Her Hiding Place by Shannon Hollinger is my seventh book by Hollinger and each title has is own way of keeping me hooked and eager to turn the pages.
This was a great thrilling read that had me until its surprising ending.
The author really knows how to draw you in. The characters are realistic. The plot had twists and turns coming out of nowhere. It was all I could do to turn the pages as fast as I was reading them. This was one heck of a book.

Her Hiding Place by Shannon Hollinger

Dark, twisted, compelling, and immersive story that looks at what one woman is willing to do to keep a child safe.

What I liked:
* That even though I read ahead I was still in the dark and had surprises aplenty
* Charlotte: survivor, strong, resilient, protective, hopeful, willing to do what ti takes to keep Alice and herself safe
* Molly: friendly, outgoing, positive, supportive, runaway
* The closed-door murder mystery played out on a pseudo-island during a hurricane
* The flashbacks – although I was not clued in till much later who they really referred to
* The twists, turns, and not knowing who if anyone was someone Charlotte could or should trust
* That I became invested in the outcome
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* The way all the puzzle pieces finally came together as I wasn’t quite sure of everything till the very end
* Hopefully thinking about what happens after the last page of the story…

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about what makes parets, siblings or anyone a twisted abusive person who takes pleasure in harming another person
* Thinking about what ti would take to make a break for it if in an abusive situation

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – this is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

I really enioyed this locked room physcological thriller. Its told in a dual timeline the past is telling us about why Charlotte and Alice is on the run and in hiding. This book was a bit of a slowburn until it got to about 60% and that was when it really started. There were quite a few twists that i didnt expect.
Thank you for giving me an ARC.

This is a great psychological thriller.
Charlotte arrives at a posh resort to start her new job as a housekeeper, but is shocked to see she is surrounded by water. As she can’t swim she is hoping the job and accommodation will help her out of an awful situation and she will be safe here.
When she’s told which room she can have she goes back to her car and wraps up three year old Alice and sneaks her into the room.
While Charlotte is working she leaves Alice locked in the room, telling her to be very quiet. I found it a bit hard to believe that a three year would remain quiet at first but as the story progresses, you understand what Alice has been through.
We get flashbacks to Charlotte’s life before and also find out about her close friend.
When a hurricane hits the resort, Charlotte wants to get Alice to safety but is worried how to do this whilst keeping her secret. But when someone is found dead, Charlotte knows she needs to fight to keep her and Alice alive but with her fear of water, this proves difficult.
This is a gripping thriller that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.

Her Hiding Place by Shannon Hollinger is an intense and gripping psychological thriller. Charlotte has taken a job at a luxury resort hotel on an island in the Florida Keys. As a maid she must prepare the resort for the opening by cleaning, dusting, and making beds. But her most important job is to keep Alice, the three-year-old little girl hidden in their room, an absolute secret. Out running an abusive past, Charlotte is always looking over her shoulder, feeling like someone is watching her. With a hurricane threatening to endanger their lives and her secrets, Charlotte must find a way to keep Alice hidden now more than ever. But when the bodies start to be found, Charlotte fears her past has caught up to her.
This book was full of unease and creeping dread. The storyline is fast-paced and I felt like the characters are all very well written. Hollinger brilliantly weaves tension and suspense along with the almost claustrophobic dread of being trapped on an island with a killer. If you are looking for a well-written psychological suspense novel, look no further!
Thank you to NetGalley, Shannon Hollinger, and Bookouture for this ARC. Expected release day is January 31st 2025.

If you enjoy twisty, electrifying, and suspenseful stories that keep you guessing, then "Her Hiding Place" by Shannon Hollinger is an ideal choice. The story presents a startling locked-room mystery set in an isolated resort in the Florida Keys. As a hurricane looms and bodies begin to pile up, a desperate faces the daunting task of safeguarding her daughter.

"Her Hiding Place," introduces readers to Charlotte, the unreliable narrator of this thrilling tale. The details provided allow the reader to determine that Charlotte escaped an abusive life. Despite this, the past constantly haunts her. As the story progresses, the reader discovers that she is hiding from someone, prompting her to go on the run with three-year-old Alice. To ensure their safety, she secures a housekeeping job at a remote resort in the Florida Keys. However, while staying at the resort, she learns her past is not the only thing that poses a threat. The impending hurricane forecasted to hit the Keys, and a killer threaten her plans to keep Alice safe.

