Thank you NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this upcoming debut novel, Hiding Lies by Stephanie Rose. Hiding Lies follows a forensic photographer with a dark past as she works on a big new case. Some chapters are told from her perspective, and some are told from the killer's perspective. It is clear that the author has drawn inspiration from Caroline Kepnes's You and Jeff Lindsay's Dexter series, and while I typically love these types of stories, it doesn't work as well for me here. The writing is easy to read and draws you in, but something about the plot lacked depth for me, and felt unrealistic. I have no problem suspending disbelief (I read a lot of horror and don't necessarily think ghosts or demons or other monsters are real) but sometimes it takes me out of a story if the human characters or dialogue/thought patterns don't feel genuine, some of this is in regards to the romantic subplot. I do think this is a pretty solid debut novel, and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

I wasn't sure what to expect with Hiding Lies by Stephanie Rose, but I was pleasantly surprised. The story was well-written and cohesive in how the story unfolded. I can't say that I was fully connecting with the characters, but I liked them well enough and found myself invested in the outcome of the mystery. I also liked that there were some references to Silence of the Lambs, which is a story that I genuinely enjoy as well. Also, it seemed like the story ended on a cliffhanger

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This thriller was brilliantly written! I love the dual POV and the way that you can see scenes from both perspectives. I love the nods to The Silence of the Lambs, which felt so fitting! It does feel like it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I was left wanting more!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

The mentions of animal abuse were a bit too upsetting for me, but I enjoyed it until I got to that point.

I was so excited to read Hiding Lies – it was described as a serial killer romance for fans of Criminal Minds, which was all I needed to know.

But 50 pages in, I wish someone had told me how bad the writing was. It was littered with comma splices, making it incredibly difficult to get in the flow of the story (I sincerely hope this is addressed in the final version). More than that though, it did a lot of telling and no showing, and the dialogue was so wooden and awkward.

I felt really deflated by this book.
It had all the ingredients for an amazing story. I truly enjoyed the concept, but the execution was poor and felt very rushed.
I loved the main character. She was relatable and likeable.
As a whole though, the ending let down the entire book. This was a lot of build up for a very little in the way of any kind of horror and lacked imagination.

I would classify this one as a combination of horror/thriller. As this was a short read, it became a fast read that I could not put down. I do like a book with a serial killer aspect. I quite enjoyed this.

i found this book a bit odd for my liking, very well written but sadly just not my thing, a little too dark for me, sorry

I just finished Hiding Lies by Stephanie Rose and my first thought was “good gosh I really liked that.” This book is a fast paced thriller that made me feel all kinds of things. One minute I’m curious and trying to guess what is going to happen. The next, I’m creeped out by what is happening. Then I find myself almost crying from the emotions that Lydia is going through. I’m left feeling like I’m rooting for Lydia and the life she’s found but yet wondering if I should feel that way. This book is fantastic. I’m so thankful to NetGalley, Stephanie Rose and Mad Axe Media for giving me the opportunity to read the arc.

I really enjoyed all aspects of this. It reminded me of the 'mindfuck series' but this was so much better. I was so bored with that series I couldn't get through the first book, but this book I couldn't put down. Super easy and fast to read, with the perfect amount of darkness and dread.

Wow. I really enjoyed this book. I was lucky enough to read an ARC copy but this is my honest review and would be my review regardless of if it was an ARC or not. The book follows the two main characters Lydia and Adam. Hiding Lies really surprised me with the depth to the characters and the ability to discover about their past histories, to what made them who they are today. I made so many notes whilst ready this book. I really enjoyed the psychological elements and trying to see things from their point of view and logic. I loved their love for books as well and completely agree with them. I highly recommend reading this book

I personally do not enjoy a dual POV so this was slightly off putting for me. However, this was a good, solid thriller which kept me hooked. I really liked the FMC and the premise of her being a crime scene photographer was really interesting.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Stephanie Rose’s Hiding Lies is a dark, gripping thriller that delves into the shadows of human nature and the complexities of trauma. This novel is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and horror, offering a chilling narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The story follows Lydia Walker, a forensic photographer haunted by her traumatic past. When she is assigned to a case involving the gruesome murder of a camping couple, Lydia’s life takes a turn. She meets Adam, a fellow tortured soul, and their connection adds a layer of emotional depth to the narrative. As more victims are discovered, Lydia realizes she has a personal connection to the case, pushing her deeper into the investigation. 

Lydia Walker is a compelling protagonist. Her complex character is well-developed, and her internal struggles are portrayed with raw honesty. The relationship between Lydia and Adam is intriguing and unsettling, adding a unique dynamic to the story. 

Stephanie Rose’s writing is evocative and unrelenting. She masterfully builds suspense, creating a tense atmosphere that permeates the entire novel. The pacing is brisk, ensuring that readers remain hooked. 

