Hidden (Bone Secrets #1) by Kendra Elliot (Start Date: May 29, 2017)

[Phoenix (Online Elf), Moderator]

Hidden by Kendra Elliot

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?

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[Phoenix (Online Elf), Moderator]

Reserved.

[ShoSho , Moderator]

I'm in.

[Carly - Resident Supergirl]

I'm in! These books sound good, and I like that its a different story/chars each time!

[Lauren]

I'm in too!

[Anita]

I've had this series on Mt. TBR for awhile. I've gotten some ARC's by Kendra Elliot and really like her style.

[CD {Boulder Blvd}]

This was my least favorite book of this series. So if this one doesn't appeal to you, they get better (IMO).

[Anita]

Good to know going in. Since I've already read so really good books by her, I can forgive a clunker.

[Vicki]

I'm in

[Robin]

I'm going to try to fit this one into my reading.

[Carly - Resident Supergirl]

Poo a little disappointed none of these books are at the library not even an e-book :( weird!

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Carly - Resident Supergirl wrote: "Poo a little disappointed none of these books are at the library not even an e-book :( weird!"

Are you still joining us? I hope you do :)

[Carly - Resident Supergirl]

*groan* Yes, but will have to pay 5 bucks per ebook SO if I'm not SUPER into it after the first one will gauge if I continue or not!

[Anita]

I am cheap, so I won't spend the money unless I know and like the author and can't get it through my library. I'm really blessed to have the most awesome library system. They have everything.

[Carly - Resident Supergirl]

I'm jealous Anita! Mine usually has at least everything for the most part on ebook download rental but alas, not this! :(

I'll spare 5 bucks to give the first book a try but like I said if I am not super into it, going to have to duck out ;-/

[Anita]

My library system doesn't have it as e-book, but they have the whole series in paperback. I'm fortunate to live within walking distance of a branch for 3 different library systems, one of which is the largest in the state. I can almost always find a book I want.

[⚜️XAR]

I'm going to be following along on the discussion. I've read the book ages ago and really enjoyed it!

[Carly - Resident Supergirl]

Sigh...sorry ladies going to have to back out on this one :( have so many other titles I want to read that i can get free from the library in one form or another, and yeah...hopefully can jump in on another series at some point!

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Carly - Resident Supergirl wrote: "Sigh...sorry ladies going to have to back out on this one :( have so many other titles I want to read that i can get free from the library in one form or another, and yeah...hopefully can jump in o..."

It would have been great to have you Carly, but you are right. When there are so many series that you can get for free from the library... I'd probably do the same.

[Carly - Resident Supergirl]

ShoSho wrote: "Carly - Resident Supergirl wrote: "Sigh...sorry ladies going to have to back out on this one :( have so many other titles I want to read that i can get free from the library in one form or another,..."

Yeah...I like being able to talk about the books live reading style, so hopefully a buddy read will pop up or something!

[Gisela, Moderator]

Carly - Resident Supergirl wrote: "hopefully a buddy read will pop up or something..."

Are there any you would like to suggest?

[Carly - Resident Supergirl]

Gisela wrote: "Carly - Resident Supergirl wrote: "hopefully a buddy read will pop up or something..."

Are there any you would like to suggest?"

Really want an excuse to read another Vi Keeland novel, I was head over heels about The Baller...been eyeballing and

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Carly - Resident Supergirl wrote: "Gisela wrote: "Carly - Resident Supergirl wrote: "hopefully a buddy read will pop up or something..."

Are there any you would like to suggest?"

Really want an excuse to read another Vi Keeland no..."

I really liked Bossman.

[Lisa Kay, Moderator]

ShoSho wrote: "I really liked Bossman."

Did you listen to it on audio? I just bought the audio.

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Lisa Kay wrote: "ShoSho wrote: "I really liked Bossman."

Did you listen to it on audio? I just bought the audio."

Yes It was a good audio. Loved it.

[Carly - Resident Supergirl]

I'd be listening on audio too I love that these books are on eaudiobook format, just hook my tablet up to the Aux port in my car and rent it from library :)

[Gisela, Moderator]

Carly - Resident Supergirl wrote: "I'd be listening on audio too I love that these books are on eaudiobook format, just hook my tablet up to the Aux port in my car and rent it from library :)"

I borrowed . Want to BR? If so when?

[Lisa Kay, Moderator]

Oh, I just bought that one, Gisela. I'm up for it anytime.

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Are we all ready?

[ShoSho , Moderator]

I'm on chapter 4 I think!
So far so good
(view spoiler)[
I hope Lacy being one of the medical examiners on the scene is not a coincident but an elaborate plan of whoever put the remains under the building! I don't these kinds of coincidences in my crime novels! (hide spoiler)]

[Lauren]

Comments up to chapter 5 (including):

It took me a while to get into the writing style. A bit too much telling and not enough 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 agree with your spoiler, ShoSho. 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)]

[ShoSho , Moderator]

I don't mind the writing style. I'm listening to the audio and it's a good narrator.
As someone who on occasion forgets very important facts, I didn't find it strange at all. It would be something I can easily do!