The story that unfolded was well-paced. The suspense builds steadily as the reader attempts to find answers to the many clues spread throughout the narrative. The flashbacks into the past added a layer of intrigue, while Charlotte's attempts to hide Alice in plain sight heightened the mystery. The murders, coupled with the threat of the hurricane, intensified the suspense and thrills. This one kept me guessing the entire time. One will find themselves suspending belief regarding the hiding of Alice. How can a three-year-old remain quiet and undetected while being alone for most of the day?

The epilogue provided a satisfying conclusion. Overall, it was an exciting read that I highly recommend to those seeking a good thriller.

This fast paced thriller kept me turning pages until the very end. It's not bad enough that Charlotte is in the path of a hurricane, unable to leave her job at a luxury island resort. She's got to survive while keeping the prescence of a three year old girl hidden. Bits of backstory are woven in, just enough to hint at how she got herself into such dire straits, but the bulk of the plot is set in the days leading up to the storm. I got quickly caught up in the plot and writing style and I look forward to tracking down the author's other books.

Charlotte starts a new job at a luxury resort to try and find safety, however has to keep her three year old daughter hidden away in her room, as she needs to remain a secret to not risk her job. Soon a storm hits the resort and a body is found. Is Charlotte as safe as she first thought?

This was my first book by this author and it was an interesting locked room mystery. I enjoyed how the author created the intense, dangerous atmosphere, however feel some parts were overly descriptive. I found I wasn’t overly invested in the characters or what happened to them. However, I did like the two timeframes and think this added depth to the story.

I think this was a good story overall, with some fun, intriguing elements, however it was too much of a slow burn for me at the time of reading. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

A tense, atmospheric thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The story centers around a woman working as a maid at a secluded island resort, desperately trying to protect her young daughter, Alice, from a dangerous secret. With just ten days until the hotel opens, the narrative is rife with anticipation and dread, as the woman reflects on her life of fear and hiding. The isolated island, where guests will soon arrive and where she has worked long hours in silence, sets the perfect stage for the unfolding suspense.

The plot accelerates when a storm cuts off the island from the mainland, leaving the characters trapped with a killer. A body is found, and in the chaos that follows, Alice’s existence is revealed. This sets off a frantic, pulse-pounding series of events, as the protagonist races against time to find her daughter after she vanishes. Hollinger expertly builds tension, blending the claustrophobic setting with the increasing sense of danger. The idea of being trapped on an island with a killer, unable to trust anyone, amplifies the stakes and adds to the feeling of helplessness and desperation that drives the narrative.

One of the most compelling aspects of this book is the strong emotional core of the story. The relationship between the protagonist and Alice is poignant, as a mother’s instinct to protect her child comes up against overwhelming odds. The unfolding mystery surrounding Alice’s true identity adds an extra layer of intrigue, keeping readers guessing about the full scope of the danger they’re facing.

Hollinger’s writing is gripping, and the twists and turns throughout the novel are unpredictable. As the secrets unravel, the tension becomes nearly unbearable, especially when Alice goes missing and the protagonist is forced to confront the extent of the danger. The pacing is swift, and while the characters may be few, each one plays a significant role in the unfolding mystery.

Her Hiding Place is a well-crafted, emotionally charged thriller that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense. The sense of isolation, combined with the fear of discovery, makes for a compelling reading experience. While some aspects of the plot may feel familiar, the emotional stakes and relentless suspense make this book hard to put down.

Thanks to Bookouture for this advance copy via NetGalley for my honest, voluntary review.

#HerHidingPlace #NetGalley

Her Hiding Place by Shannon Hollinger was a brilliant psychological thriller that will have you hooked from the beginning till the end. This book was so good I loved it especially as it will have you sitting on the edge of your seat with all the twists and turns throughout..

Charlotte is down on her luck and she accepts a job as a housekeeper in a remote island resort which offers temporary housing, food and the pay is ok. This resort is just about to open so everything has to be perfect before they invite their first paying guests.

But Charlotte has a very young child called Alice and she has to hide her during the day whilst she works. Alice has to be quiet as a mouse which can be hard for a 3 year old. Alice has been through so much in her short life especially as Charlotte as to keep her a secret from everyone for more reasons that anyone could ever guess!

But what are they running away from and why?

A massive hurricane is heading straight their way and they may all be trapped on this remote Island, with no means of escape, They will have to fight for their lives….......from the hurricane. But, there is also a murderer hiding in plain sight at the resort!

Will Charlotte and Alice survive the hurricane and the murderer?

