I’m been a huge fan of Julia Spencer-Fleming’s books since I read “In the Bleak Midwinter” many years ago when it was first published. Although I’ve loved every one of her subsequent books, “In the Bleak Midwinter” always remained my favorite. I recently read Spencer-Fleming’s latest Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne book “Hid From Our Eyes,” which will be released on 4/7/2020, however, and it’s become my new favorite. In order to do that, it had to be something REALLY special. I assure you that it is.
The book opens in 1972 when the body of a young woman wearing a party dress is discovered on a road in Miller’s Kill. Young Russ Van Alstyne, a surly, belligerent veteran with a definite drinking problem and a likely case of PTSD, who has recently returned home from Vietnam soon becomes a suspect but the case is never solved. The story then moves to the present day when the body of another young woman is found on a road in Millers Kill under eerily similar circumstances. But this time Russ is the chief of police in charge of the investigation.The story moves back and forth in time between the two cases as Russ and the rest of the Millers Kill PD try to solve the present day case but find that somehow both seem to be inextricably linked.
Along with a superb plot, there are equally compelling subplots, including Clare’s struggle to balance her career as a minister with motherhood while maintaining sobriety, which includes a sensitive and well-done portrayal of a character who is transgender woman seminarian in the process of transitioning and working as intern at Clare’s church.
For fans of Julia Spencer-Fleming’s previous books and anyone else who loves an intelligent, well-plotted mystery with compelling and complex characters, this is a book not to be missed.
The book opens in 1972 when the body of a young woman wearing a party dress is discovered on a road in Miller’s Kill. Young Russ Van Alstyne, a surly, belligerent veteran with a definite drinking problem and a likely case of PTSD, who has recently returned home from Vietnam soon becomes a suspect but the case is never solved. The story then moves to the present day when the body of another young woman is found on a road in Millers Kill under eerily similar circumstances. But this time Russ is the chief of police in charge of the investigation.The story moves back and forth in time between the two cases as Russ and the rest of the Millers Kill PD try to solve the present day case but find that somehow both seem to be inextricably linked.
Along with a superb plot, there are equally compelling subplots, including Clare’s struggle to balance her career as a minister with motherhood while maintaining sobriety, which includes a sensitive and well-done portrayal of a character who is transgender woman seminarian in the process of transitioning and working as intern at Clare’s church.
For fans of Julia Spencer-Fleming’s previous books and anyone else who loves an intelligent, well-plotted mystery with compelling and complex characters, this is a book not to be missed.