What do you think?
Rate this book
Mitchum #1
Hidden
"Have you seen my cousin...alive?"
Rejected by the Navy SEALs, Mitchum is content to be his small town's unofficial private eye, until his beloved 14-year-old cousin is abducted. Now he'll call on every lethal skill to track her down--but nothing is what it seems....
BookShots
LIGHTNING-FAST STORIES BY JAMES PATTERSON
Novels you can devour in a few hours
Impossible to stop reading
All original content from James Patterson
Rejected by the Navy SEALs, Mitchum is content to be his small town's unofficial private eye, until his beloved 14-year-old cousin is abducted. Now he'll call on every lethal skill to track her down--but nothing is what it seems....
BookShots
LIGHTNING-FAST STORIES BY JAMES PATTERSON
Novels you can devour in a few hours
Impossible to stop reading
All original content from James Patterson
118 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2017
432 people are currently reading
3085 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
955 books355k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 333 reviews
February 11, 2017
This Bookshot by James Patterson introduces Mitchum, the towns' unofficial private eye, who everyone thinks is a former Navy Seal (not!).
In a town where Mitchum knows everyone, and half the population are his relatives, his cousin Bailey Mae goes missing. Everyone turns to him to find her.
Went in a very strange direction...
Just ok.
I love the quick read format of a Bookshot, but this one was not my favorite.
In a town where Mitchum knows everyone, and half the population are his relatives, his cousin Bailey Mae goes missing. Everyone turns to him to find her.
Went in a very strange direction...
Just ok.
I love the quick read format of a Bookshot, but this one was not my favorite.
October 1, 2017
James O. Born works alongside James Patterson in the first of this BookShot series that will have readers hooked and quite curious as they travel to upstate New York. Mitchum enjoys the quiet life in Marlboro, away from the fast-paced living of NYC, but still surrounded by a community that thrives on the daily bustle. When he learns that his niece, Bailey Mae, has gone missing, this unofficial P.I. takes matters into his own hands. Working with the local sheriff’s detachment and those around town, Mitchum learns that three shady individuals have been seen around town. Bailey Mae’s famous coffee cakes prove a useful trail, though when two elderly residents are found murdered in their home and a fresh cake sits on the counter, Mitchum becomes more concerned. His past training as a Navy SEAL allows him to forge headlong into the search, still trying to determine who these strangers might be and if they are involved in the kidnapping, or if Bailey Mae is somehow involved. Forced to turn to his drug-dealing brother, Mitchum uses whispers on the street to help him track down any evidence that might lead to Bailey Mae’s safe return. Time is running out, but family ties seem to be unbreakable for Mitchum, fuelling his determination to bring a happy ending to this small town. A quick and captivating story for BookShot fans and those who need a little thrill with their coffee. Patterson and Born have a recipe for success here!
I am on a roll with my current BookShots binge, having found some real winners out there. There is usually little time for character development, but the authors have been able to weave the story of Robert ‘call me Mitchum’ Mitchum into the fabric of this thriller. The small town feel to the story is not lost on the reader, as Mitchum combs through the residents to garner enough clues to help solve the case. Additionally, the vast array of characters on offer may prove useful if the series continues past the next-known published piece. The story itself is interesting and the short chapters keep the story propelling forward without the reader feeling too stuck in any single environ. Patterson and Born work well together and bring the story to life, just as I would expect with a BookShot, which leaves little time to catch one’s breath. I need to get my hands on the next story in the series, as I am still highly impressed with what I’ve read.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Born for this great collaboration. Mitchum is in good hands if you two remain vigilant at keeping the stories as entertaining as this debut.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
I am on a roll with my current BookShots binge, having found some real winners out there. There is usually little time for character development, but the authors have been able to weave the story of Robert ‘call me Mitchum’ Mitchum into the fabric of this thriller. The small town feel to the story is not lost on the reader, as Mitchum combs through the residents to garner enough clues to help solve the case. Additionally, the vast array of characters on offer may prove useful if the series continues past the next-known published piece. The story itself is interesting and the short chapters keep the story propelling forward without the reader feeling too stuck in any single environ. Patterson and Born work well together and bring the story to life, just as I would expect with a BookShot, which leaves little time to catch one’s breath. I need to get my hands on the next story in the series, as I am still highly impressed with what I’ve read.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Born for this great collaboration. Mitchum is in good hands if you two remain vigilant at keeping the stories as entertaining as this debut.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
August 4, 2017
A Goodreads' friend suggest that I read some of James Patterson's shorts since they are a good way to get into his writing. I haven't read much by him, but I would love to start reading him more frequently.
