Warning Note: I never read the last page of a mystery.What would be the point? This being mentioned, my review might not be to your tastes. I BELIEVE you can guess the basic concept of the book from what is found above or on the back of the book. Maybe you’ll even look at the other reviews on here & it will tell you what happens in the book. Personally, I think if you know what is going to happen in a book why bother reading it? It’s much like movie trailers sometimes. When I actually go to see a movie because the trailer was bloody amazing, I am sometimes saddened when the trailer actually showed the WHOLE movie. Point being, listen to River - “SPOILERS.” Do not read the blue diary!So, my review won’t tell you the plot of the story, but it will show you the list I compiled as a guide while reading mysteries. And my answers. The rest is up to you.Scale 1[why did I read this bloody thing]-5[OMBG! I love this book, it's a go to FAVORITE] what is your opinion on this book: 4 Stars. [I really liked/loved this book].Were there the usual suspects?: yes.Did you figure out the killer before the big reveal? & If so, did this distract you from wanting to finish the book or was there enough in the book to keep you entertained?: yes & no - on the killer. I figured out a part of the puzzle, but not the complete. & I was swept along and couldn't wait to find out the ending.Was there an unexpected twist? & Was the twist shocking to you?: Yes, there was a twist. I did figure it out, but for a short while I thought I was wrong, so that might have been one of the reasons I couldn't wait until the ending.Subplots, did they pull you in & keep you interested even if you DID figure out who the murderer was?: Yes, I was interested in a number of different plots in the book and am sorry we, the reader, might not be re-introduced to the characters in this book.Was there a character [MAIN or otherwise] which captured your interest and made the book more interesting?: Yes, as mentioned above I liked a number of other characters in the book, besides the main two characters & Bishop. I would like Ms. Hooper to revisit the characters in the book.Was the mystery sound/logical? & Did you have trouble following along?: At first, I was a tad confused, but the plot & mystery flowed right along. I found the clues of the puzzle enjoyable, & the solution made sense.Was there something that made this mystery/book memorable, wherein you can distinguish it from other books you have read?: As mentioned elsewhere, the characters. Trust me, even if you read this book as a stand alone, you will fall in love with nearly ALL of the characters.Would you read this book again?: Yes, stand alone & as part of the series. I would enjoy rereading this book.Would you recommend it to other people?: YES!Is this part of a series? & if so, would you continue reading the other books in the series?: Yes. Series Rating: 4 STARS; Also part of the Bishop/Special Crime Unit Series.Is there anything else you would say about this book?: I like Kay Hooper's take on psychics & although these could be classified as romantic suspense, the romance part is only an 1/8 of the book I would say. The mystery and understanding, development of the characters, & the mind of the killer is prominent.
Hiding in the Shadows is the second book in the Bishop series. I was surprised to realize that it is completely different from the first book in the series. Bishop is the only common link but had a very secondary role her and the truth is that the type of story is completely different from the first one. There is the mystery of what really happened to Faith in that car accident and the mystery of what happened to Dinah. Unlike the first book in this series, their paranormal powers are not related to what is happening or with discovering the guilty party. It is only really connected to who they are and how they are related. This means the mystery part is solved by looking for clues and investigating the old-fashioned way. While that part was ok, what I was interested in was the paranormal and psychic elements. I have no idea where Hooper got inspiration for this plot but it made a really compelling and enthralling read to follow Faith through her discovery of who she was and why she had Dinah’s memories. The problem is that by focusing on Faith instead of the mystery this one looses much of its strength and in the end were just not that excited about its resolution. Hooper kept me guessing till the end and about Faith and Dinah’s relationship and she did surprise me with the psychic twist, I’m not sure I’m convinced by it in the long run but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment. I think if she had kept us as curious about the mystery as about the two women it would have worked better though.Grade: 4/5
What do You think about Hiding In The Shadows (2000)?
3 STARS "Hiding In The ShadowsAccident victim Faith Parker has done what her doctors feared she never would: awakened from the coma that held her prisoner for weeks. But she has no memory of the crash that nearly killed her-or the life that led up to it. Nor does she remember journalist Dinah Leighton, the steadfast friend who visited her in the hospital...until she disappeared without a trace. Now as Faith begins to regain her strength, she's shocked by intimate dreams of a man she doesn't recognize and tortured by visions of violence that feel painfully real. Something inexplicable ties her lost memories to Dinah's chilling fate. But even as Faith tries to understand the connection and reach out to save Dinah, death is stalking both women. And one of them will not escape its lethal grasp.FBI agent Noah Bishop has a rare gift for seeing what others do not, a gift that helps him solve the most puzzling cases. Now, read more of his electrifying adventures in two stand-alone tales of psychic suspense." (From Amazon)A great paranormal romantic suspense novel.
—Kris - My Novelesque Life
Mediocre Entry in the Bishop SeriesHIDING IN THE SHADOWS is the story of a man and the two women that he ends up loving...but there is an eerie connection between the women. This book is a paranormal romantic suspense, but the emphasis is more on the suspense than the romance.THE STORY: Faith Parker awakes from a coma without any memory of who she is. What she finds out is that her only friend, Dinah Leighton, has disappeared. Faith fears that Dinah is in danger because of her actions as Faith begins to remember her actions and Dinah's as well. There is a deep connection between the two women.Kane MacGregor is desperately hoping that Dinah is still alive. He ends up joining up with Faith in hopes that she will help lead him to Dinah. He begins to feel guilty as he has feeling developing for Faith.OPINION: I thought this book was weak compared to the others in the series. The big twist in the story is evident very early on. Because of this, I felt that the story dragged on too long. I wasn't interested in the mystery and I wasn't in suspense because there wasn't much going on in the story. This book is very different in tone from the others in the series and is less successful in my opinion.WORTH MENTIONING: The best part of the story is the appearance of Special Agent Noah Bishop. Bishop is a compelling character and the hints as to his story OUT OF THE SHADOWS are what make this book interesting to me.FINAL DECISION: I think this book is good enough to read if one is invested in the series. I would recommend that someone interested in the series begin with one of the other books, however, because this book is so different in tone and character development.CONNECTED BOOKS: This is book two in the Bishop/Special Crimes Unit series. The books in the series are only loosely connected and can be read individually.STAR RATING: I give this book a 3 star rating. I might read the Bishop portions again, but for me there isn't much to interest me to spend time with these characters again.
—Sheila Melo
Wow. I really enjoyed the first Bishop crime unit book and loved the cliff hanger chapter endings. And I admit, I was a bit leery about reading the 2nd book because this type of series could really lend itself towards a formalistic writing style. But I was completely wrong as far as this book is concerned. Completely different type of opening. An introduction to Bishop's character by someone who knows him, so no gentle "how do you do's." While the male lead's protective instincts and the willingness of those to follow him with little questioning seemed a bit much at times, it oddly enough rang very true at other times. And the ending is a mind blower. Completely different from the first book and also completely enjoyable.
—Gigi