This novel explores themes of trauma, justice, and the duality of human nature. Lydia’s journey is a poignant exploration of how past traumas can shape one’s present and future. 

Hiding Lies is a dark, thrilling ride that leaves you questioning the boundaries of morality and justice. Stephanie Rose has crafted a novel that is thought-provoking and terrifying, making it a standout in the genre. If you’re looking for a book that will keep you up at night, Hiding Lies is the perfect choice.

I would rate this 4.5 stars if I was able to rate "partial stars" as it is a standout in the genre.

Thank you to Stephanie and mad axe publishing for this arc.
This is a book with a dual POV from a forensic photographer and from a serial killer. It is brutal and gory with a bit of romance mixed in which I loved. Can’t believe this is a debut novel! I’m looking forward to see what Stephanie comes out with next.

I appreciate the opportunity to read this book. Thanks to Netgallery and the author for the ARC.

Unfortunately, this one didn't work for me. It's a quick and simple read (albeit with some very dark subject matter) but it lacked depth and immersion. Still, there are plenty of high ratings here so obviously it has an audience. I'm sadly just not a part of it.

e cover alone had me super intrigued with this book and knew I couldn’t pass on reading it. Sadly, this one just wasn’t what I was expecting it to be. I loved the main character being a forensic photographer and it really gave the whole story a CSI and Criminal Minds vibe to it. The two POVs between Lydia and Adam was a good touch to the story and seeing how everything played out and connected.

The story was definitely dark and graphic and I definitely recommend reading the trigger warnings before jumping into this one as there are multiple throughout the story. I thought this story was going to go a different way and I think that’s where it took a turn for me. I can’t say too much without giving stuff away so if you know you know. Also I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending, I wanted more of a conclusion which you don’t get.

Overall, I would recommend this one to anyone who likes true crime shows and wants quick, horror read!

ARC 📖 Review: Hiding Lies by Stephanie Rose
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Pub Date: 10/29/24

I binged this entire book today, it was such a fast paced fun horror story! This is exactly why I hate camping too. The animal abuse was not described in detail, I still skimmed those parts because I’m a sensitive girly lol. Solid read for horror lovers!

Thank you @netgalley and @madaxemedia for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Lydia Walker is a forensic photographer with a traumatic past. She is assigned a case centered around the gruesome murder of a camping couple. When she meets Adam a fellow tortured soul her personal life begins to improve. As more victims turn up she discovers she has a personal connection to the case. Will she remain loyal to her career or explore her darker urges?

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Stephane Rose's debut was very good. It was a bit darker and more gory than I normally like and there were trigger warnings at the beginning which is appreciated. Overall I would recommend this book but make sure you go into it knowing it is gory and read the trigger warnings first.

Oh my days…. This was the craziest book I have read in a long time but I really enjoyed it. Crazy as in really good on how a persons mind work just to get revenge on others due to their own past traumatic history and the thrill they get out of it when savagely killing others. It was like no other story I have read!

It’s a must read for people who like mystery or thriller books. I gave it 4 stars originally but now I am remembering it again and writing this, changed it to 5 stars. I wish that the book could have continued and would love to know what happens next - cliffhanger!

Thank you to Netgalley and Mad Axe Media

This dual POV story is not for the squeamish. There is no settling in period, the reader is thrown into the world of blood, bodies and harrowing back stories. The story is told from the POV of Lydia & Adam, and their love of true crime, and committing crimes.

It was a quick, easy, and witty read despite the heavy subjects that the story deals with. I feel like the author was trying to bring a lightness to the trauma, to balance the darkness and pits of humanity with these 2 interesting, unique characters.

The introduction is intense, captivating and will have you thinking ’WTF am I reading and why don’t I want to put it down?’. The reader is thrown into the deep end of the traumatised mind of Lydia. Lydia thinks about death all the time; her own & others, and situations in which both can happen. She’s a forensic photographer and a TA in a forensic science program because she wants to be surrounded by sociopaths and their work. She feels sorry for the victims, but she respects the work the killer has put in. Her job is the closest she can get to walking in the footsteps of a killer. She thinks the murderer is an artist and the victim is how they express themselves. Twisted enough for you yet? Keep going.

We are then introduced to Adam, the Romeo to this twisted love story. His childhood was rough, and his life experiences have made him into the person he is today; strong minded, vengeful and, in his opinion, just. He hates liars and he’s a firm believer in the truth setting you free, even if his take on it is warped.

There are numerous trigger warnings that go with this book, but I often find that trigger warnings can give away some of the storyline so if you’re planning on reading this, be prepared for a few wincing moments! Also, maggots have always freaked me out, and this book did not help the situation. If you’re still reading this and haven’t thought ‘no, no, definitely not’ then give this book a read and see if your stomach & mind are strong and twisted enough.