Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT #psychological #thriller Hiding by @jmortonpotts

Today’s team review is from Georgia, she blogs here http://www.georgiarosebooks.com

Georgia has been reading Hiding by Jenny M Potts

I chose to read this book from those submitted to Rosie Amber’s Book Review Team and as a member I received a free copy. This does not affect my review in any way.

Oh my goodness, how I loved this read. Hiding is a terrific title as there are so many ways in which the different characters are hiding in this story but essentially this is a tale of troubled upbringings, of cold, calculated killers and of murder and vengeance.

Rebecca was brought up, along with her brother and sister, in a remote, rambling and rundown mansion in Scotland by her grandparents after her parents were killed in a car accident. Keller was brought up, without an ounce of kindness, by his Aunt Joya in America and certainly had the most miserable time of it. These two are linked but you have to read an awful lot of words before you find out how. Fortunately, they are very good words so that is no hardship.

We follow the lives of these two individuals, assisted by the use of flashbacks which worked very well, as they grow up and carve out adult lives for themselves. The pace of the book is fairly steady and doesn’t speed up until the final third, in fact I was surprised how far I was through the book before our two main characters even met. But that didn’t matter because I was drawn through this intriguing story by each development, by the compelling multi-layered characters, by the reveals of crucial information at just the right time and most of all by the excellent writing.

This is the sort of book you read and realise that you will never write as well as this.

‘That was the problem, you could tell just by looking at Keller, who he was. He knew his head sunk between his shoulders like a dejected turtle. He knew his eyes were shifty, that he scuffed along on the soles of his feet. You could see that he struggled with hope as soon as he got outside of his own bedroom walls. When the wider world and its expectations shone a light on Keller, his heart hammered and his throat dried up. It wouldn’t take an expert profiler to figure out Keller Baye’s circumstances. They were chiselled into his bones.’

I say I loved this read and yet I’m giving it four stars (4 ½ if I had the choice!), not five. That may seem harsh and I’m really torn on this but for me it all came undone on the ending. It happened far too quickly, and, more importantly, without enough reasoning behind it. Because after everything these characters had been through, the build-up and the inevitable fallout, with each detail being worked out so meticulously and all those little clues the author so cleverly scattered falling into place I needed the ending to be as rich as the rest of it. Having said that, it might just be me so I’m still highly recommending this read.

A gripping psychological thriller with chilling twists, from a unique new voice.

Keller Baye and Rebecca Brown live on different sides of the Atlantic. Until she falls in love with him, Rebecca knows nothing of Keller. But he’s known about her for a very long time, and now he wants to destroy her.

This is the story of two families. One living under the threat of execution in North Carolina. The other caught up in a dark mystery in the Scottish Highlands. The families’ paths are destined to cross. But why? And can anything save them when that happens?

Jenny Morton Potts was born in a smart, dull suburb of Glasgow where the only regular excitement was burglary. Attended a smart, dull school where the only regular excitement was the strap. Worked in smart, dull sales and marketing jobs until realising she was living someone else’s life.

Escaped to Gascony to make gîtes. Knee deep in cement and pregnant, Jenny was happy. Then autism and a distracted spine surgeon who wanted to talk about The Da Vinci Code, wiped out the order. Returned to wonderful England – and unlikely ever to leave again – Jenny, with assistance from loyal hound, walked and swam her way back to manageable health.

Jenny would like to see the Northern Lights but worries that’s the best bit and should be saved till last. Very happily, and gratefully, partnered for 28 years, she ought to mention, and living with inspirational child in Derbyshire.

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Rosie’s #BookReview Team #RBRT #Thriller Hiding by @jmortonpotts #SundayBlogShare

Today’s team review is from Karen, she blogs here http://mytrainofthoughtson.wordpress.com

Karen has been reading Hiding by Jenny M Potts

My Opinion

This book introduces you to the plot lines covering Rebecca and her family, and Keller Baye.

With Hiding, Jenny Morton Potts has created a quite intriguing mystery, starting with two plot lines. It is at first on the slowish side, introducing the main characters and pieces of their pasts. After a few chapters, the story settles at a good and steady pace. Jenny Morton Potts created a good suspense story with some twists, and more insights in Keller’s motives. I did not get close to the characters – I followed them and their stories from a comfortable distance. I wanted to learn the reason why, even if I could not get very close to any of the events. Even if the story did not fully meet my expectations, it is a good read with believable characters, interesting turns, and a good flow.

This is a book for you if you like suspense with interesting turns and sidelines, believable characters, and if you appreciate the art of forgoing excessive details.

A gripping psychological thriller with chilling twists, from a unique new voice.

Keller Baye and Rebecca Brown live on different sides of the Atlantic. Until she falls in love with him, Rebecca knows nothing of Keller. But he’s known about her for a very long time, and now he wants to destroy her.

