First off thank you to Netgalley and Death by TBR books for the advanced copy of this book!

I went in blind and read with bated breath and my jaw in the floor for most of the book! This was a gore filled wild ride and I had a great time! That ending had me GASPING! I cannot wait for more from Stephanie Rose! I still am in awe that this is a debut.

Edit after sitting on it for 24 hours: I think this could have been a 5 star read if it kept the same energy as the first 40-50% of the book. Once the insta love relationship started I feel like it lost the plot a bit. I still loved the book and had a great time but it was at its best during the first half of the book.

Hiding Lies by Stephanie Rose

4⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hi, my name is Kodak. Lydia, my owner, is a forensic photographer. Her fingers perspired as they gripped my sides. Her index finger pushed down the crown on the top of my head. As the electrical current wove its way through my chasms, I released my flash. I felt a warmth as I released energy, a focused beam of light capturing a horrific event. Sadly, I was pointed at less than savory scenes. Soon after my purchase, I began learning more about my owner, Lydia Walker. Her darkest secrets, unbeknownst to those close to her, and only I, a physical Kodak camera, knew the true sadness that lay beneath the facade. If I could talk, I would tell Lydia that she is a fantastic person. I admired her strength and resolve. The problem is that cameras can’t speak. I can hear them talking. The police are worried. A woman is found with calling cards left by the killer, signaling more victims are surely to come. Lydia is intrigued, perhaps even obsessed, with the mind of the killer. Sadly, she can relate. She is broken, a woman whose childhood has created a mind saturated with the thought of vengeance. As I ponder, isn’t she on the good side, trying to catch the criminals?

Stephanie Rose, our author, writes this novel where readers see how a child's upbringing is an important factor in their outcomes in life. Unfortunately, we needn't be reminded of how the foster parent system has some inherent flaws. Abuse on every level. Instead of crafting children whose only dream is to live and be free, it creates adults filled with fear and the inability to connect with others. Worse yet are those who take it a step further, and here, dear readers, is where that story begins.

Adam, our antagonist, or is he? Is he doing society a favor? What we know is that multiple murders are happening in the Portland area. Staged crime scenes and meticulously plotted pictures lay before the deceased in various states before and after the murders took place. What was the murderer trying to say? Lydia has an understanding of this person. She thinks like them. There is an underlying connection that belies an ability to see pain within others. Like sees like. What happens if Lydia meets this killer in real life? Is she empathetic?

In a somewhat crazy scenario, Lydia and Adam cross paths. The connection is strong and unlike anything they have had before. However, at this point in life, they seem to be on opposite ends of the spectrum. Are they able to somehow meet in the middle, or will one give in to some hidden desires?

I lay dormant on the shelf. I look across at the masterpieces strewn on Lydia’s floor. “I produce outstanding pictures,” I thought. Lost in contemplation, I hear a knock on the door. Strange, she never gets visitors. Then it came to me. I tried to hop off the shelf to warn her, but to no avail. I was too late. Sadly, I had a feeling I was about to get more use.

A strong trigger warning to those with any issues with child abuse, sexual abuse, or animal abuse. Stay clear.

Recommended reading!

Many thanks to the publisher, Death by TBR Books, for the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Hiding Lies by Stephanie Rose is a fast, dark, and twisted little book that really surprised me. It follows Lydia, a forensic photographer haunted by past trauma, and Adam,who we learn very early on is the killer.

I loved the dual POVs, it made it feel tense and intimate in a very disturbing way. The writing is sharp, the pace doesn’t let up, and even though some of the emotional beats felt a bit rushed, I appreciated the way the story explored grief, obsession, and what it means to see someone clearly… even when they’re a monster.

Definitely one for fans of You or Criminal Minds with a splash of dark romance. Twisted but human.

I inadvertently requested this book again even though I've previously read and reviewed it. That's my mistake but, I must say, I love this new cover! Great job to whomever the credit belongs.

This is a fantastic book about a forensic photographer who has a chance meeting with a man in a store. She's quickly swept off her feet and they begin a seemingly nice romantic relationship. Until secrets come out and blood is shed. Now she must make a life changing decision and either way she chooses will alter the course of her life.