I highly recommend this book I loved it.

I was engaged the entire time while reading this! I didn't know who to trust, who was telling the truth, who was lying, nothing! It definitely kept me on my toes! I wasn't ready for that ending though! This was SO GOOD! Bravo!

Gripping, dangerous, intense, and full of dread, Her Hiding Place kept me fully invested and turning the pages! I loved the 'trapped' feeling of this book. The looming hurricane, the mystery of why Charlotte is on the run and hoping to hide with her daughter, Alice.

Charlotte accepts a housekeeping job at an island resort and finagles her way into the attic apartment. She keeps her three-year old daughter, Alice, a secret. Hidden away and frequently left all alone, Alice must be silent so that her presence is not detected. Charlotte thought they would be safe there, but when a body is found, Charlotte knows the stakes are high and they may be in danger once again!

I enjoyed not knowing who I could trust at the resort. I could feel Charlotte's fear, concern, and mistrust jumping off the pages. The suspense and tension are off the hook and only multiply as the storm hits and the staff are trying to evacuate. This book had me on the edge of my seat and my heart beating faster and faster.

I also enjoyed how Shannon Hollinger provided flashbacks to the past so that readers get a better understanding of Charlotte's life before she went on the run, which left me further intrigued and invested in the plot. The author also threw in quite a few twists, turns and revelations as well with one that left my jaw hanging open.

This was a fast paced, pulse pounding mystery that grabbed my attention from the start and never let go! Shannon Hollinger has delivered once again!

Intriguing, shocking, tension filled and pulse pounding.

I had both the book and the audiobook version of Her Hiding Place which made for a wonderful reading experience. I thought the narrator of the audiobook did a fantastic job.

Picture The Shining, but take out the snow and replace it with a hurricane barreling down on the resort. This book was filled with twists and turns. Just when you think you have it all figured out...you don't! This book makes you want to speed read through it so you can get to the end and figure out what is going on and who is who. I fell in love with Shannon Hollinger's books when I was introduced to her Chief Maggie Riley series and I LOVE her standalone's too! Do yourself a favor....put this on your TBR list!

It’s just ten days until the new hotel opens. As I push my cleaning cart into the chandeliered honeymoon suite, I wonder how it would feel to stay here as a guest. To watch the sun rise over the ocean, to fall asleep with no fear. I’ll never know, of course. Instead, I work twelve-hour days as a maid, constantly frightened of discovery.

Alice is just three, and she’s already seen more than any child should. Hiding on this isolated island resort, where she can only come out at night, is so hard for her. But the other staff can’t know she’s here, let alone the guests when they arrive. And no one can know my secret—or what we’re really running from. But when a massive storm cuts the island off from the mainland, my darkest fears become real. A body is found and in the shocking aftermath, someone finds out about Alice… With no means of escape, I know we are stuck on the island with a killer.

Completely and totally gripping from the very beginning. Definitely a page turner! I loved this book, the twists and turns, and the ending. Excellent read!

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

The book had me on the edge of my seat and in every page you turn keeps you guessing.
The suspense was so intense and loved every bit of it.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher Bookouture for the ARC.

She thinks she has found the perfect place to hide but is she and her little girl really safe? And who can she trust when danger is on her way?
This is an entertaining story with unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing. All the characters had something that brings you on the wrong path.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this.

Wow! I just lost a whole day completely immersed in this book. I could not get enough. This twisty, locked room thriller will snag your attention from the first few chapters.

The setting is in the beautiful Florida Keys, but what should be paradise will soon be a living nightmare. A secluded island in the Keys at new, unopened resort was the perfect place for a locked room thriller. There is already something hinky going on, and now you add a hurricane bearing down on the island. The scene for a perfect horror movie is set.

The author drops little tidbits throughout the mystery as it builds to its crescendo. As hints are dropped here and there, you will think you know what is going on, but you will be sadly mistaken.

Once again this author pens a gripping tale which will take you on an unforgettable ride. It is well worth the time you take to ride this one out.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Tʜɪs ᴡᴀs ᴀɴ ɪɴᴄʀᴇᴅɪʙʟʏ sᴜsᴘᴇɴsғᴜʟ ʀᴇᴀᴅ. Hᴇʀ Hɪᴅɪɴɢ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ᴄᴏᴍʙɪɴᴇs sᴜsᴘᴇɴsᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴜʀᴍᴏɪʟ ᴏғ ᴀ ᴍᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴛʀʏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛ ʜᴇʀ ᴄʜɪʟᴅ.

