The Ways We Hide

By: Kristina McMorris

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

From New York Times and bestselling author of Sold on a Monday comes a riveting tale of a woman whose recruitment to British intelligence during WWII leads to a harrowing journey of love, betrayal, and a deadly game of chance

Haunted by an unfathomable tragedy in a Michigan copper-mining town, Fenna Vos has learned to focus on her own survival, even as World War II rages on. Now, she performs with an escape artist. Her honed ability to control her surroundings and elude entrapments, physical or otherwise, helps her run from the trauma of her youth.

Then, Fenna is recruited by British intelligence. Tasked with creating escape tools to thwart the Germans, MI9 seeks those with specialized skills for a war nearing its breaking point. Though reluctant, Fenna joins an unconventional group of inventors and proves herself worthy of the cause. But for Fenna, delving deeper into the fray means a pivotal confrontation with her past, and the stakes are more treacherous than she ever imagined.

©2022 Kristina McMorris (P)2022 Recorded Books

historical fiction light

The problem with this book is that I kept waiting for the story to start. I'd anticipated a revealing story about how magicians helped British Intelligence in the war against Germany. Instead, I slogged through hours and hours listening to a narrator I don't care for, hoping we'd soon get Fenna into Germany where her magician superpowers would help her find Avi (?) and get him back to England. Once she got there, instead of intense close calls and gadgets reminiscent of Q in James Bond novels, I found myself just rolling my eyes. Yes, there's one surprise. But it couldn't save the story. I label it "historical fiction light."

Awesome story

Such a great book. Enjoyed it very much and will recommend it to friends. Will look for more books by this author!

Loved every minute

I absolutely loved this book. It was creatively written while still capturing the time period of WWII. The characters were interesting and the plot cohesive but not predictable. I couldn’t stop listening.

Overused Formula

While I appreciate the historical research, it feels like I’ve read this similar story far too many times! NOTHING new in prose or narration is presented in this book. The writing seemed SO formulated that I found myself rolling my eyes like one might do at hearing sophomoric dialogue on a TV sit-com. On the narration, I’ve always thought Ms. Campbell’s performances quite good and entertaining. However, I’ve either heard her narrate too often or she does not have much variety in her character voices. Every German character’s voice sounded exactly as it did when she voiced a German character in her previous narrations; every child, etc. Definitely wish I did not spend a credit on this book; should have waited until it eventually became part of the Audible Unlimited Library.

Illusions and War

WWII historical fiction is not normally my go-to. However, this story offered a different insight into the time period and the war. The main character has childhood trauma, which creates commitment issues within her adult life. The character's love of Houdini and illusions along with the ability to create and complete tricks adds a nice slant to the story. However, when she finds herself in an undercover mission, she has to face everything she's been hiding from for all of these years. It's a beautiful story.

Amazing as an audiobook

I have both a written copy of this book as well as the audiobook version. I much prefer the audiobook. The narrator does a fabulous job bringing each of these characters to life with different accents. She also puts just the right amount of emotion into the story so that it feels natural and believable.

The story itself is an epic WWII tragedy with a strong female protagonist who survives much tragedy and tries to reconcile her past with her future. There’s stage magic, MI9, and a secret mission involved all based on actual events. There’s also romance and a recounting of the heroine’s childhood which leads to many of her decisions later in the story.

It slowed a bit in the middle for me hence the four star rating, but the last quarter of the book was hard to put down.

Worth listening to

Good solid story, underlying theme of magic makes more interesting. However at times somewhat overly melodramatic.

well done and very interesting story

loved it. wanted the story to continue. very realistic while entertaining. highly recommend.
especially if you like historical fiction

Beautifully Written, Entirely Unique Story, well told.

First, I must say…the narrator is FANTASTIC. VERY WELL READ. The story itself is stunning, completely unique, well told, fascinating account of one woman’s life through some utterly fascinating historical times. As a young girl, Finna struggles through a horrific trauma and the Great Depression. As a young woman, she breaks her own heart overcome by fear she could never be a “normal” wife and mother. But, she then sets off on an absolutely UNREAL adventure, during WWII while using her rare talent to help the Allied Cause… I won’t say more, don’t want to give anything away, but it is a WONDERFUL, beautiful story, and well well written

A World War II story from a different angle

I really enjoyed how the author unfolded this story and added the skills of illusion throughout.
I have read a lot of WW II historical fiction but this one was refreshingly different.