This is the story of two families. One living under the threat of execution in North Carolina. The other caught up in a dark mystery in the Scottish Highlands. The families’ paths are destined to cross. But why? And can anything save them when that happens?

Jenny Morton Potts was born in a smart, dull suburb of Glasgow where the only regular excitement was burglary. Attended a smart, dull school where the only regular excitement was the strap. Worked in smart, dull sales and marketing jobs until realising she was living someone else’s life.

Escaped to Gascony to make gîtes. Knee deep in cement and pregnant, Jenny was happy. Then autism and a distracted spine surgeon who wanted to talk about The Da Vinci Code, wiped out the order. Returned to wonderful England – and unlikely ever to leave again – Jenny, with assistance from loyal hound, walked and swam her way back to manageable health.

Jenny would like to see the Northern Lights but worries that’s the best bit and should be saved till last. Very happily, and gratefully, partnered for 28 years, she ought to mention, and living with inspirational child in Derbyshire.

Goodreads | AmazonUK | AmazonUS | Twitter

Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT #psychological #thriller Hiding by @JMortonPotts

Today’s team review is from Judith B, she blogs here http://judithbarrowblog.com/

Judith has been reading Hiding by Jenny M Potts

My Review:

I enjoyed this book; Jenny Morton Potts has created a good psychological thriller; great plot, believable characters, good dialogue.

Hiding follows two main characters from different countries, both well-rounded and many layered: Rebecca, the protagonist, brought up in the Scottish Highlands with her siblings by her grandparents. It’s a bleak seemingly loveless household according to the narrative from Rebecca’s point of view.  But there are many unanswered questions, especially about the death of here parents; killed in a car accident. And Keller Baye, the antagonist;  an American youth, and son of a murderer. His narrative is revealed slowly and is, initially, more difficult to grasp. But what is obvious is the lack of love in his upbringing, and explains his total absence of empathy for anyone in his world. (I use the word ‘world’ on purpose, rather than his ‘life’; right from the start his character is portrayed as distanced from any other character in the story – he seemed to me to be more of a spectator). The most unsettling is his graphic, almost internal narration of his presence at his father’s execution.

Told alternately from each of the two main characters’ point of view, the plot lines are related  both in the present and in flashbacks, (a device I like as a reader; to me this always adds so many more layers).

But it wasn’t only these two characters that came alive for me; most of the minor characters are many layered as well; some I liked, some I didn’t – which, is, undoubtedly,  as the author intended

And both  the internal and spoken dialogue expands on all the characters and there is never any doubt who is speaking.

The descriptions of the settings give a great sense of place; it’s easy to envisage each scene. From the descriptions of the isolated chilly mansion in  Highlands of Scotland to the cramped unloving house that was Keller Baye’s home with his aunt in the USA, to the external scenes when each character is telling their own narrative and on to the scenes where they are eventually together.

As I said earlier it’s a great plot; seemingly separate tales with no connection, both well told, until a sudden realisation that there is an inevitable link.

Initially there is an even pace to the two separate narratives but then the suspense builds up as threads of the parallel stories intertwine and connect.A gripping read.

And right up to the last chapter I would have given Hiding five stars. So many small twists and turns, so many suspenseful moments joining up all the past narrative. But then, for me, it ended too abruptly. I won’t say how, and no doubt other readers will have their own opinions. But the gradual deepening of the plot and the lead up towards the end worked so well – and then…it was over; a sudden and unsatisfying denouement.

A last point; I love the cover; the silhouette of the woman looking outwards as though searching, the grim image of the man’s face as though watching; the contrast of light and dark. Wonderful!

Despite my reservations of the ending (and I leave that point for other readers to decide),  I would certainly recommend Hiding. Jenny Morton Potts has a great style of writing.

A gripping psychological thriller with chilling twists, from a unique new voice.

Keller Baye and Rebecca Brown live on different sides of the Atlantic. Until she falls in love with him, Rebecca knows nothing of Keller. But he’s known about her for a very long time, and now he wants to destroy her.

This is the story of two families. One living under the threat of execution in North Carolina. The other caught up in a dark mystery in the Scottish Highlands. The families’ paths are destined to cross. But why? And can anything save them when that happens?

Jenny Morton Potts was born in a smart, dull suburb of Glasgow where the only regular excitement was burglary. Attended a smart, dull school where the only regular excitement was the strap. Worked in smart, dull sales and marketing jobs until realising she was living someone else’s life.

Escaped to Gascony to make gîtes. Knee deep in cement and pregnant, Jenny was happy. Then autism and a distracted spine surgeon who wanted to talk about The Da Vinci Code, wiped out the order. Returned to wonderful England – and unlikely ever to leave again – Jenny, with assistance from loyal hound, walked and swam her way back to manageable health.

Jenny would like to see the Northern Lights but worries that’s the best bit and should be saved till last. Very happily, and gratefully, partnered for 28 years, she ought to mention, and living with inspirational child in Derbyshire.