While this is a love story of sorts, it turns into a twisted one and it keeps getting more tense as the novel progresses. I highly recommend it.

Another 5 star book and one I have so much to say about! I love reading horror novels and being able to give them high ratings. Because so many people read them despite not being comfortable with the content and then give it a horrible rating that lowers the average rating. Few things annoy me more when it comes to book or movie reviews. This book in particular has content warnings, which are there for a very obvious purpose. About those I have a few things to say. First, I love that they were posted at the end of the book. It’s often I see them where the dedication would usually be and I read them not knowing it’s content warnings and…I don’t like seeing them, personally. To me, they’re spoilers. I appreciate it’s important to add them to books but I personally don’t find any content is too much for me and I can’t generalise and say I’ll never read books that contain SA, for example, because there are plenty in which it’s not done in an exploitative way. So I rather read the books and decide if the content is executed in a way I find distasteful or disrespectful. But I’m lucky nothing will trigger me. So placing them at the end and adding a note before the book starts pointing out where these warnings can be found is the way to go. That being said, I think people shouldn’t look at these warnings for this book and say “not for me” because it’s not that bad. I feel the way those topics were executed was one in which it’ll make it easier for people to read about it. It’s not that gory, in my opinion. It’s not exploitative. There is a reason why those topics are included in the book. And I just don’t want people to be scared of the book because of those warnings and miss out on a great story.

The author’s note made me feel quite proud of the author, even though I don’t know her personally. But I think so many of us who write to deal with real life issues, as a sort of therapy, or who dream about publishing a book but have faced rejection can relate to the author’s story. It’s nice to see someone working to make that dream come true and I will definitely be reading her future books because this debut novel was fantastic. So if the natural thing happens and the author keeps getting better…we’re in for a literary treat. And I don’t want to miss it.

I’m a fan of twisted and dark stories. I love reading books with morally grey characters and often find myself agreeing with them a lot. Then they say something truly unhinged and I stop agreeing. But I love being in their heads and seeing how they justify their thoughts and actions in such an intelligent way. They aren’t just cartoonish crazy characters. It truly is fascinating and people like that exist, hence why so many are addicted to true crime and similar media. We want to understand how their brains work.
When we meet our protagonist Lydia, we get her backstory and it’s so easy to understand how all that trauma shaped her into who she is. That’s the main topic in this book. Trauma. And how everyone deals with it and lets it affect their lives in different ways. The similarities and the contrast between Lydia and Adam was such a fascinating dynamic to read about. But deep down, they were both hurt human beings looking for someone who could accept them the way they are for once. This is why I would consider this more as a kind of psychological horror rather than just a gory story. There’s the gore too but it feels like that’s not the main storyline. It’s the result of that psychological aspect. And I love psychological horror that covers real life issues.

That’s the thing too. Going back a bit to the content warnings, this is real life stuff. Horror is a genre that allows us to explore the darker side of humanity in a different way. Other genres can cover the topic of trauma and still add heavy topics to the plot. But with horror, we can cross lines. We can really show how awful people can be. And it’s important to tell those stories, instead of sugarcoating them.

The idea behind why Adam acts the way he does was actually brilliant. I really enjoyed seeing how he reached the conclusion that there was only one thing to do. He was, in my opinion, incredibly wrong blaming the wrong people for how bad his childhood was but that also was shown in how he saw all the victims. He was clearly obsessed with blaming the women more, based on something that didn’t really happen. Whereas Lydia had a more clear idea of who wronged her and who deserved to pay for it. So that clash of reasonings was one I was excited to read about.
Even if they thought they were the same, they were so incredibly different at the same time. Their moral compass was not the same at all and the exploration of those nuances was really well done. It basically showed how trauma doesn’t always manifest in the same way and that’s just realistic. Heather and Frank also had their own personal trauma and they also channeled that feeling in different ways.

I adored all the mentions of “The Silence of The Lambs” because it’s such a good comparison with these characters. There was probably another character that came before Hannibal Lecter but I feel he was the one that became very mainstream, thanks to the success of the movie, and made people deal with that uncomfortable feeling of actually understanding and maybe admiring a character that’s clearly the bad guy. I read Lydia’s and Adam’s POVs and feel similar to how I did reading about Hannibal. I can’t help but be in awe at the intelligence shown and, again, I feel it’s fascinating to read a first person POV when the character is showing no remorse whatsoever. Given how popular true crime is, I feel this book could be a great read for many so hopefully it gets the attention I believe it deserves.