Tᴏʟᴅ ᴍᴏsᴛʟʏ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴄʜᴀʀʟᴏᴛᴛᴇ's ᴘʀᴇsᴇɴᴛ ᴅᴀʏ ᴘᴏᴠ, ᴡɪᴛʜ ʙɪᴛs ᴀɴᴅ ᴘɪᴇᴄᴇs ᴏғ ʜᴇʀ ʙᴀᴄᴋsᴛᴏʀʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴀsᴏɴ sʜᴇs ɪs ʀᴜɴɴɪɴɢ sᴄᴀᴛᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs.

Tʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ ɪs ᴅᴇᴇᴘʟʏ ᴀᴛᴍᴏsᴘʜᴇʀɪᴄ ᴀᴛ ᴀ ᴛʀᴏᴘɪᴄᴀʟ ʀᴇsᴏʀᴛ ʙᴀᴄᴋᴅʀᴏᴘ ᴀɢᴀɪɴsᴛ ᴀ sᴇᴄʟᴜᴅᴇᴅ ɪsʟᴀɴᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀɴ ɪᴍᴘᴇɴᴅɪɴɢ ʜᴜʀʀɪᴄᴀɴᴇ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴏʀɪᴢᴏɴ. Tʜɪs ᴏɴʟʏ ᴀᴍᴘʟɪғɪᴇs ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴏᴄᴋᴇᴅ ʀᴏᴏᴍ ᴀɴxɪᴇᴛʏ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʜɪᴅᴅᴇɴ ᴄʜɪʟᴅ ɪɴᴊᴇᴄᴛs ᴀ ᴛʜʀɪʟʟɪɴɢ ᴜʀɢᴇɴᴄʏ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ sᴛᴏʀʏ.

Cʜᴀʀʟᴏᴛᴛᴇ ɪs sᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘᴇʟʟɪɴɢ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀɴ ɪɴɴᴇʀ sᴛʀᴇɴɢʜᴛʜ ᴅᴇsᴘɪᴛᴇ ʜᴇʀ ғᴇᴀʀs. Tʜᴇ sᴜᴘᴘᴏʀᴛɪɴɢ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴀʟʟ ᴇϙᴜᴀʟʟʏ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇx ᴀɴᴅ ᴅʏɴᴀᴍɪᴄ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴏᴡɴ sᴇᴄʀᴇᴛs.

Tʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴡɪᴛʜ ɪᴛs sᴀᴛɪsғʏɪɴɢ ᴇɴᴅɪɴɢ, ᴡɪʟʟ ʟɪɴɢᴇʀ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ's ᴍɪɴᴅ ʟᴏɴɢ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ɪs ᴄʟᴏsᴇᴅ.

The tension between the characters, heightened by an impending storm, was palpable. As a Floridian, I could practically feel the charged electricity in the air before the chaos struck. The stormy setting combined with the unraveling relationships created a captivating atmosphere. When the characters began turning on each other and the bodies started piling up, I couldn’t put the book down.

And let’s talk about that twist! Just when I thought I had it figured out, Shannon Hollinger delivered not one, not two, but several unexpected outcomes. Each twist felt like a gift, keeping me hooked right to the last page.

That said, the story starts off a bit slow. It wasn’t until I hit the 65%-70% mark that the plot truly took off. But once it did, the pace didn’t let up.

One aspect that stood out was the tragic storyline involving the child in the attic. The helplessness of her situation, entirely at the mercy of Charlotte’s aid, was heartbreaking. I couldn’t stop wondering how anyone could leave her trapped like that.
While I enjoyed the novel overall, I did have one gripe. Many chapters ended with overly dramatic cliffhangers that felt a bit forced. Some of the “duh duh duuuuuuh” moments made me chuckle, even when they probably weren’t supposed to.

This novel would translate beautifully to the screen—it’s cinematic, suspenseful, and full of twists that would keep an audience on edge.

A big thank you to Shannon Hollinger, Bookouture, The Pulse, and NetGalley for the eARC. Her Hiding Place publishes on January 31st, and I recommend it to anyone who loves twisty mysteries with atmospheric settings.

The plot of this story was really quite interesting and intriguing. The suspense aspect was off the wall for sure.
Lots of secrets going on…..will the secrets be discovered????
A very heartbreaking and emotional read for me.
Perfect reading for fans of a fast paced mystery thriller.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.