Hid from Our Eyes

Hid from Our Eyes follows Episcopal priest Clare Fergusson and her police chief husband Russ Van Alstyne as they investigate three similar murders spanning decades in their small Adirondack town. The killings occurred in 1952, 1972, and present-day, with each victim being a young woman found dead on a local road wearing a party dress, with no signs of trauma. The case becomes personal for Russ when he discovers he was a suspect in the 1972 murder during his time as a young Vietnam veteran. Clare helps investigate while juggling her duties as a new mother and priest, even as budget cuts threaten to eliminate the local police department. Police procedures from three different eras intersect as the investigations move between past and present. The novel explores how policing, forensics, and attitudes toward women have evolved over 70 years in a rural New York community. This ninth installment in the Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne series examines themes of justice, redemption, and how past events continue to impact the present. The parallel timelines raise questions about how society's response to violence against women has both changed and remained static.

Readers found this ninth installment in the Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne series maintains the quality of earlier books while addressing a complex cold case mystery spanning three time periods. Readers appreciated: - The seamless weaving of past and present storylines - Development of Clare and Russ's relationship/family dynamic - Return of beloved supporting characters - Authentic portrayal of small-town police work Common criticisms: - Long wait since previous book (7 years) made plot/characters hard to remember - Multiple timelines felt confusing to follow - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.25/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (850+ ratings) Several reviewers noted the book works better for series fans than new readers. As one Amazon reviewer stated: "You need the background of previous books to fully appreciate the character dynamics and relationships." Many readers mentioned the ending provides satisfying closure while leaving room for future installments.

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⭐ Julia Spencer-Fleming took nine years to write "Hid from Our Eyes" while caring for her terminally ill husband and raising three children. 🏆 The book is the ninth installment in the Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne mystery series, which has won multiple awards including the Agatha Award and Anthony Award. 🔍 The novel weaves together three parallel murder investigations spanning across 1952, 1972, and present day, all involving young women found dead wearing party dresses with no apparent cause of death. 🌟 The author drew inspiration from real-life unsolved cases in upstate New York's Adirondack region, where the series is set. 👮 The main character, Clare Fergusson, is one of mystery fiction's more unique protagonists: an Episcopal priest and former Army helicopter pilot who serves as police chief.