Do you think we'll get Dr Perez's book?

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Chapter 17

(view spoiler)[
eep that video , is the baby alive? From the killer's POVs, it doesn't seem like it.Even if it's alive, it's not living with the killer.
The one they arrested, was he just an accomplice? Did they kill together? Who is Susan's baby's father?
This is turning out to be more gruesome and scary than what I thought. (hide spoiler)]

[Lauren]

Comments up to chapter 17 (not including):

The story is quite darker, but it really grabbed 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, 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 don't think that he's the killer (too tall), but his possessiveness with regard to Lacey is inappropriate. (hide spoiler)]

Suzanne's baby - (view spoiler)[Yes, I also think the baby is alive. (hide spoiler)]

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Lauren are you reading again?

(view spoiler)[
The killer's POV is great. It brings up the book a notch or 2!
It seems everyone is connected to everyone at this point. I can't figure out what is the connection between the killer and Jack and Dacosta.
I don't like Frank and his wife. I don't think they have anything to do with the murders though.
As for Michael I think he's still in love with her. That's why he's acting like that.I like him and his interactions with Jack. Jack was acting like an ass when he showed him the video of that kiss!
It seems he's going to get his own book. (hide spoiler)]

[ShoSho , Moderator]

I'm on chapter 27
(view spoiler)[
Is the killer Dacosta's younger brother? It wasn't mentioned until now that he had a younger brother and it fits because both their fathers are not in the picture! (hide spoiler)]

[Lauren]

Yup I read it again because it's been a while.
On the re-read I would up my rating to 3.5 stars. The issues that bugged me the first time didn't annoy me as much and I really liked the thriller elements even if the romance was only so-so.

When I originally read the book, my theory was that (view spoiler)[Kelly was the killer, which was wrong although she was involved.

The idea of colluding with a serial killer so that you can have a child is really sick though. (hide spoiler)]

[Robin]

Lauren wrote: "Comments up to chapter 5 (including):

It took me a while to get into the writing style. A bit too much telling and not enough showing.

I was thinking the same thing, Lauren. I was a few chapters in before I got used to her writing.

[Robin]

I just got to Chapter 27. (view spoiler)[ I don't know who the killer is. Maybe it's Kelly's husband. (She's the friend that is currently missing.) I can't remember his name. He knew many of the victims (Amy, Suzanne) when he was dating Kelly. Kelly said he never showed up the night Suzanne was taken and Lacey was injured. (hide spoiler)]

Other than him, I don't have an actual suspect.

[Robin]

Suzanne's baby - (view spoiler)[ Where is the child? Did the killer get her pregnant or was she already pregnant when she was kidnapped? Did he take her because she was pregnant? (hide spoiler)]

[ShoSho , Moderator]

I'm done. I started this book with very low expectation and it turned out much better than I though!

My thoughts on the book
(view spoiler)[

I really liked the mystery and how it went down. Getting the killer's POV helped with that. It always makes it scarier.

I also liked getting Michael's and Mason's POVs. I'm guessing they are going to get their own books.

Kelly: I didn't suspected her of anything, until she showed up at the cabin even then I wasn't sure what was going on. From Frank's POV I knew she had a secret but couldn't guess what.
I can't imagine figuring out the baby you are raising as your own is actually your missing friend's daughter and not telling anyone! I didn't see Kelly as a bad person but she was. She could have saved many lives. She could have lost the baby and her husband in the process but how could she live with that on her conscious?

The mystery could have been a bit tighter and cleaner (the whole thing with the baby...) but I really enjoyed the audiobook with the great narration. She made the characters come alive.

As for the romance, I didn't mind it at all! It started with instant attraction and lust and it went from there. (hide spoiler)]

[Robin]

Just finished the book. (view spoiler)[ I actually thought that Kelly had been kidnapped. She had me fooled. I can't believe she knew who was doing the killing and didn't open her mouth.

ShoSho, I'm assuming Michael and Mason will both get their own books too. I liked both characters, though Michael was a little hard to take at times.

Overall, I liked the book but didn't love it. Someone mentioned the next book in the series is stronger. I look forward to it. (hide spoiler)]

[Lauren]

I agree with you both about (view spoiler)[Kelly. Her behavior was simply despicable (hide spoiler)]

[Jonetta]

I read this earlier. (view spoiler)[No excuse for Kelly's behavior. Not a fan. (hide spoiler)]

[CD {Boulder Blvd}]

My problem was that I didn't really care too much for Lacey and Jack. For me there was way too much drooling over each other. And then there's Kelly - enough said.

I am a fan of this series and loved books 3 (Michael's story) and 5.