The Hidden (The Secret Tales #4) by Sanna Brand/Vicki Stiefel
@vickistiefelauthor
@vickistiefel
In the quiet wilds of Devon, Lady Amalie Northbrooke has carved out a life on her own terms—breeding her cherished basset hounds and protecting Mere Manor, the estate left to her by tragedy. Though unseasoned in society, she is no stranger to independence…until danger finds her.
When her long-absent brother, Lord Westlake, returns after eleven years, his homecoming should mend what time has stolen. Instead, his arrival unsettles her. Familiar places feel altered. Trusted routines begin to unravel. And loyalties she once took for granted begin to fracture.
A violent encounter draws Amalie into the orbit of Dr. Richard Cartwell, Lord Haven—steady, perceptive, and impossible to ignore. In his company, she catches her first glimpse of a world beyond the one she has always known—and of a connection as unexpected as it is undeniable.
Then Mere Manor's fragile peace is shattered by an unexplained death, and Amalie can no longer dismiss the quiet dread creeping through her home.
With only Dr. Cartwell as an unlikely ally, she is drawn into a web of secrets where every answer leads to greater danger, every shadow hides another threat, and someone is watching her far too closely.
Because the truth is not merely hidden.
It waits with claws and teeth.
StoryGraph | Goodreads | Smashbomb | BookBub
4 out of 5 (Great)
THE HIDDEN is the fourth book in The Secret Tales series, and the first one about a new set of characters, although they are still linked to the first three books. I don't think you have to read them as this stands by itself nicely, but for deeper insight into various characters, you may want to. Plus, they're great reads.
Amalie is at home in Mere Manor. She's never 'come out' to the Ton, and is happy that way. She has her dogs and her horse. What more could she want? Apart from her parents still being alive and her brother back from who knows where, that is. Her aunt and uncle live with her, as she will only receive her inheritance when she turns twenty-five, which is still three years away. Her peaceful life begins to go awry when she is held hostage when someone holds up the Post Office. Not all of it is bad, though, as she meets Dr Richard Cartwell.
This was a great read, and I loved how Claire was in it, even if it was only for a short while. Amalie is a good-hearted woman who refuses to allow the rules of the time to run her life. She will do as her heart wishes because, after all, she lives out in the wilds of Devon. Richard was definitely her perfect partner, in that he only obeyed the rules as and when it suited his purposes. He was both caring and compassionate, while still having that protective vibe over Amalie. One thing he didn't do was stifle her.
The mystery side of things was well-written. None of it came as a surprise apart from Lydia, but I was content to just read and let things develop in their own time, rather than trying to guess ahead. I was still left with questions at the end, but it was more about various happenings or characters than the mystery itself.
I'm so glad we're getting Jenny and Alex's story next, and I can't wait to continue with this series. Definitely recommended by me.
** The same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian
Award-winning author Vicki Stiefel now also writes as Sanna Brand, whose Regency Romance, THE HIDDEN (The Secret Tales, Book 4) follows THE SEER. Vicki’s romantisy series, The Made Ones Saga, began with Altered. She continues work on her Afterworld Chronicles, begun with Chest of Bone. Her mystery/thrillers feature homicide counselor Tally Whyte, and Vicki’s love of knitting produced Chest of Bone: The Knit Collection and 10 Secrets of the LaidBack Knitters.
At present, she is tapping the keys for The Defiant, Alex and Jenny’s novel, book five in The Secret Tales.
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/vickistiefel
Comments