October Book of the Month Discussion - Hidden by Kendra Elliot (SPOILER ZONE)

[Sandra]

Hidden by Kendra Elliot will be our new October Book of the Month. It is book 1 of the Bone Secrets Series. This will become a Spoiler Zone after Oct. 20.

Eleven years ago, the Co-Ed Slayer murdered nine female college students on the Oregon State University campus. Lacey Campbell barely survived his attack, but he killed her best friend, Suzanne, whose body was never found.

Now a forensic odontologist analyzing teeth and bones for the state medical examiner, Lacey is devastated when she identifies Suzanne’s remains at a crime scene. She finds comfort in the arms of ex-cop Jack Harper, and sparks fly between them even as a new reign of terror begins. Someone is killing the witnesses who sent the Co-ed Slayer to prison a decade ago. All the evidence points to the Co-ed Slayer as the culprit, only he’s long since dead. So who’s the new killer? And is Lacey next in line to die?

[Jonetta]

I'm assuming this is now a spoiler zone.

I'm about halfway through and am drawn to the story. However, I'm not crazy about how Lacey is managing her relationship with her former lover, Michael, and his interactions with Jack. It's almost like she's throwing fuel on the fire.

Character List
(view spoiler)[
Dr. Lacey Campbell: Forensic odontologist for the medical examiner. She's also a dental school instructor. She has long, wavy blond hair and dark brown eyes.
Jack Harper: Former police officer with the Lakeland Police Department, now in charge of Harper Developing. He owns the building where the skeleton was found. He has black hair and gray eyes.
Dr. Victoria Peres: Forensic anthropologist for the medical examiner. She's 6' with long black hair and is formidable.
Dr. James Campbell: Chief medical examiner for the state and Lacey’s father.
Terry Schoenfeld: Lakeland police officer. Former lineman for the University of Oregon and Jack's friend.
Suzanne Mills: Lacey's best friend and gymnastics teammate in college. She was abducted 10 years ago from Oregon State University by the Co-Ed Slayer.
Mason Callahan: Detective with the Oregon State Police Major Crimes Unit assigned to the skeleton case. His partner is Ray Lusco.
Ray Lusco: Detective with the Oregon State Police Major Crimes Unit assigned to the skeleton case. His partner is Mason Callahan.
Jake Callahan: Mason's 17-year old son.
Jill Lusco: Ray Lusco’s wife.
Dave DeCosta: Co-Ed Slayer.
Cal Trenton: Retired policeman who was abducted, tortured and murdered. Jack's former partner.
Michael Brody: Lacey’s ex-boyfriend now friend. He's a newspaper reporter with The Oregonian.
Melody Harper: Jack's older sister who manages Harper Developing's philanthropy and public relations.
Jacob Harper: Jack and Melody's father who started Harper Developing. He suffers from Alzheimer's disease.
Hillary Roske: One of the Co-Ed Slayer's victims and Jack's former girlfriend.
Amy Smith: Lacey's gymnastics teammate who died in a car accident.
Joseph Cochran: Former Benton County DA who prosecuted the DeCosta case.
Frank Stevenson: Lacey's ex, now married to Celeste.
Celeste Stevenson: Frank Stevenson's wife.
Sean Holmes: Janitor at the dental school.
Richard Buck: DeCosta's defense attorney.
Janice: Jack’s secretary.
Kelly Cates: Co-owner, with her husband Chris, of the gymnastics academy where Lacey volunteers. Mother of fourth grade daughter, Jessica. She's one of Lacey's closest friends and was on the college gymnastics team with her.
Chris Cates: Co-owner, with his wife Kelly, of the gymnastics academy where Lacey volunteers. Father of fourth grade daughter, Jessica.
Jessica Cates: Kelly and Chris's fourth grade daughter.
Alex Kinton: Former federal marshal. He's Jack's friend and college fraternity brother.
Bill Hendricks: One of Harper Development’s biggest accounts.
Janet Smith: Amy Smith’s mother.
Gary Smith: Amy Smith’s father.
Matt Petretti: Amy Smith's boyfriend at the time of her death.
Amelia: One of Lacey's best friends.
Jefferson Carson: Lacey's next door neighbor.
Sharon: ME’s office receptionist.
Javier Quintero: Man involved in a domestic dispute call Jack responded to when he was on the police force. Married to Rosalinda.
Rosalinda Quintero: Woman involved in the domestic abuse call. Married to Javier.
Linda DeCosta: Dave and Bobby DeCosta's mother. She's now called Lila.
Bobby DeCosta: Dave's younger brother, Linda's son.
Jim Tipton: Veterinarian near the compound where Linda now lives.
Sam Short: Farrier near Linda's compound.
Robert Costar: Owner of the property in Molalla.
Captain Pattison: SWAT team leader.
Jeff Cordova: SWAT team sniper.
Nick: Dental student.
Jerry: Dr. Campbell’s assistant.
(hide spoiler)]

[Tracey]

Jonetta wrote: "I'm assuming this is now a spoiler zone.