What a great read! A short book that is the perfect length (I believe making this story longer would hurt it a little. It could make certain parts a bit redundant) and that has great social commentary and fantastic characters. As far as debut novels go, it doesn’t get much better. So I’ll for sure do my part and recommend the book to as many people as possible.

Hiding Lies is a twisted thrill ride that blends forensic grit with morally gray obsession. Lydia, a forensic photographer with a taste for the macabre, finds herself caught in a dark web of crime, secrets, and disturbing chemistry. It’s Dexter meets You with a sprinkle of “this is deeply wrong and yet I can’t stop reading.” 😮‍💨

Stephanie Rose does a fantastic job building atmosphere — the tension is sharp, the pacing quick, and the alternating POVs keep things deeply unsettling in the best way. The central relationship is equal parts magnetic and horrifying (and that’s a compliment).

My only critique? The last third felt a little rushed. I wanted a deeper emotional spiral before the finale hit. Still, this is a darkly compelling debut, perfect for readers who love their thrillers bloody, morally ambiguous, and just a little unhinged.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Stephanie Rose’s Hiding Lies is a dark, disturbing piece of horror that dives headfirst into the darkest corners of humanity and what they are capable of. On second reading, this book has lost none of its power and in fact is even stronger with the inclusion of brilliant new ending. This ending really changes everything and turns Lydia into even more of a well rounded and powerful character.

Lydia has always had death on her mind. She thinks a lot about her own death and the death of others.

After a traumatic past in foster homes, she is now a forensic Photographer. She doesn't get close to people because they don't understand her, until she meets Adam. Someone who understands her and doesn't judge her.

Now we are following Lydia as she has to photograph the crime scenes of a serial killer.

I liked where this story went. Getting the past of Lydia was kind of sad but really explained her character and her reasoning for thinking. I loved the ending!

Thank you to Netgalley and Death by TBR books for the copy of this story!

I really enjoyed this one!
Though the writing was cumbersome and the dialogue stilted and awkward, I really enjoyed the general premise.
Following both the new serial killer and the forensic photographer who is the only one who can identify him is a really unique idea. By half way through the book I was really rooting for those crazy kids!
The ending, while disappointing for those of us who wanted them to go on a spree together, was realistic and I liked staying true to Lydia's integrity.

Okay, this book? Total emotional rollercoaster. Hiding Lies is one of those reads that pulls you in with the drama, keeps you hooked with the secrets, and doesn’t let go until you’re practically yelling at the characters (in a good way). The chemistry is great, the tension is high, and the emotional payoff is so worth it. If you’re into messy romance, hidden pasts, and second chances that make your heart ache in the best way—this one’s for you. Total page-turner.

Lydia, a forensic photographer with a haunting past, finds herself working on a disturbing case involving the murder of a couple who were out camping. During the investigation, she meets Adam. There’s an instant connection between them—something refreshing and unfamiliar to both.

As the body count rises, it becomes clear that a serial killer is on the loose. Lydia is there to capture the crime scenes through her lens, while Adam remains a steady presence, offering support whenever she needs it.

At just 240 pages, Hiding Lies is a gripping, dark, and fast-paced thriller. I was completely drawn into the story—from the chilling plot and intense investigation to the layered romance and compelling characters. It was such an engaging read that I couldn’t put it down. I especially appreciated the dive into the psyche of both the killer and Lydia herself.

If you’re a fan of Dexter or enjoy dark thrillers with a psychological edge, this book is for you.

Note: The book does explore some heavy and disturbing themes. I’ve listed specific content warnings in the comment section below for those who would like more detail.

A truly intense and addictive read—dark, immersive, and unputdownable!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author for this ARC.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

What attracted me most to this book was the fact that the author is a librarian, bookstore owner, and now published writer. Working in the library system myself, I loved the opportunity to support another women in this field.

