This is a really dark thriller/horror, though also a love story. I urge everyone to check triggers before reading, as it for sure is full of them. I had a hard time getting through it, as I was affected by many triggers.

Wow, this is a short, grim, and violent little gem. It’s hard to talk too much about it without spoiling anything but it looks at serial killers in a very different way than many people are used to, and the results are pretty damn awesome.

gruesome, sad, happy and everything in between!

it brings together two people who’ve suffered horrific childhoods and shows how they find peace in other peoples horror and despair.

Adam, a serial killer who kills those to expose their lies meets forensic photographer Lydia who is following his crimes and living with their photographs.

honestly, love Lydia, which i know is crazy but i really enjoyed her character and her development, showing at the end she wanted to protect people from others too. I loved her job and how that was written, i especially loved the beginning explaining her backstory before showing her collection of photographs.

i still hate Adam, which i think is fair! he need for exposing lies and getting others to live their truths in death, was just a little annoying for me. obviously he was a psychopath but still.

i did love the overall plot, definitely not something i have read before and i definitely need a second book to carry on from that ending!

so good for a debut novel.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of Hiding Lies.

What a debut novel this was! Starting off with potent vigor, you know what you're in for. No mask, gloves off. It will be gory and straight forward. This novel is a very easy read with a focus on momentum for the characters and plot. We know Lydia is a forensic photographer and Adam a part-time sales rep and high end book entrepreneur. Through the dual pov's we learn both have unsettling pasts and dark secrets. One has taken it upon themselves to snuff out the lairs they come across unknowingly sparking the other's interest due to like mindedness.
The killings are thoughtfully planned and carried out. There's some evolution to the depth to picking the victims and some showed learning from the killer. The thought process for the killer is mostly simple and superficial and the other character has a bit more depth, but ultimately is simple with their development as well. The trust seemed to come too easily from their side, especially considering their past. There is a bit of a repetitiveness in the writing, which may have been seen as a security net due to the dual pov chapters.

I can definitely see the nods from the author's favored books and they wove in just fine. This author has a great mindset and I look forward to more publications. Maybe there will be a second installment to this story?

Full of twists and turns, this book kept me guessing right until the very end. I really appreciate when a novel hooks my attention right from the beginning and that was certainly the case with this one! I loved the in-depth perspective of the mind of a serial killer and enjoyed the dual perspective of both Lydia and Adam. I will certainly be looking for more of this authors work!

Whew…I almost put this book away about 10 different times for different reasons. There are warnings of sexual assault, domestic abuse, child abuse, child death, and animal abuse before you even start the first page. I’m a thriller/mystery nut and have read all of the scary books but this one hit differently. I’m not quite sure if that’s a good or a bad thing but I’m so hyped up right now after reading that I’m not sure how to even finish this review. Normally my reviews are much different. Overall, I guess I would say that if you have a strong stomach and can dis-attach from books better than myself, give it a try. I love books that are different, and although you knew where this book was heading there it was still a crazy experience from start to finish. I’m going to go read something from my not-normal rom-com genre to clear my brain now.

A bloody good book!

Lydia is a forensic photographer with a traumatic past. While working on a current case involving the murders of a couple who were camping, she meets Adam. She feels a connection with him and enjoys the time they spend together. This is new for her, it's new for Adam as well.

As more bodies are found, it is obvious that a serial killer is at work. Lydia is there to take the pictures and Adam will be there for Lydia when she needs him.

Coming in at 240 pages, Hiding Lies was an enjoyable, dark, and thrilling read. I was fully immersed in the plot, the hunt, the romance, and the characters. This proved to be a very fast read as I did not want to put the book down. I enjoyed getting into the head of the killer as well as in Lydia's head as well.

Take a stab out of this book if you dare! Fans of Dexter will enjoy this book.

*Just know that this book touches on some dark issues.
Gripping, dark, and hard to put down!

This book reads like a Criminal Minds episode. If you’re into the crime genre of tv, Hiding Lies is absolutely for you.

I should have read the synopsis for this book a bit better because I was absolutely not expecting a full blown romance. While I liked that aspect somewhat, it was very insta-love.

The book was very well written overall. The ending felt very rushed & can be hit or miss depending on the reader. Unfortunately for me it was a miss.

Ultimately, this book was a good one which is why I gave it 4 stars! Even though I would have liked a different ending, I do think a lot of people will like it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy!

This book was an okay read. Fast-paced and good plot twists. Nothing really stood out as being the climax of the story for me. I'd say it's a good book for someone trying to get into the thriller/mystery genre.

This was an enjoyable and fast read. It had a good thrill to the storyline and was well written. There was a good backstory to the characters that helped explain who they are as adults. Criminal vs the law! Towards the end, it was a little predictable on where the story was heading, but still exciting to read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy of this great book!

Reminded me of Dexter in a good way. I felt for both of the main characters and was invested in their respective journeys. I enjoyed the ending, but I would have liked to experience one more twist. Only one small critique: The first couple he kills he states they went to University of Ohio. I know its fiction, but no college exists. There is Ohio University (where I went, Go Bobcats) and Ohio State University.

Thanks NetGalley! This book was amazing. I really loved the connection between the two main characters. It was a fast paced read that I could not put down

This was a good read. I enjoyed the dual point of view, it’s not often that you get the perspective if the killer; so I did enjoy that aspect. There were however some parts of the story that were a bit far fetched. Overall, it was decent read and would recommend to those that enjoy mild thrillers.

I want to read this book every Friday it’s the perfect book for someone like me these book has everything your looking for if you like a lil spooky in your life

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝗥𝗖. 𝗜 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗹𝘆.