I'm about halfway through and am drawn to the story. However, I'm not crazy about how Lacey is managing her relationship with her former lover, Michael, a..."

I'm about 3/4 of the way through and I agree with you Jonetta. I'm screaming at her to stick up for Jack.

[Jonetta]

While I don't think Michael has anything to do with the murders, he creeps me out.

Lacey is a very frustrating character. She has this laissez faire attitude towards her scumbag husband and the one man who's interested in her (Jack) gets a hard time.

[Jonetta]

I finished this last night. After a rather plodding procession, the book had a pretty extremely exciting end. However, I'm really not too happy with the resolution regarding Kelly.

[Tracey]

I finished this last night and thought it was very clunky.

I actually didn't find the end exciting and at 88% was struggling to get to the end - normally at this stage, if a book is good, I cannot put it down. It felt like we didn't know who the killer was and then suddenly we did with no real build up - I just didn't feel the "oh wow, didn't see that one coming".

I also didn't like the ending with Kelly. I just found it really unbelievable. Why didn't Lacey see the resemblance in Jessica to Suzanne? Also her aunt "just took care of everything" - really?? Also her husband didn't seem to question it - again really??

Now I am writing the above I am wondering why I gave it 3 stars rather than 2. I guess because I did want to know what happened and it was an easy read.

I'm not sure that I will continue this series.

[Jonetta]

I thought the whole Kelly angle was just preposterous. She left that cabin and was willing to let Lacey die...she didn't go get help...just to protect her lie. Many people died because of her and Lacey just says she knows she won't be her friend anymore? Really?

Lol! I thought the ending was exciting...maybe because the rest plodded along so poorly.

I wrote in my review that I don't like it when I'm not given enough clues to deduce the killer and his/her motivation. We were just told a lot of information in the last 10% of the book. Subtle clues should have been placed throughout the story.

Also, apparently Bobby/Robert went dormant for many years. That doesn't make sense. There was nothing to suggest he'd stop his murderous behavior. That was a big plot hole for me.

[Sandra]

Okay...not sure I'll even bother with this series. Thanks for the info!

[Tracey]

Jonetta wrote: "I thought the whole Kelly angle was just preposterous. She left that cabin and was willing to let Lacey die...she didn't go get help...just to protect her lie. Many people died because of her and L..."

Very good point Jonetta! I did think this at the time but forgot in all my "excitement" over Jessica.

I just thought the ending was very formulaic.

Jonetta wrote: "Also, apparently Bobby/Robert went dormant for many years. That doesn't make sense. There was nothing to suggest he'd stop his murderous behavior. That was a big plot hole for me...."

Also another very good point!

[Jonetta]

Sandra ~ ♥ Cross My Heart ♥ wrote: "Okay...not sure I'll even bother with this series. Thanks for the info!"

This appears to be her debut and she seems to get better. I'm seeing lots of raves for spinoff and the next book sounds really good. I'm giving it at least two books before I decide.

[Sandra]

I'll rethink it & take a look when I have a bit more time to catch up with my reading. I also usually give a series at least 2 books before deciding to ditch it.

[Jonetta]

I'll let you know about the second one.

[Tracey]

I'm still thinking about whether I continue. You are correct in that it is only fair to give it another book but on the other hand I have so many books to read!

[Sandra]

That's my "problem", Tracey...I have so many books to read that I Know are great that I hesitate to spend time on one that is just mediocre. But I do like to give series a chance...we'll see.

[Jonetta]

One other thing that struck me in the story. Callahan and Lusco didn't seem to be that integral to the solving of this case. She made them seem almost inept.

[Tracey]

Jonetta wrote: "One other thing that struck me in the story. Callahan and Lusco didn't seem to be that integral to the solving of this case. She made them seem almost inept."

Very true. They seemed to be there as the token investigators but they weren't very effective!

[Sheri]

the book overall wasn't written all that well. the ending was exciting but the whole thing with Kelly really bothered me as well. if it hadn't be for Callahan I may not have read but knowing it might answer questions in the other series I thought I would read. I am going to read the next one Chilled and see if it gets better. if not I might just finish the other series.