That being said, I ended up rating this book 3 stars. It follows a FMC forensic photographer with a dark past who is drawn into the investigation of a serial killer. It definitely gave a Dexter vibe (minus the serial killer with morals). I have seen other reviews were people mentioned the romance happened too fast, but I disagree. You get pretty far into the book before there are any interactions between them. But when it happens, it definitely happens.

Stephanie Rose did not hold back when it came to some parts. The topics can be heavy for some, and mild for others. It just depends on what you can handle. It is always encouraged to read the trigger warnings.

Overall I think this author has a lot of potential in this field, and will only get better with more practice. I'm excited to see how her writing evolves in the future. If I had to give some critique, it would be that the inner dialog of the FMC and MMC felt a little too similar, and the conversations with other characters came off as scripted. At times it did not flow as smoothly as others, but the overall plot allows you to look over the minor things.

If you're into horror, or looking to try something new then maybe you would be interested in this :)

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC. I leave this review voluntarily.

★★★☆☆ (3,5)

I’ve read the new and revised version of this novel and haven’t read the earlier copy.

This story was very interesting from the get go. I loved the double pov and how both characters deal with their issues in different yet similar ways. It’s about embracing a darkness that comes from years of trauma and how build up anger can manifest itself. Overall I found the story original and the writer isn’t afraid to explore the dark territory of the human mind. I did find the ending quite abrupt compared to the rest of the stories pace which felt like it didn’t do justice to the characters.

If you are looking for an original dark thriller you should give this one a go.

2.5/5 Stars
I will say, check trigger warnings before reading this book it is definitely heavy and touches on some topics that may not be suitable for some.
This had a potential to be a very good story, but there was quite some issues that arouse within reading it. Although it is a quick read, it felt like most of the story was repetitive, I mean you're seeing the POV from Lydia, taking pictures at the crime scene then seeing the POV from the killer and how it happened almost back and forth and the same details are touched upon. I feel like more really needed to be added here for a proper story.
Another little quirk I had, was this story felt like it was mores telling, not a lot of showing of things happening. We got a lot of information early on that could've been presented later on that would've possibly made both characters have a better "development almost".
It also did drive me a little nuts the bookstore name was mentioned about 13 times. I do think it was cool that the author included the bookstore that they own irl, as the bookstore in the story, but I do think that the bookstore didn't need to be named almost every time.
Thank you to Netgalley and Death by TBR for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to love this so badly, but I don’t think I’m its target audience. It hits quite a few of my personal pet peeves—some of which come from my background in criminology and my aversion to true crime—but beyond that, I still struggled with several aspects of the novel.

The biggest issue for me was the over-reliance on telling rather than showing. The two leads felt underdeveloped, and their arcs lacked the depth I was hoping for. It didn’t help that their motivations and backstories were infodumped early on, making it hard to stay invested.

Dialogues often came off as stilted and perfunctory, and side characters had no point besides driving the story further. I was looking forward to the romance, but it felt rushed and stretched my suspension of disbelief too far for it to land.

Lastly, the book approaches certain sensitive topics with a heavy hand, and though there is an attempt at challenging some disturbing ideas, it feels too weak to truly confront earlier implications.

That said, the internal monologues were surprisingly strong, and I believe some characters had real potential. Plus, it did entertain me from beginning to end, which is a feat in and of itself.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

ARC REVIEW -

What do you get when you cross a serial killer and forensics photographer? A wild ride. You can’t NOT feel for the main characters of the story. Lydia and Adam were a pair made in hell but at different opposites of the morals spectrum who had more in common than what they thought. The twists and turns kept me turning the pages and as a true crime junkie I’m a fan. The pain each went thru totally supports their POV for their actions and I love how Stephanie wrote them.

BLUF: serial killer + forensics photographer + dark hobbies + trauma bonding + good VS evil VS moral

A bloody good time!

Lydia is drawn to crime scenes. It’s why she became a forensic photographer. She is fascinated by the gore, the methods, and the mind of the criminals who commit the murders she captures on film. She’s particularly interested in this newest serial killer’s work. What is his reasoning? Why is he picking his victims? Who is he?

Our author, Stephanie, doesn’t make Lydia a one-dimensional character. Despite Lydia’s interest in bloody murders, she knows no sane or normal person feels the way she does. But Lydia also has a history that formed and shaped her view of the world, and it is not a pleasant one. It’s painful and traumatic-leaving scars that never truly healed.