Camping has become unsafe for tourists as a murderer is on the loose. The police and the FBI are on the hunt for the killer, but the search is proving difficult as they have yet to identify a clear pattern and his signature to catch him.

Lydia is a forensic photographer who loves all things true crime, Adam is a book dealer and lover. Both live in Portland and their paths are about to cross in a unique way.

Is Lydia ready for this encounter? Can Adam finally be free and act as he desires?

⛺ 🔪 🩸 ⛺ 🔪 🩸 ⛺ 🔪 🩸 🔪 ⛺ 🩸 🔪 ⛺ 🩸 🔪 ⛺

This was an extraordinary reading experience. The book is written from two perspectives. We have the female main character, Lydia Walker, and on the other side, the male main character, Adam Collins.

As different as the two are, they are connected by much more than one might initially suspect.

For me, the book was a celebration of being weird and/or different. At some points, the two main characters' behaviours felt as if the author wanted to show us, that every form of existence and ‘behaviour’ is essentially ‘right’… even if it results in deaths.
After all, strictly speaking… aren’t these killings just collateral damage to balance out the world?
And regardless of whether one is morally right or not… isn’t morality sometimes a matter of perspective? Aren’t there gray areas in how one can interpret ‘morally right’?

A note on the side characters like Detective Frank Morris, FBI Agents Michael Harshaw and Jonathan Yates, as well as Heather Carlson and her son Jacob… they fell a bit flat for me personally, but it wasn’t too bad while reading the book.
Also the depth of both Lydia and Adam made up for that!

This book was a mix of thriller and love story, and this blend worked quite well for me, to be honest.

7.8 out of 10 for this quick read.
Publishing Date is the 29'th of October 2024!

𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆, 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒕𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅.

I wasn’t a fan of this book, I just couldn’t quite immerse myself in it. I didn’t relate or like the main character at all or Adam which just made it a flat novel for me.
The plot, told from different POVs wasn’t very original and the killers reasoning wasn’t great for me either, descriptions were vague but I did like the idea of the picturesque settings being some people’s final scene.
It was quite well written and the storyline was clever but just not my cup of tea unfortunately.

📂🩻📷🏷️Review🏕️🥾🔪🩸

Title: Hiding Lies
Author: Stephanie Rose

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thoughts: Im so back and forth on what I'd rate this one. It starts out like stoping and catching a serial killer. Then morphs into a dark and twisted love story. The transition wasn't bad and I enjoyed how the story evolved. I really loved how macabre this one was as a whole.
However, the evolution left aspects of the story behind and a lot was just up in the air with the final scene.
There was sooooo much I adored about it though... I connected with the FMC and I could rationalize the MMC. Their relationship throughout the story developed into a "good for you two" vibe and I wanted their happiness.
Then again, the big reveal to the FMC was very uneventful and that kind made me feel like I was standing awkwardly with my hands in my pockets while reading it.
Over all this was a solid concept and I hit a point where I just could not put the damn thing down because I had to know what was going to become of the plot and the characters. But again some really important aspects got left behind and made the story feel rushed at certain points. I also craved a bit more from the ending, so I'm sitting here debating where this leaves me and I think if an author has me this invested in their book than they deserve the higher rating.

I would really love to see what this author comes out with next.

This serial killer gave ALL of the Ted Bundy vibes. He was so charming and helpful to those around him and he was someone you would never suspect.. I also loved that we got both POV's from the protagonist as well as the serial killer. The different POV's gave the book such an intense and fast pace that had me unable to put this down. I will now read anything Stephanie Rose writes! 4.5/5 for me!

Title: Unraveling Dark Secrets: A Gripping Review of "Hiding Lies" by Stephanie Rose

As an ARC reader of "Hiding Lies" by Stephanie Rose, I found myself drawn into a gripping and unrelenting tale of darkness and intrigue that left me breathless from start to finish.

The story centers around Lydia Walker, a forensic photographer haunted by a traumatic past. Assigned to a case involving the gruesome murder of a camping couple, Lydia's personal and professional worlds collide as she delves deeper into the investigation. With each new revelation, she uncovers a personal connection to the case that forces her to confront her own demons.

Rose's writing is unapologetically brutal and relentless, plunging readers into a world where darkness lurks around every corner. From the chilling descriptions of the crime scenes to the complex psychology of the characters, "Hiding Lies" pulls no punches in its exploration of the human psyche and the depths of depravity.

What sets this novel apart is its compelling protagonist, Lydia Walker. As she navigates the murky waters of justice and morality, Lydia grapples with her own inner turmoil, torn between her desire for truth and the darker urges that threaten to consume her. Her journey is both captivating and deeply unsettling, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

The praise from fellow authors is well-deserved. CJ Leede aptly describes the novel as "brutal, unrelenting, and pitch-black," while Clay McLeod Chapman warns readers to "tread carefully" through its pages, as the darkness within "stains their fingers, their eyes, their very soul." Brian McAuley's comparison to a thrilling episode of "Hannibal" is spot-on, as "Hiding Lies" delivers a visceral and unforgettable reading experience that lingers long after the final page is turned.

Overall, "Hiding Lies" is a masterfully crafted debut that will leave readers clamoring for more from Stephanie Rose. With its chilling atmosphere, complex characters, and relentless suspense, this is a novel that demands to be read with the lights on and the doors locked. Highly recommended for fans of dark psychological thrillers, "Hiding Lies" is sure to leave you questioning the true nature of justice and the depths of human darkness.

Wow, this was brilliant ! So completely unique it was amazing the banter 🔥
I adored this twisted evil amusement story which some amazing characters.
I adored the whole thing I couldn’t put it down it was one of a kind!