[Jonetta]

Same here, Sheri.

[Lauren]

I'm going to be reading this one in June if anyone wants to join me.

[Agnieszka]

Lauren wrote: "I'm going to be reading this one in June if anyone wants to join me."

I'm in :-)

[Lauren]

Great!

[Sandra]

I would love to try to work it in...I'll have to see how that goes.

[Susan]

I have this all ready to read. I am in also

[Agnieszka]

I read the book last week-end and loved it. It's a hell of a debut novel. I'm ready to disuss it any time :-)

[Lauren]

I will only be getting to it in June. I'll come back and comment as I read.

[Agnieszka]

Lauren wrote: "I will only be getting to it in June. I'll come back and comment as I read."

I knew up front you won't be able to read it as early as I'll read it, so I just thought I let you know. As soon as you and Susan are ready to discuss I'm looking forward. For now I only say enjoy your reading :-)

[Lauren]

Thanks Agnieszka :0)

[Lauren]

I will be starting today

[Lauren]

Comments up to chapter 5 (including):

It's good so far although the writing isn't the best - a bit too much telling rather than showing.

I found it strange that Lacey did not make the connection between (view spoiler)[the body and her friend Suzanne's disappearance sooner, i.e., as soon as she saw the teeth braces. For such a traumatic event, she sure seemed to forget it easily enough. (hide spoiler)]

Lacey has an original occupation though - forensic odontology. Dr. Peres reminds me of Bones :0)

I'm assuming that it is not a coincidence that the killer decided to (view spoiler)[dump the bones in Jack Harper's building. There is obviously a larger agenda at work her considering Jack used to be Cal's partner. (hide spoiler)]

[Lauren]

Comments up to chapter 17 (not including):

The writing is getting better with each page and the story is grabbing me. I like that fact that (view spoiler)[we get the killer's POV because this ratchets up the tension for me (hide spoiler)]

The killer - (view spoiler)[Is very disturbing. The scene with the dog really upset me. I hate it when animals are abused.

I'm still trying to figure out his connection to DeCosta and why he's trying to involve Jack in the case. (hide spoiler)]

Lacey's exes - (view spoiler)[To be honest, I'm surprised that she has both an ex-husband AND an ex-lover. It seems excessive, especially considering Lacey's traumatic experiences.

Regardless of the details of their history (which I haven't gotten to yet), Frank is a total ass! Talking to Lacey like that in public is just wrong. You want to have it out with her, do it in private.

His new wife is also really smarmy... what's with the looks she gave Jack?

Michael is definitely weird. I also don't think that he's the killer (too tall), but his possessiveness with regard to Lacey is inappropriate. (hide spoiler)]

[Lauren]

I'm on chapter 31 and have a weird theory based on Suzanne's baby and the idea that (view spoiler)[she is Kelly's daughter, Jessica.

In that case, the killer is Kelly and she only thinks of herself as a man. Perhaps she was one of DeCosta's victims or she was always his accomplice. She killed the girls in Mount Junction because she viewed them as rivals.

It's far fetched but makes sense is a strange way. It will be interesting to see if I'm right :0) (hide spoiler)]

[Lauren]

Finished!

So my theory didn't pan out although some of the guesses were accurate. I just knew that (view spoiler)[Kelly was involved somehow. (hide spoiler)]

I'm always astounded at the lengths some people will go to to (view spoiler)[have a child. I think that colluding with a serial killer might just me the most incredible! (hide spoiler)]

All in all, it was a pretty good thriller. The romance aspect was weaker and the writing needs work, but isn't too bad for a debut book.

[Lauren]

Jonetta wrote: "She has this laissez faire attitude towards her scumbag husband and the one man who's interested in her (Jack) gets a hard time. "

I know what you mean about her attitude toward Frank. It really irritates me when (view spoiler)[women refuse to press charges against men who assault them! (hide spoiler)]

[Lauren]

Jonetta wrote: "However, I'm really not too happy with the resolution regarding Kelly. "

Me either! (view spoiler)[People are dead because of her inaction and she isn't going to pay for that. That's wrong! (hide spoiler)]

This aspect of the story lacks foundation. In fact, a lot of details seem to be added as an afterthought because the author needed to establish something and included the information when she needed it. Not enough use of foreshadowing to allow the reader to follow the clues.

Another thing that caught my eye was just how many characters had (view spoiler)[had mentally handicapped siblings. By my last count it was 4 ... (hide spoiler)]

I'm interested enough in Alex and Michael to read the next book, and my issues with the writing are minor enough not to detract from the reading experience.