The main character, Mitchum's 14-year-old cousin is abducted. Now he needs to track her down and figure out what happened.
This was a novel that I was able to finish within hours. I enjoyed it and plan on reading the second book to this.
The main character, Mitchum's 14-year-old cousin is abducted. Now he needs to track her down and figure out what happened.
This was a novel that I was able to finish within hours. I enjoyed it and plan on reading the second book to this.
February 14, 2017
Hidden
This was a good book but something was missing. I didn't like the way it ended even if there is a sequel to this it ended poorly. It was too abrupt. I was hoping for something more.
This was a good book but something was missing. I didn't like the way it ended even if there is a sequel to this it ended poorly. It was too abrupt. I was hoping for something more.
January 6, 2017
I wouldn't mind reading a full novel with these characters
October 23, 2018
One of Patterson’s ‘Book Shots’.
After he’s cousin, Bailey Mae goes missing it’s a race against time for Mitchum as he follows the clues to solve the mystery.
It’s an enjoyable quick read.
After he’s cousin, Bailey Mae goes missing it’s a race against time for Mitchum as he follows the clues to solve the mystery.
It’s an enjoyable quick read.
February 21, 2019
I expect more from Mr Patterson but since this is only the second short story I've read by him I'll let it pass.
March 1, 2019
I hadn't read a "bookshots" novella before, so this was a new experience. Hidden was densely packed with mystery, action, and thrill, in addition to a main character, Mitchum, who I could have read the exploits of for another 200 pages. I think that is my only negative critique on this. It felt like an episode of 24, where at the end of a daunting, fast paced roller coaster ride, you're left with more questions at the end of it than at the beginning. I definitely plan on reading any and all in this series. I can't wait to see what happens next.
March 2, 2017
I enjoyed this quick read and think that it will probably turn into a pretty enjoyable series.
There was just enough info to keep you interested, but not so much that you spent half the book lost.
Pretty good read
There was just enough info to keep you interested, but not so much that you spent half the book lost.
Pretty good read
March 15, 2017
In upstate New York, Mitchum delivers newspapers and acts as the unofficial private investigator for the town. He knows almost everyone who lives there, is related to quite a few, and almost became a Navy SEAL except he can't swim well enough. His 14 year old cousin goes missing so it's up to him to find her.
If you like lots of action in a book, this one is full of it. I think Mitchum would make a great character in a new series. Perhaps this will happen since, near the end of the book, one of the bad guys told Mitchum he would never forget him and would be thinking about what he could do to him to get even. The ending was a bit strange and I don't think the story is really over.
If you like lots of action in a book, this one is full of it. I think Mitchum would make a great character in a new series. Perhaps this will happen since, near the end of the book, one of the bad guys told Mitchum he would never forget him and would be thinking about what he could do to him to get even. The ending was a bit strange and I don't think the story is really over.
February 5, 2017
I guess I was expect a story like Michael Bennett story... but reading this book did noting for me. I struggle to finish... I can say IMO this was not a good story.
March 26, 2017
Not sure how I feel about these bookshots. This one didn't impress me at all. It read more like an episode of "Castle" than a James Patterson book.
April 2, 2018
Audiobook on the drive home. Nothing memorable, but passed the time.
February 2, 2018
This is my first of Patterson’s “Bookshots” reads, the short stories he has designed to deliver a quick, intense reading experience in one sitting. Patterson's new genre is designed to help those with busy lives to keep reading, providing a way to pass time waiting at an airport, in a doctor’s office or those few short hours between hitting the gym and heading out for an evening with friends at the local pub. The goal is to give the reader a quick satisfying experience, a shot of pure entertainment at a reasonable price. The books are marketed to be sold for less than five dollars each, well within the reach of most readers. It is what this new busy world needs. Not everyone has time for long leisurely reads these days.
