The Hidden Son

The Cayman Islands Trilogy, Volume 1

By: Dianna T. Benson

Narrated by: Joe Hempel

When US DEA Special Agent Lelisa Desmond refuses to follow an order to bury evidence in a high profile case, her superior hires a hit man to forever silence her deep in the ocean off Grand Cayman Island. Lelisa survives the first attempt on her life, but someone close to her is mistakenly murdered in her place.

With no one to trust, Lelisa enlists Inspector Alec Dyer for assistance but soon learn she's his number one suspect in the homicide. She sets off on a daring mission to bring down the man who ordered her execution - a man in a high position, with powerful friends; a man who will stop at nothing to keep his son hidden.

©2016 Dianna T. Benson (P)2017 Dianna T. Benson

Frustratingly good story

Although there are several twists that require the reader to suspend belief for a few moments and, some other twists that were quite predictable, I really enjoyed this book and couldn’t stop listening. I did get frustrated several times with the main character....to the point I skipped 30 seconds here and there...but, I still couldn’t quit listening. I will definitely pick up the next in the series. Joe Hempel is one of my favorite narrators and, as always, his performance is outstanding. I received a review copy at my request and voluntarily reviewed.

Murder in Paradise. Almost perfect

The Hidden Son is quite a mixed bag. Murder, medical emergencies, races across countries, car chases, its got it all. Our two main characters Lelisa Desmond and Alec Dayer in a game of cat and mouse with an assassin and his boss, Lelisa's superior. Overall its a good novel. When it's going it goes very well. However there are times where it stalls for exposition and it lasts for a while. My recommendation is to emphasise that the audience wants to hear things from the character, There were a lot of opportunities to hear from the characters that we are told in long texts of exposition that could have been really interesting instead of dragging on. And to warn you our heroine sits in silence... A lot. And her ongoing paranoia does drag on a little long.

Despite my criticism I still found this novel very enjoyable to listen to. The characters were good and their interactions were fun to watch. Following them makes you want to see them succeed and find out what happens next when things go sideways. I would give it 3.5 stars story wise but lean it to 4 just because it does go smooth once it finds its way after a shaky start.

The narrator Joe Hempel did a great job with this novel. The pacing was good, and the characters' voices fit very well to their personality.

As a part 1 want to see where the author takes things from here and would recommend this book.

*This audiobook was provided to me at no cost in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Conspiracy or crazy?

Any additional comments?

That is the premise along with the possibility the main character and DEA agent is a murderer. We venture along with the local Detective Inspector as he tries to sort it all out. Good world building and premise. Holds the attention well. As the revelations keep coming a bit of romance builds as well. There is mystery on multiple levels and good resolution in the end. A good story and narrator.

Corruption, murder and intrigue

This is an entertaining audiobook that has lots of surprising twists. It is full of corruption, mystery, intrigue and has some romance mixed in there as well. Set in the beautiful Caymen Islands, DEA agent Lelisa Desmond becomes the hunted instead of the hunter. Caught in a web of deceit and framed by her boss, she meets Inspector Alex Dyer when her boyfriend dies under suspicious circumstances when diving with her. Dyer, still grieving over the disappearance of his teenage daughter two years ago, becomes embroiled in the treachery and both their lives are put on the line. Mental and physical survival for both is dependant on unraveling the lies and revealing the truth. Joe Hempel did a good job of the narration, he made Lelisa's boss, Delford, seem truly selfish and malicious. This is a suspenseful story with characters you quickly become attached to and a plot full of twists and turns. I really enjoyed the story but I did find the ending just a little too perfect for me. Having said that, I will definitely listen to the other books in the series when they come out.

Great Author ever better Narrator great team

I was gifted this audio ARC for a honest and unbiased review from the author/narrator
Dianna T. Benson has the ability of telling a story that has so many twists and turns coming at you you are always looking to the next chapter to see what will be happening. The Hidden Son , to me, was like being in the middle of an action movie on the TV,
Joe Hempel's narration is clear and concise, he is top notch and wow such a genius.
I can recommend this audio book to anyone who wants to listen.