Hide and Seek

By: Jo A. Hiestand

Narrated by: Callum Hale

Playing a mystery game seems the perfect way to celebrate Jamie Kydd’s promotion to detective sergeant rank. But the game turns real when a body turns up in the pretend crime scene. Perhaps worse than spoiling the party, the corpse is someone Jamie knows.

Even though the police take on the case, Jamie asks his friend, former police detective Michael McLaren, to also investigate—concerned that the victim’s criminal past may dampen the Constabulary’s usual fervor to nab his killer. It seems to have been a smart decision, for the police aren’t expending a lot of energy on the inquiry.

Suspects float around McLaren…half truthful, hard to find. More like wraiths than flesh and blood. If the victim’s burglary partner, ex-wife, or childhood friend didn’t kill Dan, who did? It’s a desperate game between McLaren and a killer who’s playing hide and seek.

©2020 Jo A. Hiestand (P)2022 Jo A. Hiestand

Heart stopping

Hide and Seek by Jo A. Hiestand is an engaging mystery thriller and part of the McLaren mystery series. During a party to celebrate Jamie Kydd’s promotion to DS, the guests were playing a murder mystery game in the back garden. When an extra body shows up in the crime scene game, Jamie asks Michael McLaren to investigate the murder. The case has a lot if twists, turns, and other deaths, as it leads to some very unexpected places. The story and characters are very well written and the characters are believable in their behavior and interactions. I haven’t read the series in order, and it hasn’t been a problem. There is enough background and explanation that the books can be read as stand-alones. The narration by Callum Hale is wonderful. As I’m listening, it’s sometimes hard to remember that one narrator is uniquely voicing all the characters. I definitely recommend the book and series. I received a free audiobook code for my honest review.

Gripping!

I found this book absolutely gripping and found it difficult to put down. I loved the fact that Mike and his friend Jamie worked together in this book; that made it that much more enjoyable for me. Jo Hiestand has such a talent for descriptive characters, locations and suspenseful situations. Along with Callum Hale’s extraordinary narration it isn’t difficult to imagine yourself experiencing the story with the characters. I have to admit to looking forward to listening to each MacLaren Mystery and this one did not disappoint. Now to wait anxiously for the next one!

Great book

Very exciting and kept my interest so well. Enjoyed the switch. Narrator did a great job.

GLUED !! DESERVES ALL ITS KUDOS!!!

This book got the Best Book 2020- 5 Stars Winner and 2022 Best Audiobook and Best Audiobook Narrater awards!
Callum Hale embodied Michael and Jamie and the rest of the characters so well that I forgot, at times, that it wasn't a full cast. He does just as good a job with women's voices, which is a rare treat! I will be looking for more books from him. His awards are very richly deserved.
Now about the book - all of the books in the series are stand alone books. This is McLaren book 12 and still I didn't feel as though I had missed anything by starting with this one. (Sometimes you feel like you walked into the middle of a double feature and you're lost.) I was riveted to it from beginning to end, even while preparing meals and doing other chores with my earbuds in. I simply couldn't stop for anything.
I often know "who done it" very early on, but this ending came as a surprise and a real treat. I love when that happens!
I love cozy mysteries and this one was particularly special.
Ms. Hiestand gifted me this book without any expectations that I would review it. She was just being really nice when I wrote to ask her if she did audiobooks. ( Having temporary vision trouble, I must have misspelled her name and couldn't find any on Audible, of which there are actually several.)
I think you will be thrilled with any of her books whose plot description suits your fancy. She deserves every award
her writing has garnered!

What a brilliant performance by Callum Hale!

Summary –

Murder is no game to McLaren yet the killer mocks him at every turn. Celebrating Jamie’s promotion with a murder mystery game turns deadly when a body crashes the party. Worse yet, it’s someone Jamie knows. He calls on McLaren to investigate due to the police’s tainted view of the victim. McLaren agrees and it’s a slow process as the suspects aren’t talking. As the suspect list grows, McLaren senses he’s in the middle of a dangerous game of hide and seek. Every stone he uncovers, poof, the killer disappears. Can McLaren catch the killer before he becomes the next victim?

Narrator’s overall voice –

Callum Hale is a magnificent narrator, one of the best I’ve heard. His voice creates the imagery needed to follow the story. His soothing British accent works flawlessly for this story.

Does the narrator fit the characters?

Callum uses different dialects for each character which is beneficial while listening. There were many times I would close my eyes and could imagine what was going on. Callum also invokes emotion while hearing the mystery. I found myself getting carried away into the story.

Narrator’s reading style –

Callum’s reading style is the perfect rhythm, allowing the listener to be fully invested in the story.

Narrator’s impact on reading experience –

Callum makes this one of the best books I’ve listened to. Everything from his pacing to the inflection in his voice to the recreation of the characters to the emotional impact on the listener all combine to make this an outstanding performance.

Narrator’s pacing –

Callum’s pacing is lingering in parts, fast in others, on pace with the natural ebbs and flows of the story. It’s a delightful performance.

Audiobook flow –

The flow of the audiobook is right in line with the pace of the story. I submerged myself in the mystery and thoroughly adored it.

What makes this audiobook unique –

What a brilliant performance by Callum. He becomes McLaren, at least for my imagination.

Would I recommend this audiobook –

YES! It’s such a charming listen, especially for fans of British mysteries and mysteries.

My Rating: 5++ stars

Stunning!

This was a miraculous web that I never would have connected the dots to who done it. The suspense kept me listening raptly and guessing wrongly. I enjoyed every heart pounding minute.
I do love when they explain it all step by step at the end. Kudos ! I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest opinion. The narrator did an exceptional job bringing the characters and story to life.