The Shadows We Hide

By: Allen Eskens

Narrated by: Zach Villa

Journalist Joe Talbert investigates the murder of the father he never knew, and must reckon with his own family's past, in this "brilliant sequel" to the national best seller The Life We Bury (Publishers Weekly)

Joe Talbert, Jr. has never once met his namesake. Now out of college, a cub reporter for the Associated Press in Minneapolis, he stumbles across a story describing the murder of a man named Joseph Talbert in a small town in southern Minnesota.

Full of curiosity about whether this man might be his father, Joe is shocked to find that none of the town's residents have much to say about the dead man - other than that his death was long overdue. Joe discovers that the dead man was a loathsome lowlife who cheated his neighbors, threatened his daughter, and squandered his wife's inheritance after she, too, passed away - an inheritance that may now be Joe's.

Mired in uncertainty and plagued by his own devastated relationship with his mother, who is seeking to get back into her son's life, Joe must put together the missing pieces of his family history - before his quest for discovery threatens to put him in a grave of his own.

©2018 Allen Eskens (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"The Shadows We Hide is a riveting novel about one man's search for his father becomes a perilous journey into a labyrinth of deceit and lies. Eskens vividly renders how small towns try to keep their secrets, and how sometimes they cannot." (Ron Rash, author of Serena)

"Murder, arson, betrayal, and reconciliation will keep pages turning and leave readers eager for more of Joe Talbert." (Booklist)

"The search for the father is a favorite theme of authors and one that is perfectly suited to the detective story form. Allen Eskens has drawn an intricate and intriguing search map full of sharps turns and returns. Suspenseful, revealing, clear-eyed, and brightly told, The Shadows We Hide is a real experience, page to page to end page." (Fred Chappell)

Another good read from Eskens

This follow up to The Life We Bury is well written with a compelling plot covering everything from autism, responsibility, addiction, redemption, real love, respect earned, trust earned..... I could go on. I'm so very glad I chose to read/listen to this novel. The narrator does a good job.

Excellent!

What a fantastic sequel to The Life We Bury. The first book was very good, and also a 5-star listen, but this sequel is even better! Such a great story, with perfectly developed characters, great pacing and more twists and turns than I ever expected. Every aspect of this story fit perfectly and wove itself into one amazing story. I loved the arc of emotion that the main character, Joe, was put through as the story progressed. Allen Eskens has become an author that I seek out. His writing is so fresh and unique. The narration was top notch as well. Enjoy!

Enough twists & turns to make your head explode!

I listened to this in two days. The characters were interesting & believable, especially Joe. There’s a little bit of everything going on here. I didn’t care for the narrators women’s’ voices but really loved everything else. There’s enough twists & turns to make your head spin! The most of any books I’ve read. It’s a good listen. Make sure you listen to the first book in this series “The Life We Bury” before tackling this one.

Doesn’t Disappoint!

As usual, Allen Eskens doesn’t disappoint in this book. I never would have guessed how the story would end and though I felt differently about Joe in and out of this book, kinda wished things had ended a little differently.

Loved it!

Pacing neither too fast nor too slow. I thought the narrator's voice and style were just right for this story. There were a few minor things that maybe got glossed over too much, but not enough to remove a star. If you haven't read Life We Bury I recommend that one first, though this one can stand alone as a great read in its own right.

A pleasantly atypical murder mystery

It’s nice to read a book that is not clouded by police procedural and CSI. Many twists and turns and obstacles to overcome. Not nearly as gruesome as some murder mysteries are.

Couldn’t put it down!

I should preface this review by saying I loved The Life We Bury and was anxiously awaiting this novel! Allen Eskens has a way of pulling you in and entwining you into his stories. The narrator of the audio book is a perfect fit as well. You won’t regret reading The Shadows We Hide but make sure you read The Life We Bury first to understand the dynamics of who Joe Talbert is before delving in to this riveting story!

Very entertaining !

Good story, nothing like I have ever read before. kept me interested through whole book.

Great Book! Highly recommended!

I haven’t read any of his other books, but I loved the unpredictability of this book! Great mystery and ending!!

Great book

Many unexpected turns and an interesting story line. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.