If you enjoy twisty, electrifying, and suspenseful stories that keep you guessing, then “Her Hiding Place” by Shannon Hollinger is an ideal choice. The story presents a startling locked-room mystery set in an isolated resort in the Florida Keys. As a hurricane looms and bodies begin to pile up, a desperate faces the daunting task of safeguarding her daughter.
Title: Her Hiding Place
Author(s): Shannon Hollinger
Narrator(s): Kelly Burke
Published by Hachette UK - Bookouture on January 31, 2025
Pages: 348
Length: 9 hours 43 minutes
Genre(s): Psychological Thriller
Source: Netgalley
Format: ALC, ARC
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
Rating:
As I turn the key in the lock, I tell myself that I’m a good mother. I’m doing this to keep my little girl safe. No one knows she’s hidden in my room, or who I really am. But if they ever did, we’d have to run for our lives.
As I push my cleaning cart around this luxury hotel, I try to tell myself I’m doing the right thing. I look just like any other maid. No one even notices me. But I see and hear everything
I breathe a sigh of relief when I close my door behind me. I’ve made it through another day without anyone discovering that I’m hiding my toddler Alice in my room.
I know the other staff would judge me for keeping her locked away. But I have no choice. They have no idea what we’re running from. And if anyone sees her, we’ll need to run again.
I thought this remote resort was far enough from my past, and we could finally start over. But our hiding place is shattered when one of the other maids is killed. It feels too familiar. And deep down I know—this is a message for me.
Someone here knows about my past. And when I run back to my room to check on Alice, my blood turns to ice when I find she’s gone.
How far will I have to go to get my child back? And what will happen when they find out who Alice really is…?
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.
“Her Hiding Place,” introduces readers to Charlotte, the unreliable narrator of this thrilling tale. The details provided allow the reader to determine that Charlotte escaped an abusive life. Despite this, the past constantly haunts her. As the story progresses, the reader discovers that she is hiding from someone, prompting her to go on the run with three-year-old Alice. To ensure their safety, she secures a housekeeping job at a remote resort in the Florida Keys. However, while staying at the resort, she learns her past is not the only thing that poses a threat. The impending hurricane forecasted to hit the Keys, and a killer threaten her plans to keep Alice safe.
The story that unfolded was well-paced. The suspense builds steadily as the reader attempts to find answers to the many clues spread throughout the narrative. The flashbacks into the past added a layer of intrigue, while Charlotte’s attempts to hide Alice in plain sight heightened the mystery. The murders, coupled with the threat of the hurricane, intensified the suspense and thrills. This one kept me guessing the entire time. One will find themselves suspending belief regarding the hiding of Alice. How can a three-year-old remain quiet and undetected while being alone for most of the day?
Listening to the audiobook while reading the eBook was a delightful experience. Kelly Burke’s narration was superb, bringing the characters to life and adding depth to the story. I’m thrilled for the opportunity to enjoy this story through both mediums.
The epilogue provided a satisfying conclusion. Overall, it was an exciting read that I highly recommend to those seeking a good thriller.
| Story Evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Plot | |
| Characters | |
| World Building | |
| Writing Style | |
| Pacing | |
| Cover | |
| Narrator (Audio) | |
| Enjoyment | |
| Ending | |
| Overall: | |
About Shannon Hollinger
With degrees in Crime Scene Technology & Physical Anthropology, Florida author Shannon Hollinger hasn’t just seen the dark side of humanity – she’s been elbow deep inside of it! She finds writing to be a much cleaner way to spend her time than the autopsy suite. Most days it smells better, too. Her debut novel, the psychological thriller Best Friends Forever, is the first of a five-book deal with publisher Bookouture. Her short fiction has appeared in Suspense Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and The Saturday Evening Post, among a number of other magazines and anthologies, and her story Lady Killer was a finalist for the 2021 Al Blanchard Award sponsored by the New England Crime Bake.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