This type of writing requires skills which are quite different from that of penning a novel. It is not easy to develop a good solid story and deliver it in about a hundred and fifty pages. It leaves the author little time or space for describing a context or developing characters yet still provide the reader with a satisfying reading experience. These small volumes are obviously fulfilling a need as they are flying off the shelves as quickly as they are published. For the most part, Patterson is partnering with other authors to produce these slim volumes, but in others he is the sole author.
In this one, readers are introduced to Mitchum, a young man who has been known simply by his last name since he was a child. Mitchum lives in Marlboro, a small quiet town in upstate New York. His regular job is delivering the newspapers in town with his loyal dog Bart Simpson, a job that keeps him in touch with everyone who lives there. But his unofficial role is that of private investigator, a role that helps him avoid thinking about the past, one littered with dead fiancées, missed opportunities and a messed up family. He has many relatives and they are scattered everywhere in this small town. They include his brother Nathanial, a drug dealer who has done time in the past.
Mitchum’s biggest disappointment was his failure to achieve his childhood dream of becoming a Navy Seal. He had started the course and was at the top of his class but couldn’t master the basic skill of swimming. After almost drowning in the Pacific he quit the course, a man who could fight and shoot but not swim well enough to qualify. During his time in the Navy, he had the opportunity to attend forensic and crime scene classes and has taken additional courses at the community college, so he has a good general understanding of the law. This background serves him well in his role as an investigator.
Mitchell is well liked in town and he enjoys helping others. His role often involves comforting older people rather than actually solving crimes and he stays away from the cheating and divorce cases. Still, he enjoys the work including being the person people turn to when they need help. The added benefit to this role is that he doesn’t have to prepare or document a criminal case, he can simply be where the action is and experience the satisfaction of being there for those who need him.
Mitchum swings into action when he learns that his favorite cousin, fourteen year old Bailey Mae is missing. As he tries to get information about her whereabouts, he learns she has recently been seen hanging out with Nate, his drug dealing brother and that has him worried. Then Mabel his favorite waitress at the local diner fails to appear for work and Bob and Francine Wilkes, an elderly couple, are found dead in their home, shot in the head. The quiet sleepy little town of Marlboro seems to have gone off the rails in a matter of days.
As Mitchum tries to find Bailey Mae and get a handle on whatever else is going on in town, he wonders if and how these events are connected. Has his drug dealing brother Nate seduced Bailey Mae into the world of drugs or are the new thugs in town trying to take over his brother’s established territory?
The “Bookshot" is definitely a different reading experience. Readers accustomed to richly crafted characters and time to become truly engaged and invested in a storyline may initially be disappointed. I did find the story interesting and I did like the character of Mitchum. The authors have dropped some hints that there might be additional books with the same character in the future and I would certainly move on to a second book if there is one. It will take me time to become accustomed to the “Bookshot Experience” but I definitely believe it has its place in the busy often fractured lives we live these days.
This type of writing requires skills which are quite different from that of penning a novel. It is not easy to develop a good solid story and deliver it in about a hundred and fifty pages. It leaves the author little time or space for describing a context or developing characters yet still provide the reader with a satisfying reading experience. These small volumes are obviously fulfilling a need as they are flying off the shelves as quickly as they are published. For the most part, Patterson is partnering with other authors to produce these slim volumes, but in others he is the sole author.
In this one, readers are introduced to Mitchum, a young man who has been known simply by his last name since he was a child. Mitchum lives in Marlboro, a small quiet town in upstate New York. His regular job is delivering the newspapers in town with his loyal dog Bart Simpson, a job that keeps him in touch with everyone who lives there. But his unofficial role is that of private investigator, a role that helps him avoid thinking about the past, one littered with dead fiancées, missed opportunities and a messed up family. He has many relatives and they are scattered everywhere in this small town. They include his brother Nathanial, a drug dealer who has done time in the past.
