I was given a copy of The Hidden girls by Rebecca Whitney in exchange for an honest review. The book is about Ruth who is recovering from postpartum psychosis. When she sees a girl climbing out of the sewer she knows what she has seen is real but everyone else thinks she is beginning to see things again.

I found this book really hard to get into, the storyline was good but the way it was written was for me. I did stick with it but wouldn't read it again.

The Hidden Girls is a psychological thriller by Rebecca Whitney centring on post-partum depression and psychosis. This is the author's second novel and I found it to be an extremely satisfying read. New mother Ruth Woodman is struggling with the demands of her new baby girl, Bess, as well as trying to cope with the trauma of a damaged childhood following the death of her sister, Tam, when they were children. Very early one morning she hears wild and high-pitched screaming but can't decide if her sleep-starved brain is tricking her or if the shrieking noise is real. As husband Giles tries to be supportive, the police politely advise her stop calling them each time she believes she has heard the screams. But is someone genuinely shouting for Ruth's help?

In Rebecca Whitney's rakishly woven novel the reader is buried under a pile of assumptions, questionable truths and distortions. What ensues is a compulsive and dark mystery, complemented by a fresh approach to the darker side of motherhood trope. Rebecca Whitney has written a provocative, original tale with pitch-perfect plotting and measured prose. To my mind, The Hidden Girls is a corker of a story and I liked that it has an epilogue, rather than a more classic cat-and-mouse style finale, as the reader gets to unravel some of the details for themselves from the intimations it contains. This story certainly kept me guessing, with one particular question demanding an answer: who to trust and believe?

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Pan Macmillan/ Mantle via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

Did not enjoy this book. Could not finish had to leave it.

How does the saying go? Just because you’re paranoid, it doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you . . . ?

For Ruth, a new mother recovering from postpartum psychosis, every day is difficult and, after months spent hearing voices in the walls and trusting no one, she’s no longer confident in her own judgement. Neither, it seems, is anyone else.

So, when she hears a scream from the local petrol station one night, she initially decides it must be her mind playing tricks again. The police, too, are polite but firm: she must stop calling them every time she thinks she hears something. And her husband is frustrated: he’d hoped Ruth was getting better at last.

Ruth can’t quite let it go . . . What if there was a scream? What if it was someone in trouble? Someone who needs Ruth’s help?

Exploring the dark and isolating side of motherhood, the question at the heart of The Hidden Girls is how much you can help someone else when you can’t trust anyone – even yourself . . .

Ruth is being treated for postpartum psychosis which made her see and hear things that weren't there - especially her dead sister, Tam. So when Ruth hears a scream late at night from the petrol station at the end of the road, neither she nor her husband, Giles, or the police know whether to take her seriously.

The book was really slow to get going and I did wonder if I was going to be able to finish it. It turned out to be a fairly good suspense mystery. It was rather predictable with the usual 'husband who thinks his wife is making it all up'. I must have read a dozen books with the same dynamic, however, I also became a little frustrated with the main character at times. Overall, it was okay but I probably wouldn't re-read it.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Pan MacMillan / Mantle, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

I've always been fascinated by postpartum psychosis, due in part to a family history of the disorder, and so I desperately wanted to love this one. Unfortunately it's a classic case of a great premise being undermined by poor execution. Instead of a terrifying thriller exploring whether a mother is losing her mind, you instead got a rather dull and repetitive read that was hard to engage with and never really moved beyond feeling quite flat. There's also not really a final section. Like, there's a huge amount of build up, and you keep waiting for the big event and then... an epilogue. That's it. It just felt very underwhelming, and so sadly it's not one I can recommend.

A young mother is suffering from postpartum psychosis after the birth of her daughter. She starts to see and hear things. I was really hoping that I was in for a gripping read, unfortunately for me this book did not deliver.This book could have been so much more. I felt it was rushed, the story was so busy and I really struggled to finish it. Saying that I am sure other readers will enjoy it more just not for me.
Thanks to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for the ARC.

Having just finished this book I feel emotionally and physically wiped out! It's like experiencing a step into madness. Not a bad read, just a weird one.

Ruth is a wife and mother who is suffering from postnatal depression and who sees and hears things she's not sure are real.
These include women screaming and being taken away in a van. Are these sightings and sounds real, or, part of her illness? The premise is what pulled me in, but, unfortunately for me this didn't deliver. Instead, I found it a rambling experience of psychosis and with no real purpose or clarity.

I appreciate NetGalley and the publishers giving me the opportunity to preview in exchange for this honest review. Not one for me.

The Hidden Girls by Rebecca Whitney.
For Ruth, a new mother recovering from postpartum psychosis, every day is difficult and, after months spent hearing voices in the walls and trusting no one, she’s no longer confident in her own judgement. Neither, it seems, is anyone else.
So, when she hears a scream from the local petrol station one night, she initially decides it must be her mind playing tricks again. The police, too, are polite but firm: she must stop calling them every time she thinks she hears something. And her husband is frustrated: he’d hoped Ruth was getting better at last.
Ruth can’t quite let it go . . . What if there was a scream? What if it was someone inFor Ruth, a new mother recovering from postpartum psychosis, every day is difficult and, after months spent hearing voices in the walls and trusting no one, she’s no longer confident in her own judgement. Neither, it seems, is anyone else.
So, when she hears a scream from the local petrol station one night, she initially decides it must be her mind playing tricks again. The police, too, are polite but firm: she must stop calling them every time she thinks she hears something. And her husband is frustrated: he’d hoped Ruth was getting better at last.
Ruth can’t quite let it go . . . What if there was a scream? What if it was someone in trouble? Someone who needs Ruth’s help? Ruth’s help?
Really good read. I liked the story. I felt for Ruth. Good ending. 4*.

