The Hidden – Melanie Golding

Released today!

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the free early copy in exchange for my honest review

THE HIDDEN – Melanie Golding (Released November 9th, 2021)

Book Description:

One dark December night, in a small seaside town, 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.

Gregor, a seemingly single man, is found bludgeoned and left for dead in his apartment, but the discovery of children’s toys raises more questions than answers.

Every night, Ruby gazes into Gregor’s apartment, leading to the discovery of his secret family: his unusually silent daughter and his mentally unstable wife, Constance, who insists that she is descended from the mythological Selkies. She begs Ruby to aid in finding the sealskin that Gregor has hidden from her, making it impossible to return to her people.

DS Joanna Harper’s investigation into Gregor’s assault leads her to CCTV footage of the mother-daughter pair from town. Harper realizes she knows the woman almost as well as she knows herself: it’s her estranged daughter, Ruby. No matter the depth of Ruby’s involvement, she knows she will choose her daughter over her career.

My Thoughts: 4/5 stars

More mythology and folklore for the TBR, so please give me any and all recommendations with either included! Initially I had no idea this was book two in the DS Joanna Harper series so I was pleasantly surprised when she made her appearance! I loved LITTLE DARLINGS and the inclusion of folklore within the mystery and couldn’t wait to see how Goldin would weave this new book together.

I loved how dark and suspenseful this was and it was my introduction to the Celtic mythology of selkies ( ‘seal folk’ are mythological beings capable of therianthropy, changing from seal to human form by shedding their skin.) You better believe I went on a binge looking into more of the history of selkies after finishing this book. It was nice having DS Joanna Harper back and seeing all the different layers of the story unfolding to culminate into a quick moving and intricate atmospheric story. I cant wait for her next folklore mystery novel!