[Jonetta]

Lauren, everyone that's moved forward in the series says the writing improves significantly.

I hadn't realized the number of characters with (view spoiler)[handicapped siblings (hide spoiler)]. I wonder if this was intentional.

[Agnieszka]

Looks like I posted it originally in the wrong thread :-)

Lauren wrote: "Comments up to chapter 5 (including): ...For such a traumatic event, she sure seemed to forget it easily enough."

It's just because of the trauma. The deeper the trauma the deeper the risk your subcounsciousness burries it that deep you loose any access to all the details around the trauma and many areas linked with it. Since I'm fighting against that kind of stuff on a daily basis I was really able to understand her partially in this point.

I was so sucked into the story I didn't realise any big issues with the writting - plus I'm not a native speaker :-)

No comments on the location of the dump side of the bones from me yet, don't want to spoil anything ;-)

Lauren I'm absolutely on the same page about the killer, he's so creepy and I realised very late who he really is double creepy.

Frank - I so hated this character, each time he appears I wished I could get into the book and strangle him - a really nasty one.

I didn't like Michael even if I could understand (to a certain degree) why he acted the way he did but still I'm totally on the same page absolutely inappriopriate.

[Agnieszka]

Even if it most of the parts around Kelly bother me the only one I don't agree with is that she willingly cooperated with the serial killer. In the beginning she didn't know it was Suzanne's daughter. OK she should have asked more questions but I think it's pretty difficult in a situation when it fells like you life feels apart and this child felt like the solution - so I really understand the way she acted in the beginning - until she realized the truth. Even than I understand to a degree why she didn't act on her knowledge - it seems like Rob/Bobby stopped killing and there was no need to endanger her marriage and family by revealing the truth.
Only that she didn't open the mouth as soon as he became active again and she was rather willing to sacrifice Lace's life than finally open her mouth, that was what I really didn't understand and still have touble with.

[Lauren]

Jonetta wrote: "I hadn't realized the number of characters with (view spoiler). I wonder if this was intentional.."

I think it was.

[Lauren]

Agnieszka wrote: " so I really understand the way she acted in the beginning - until she realized the truth."

I cannot understand her behavior at all. It was pure self-interest. She might not have known in the beginning that Bobby was a killer but she did know that the baby's origins were questionable. She just didn't care because it suited her, and once she did realize, and knew that Bobby had kept Suzanne prisoner AND taken her baby, she didn't do the right thing. For all she knew, Suzanne was still being kept prisoner! There is no excuse for her actions.

[Agnieszka]

Laurend did you really understood why he dumped the bones at Jack's building? I still think it has to do with the fact he was Cal's partner but my main theory was rather it was kind of red herring that developed kind of independent existence/life of its own and a way of introducing and establishing Jack as one of both main characters. How do you think about it?

[Lauren]

He explained in one of his internal dialogues that he wanted to divert attention on to Jack because he had been a suspect in one of the earlier disappearances.

Of course, it was the author's way of introducing Jack and getting him involved in the case.

[Agnieszka]

I loved it how his diversion became his biggest problem in the end / kind of biggest mistake :-)

[Agnieszka]

Lauren wrote: "Agnieszka wrote: " so I really understand the way she acted in the beginning - until she realized the truth."

I cannot understand her behavior at all. It was pure self-interest. She might not have..."

You're right I always forget what we know doesn't reflect the knowledge of the characters. I just didn't think about that in her reality there was a chance Suzanne was still alive and her actions could lead to her freedom. Seeing it that way - it was really not responsible to stay silent. Thank you!

[Lauren]

Agnieszka wrote: "Seeing it that way - it was really not responsible to stay silent. Thank you! ."

Sure thing!
I enjoy books that have an extra dimension of moral ambiguity in them :0)

[Jonetta]

Kelly's actions were just awful. She was selfish and put people's lives at risk.

[Lauren]

Jonetta wrote: "Kelly's actions were just awful. She was selfish and put people's lives at risk."

Agreed Jonetta. I think that I might even despise her more than the killer. He was rather pathetic in his own way, but she should have known better.

[Jonetta]

Lauren wrote: "I think that I might even despise her more than the killer...."

That's exactly how I felt in the end. It left a bitter taste knowing that she paid no price for her actions.

[Agnieszka]

Jonetta wrote: "That's exactly how I felt in the end. It left a bitter taste knowing that she paid no price for her actions."

I see it exactly the same. On the other hand that's life how often peoople hurt others and don't have to deal with the consequences. I think that's what I like most about this book it was really realistic.