Hidden Beneath the Pines: All Families Have Secrets

by Mike Walters

A BATTERED EX-WIFE.
A FLOATING BODY WASHING UP ON A LAKESHORE.
ALL FINGERS POINT TO ONE MAN.
FAMILY SECRETS CAN'T BE KEPT FOREVER.

Out of curiosity, an esteemed businessman Matt Walker, concerned by an unexpected phone call he receives from an estranged ex-wife heads to the home they once shared and to his dismay walks into a crime scene. Thinking they have their man, seasoned detective Mara Graley, and a rookie partner with anger issues are surprised when the ex, sobbing but relieved, rushes into Walker's arms. For a short time, the detectives shift their focus until later that evening a body washes up on the lakeshore of Walker's current home.

Now the prime suspect, in a race between the actual killer on the loose and detectives breathing down his neck, Walker is forced into a challenging predicament to clear his name and protect those he loves.

Walters uses his beloved Southern Oregon as the stories backdrop and keeps you turning pages, and wondering who did it, to the end.

Genres: Thriller

325 pages, Paperback

First published December 2, 2018

About the author

Mike Walters writes character-driven thrillers exploring family secrets, trauma, and resilience against the atmospheric backdrop of the Pacific Northwest. His novels blend psychological depth with genuine suspense, inviting readers into stories where what families hide is as dangerous as any external threat.

His bestselling novel, Hidden Beneath the Pines, introduced readers to his signature style: complex characters caught between protection and deception, set in Southern Oregon's haunting landscape. Memories of an Ash Covered Sky deepens this exploration, following a father and daughter forced to confront decades of silence and betrayal in the shadow of wildfire. His debut duology, The Rogue River Incident (Books I & II), blends mystery with supernatural elements, while The Good Sheriff offers a gripping character study of a lawman navigating moral complexity in a small town.

With a voice that's introspective, unflinching, and deeply human, Walters captures the emotional weight of unresolved pasts, the ache of family estrangement, and the redemptive possibility of finally speaking the truth. Perfect for fans of Chelsea Cain's character-driven Portland thrillers or Rene Denfeld's atmospheric explorations of trauma and survival, his novels linger long after the final page.

Mike is currently working on another Good Sheriff mystery. Sheriff Maxwell Wilcox returns, navigating unexpected death and a killer hiding among countless suspects. He must enlist outside resources to bring a killer to justice.
Discover more at mikewaltersnovels.com.

Reviews

[C.L.]

Hidden Beneath the Pines is an action packed story which explores the experience of four very different people... the suspect, his wife and two detectives - all of whom are searching for the killer. This can sometimes require a “reset” as a reader, but the author works to develop distinct voices for each to make them unique. The author has a nice tongue-in-cheek humor which makes the narrative fun. Another thing Walters does exceptionally well is highlight the beautiful home of Oregon which reads loud and clear throughout the prose. Overall, I will continue to read Walters and am excited to see how this Indie Author progresses.

[Sheila Myers]

A very good novel with a fast-paced, exciting plot. Mike Walters developed some great characters and it was enjoyable reading about how each changed over the course of the story. Unfortunately, the Kindle edition needs some editing before I'd rate it as a 5.

[melanie adams]

Good read

This story was a very good read...and I enjoyed reading it, I would recommend it to others and I know that they would like it, too.