This novella was good enough for a quick read. It was too superficial to matter much. The characters were interesting. ( )

Review of eBook

A family is dead in an exclusive Laurel Canyon neighborhood, their home set on fire. Los Angeles Police Department Detective Kaitlyn Carr, assigned to the case along with her colleague, Detective Thomas Abrams, begins the investigation with interviews of the neighbors even though this is supposed to be Kaitlyn’s day off. Who could have committed such a brutal, heinous crime? And does the culprit know there is a survivor?

The sole survivor of the Hendrel family massacre, fourteen-year-old Angie, doesn’t have much information to help the investigation; she's traumatized and, as she tries to explain what happened, she breaks down in tears. Kaitlyn would like to talk a bit longer, but Angie isn't up to it.

At the same time, Kaitlyn is dealing with her much younger sister, Violet, who had a falling-out with their mother and has come to stay with her for the week. The twelve-year-old girl wants to stay with Kaitlyn permanently and attend a pricy private art school in Santa Monica.

When the issue with Violet takes an unexpected turn, Kaitlyn finds herself caught between her sister and her mother; at the same time, her case is affected when a surprising development surfaces.

What will happen to Violet? And will Kaitlyn and Thomas find the murderer of the Hendrel family?

“Girl Hidden” is the prequel introduction to the author’s Detective Kaitlyn Carr series. Part mystery, part police procedural [albeit it brief due to the novella format], part family drama, there’s anguish and frustration along with a touch of romance in a story that takes a tragic turn. There’s sufficient backstory to provide context for the narrative while the juxtaposition between Kaitlyn’s case and her home situation gives the story both authenticity and depth.

Told from Kaitlyn’s point of view, this novella starts out running and never lets up. The twists and turns take the narrative in unexpected directions while keeping the suspense building. Believable, realistic characters, a captivating case, and a realistic investigation combine to pull the reader in from the beginning while they keep those pages turning.

Recommended. ( )