the case is Joanna Harper, who just happens to be the mother of the woman who claimed the abandoned child and who is a person of interest in the attempted murder case.

The story puts a strong focus on the mother/daughter bond and what lengths a mother will go to in order to protect a child. There were some harrowing moments throughout, but the story ended well.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.

The Hidden was a great thriller with a mystical twist.
This was a slow burn and I didn’t find myself fully engaged until almost half way through it. We get four POV’s and dual timelines for most of them so I you need to pay attention. Our main characters are: Joanna a detective (though she is also referred to as Harper, her last name, and I found myself getting a little confused at times), her sister Ruby (past to present), Constance a woman who lives in the building across from Ruby (past), and Gregor (present) who had a child, Leonie, with Constance, but who is unconscious for most of the book so his POV is a bit jumbled.
Constance returns to her home without a trace, leaving behind Leonie into the care of Ruby, who then also seemingly disappears. Joanna is called to the scene of the attempted murder of Gregor. The book takes us through how Ruby came to know Gregor, Constance and Leonie and what lead up to the disappearances including how Gregor got injured.
Though a little complicated, this was a beautifully woven story. This involves the myth of the Selkies, or Seal People, and whom Constance says she comes from. Desperate to return home to them, even without her daughter, we learn the true nature of her relationship with Gregor through Ruby’s eyes. Since Joanna and Ruby’s own relationship is complicated and strained, Joanna had no idea what was going on with her. When Jo learns of Ruby’s involvement she’s willing to cross the line to find out what happened. She believes her sister to be a good person and must prove that her involvement in this case isn’t detrimental.
This was part domestic suspense, part police procedural and part mystical realism. I enjoy all three of these genres and loved the twists Golding through at us. It was just a little too much of a complicated slow burn for my tastes, but was nevertheless a great read.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the follow-up book to Little Darlings, the debut novel of Melanie Golding. 4.5 stars rounded up!

Leonie, not quite 2 year old, is found abandoned at a seaside storefront. When Ruby (Mamma B) shows up after authorities are called, they chalk it up to a one-time accident and don't investigate further. Meanwhile, Gregor Franks, is found bludgeoned and barely alive in his apartment. As we get glimpses into the past, Ruby gazes from her apartment window into Gregor's apartment, watching him do yoga in the early morning hours. She soon meets him and his family, Constance and Leonie, and becomes entangled in their lives. Constance believes she is a Selkie, a mythological seal creature, who needs to get back to the sea. This book also features Detective Joanna Harper, featured in Little Darlings, who has a complicated history with Ruby.

I really enjoyed this book and loved the mythical elements involved, including the quotes at the beginnings of the chapters. Add that to the wonderful writing of Melanie Golding and you have another winner! There are multiple points of view as well as the different timelines, so that the reader learns the backstories of the characters. The theme of motherhood interlaced with the mythology is really intriguing - what is a mother and what lengths will mothers go to for their children? This is a book that will keep you glued to the pages to find out how it will all end. I hope there are more stories featuring Detective Harper and Ruby in our future!