Hide Away

Rachel Marin moves to a small Midwest town with her two children after a traumatic event upends their lives in New York. She reinvents herself as a crime scene consultant for the local police department while maintaining rigid security measures to protect her family. When a prominent local woman is found dead, Rachel becomes involved in the investigation despite resistance from some law enforcement officials. Her expertise proves valuable as she works with detectives to uncover corruption and long-buried secrets in the seemingly quiet community. The investigation forces Rachel to confront her own past while navigating complex relationships with her children, colleagues, and potential romantic interests. She must balance her drive for justice with the need to keep her family safe from mounting threats. The novel explores themes of reinvention, motherhood, and the tension between seeking truth and maintaining safety. It raises questions about how past trauma shapes identity and whether one can truly start over.

Readers highlight the fast pacing and compelling character development of Rachel Marin, a single mother turned amateur investigator. Many note the balance between Rachel's personal life and the murder mystery elements. Liked: - Complex female protagonist who feels realistic - Tight plotting with minimal filler - Authentic portrayal of police procedures - Strong focus on family dynamics "The mother-child relationship felt genuine and added depth" - Goodreads reviewer "A refreshing take on the crime thriller genre" - Amazon review Disliked: - Some found the violence level high - A few readers wanted more background on Rachel - Several mentioned predictable plot points "The ending wrapped up too neatly" - Goodreads review Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (3,900+ ratings) BookBub: 4.3/5 (900+ ratings) Most readers plan to continue with the series, citing strong interest in Rachel's character development.

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🔍 Author Jason Pinter founded Polis Books in 2013, an independent publishing company focused on crime fiction and thrillers 📚 Hide Away is the first book in the Rachel Marin series, featuring a single mother who reinvents herself as an amateur investigator 🏆 The novel was inspired by real-life cases where ordinary citizens helped solve crimes that had stumped law enforcement 💫 Rachel Marin's character transformation was partially influenced by the author becoming a parent himself and understanding the fierce protective instincts that come with parenthood 🌟 The book explores themes of vigilante justice similar to popular series like "The Punisher" and "Dexter," but from a suburban mother's perspective