Mitchum’s biggest disappointment was his failure to achieve his childhood dream of becoming a Navy Seal. He had started the course and was at the top of his class but couldn’t master the basic skill of swimming. After almost drowning in the Pacific he quit the course, a man who could fight and shoot but not swim well enough to qualify. During his time in the Navy, he had the opportunity to attend forensic and crime scene classes and has taken additional courses at the community college, so he has a good general understanding of the law. This background serves him well in his role as an investigator.
Mitchell is well liked in town and he enjoys helping others. His role often involves comforting older people rather than actually solving crimes and he stays away from the cheating and divorce cases. Still, he enjoys the work including being the person people turn to when they need help. The added benefit to this role is that he doesn’t have to prepare or document a criminal case, he can simply be where the action is and experience the satisfaction of being there for those who need him.
Mitchum swings into action when he learns that his favorite cousin, fourteen year old Bailey Mae is missing. As he tries to get information about her whereabouts, he learns she has recently been seen hanging out with Nate, his drug dealing brother and that has him worried. Then Mabel his favorite waitress at the local diner fails to appear for work and Bob and Francine Wilkes, an elderly couple, are found dead in their home, shot in the head. The quiet sleepy little town of Marlboro seems to have gone off the rails in a matter of days.
As Mitchum tries to find Bailey Mae and get a handle on whatever else is going on in town, he wonders if and how these events are connected. Has his drug dealing brother Nate seduced Bailey Mae into the world of drugs or are the new thugs in town trying to take over his brother’s established territory?
The “Bookshot" is definitely a different reading experience. Readers accustomed to richly crafted characters and time to become truly engaged and invested in a storyline may initially be disappointed. I did find the story interesting and I did like the character of Mitchum. The authors have dropped some hints that there might be additional books with the same character in the future and I would certainly move on to a second book if there is one. It will take me time to become accustomed to the “Bookshot Experience” but I definitely believe it has its place in the busy often fractured lives we live these days.
May 28, 2021
Though it's too short to offer much in the way of plot or character development, HIDDEN delivers a pretty effective dose of hardboiled detective noir. Certainly, it's one of Patterson's better BookShots, though that might be damning it with faint praise. The ending bugged me, however. Now, I fully recognize that James O. Born (Patterson's co-author on this one) is more knowledgeable about such things than I, but it struck me as pretty ridiculous that the American government would be so dead set on secretly torturing a group of nice, innocent foreign nationals for basically no reason whatsoever. It's the sort of resolution I'd expect from a barefoot hippie experiencing a bad acid trip, not from a pair of legitimate thriller authors. The government agents in this story are so detestable that we never question the advisability of setting free everyone who was in their custody. In real life, though, it probably isn't the wisest policy to assume that everyone the U.S. government decides to waterboard is as innocent and pure as the wind-driven snow. If Patterson & co. wanted to tackle the ethics of government-sponsored torture, that would be one thing; but HIDDEN doesn't offer a debate, it offers a caricature.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2019
Mitchum is a unofficial private detective who washed out of SEAL training and lives in a small town surrounded by family. Kind of a pathetic existence for a former military man who seems bright and resourceful.
This book is about the search for a missing 14 year old cousin, Bailey Mae.
BookShot is a novella and this one did a decent job of introducing characters and throwing in some action. The mystery was strange, but I have to admit that I never saw it coming, though I don't think we were given clues to have a chance.
Not sure if I will continue with Mitchum's escapades, but I might try to listen to one more before I decide.
This book is about the search for a missing 14 year old cousin, Bailey Mae.
BookShot is a novella and this one did a decent job of introducing characters and throwing in some action. The mystery was strange, but I have to admit that I never saw it coming, though I don't think we were given clues to have a chance.
Not sure if I will continue with Mitchum's escapades, but I might try to listen to one more before I decide.
April 1, 2017
Not quite 3 stars.
June 30, 2018
Not his best
I find very few co authored books that are page turners. Not much to keep me interested. This one is a typical book factrory production.
I find very few co authored books that are page turners. Not much to keep me interested. This one is a typical book factrory production.
November 30, 2021
I have never read a James Patterson so I thought I would give a very short one a try. There is no need to ever read a longer one.
December 5, 2021
Not for me. Had a little bit of a twist in there that was unexpected but overall not great.
