These Things Hidden

By: Heather Gudenkauf

Narrated by: Ali Ahn, Angela Lin, Angela Goethals

Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Author Heather Gudenkauf won instant acclaim for her USA Today and New York Times best-selling debut, The Weight of Silence.

Once the golden child of tiny Linden Falls, Iowa, Allison Glenn watches her reputation crumble as she is sent to prison for five years—convicted of a terrible crime. But what really happened that fateful night? Allison’s younger sister is the only other person who knows the truth. Now out of prison, Allison is more desperate than ever to set the record straight, but the revelation of the truth could have far-reaching consequences.

©2011 Heather Gudenkauf (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

These things hidden

Started out strong and full of mystery, but got a little slow in the middle. The ending was disappointing, but did leave a little surprise in its content.

Fun x-country listen

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I was looking for a book for the road and this one is fast-paced with many reveals. Made a long drive way more fun.

What was one of the most memorable moments of These Things Hidden?

Good plot-twists and risky plotline with female protagonist.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

They all sounded a little the same. That wasn't great.

If you could take any character from These Things Hidden out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I am so happy I don't need to go to dinner with anyone from this audiobook.

Good story but I expected different..

If you could sum up These Things Hidden in three words, what would they be?

expected different story

What did you like best about this story?

I love the multiple person narration.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

I think I identified the most with the character Charm but all of the characters were great.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My reaction was that I was sad that the characters in the story didn't have the guidance they needed.

Any additional comments?

Great book but not what I expected. The plot summary is just a tad misleading. While I was surprised at the ending, I was expecting the story to be conspiratorial and deliberate rather then about choices and selfish actions. Overall was glued to the book and it was definitely worth the purchase,just not the story I expected .

A Poignant Story That Teaches Tolerance

These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf is the poignant story of four women affected in different ways by a terrible tragedy. By allowing the reader see the the other side of terrible wrong and its consequence on the innocent and the guilty, one cannot but leave it with more tolerance for those caught in traps of their own making.

Good listen

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend it because it kept you wondering what was going to happen and the characters were very real.

Which scene was your favorite?

How endearing she was to her Step father when he was dying

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

A Win for Multiple Narrators

Any additional comments?

I loved the mystery and drama of this story. The multiple narrators and multiple points of view kept the story moving and made you love each character. I also enjoy when a book goes between past and present as the story evolves. The author did a great job at this.

Not a fan

Hated the narration Allison was ok but the rest not so much..especially the voice of Joshua wanted to plug my ears

great psychological thriller

This book is narrated by, Ali Ahn , Angela Lin, and Angela Goethals each telling the different perspectives I thought their narration was well done, however, their voices were all very similar and if you are going to have multiple narrators of the different women their voices should have been a bit more distinct.


This was my first book by Heather Gudenkauf and I like the way she writes. This book is told in alternating chapters by Alison who has just been released from prison for a heinous crime she committed as a teenager, her sister Brynn who has had to live with the shame of having Alison for a sister, Charm who is taking care of her dying stepfather and also holds a secret, and Claire owner of a local bookstore and adoptive mother to little Joshua. These 4 women’s lives collide in a way none of them saw coming as the things hidden don’t stay that way for long.

What a great psychological thriller it is slow to build as the story unfolds you get pieces of the story from different perspectives while trying to figure out how they all fit together and what really happened on that horrible night 5 years ago and the ending blew me away not at all what I expected to happen.

If you like good psychological thriller/mysteries and great writing I highly recommend this book!

An ending I never saw coming!

What did you love best about These Things Hidden?

I loved the complex nature of the relationships to a little boy. The end was brilliant and unexpected!

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Bryn or Alison. Angela Lin is a good narrator as Claire, but I think another narrator might have been better as Charme.

Any additional comments?

I loved Heather Gudenkauf's "The Weight of Silence." This book was a well-written and well-read follow-up, well worth the time and credit.

Predictable but entertaining

If you could sum up These Things Hidden in three words, what would they be?

Predictable, entertaining, sad.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Gus because everyone else was so needy and selfish. He was the only character who wasn't.

Which scene was your favorite?

The final scene at the bottom of the river.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I found this story rather depressing... it made me sad.