Goodreads | AmazonUK | AmazonUS | Twitter

Rosie’s #BookReview Team #RBRT Sandra reviews #thriller Hiding by @jmortonpotts

Today’s team review is from Sandra.

Sandra has been reading Hiding by Jenny Morton Potts

Hiding by Jenny Morton Potts is a well-written and tightly plotted thriller that keeps you guessing right to the very end. Keller Baye’s father is being executed on death row for his involvement in a crime we know nothing about. Rebecca Brown is living on the remote northwest coast of Scotland with her brother, sister and grandparents, overshadowed by the death of her parents in a mysterious accident. Keller and Rebecca are introduced to us in alternate chapters and to begin with their stories have no obvious connection but gradually converge as we learn more of their backstories. The characters are believable if not entirely sympathetic (except perhaps Rebecca’s grandfather); Rebecca is weird and Keller is completely loathsome (in no small part due to their strange childhoods), but you still want to know how it will all work out. Why did Keller target Rebecca (and not one of her siblings) as the cause of his father’s incarceration and death?  This is left to the reader to decide for themselves. The pace is slow to begin with to build up the suspense then rushes towards an ending with even more surprises in store. The cover art is striking and would stand out on a bookshop shelf. This is the first book by Jenny Morton Potts that I have read but it certainly won’t be the last. Thanks to the author for a free copy of this book which I review as part of Rosie’s Book Review Team.

A gripping psychological thriller with chilling twists, from a unique new voice.

Keller Baye and Rebecca Brown live on different sides of the Atlantic. Until she falls in love with him, Rebecca knows nothing of Keller. But he’s known about her for a very long time, and now he wants to destroy her.

This is the story of two families. One living under the threat of execution in North Carolina. The other caught up in a dark mystery in the Scottish Highlands. The families’ paths are destined to cross. But why? And can anything save them when that happens?

Jenny Morton Potts was born in a smart, dull suburb of Glasgow where the only regular excitement was burglary. Attended a smart, dull school where the only regular excitement was the strap. Worked in smart, dull sales and marketing jobs until realising she was living someone else’s life.

Escaped to Gascony to make gîtes. Knee deep in cement and pregnant, Jenny was happy. Then autism and a distracted spine surgeon who wanted to talk about The Da Vinci Code, wiped out the order. Returned to wonderful England – and unlikely ever to leave again – Jenny, with assistance from loyal hound, walked and swam her way back to manageable health.

Jenny would like to see the Northern Lights but worries that’s the best bit and should be saved till last. Very happily, and gratefully, partnered for 28 years, she ought to mention, and living with inspirational child in Derbyshire.

Goodreads | AmazonUK | AmazonUS | Twitter

Rosie’s #BookReview Team #RBRT @SassyKebkerr reviews #NewRelease HIDING by @jmortonpotts

Today’s team review is from Karen B, she blogs here http://sassyredheadbookreviews.wordpress.com

Karen has been reading Hiding by Jenny M Potts

A different read for me, with a different twist at the end. Not what I expected at all.

Keller is looking to get pay back for his father’s sentencing after a heist gone wrong with the murder of an ex judge. He wants retribution for his father taking the fall for the disaster that occurred that day in NC.

Rebecca wants answers as to where her parents are and what happened to them. When she begins to dig around in old newspapers she only ends up with more questions.

This book goes back and forth between years with the history of what happened and present day. The story is well written and the back and forth between the years is done well.

This thriller will keep you hoping for the best for both of these young people who are thrown into this predicament because of their parents. This story shows that things aren’t always as they seem and that we may not always have the power to make our lives out to be what we hope for. I give this story a 4.5 star review. Although, the end left me with more questions than answers.

A gripping psychological thriller with chilling twists, from a unique new voice.

Keller Baye and Rebecca Brown live on different sides of the Atlantic. Until she falls in love with him, Rebecca knows nothing of Keller. But he’s known about her for a very long time, and now he wants to destroy her.

This is the story of two families. One living under the threat of execution in North Carolina. The other caught up in a dark mystery in the Scottish Highlands. The families’ paths are destined to cross. But why? And can anything save them when that happens?

Jenny Morton Potts was born in a smart, dull suburb of Glasgow where the only regular excitement was burglary. Attended a smart, dull school where the only regular excitement was the strap. Worked in smart, dull sales and marketing jobs until realising she was living someone else’s life.

Escaped to Gascony to make gîtes. Knee deep in cement and pregnant, Jenny was happy. Then autism and a distracted spine surgeon who wanted to talk about The Da Vinci Code, wiped out the order. Returned to wonderful England – and unlikely ever to leave again – Jenny, with assistance from loyal hound, walked and swam her way back to manageable health.

Jenny would like to see the Northern Lights but worries that’s the best bit and should be saved till last. Very happily, and gratefully, partnered for 28 years, she ought to mention, and living with inspirational child in Derbyshire.

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