These Things Hidden

Allison Glenn has been released from prison after serving five years for a terrible crime she committed as a teenager. Now twenty-one, she attempts to rebuild her life while staying with a halfway house in her Iowa hometown, where her presence stirs up painful memories for the community. Her younger sister Brynn, once inseparable from Allison, has fled their hometown and lives in shame. Meanwhile, bookstore owner Claire leads a quiet life with her five-year-old son Joshua, unaware that her path will soon intersect with Allison's in ways that will change everything. As the story moves between past and present, connections emerge between these women's lives. Long-buried secrets surface that force each character to confront truths about themselves and their roles in events from years ago. The novel explores themes of redemption, family bonds, and the weight of choices made in desperate moments. Through multiple perspectives, it raises questions about justice, forgiveness, and whether it's possible to truly start over after devastating mistakes.

Readers found the book compelling but emotionally heavy, with multiple perspectives that slowly reveal connections between characters. Many noted they finished it in one or two sittings due to the gripping narrative style and building suspense. Readers appreciated: - Realistic portrayal of complex family relationships - Well-crafted mystery elements - Strong character development - Unpredictable plot twists - Attention to mental health issues Common criticisms: - First third moves too slowly - Some plot points feel contrived - Character of Allison can be frustrating - Ending feels rushed to some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (42,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (2,100+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (250+ ratings) "The way the author weaves together four different perspectives kept me guessing until the end," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review counters: "The big reveal wasn't as impactful as it could have been due to obvious foreshadowing."

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf When two young girls go missing in a small town, dark family secrets emerge through multiple perspectives as the investigation unfolds.

Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica A woman's decision to help a teenage mother leads to revelations about motherhood, trauma, and the consequences of past crimes.

Sister by Rosamund Lupton A sister's investigation into her sibling's supposed suicide reveals a web of lies and family secrets through letters and memories.

What Was Mine by Helen Klein Ross The story of a kidnapped child, her two mothers, and the ripple effects of one desperate decision unfolds over decades.

The Good Girl by Mary Kubica A kidnapping plot goes wrong when the victim returns with no memory of her ordeal, forcing her family to uncover what happened during her missing months.

📚 Author Heather Gudenkauf wrote this novel while working full-time as an elementary school teacher, often writing during her lunch breaks and late at night. 🌟 The book explores the complex topic of Safe Haven laws, which allow mothers to legally surrender their newborns at designated locations without facing prosecution. 💫 Though fiction, the story was partly inspired by real-life cases of teenagers concealing pregnancies and the devastating consequences that followed. 📖 The novel employs a narrative structure told from four different female perspectives, each revealing pieces of the story's central mystery. 🎓 Gudenkauf has a hearing impairment and often incorporates characters with similar challenges in her books, though this particular novel focuses more on psychological and emotional struggles.