June 5, 2025
Great Read
This was an enjoyable read. This is the first book in the Mitchum series. In this book, we are introduced our main character, Mitchum, an unofficial private investigator in a quiet coastal town. He's the guy everyone turns to when something goes wrong. When his beloved teenage cousin Bailey goes missing, Mitchum launches his own relentless investigation. As he digs deeper, he uncovers dangerous secrets that threaten his family and his town. What starts as a local disappearance turns into something far more sinister. I thought that the story was great. It was fast-paced and engaging. I thought Mitchum was a great character. He stood out as a man who will get the job done no matter what and he is willing to go to any lengths to find out what went wrong. I would describe him as protective, smart and relentless for his investigations. I thought the ending was great. I can’t wait to read the next book. Malicious, here I come. Overall, a great read.
This was an enjoyable read. This is the first book in the Mitchum series. In this book, we are introduced our main character, Mitchum, an unofficial private investigator in a quiet coastal town. He's the guy everyone turns to when something goes wrong. When his beloved teenage cousin Bailey goes missing, Mitchum launches his own relentless investigation. As he digs deeper, he uncovers dangerous secrets that threaten his family and his town. What starts as a local disappearance turns into something far more sinister. I thought that the story was great. It was fast-paced and engaging. I thought Mitchum was a great character. He stood out as a man who will get the job done no matter what and he is willing to go to any lengths to find out what went wrong. I would describe him as protective, smart and relentless for his investigations. I thought the ending was great. I can’t wait to read the next book. Malicious, here I come. Overall, a great read.
March 13, 2019
I am really enjoying the Bookshots series as I lately seem to have little time to get some serious reading time in. Quick, fast paced and brilliant to read in one day. Hidden is one of these little gems. It's based on the character Mitchum who is the town's unofficial private eye. He was rejected from the Navy SEALs due to a issue with his swimming abilities. Having his childhood dream of being a Navy SEAL crushed has not deterred him in making a difference in people's lives. It is with the training he received that he is able to more than adequately defend himself, but also to track and solve crimes etc. When his 14 year old cousin is abducted, Mitchum has to pool his resources to find her. I really enjoyed the book and had post book depression afterwards - lol.
April 2, 2019
When I first encountered bookshots I thought that they were some kind of cliff notes and wanted nothing to do with them. Now however, I relish a "shot" between longer, more involved stories and find them quite refreshing. With no fluff and no filler, you can progress though the story easily without a lot of characters and events to keep in order. They are delightful "snack" books that are lightweight in every sense of the word, yet satisfying.
I will seek out more installments with private investigator Mitchum. I believe that he would be an excellent candidate for a tv series. He is knowledgeable of his craft, quite likeable, and has a good connection with his town that promises to provide endless plots and twists for future stories.
I will seek out more installments with private investigator Mitchum. I believe that he would be an excellent candidate for a tv series. He is knowledgeable of his craft, quite likeable, and has a good connection with his town that promises to provide endless plots and twists for future stories.
September 29, 2019
This is my first of what James Patterson calls his "Bookshots."...I'm old enough to remember these published items as novellas, but we digress..Like Joe Ide's IQ, Mitchum is an "unofficial" PI for his people...instead of serving a gritty urban neighborhood he serves his small hometown in Upstate NY...His teenage cousin is missing and feared kidnapped and Mitchum's family and friends embroil him in the search...his skills turn up a surprising secret that can threaten everyone...Okay!
August 1, 2017
Hidden is the first short story about a novice private investigator. Mitchum is a navy seal dropout who comes back to his home town. He delivers newspapers in the morning and then is the local PI for hire. I'm not sure how much I like Mitchum as a character... He is smart and dumb at the same time, taking risks where he really shouldn't. However, overall it was a good short story.
March 7, 2017
Interesting plot and characters - well narrated and recommended.
November 17, 2019
Private Eye Mitchum hunts for his missing teenage cousin and finds much more.
March 7, 2021
your classic gumshoe detective story except the protagonist is somehow related to everyone and the mystery's resolution is not very satisfying. surprised I finished it
September 8, 2024
Didn’t really get the plot. The storyline was off for me
November 1, 2023
An okay but quick read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 333 reviews