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

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!

Please save yourself the time

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This is the first review I've written for Audible and I have listened to so, so many. This was described as a psychological thriller. It was not. It was not thrilling. It was interesting but slowly paced. There was a BIT of a surprise at the end but a twisty, shocker of a close? No. No, not at all. The narration was very well done by the sisters. A bit overdone by Claire and Charm. I expected more.

Would you ever listen to anything by Heather Gudenkauf again?

Maybe.

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

Allison

Disjointed

At the onset of the novel, the author bounces back and forth too much as she introduces the different characters of the story, making it difficult to get a grip of the plot. It drags along for over an hour of listening before the reader actually finds out what crime the main character was accused of committing. However, once at the halfway point, it does pick up enough to hold your interest.

A sound mystery

I really enjoyed how this story slowly unfolded. It seems at first that all the cards are laid out in the beginning but there are some surprising turns. I like the voice of the narrator as well. This was a good find.

For Teens

What did you like best about These Things Hidden? What did you like least?

I knew whodunnit long before it was finished.

Would you recommend These Things Hidden to your friends? Why or why not?

No. Too young. Not for adults looking for a more complex or exciting or scary story.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

All the readers were very good.

Any additional comments?

Not bad, but as I said-it's for teens.

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.

Psychological Mystery for Kind Hearts

I started listening to this one and couldn't stop. I like Heather Gudenkauf's writing, her depth of perception, and her intuition. She has a way of picking out the wounded in this world and rooting for them, despite the horrible things that have been done to them, and shows us that light that is hidden deep within them. She shows us the selfish, all-wrapped-up-in-themselves people, too, and what they do to those around them. I am never disappointed with the outcome of her stories. If you are a thinker and want to see below the surface, you will love These Things Hidden.

Another great listen!

This is second book by author I have listened to. The narration is great. The story line really grabs you. Because the story being told in different "voices" or through the eyes of different characters, the narration really adds to the enjoyment!

Amazing characters and several levels

Would you consider the audio edition of These Things Hidden to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print, but the ladies reading this book were awesome. The voices were spot on and I thoroughly enjoyed their performance.

What did you like best about this story?

There was a few dynamic layers showing real love between sisters, parents and children. Then there was a great portrayal of selfish and demanded love. These were heartfelt and realistic. I thought that was great.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

Having more than one so the main characters had their own voice. Much better than just one reader.

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

Alison. She has to be the one who does the best she can. Trying to please everyone, keep up her grades and social standing, do the right thing as a parent and sister.

Any additional comments?

Well written and not what I expected, but worth reading.

voices didnt match characters

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I enjoyed this book although it was not a so called suspense. Kristen Hannah fans would love it. But the audible readers didn't seem to match the characters. i was very disappointed and i listen to lots of audiobooks and am a huge fan.

brilliant book

I love how the chapters are in characters like jodi picoult, a great book with a great twist :)

Well told but incredibly sad story

Would you listen to These Things Hidden again? Why?

No, it made me cry. It was a good story but I got too emotional. I would recommend it if you are not as soppy as me.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

There was several narrators which worked well for the most part although one of the narrators was not great at doing the child's voice and he did not have a dedicated narrator.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes but I obviously can't elaborate.

Any additional comments?

I would definitely recommend it.

This is a truly terrible book

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

This book could never be a 4 or 5 star listen.

What could Heather Gudenkauf have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Everything. The story was totally unbelievable, totally impossible and the self pitying, victim bearing characters were enough to make me want to throw my iPad out of the window. Ridiculous, morose and deeply irritating.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Well read if you like an earnest miserable book. Too earnest for my liking.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Anger!

Any additional comments?

How this book ever got published defies belief. Sometimes I admit a book is just not for me, but this one should be for no one. Horrible.