The author also gives us a MMC, Adam. On the outside, he’s a polite, quiet individual who’s always willing to help out someone with advice and recommendations. But under the mask lies an angry and bitter man who can’t stand the false veneer of perfection that plagues society. He won’t abide by lying and deceit, and is determined to ride the world of it, one step at a time.

And when Lydia and Adam meets, sparks fly and things become unhinged-despite conflicting feeling arising. And the ending? A cathartic bloodbath.

This one was a solid slasher book and gets my seal of approval.

Hiding Lies is a romantic suspense that pulls you in from page one and doesn’t let go until the very end. Stephanie Rose blends swoony romance with just the right amount of tension, making it impossible to stop reading “just one more chapter.” The chemistry between the main characters feels natural and electric, with banter that made me smile and moments that genuinely tugged at my heart. I loved how the mystery thread kept me guessing without overshadowing the emotional core of the story. The pacing is perfect—action when you need it, tenderness when you crave it, and a payoff that’s worth every page. Rose’s writing is warm and addictive, making you feel like you’re right there alongside the characters as secrets unfold. If you love a story that mixes danger, heart, and hope, Hiding Lies is an absolute winner.

Oh, man. I wasn’t ready for this rerelease to wreck me all over again. The new ending? Yeah… I’m still side-eyeing it, but damn if I don’t love this book so fckn much.

Honestly? I hate the new ending. But hear me out—if only I hadn’t read the advance copy of the original release. Regardless, I’d still be slapping five stars on this in a heartbeat.

This thriller follows Lydia as she falls in love with Adam a serial killer whose methods I found disturbing especially when he targets innocent victims as well. It felt like the author softened his character towards the end by changing his MO to make him more likeable cause he turns out to be animal lover. But it didn’t fool me.

These two main character both have gone through terrible pasts so there is child abuse in this book.

The ending left me shocked it was quick and satisfying. I liked reading this thriller. It kept me hooked!

Actual rating of 3.75

Lydia Walker is a forensic photographer who has just been making her way through life overshadowed by the trauma she experienced as a child. When a new case comes in it reignites her spark for life, and when she meets someone who she feels might finally understand her darkness, her life feels like it's been lit up like a supernova. As the murders keep ramping up Lydia will be forced to make a decision, give in to her darkness or uphold the justice system that once let her down.

I had originally requested this when it was first released, I was knocked back, and I'm okay with that as I was accepted for this version of the story, the author preferred version. I really loved the way that this story went, so I'm kinda glad that I got knocked back for the previous version, though I'll admit, I am curious to see how the two differ from each other. I do have an old copy of the book in my house I'm pretty sure, so I'll have to check it out.

I'll admit, I didn't like Lydia for a good portion of this story, though as the story progressed, I feel like I understood her a bit more and why she was the way that she was. I ended up really rooting for her in the end. I feel like that shows the ability of a writer, when they can take a character that comes across as so unlikeable and make you end up liking them. I'm curious to know whether I'd have felt the same with the original iteration of the story. This was told through alternating POVs of Lydia and Adam, the killer. We get to see Adam go from his first murder through to the rest, I loved that we got to see him from the beginning and get an inside look into his motives and thought patterns. The relationship between these two characters was unique and it really did raise some valid questions of what you would do. There were different situations that arose that really made Lydie look at herself and what she should do. I thought I had it all picked, but then the story went in a direction that I wasn't expecting which was great.

All in all, this turned out to be more enjoyable than I thought it would be when I first started. It was darker than what I thought it would be which was a pleasant surprise, and even though I went into this not knowing how I felt, I left it feeling super satisfied with what happened and liking a character that I initially didn't. A true testament to Rose's craft as a writer. If you want a dark serial killer story that has a unique feel to it, give this one a go.

Absolutely fantastic twisted horror story absolutely recommend you will not be disappointed

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book

I can’t say that I really enjoyed this book so much as endured it. The story, and the matter-of-factness that the characters approach their actions with-is quite traumatic and bleak. Nonetheless, it held my attention to the end. None of the characters were likable but the rage was understandable. I’m giving the story itself 4 stars, but I wouldn’t revisit this one.