Hide Away (A Rachel Marin Thriller)

To be honest, this month I wasn’t 100% drawn to any of the Amazon First Reads options and almost didn’t select one, but ultimately liked the idea of a police procedural type of mystery and chose Hide Away.My ultimate fear was that the story would drag or that I would feel obligated to finish a book that didn’t really interest me. Thankfully, this wasn’t the case. I found myself so entranced by it that I would mean to read only a chapter and then several chapters later look up to realize what I had done. At one time I was so engrossed in the book that I discovered that I had completely missed the time I had planned to go to lunch.The story features a mother of two named Rachel Marin. Due to an event that happens in the first chapter, she learns that the police and government institutions can let you down and makes her a bit jaded. Afterwards, she refuses to ever be helpless again and learns how to protect her and her family all the while studying to become familiar with forensic and investigative processes. When a body is discovered on the frozen river in Ashby, Illinois it immediately gives the impression it is a suicide. However, using the knowledge she has gained, Rachel is able to quickly determine that it is not suicide and anonymously calls the police with the precise detailed reason why it is instead a homicide allowing her and the two main detectives in the story – Detectives Tally and Serrano – to meet and begin interacting.Time and time again Rachel involves herself in the murder investigation getting her into various types of situations as well as frustrating the police many times over. The two detectives in the book are both capable with unique stories of their own and even though Rachel tries their patience more than once the three of them sort of work very well together (as much as can be expected with a civilian putting themselves into an official investigation.)Overall, I found the storytelling very engaging and enjoyable. It wasn’t over the top as I have found other thrillers sometimes can be, although I did think Rachel had a lot more skill and knowledge than a typical person might have. I enjoyed the “detectiving” part, but what truly sold it for me was how the two children and the detectives interactions were woven together creating what I felt was a very cohesive narrative.A book I can wholeheartedly recommend for your First Reads choice.Rating: 4.5

In spite of the trauma her kids have been through and in spite of the fact she does not want her location to be known, this woman insinuates herself into a police investigation and does not back off even when an attempt is made on her life AND the life of her daughter. This is not a hero. This is an idiot.

Terrible book, poorly written, poorly edited, the plot is ridiculous and the writing is almost sophomoric. Free is too high a price for the tripe. Couldn’t even get halfway through

This is a disappointing read after all the glowing reviews. The main character is unappealing and unpleasant, enveloped in a sense of her own self righteousness which causes her to make poor decisions about people and events. The unraveling at the end - where of course she gets it wrong - is entirely predictable.

I was really happy to see a Jason Pinter book in this month's Kindle selection. Jason Pinter is always a reliable mystery writer. I may guess how it will end but will always still enjoy the journey.A new character, a new start. Literally as well as figuratively.This one opens with a Gabriel García Márquez quote: "Everyone has three lives: a public life, a private life, and a secret life."All kinds of horrible and wretched events happen fairly quickly.

Very enjoyable beginning to a new police procedural series featuring Rachel Marin, fierce mama-bear to her kids and a secret, self-made vigilante. Although she needs to stay under the cops’ radar, when Rachel discovers a murder, she risks her anonymity and the safety of her children.Rachel is a strong female protagonist, who escapes to a new town after a tragedy, and then remakes herself from an ordinary mom to a self-defense adept—and a crime scholar of sorts. Her greatest weaknesses—and her strengths—are her two young children, whom she zealously protects. Predictably, things change when she realizes that a so-called suicide is really a murder.Police protagonists, Detectives John Serrano and Leslie Tally, work the murder. Meanwhile, Rachel, the crime scholar mom—who should know better—meddles in the murder case, annoying the detectives. Soon, she’s a nuisance and a possible suspect, because Rachel has no prior background information, until she buys a house in their town. It’s only a matter of time until the villains & murderer(s) know she’s meddling.Author Jason Pinter needs a better copy editor, who could’ve pruned the large cast of characters, among other things. 4.5 stars bumped up to 5 stars, because this is an enthralling police procedural, and I’m also tempted to get the Audiobook for a listening experience.

I was hooked from the first page. I didn't intend to read it until I was done, but I couldn't stop! Tears even sprang from my eyes a couple of times. I want to be this person! I will line up for more of the people I met in this book! Thank you! What a day well-spent!

Great book

Jason Pinter is a new author to me and I wasn’t sure what to expect but overall I was pleasantly surprised. I found the writing style made a compelling read and once I had finished the preview I was hooked.The start of the story made it clear that Rachel and her young children had suffered some trauma in their past and the extent of this was gradually revealed as the story progressed. I usually find this plot device irritating but somehow I didn’t feel that in this case, possibly because just enough information was fed through to hold my interest.The lives Rachel and her two children had been devastated by their experiences, they had to move away from everything familiar and settle in a new home. During the day she had a job as a legal secretary, but she spent her evenings in her basement training and preparing. One night she saw a news item about the suspected suicide of someone from a bridge, as she studied the footage she saw a few anomalies. She made an anonymous call to the police saying she had information that it was murder, not suicide. Detectives John Serrano and Leslie Tally traced the call easily and were initially sceptical of Rachel’s statement until she could prove, scientifically that the dead woman could not have killed herself. They accepted her theory and then expected they wouldn’t see her again but she kept inserting herself into their investigation and as they saw it, getting in their way. They didn’t know that finding the murderer was personal for Rachel, the dead woman had helped her when she’d moved to the area and she felt she owed it to her to make sure her killer was brought to justice.The story was well paced and with a few twists and turns before the criminals were exposed. I liked the main characters, Detective Tally was very hostile towards Rachel for much of the story, though I think that was understandable. I felt the conclusion was a bit rushed, though it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story and I look forward to the second book next year.

This was offered free as I am a prime member. Thought I would give it a go. Started at about 4pm and finished it at 11pm! I did have a supper break! What a good book..... written in a style I enjoy. It does bounce around a timeline but that really works for the story. I’m not putting any spoilers but when the next one comes out I will be buying it. If you like Brzynda, Cohen, Cornwell, than I would suggest this is worth a try.

This book was not my usual thrill seeker. I usually stick to the authors I know and enjoy but no new ones available. So had to try someone else and what a good choice. Two detectives of opposite views. A really intriguing novel and a good ending from which there will surely be a follow on.

I chose this book from the "read for free" section you get in Prime.Am I glad I did!A believable heroine with a back story that gradually gets revealed.The action comes thick and fast without being sensationalist.The two cops are terrific characters with their own stories.I'd recommend this book to anyone (over 16) who loves a good thriller.I really hope we see a lot more of Rachel Marin, John Serrano and Leslie Talley.I'm off now to pre order book 2

What a refreshing change to read a thriller that’s well written and has an interesting main character. The author is to be commended on revealing snippets of this character’s background from the start to the very end of the book so that the reader is kept guessing.Rachel Marin has moved to the small town of Ashby with her two children following an awful, harrowing event. Rachel is very private, keeps herself fit, has numerous security devices round the house and is obsessed with safety. The local Mayer, Constance Wright, calls on Rachel and shows friendship. Sometime later Constance allegedly commits suicide but Rachel is convinced that it’s not suicide. She is determined to ‘get to the bottom’ of events. In doing so, she falls foul of the police investigating officers, John Serrano and Leslie Tally and puts herself in danger.The storyline gathers pace and is an intricate web of deceit, lies and murder. Rachel’s interference actually assists the police, much to their chagrin. The final twist is good.This was an enjoyable, clever read and has potential for a promising series.