A psychological thriller centred around Ruth, a new mother suffering from post natal depression, or post party’s psychosis. After the birth of her daughter.

Ruth sees and hears strange things, believing her sister is coming through the walls, or things coming up through the floor, she finds it difficult to see what is real and what is her paranoia, along with Ruth not knowing, her family and husband put everything down to her illness.

Just as her husband thinks she is starting to get better, she hears a scream late one night, and sees shadows, but the police don’t believe her, they ask her to stop calling every time she thinks she has heard something. But what if this time someone is really in danger? What if it wasn’t her illness?

The premise of this is good, the story began well, the pace was good, but some of the characters just didn’t seem to work, they didn’t seem three dimensional enough, except for Ruth. There was a build up and I was really hoping to be surprised by the end reveal, but it just seemed rushed and disappointing.

I actually guessed the reveal before the story ended, sadly. If the plot had just been ended a bit better plotted this could have made a difference between 3⭐️ And 4⭐️.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #Mantle for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.

This is the second or third book about postpartum psychosis that I've read in the recent past, and it's great to see fiction focused on an affliction that still carries a lot of stigma and misconception. The Hidden Girls has a great premise, and you do feel for Ruth, you also feel her fear and confusion and frustration. From that perspective, this was a good read, but the eventual outcomes were somewhat disappointing.

Thanks for the review copy.

On paper, The Hidden Girls sounded very appealing. In reality I felt it was such a disappointment. Firstly nothing happened. I read through pages and pages wondering when something interesting was going to happen. Secondly, I really didn’t enjoy the writing style.
Sorry but this book wasn’t for me. Thank you to NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and the author for the chance to review.

This was a thrilling read, really exciting that'll keep you at the edge of your seat. Loved it!

Thanks a lot to NG and the publisher for this copy.

Uthnhas just been diagnosed with postpartum psychosis after the birth of her daughter. She starts to see and hear strange things. She sees women coming from below the ground and being put into a van. Ruth imagines all sorts of things, it's part of her illness.

This is another story that has a long build up. It showed so much potential when I read the blurb. Even after i had finished the book I felt it was a it flat, as if I was still needing some kind of closure. Even the epilogue didn't justify. Immsure many other readers will enjoy this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and the author Rebecca Whitney for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thrilling book to read. Great plot unlike most you read these days. I was kept on the edge of my seat wondering where the author was taking it. It’s a very real illness but not often you hear of anyone having it. So reading it really opens your eyes to it. Very well wt

Good thriller with an interesting premise! This is centred around a new mum and what appears to be her struggles with mental illness. However we quickly realise there is more than meets the eye to this story. Loved the ending.

Ruth a new mother suffering from postpartum psychosis Ruthba character who drew me in kept e turning the pages.A story that has you questioning everything Ruthsaysas she suffers with her psychosis with her role asa new mother and finding some one to believe her.A true page turner an author To folow #netgalley #panmacmillan

This main character in this story is Ruth, after giving birth to her daughter Ruth is diagnosed with postpartum psychosis

Having worked on a professional level with ladies suffering from this disorder I felt that the author portrayed both the illness and the character (and her struggles) really well. Ruth is a vulnerable lady who starts to see and hear strange things!! Everything she says, does and feels is put down to the paranoia that is a consequence of her illness its hard for her to see whats reality when all around her she's being doubted by those who are closet to her!

This was a emotionally charged read that I enjoyed reading.

Ruth, a new mother recovering from postpartum psychosis, hears a scream from the local petrol station one night. But has she really heard it or is she just imagining it? The police don't believe her, but will you?

This is a dark and compelling story that focus on how humans can (or not) be unreliable sources.

The author wrote a thought provoking fantastic mystery that focus on the difficult theme of postpartum psychosis.

I found it well written and full of suspense. The narrative was really well constructed and it kept me guessing throughout.

My favourite character was definitely Frieda and the way she handled herself throughout the book.

I was slightly disappointed with the wedding as I felt I really didn’t have a proper closure and after all the build up and interesting story I just didn’t think the end did it justice.

Overall, I did really enjoyed it and despite not loving the ending, I still highly recommend it to all my colleagues who enjoy thriller and suspense books.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Panmacmillan for the opportunity to read this book prior to its release date.

#TheHiddenGirls #NetGalley
Not for me.
I don't understand what this book is trying to say? Ruth, a newly become mom is paranoid about everything, she's paranoid that there's her sister in the pipes of the house so she breaks her house. She's paranoid about something going wrong in her neighbourhood but no one believes her. Is she actually being paranoid or there's more to it?
Well, this concept is not new and believe me I was not much interested in completing it as I predicted earlier that what is going on and what will happen but instead I completed it in hope that I'm reading something new but nope. Anyway who doesn't read such concept before, maybe they'll like this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for giving me an advance copy.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book. I was attracted to this by reading the description, and once I started reading it became one of those books that you need to keep reading so you can work out what’s going on. I wasn’t keen on the main character (Ruth) but I did feel for her, was also very irritated on her behalf that no one would believe her! An enjoyable read, will definitely try this author again.