Hide by Tracy Clark Narrator: Chante McCormick
Series: Detective Harriet Foster #1
Published by Brilliance Audio on January 1, 2023
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Length: 11 hours, 55 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible
When a young red-haired woman is found brutally murdered in downtown Chicago, one detail stands out: the red lipstick encircling her wrists and ankles.
Detective Harriet Foster is on the case, even though she’s still grieving the sudden death of her partner. As a Black woman in a male-dominated department, Foster anticipates a rocky road ahead acclimating to a new team—and building trust with her new partner isn’t coming easily.
After another victim turns up with the same lipstick markings, Foster suspects she’s looking for a serial killer. Through a tip from a psychiatrist, Foster learns about Bodie Morgan: a troubled man with a twisted past and a penchant for pretty young redheads with the bluest eyes. As Foster wades into Morgan’s sinister history, the killer continues their gruesome assault on Chicago’s streets.
I planned to get this from the publisher but since it is in Kindle Unlimited including audio and I had it scheduled for the first week of January, I got it from Kindle Unlimited. Hide is the first in a new series, Detective Harriet Foster. I enjoy police procedurals and this one felt authentic with a lot of tough moments.
I liked Harry who is joining a new team after working 17 years on the force, following the death of her partner. She also lost her son five years ago in a tragedy so she struggles a bit. But she is smart and hard-working and determined. I appreciated how kind she was as she worked with victim’s families, witnesses and even suspects. Her new boss tries her out with different partners and it looks like there may be a fit.
The setting is Chicago where there are plenty of murders and a diversity of people. We do get some racism and misogyny of course, and this is realistic. There is a nice blend of her personal issues, her relationships with co-workers, the mystery and the investigation. The personal life is limited because when you are on the hunt for a serial killer you work most of the time, or at least Harry does.
There is also the points of view shared of some of the suspects and the actual killer. Those thoughts are vague enough we don’t get a clear view to the killer, only suspicions, until close to the end. There’s mental illness and a less than honorable psychiatrist in the mix as well. I enjoyed the progression and odd bits and pieces which pulled together to solve the case. I look forward to Fall in December 2023.
Narration:
I was easily comfortable with the narration. I don’t think I have heard this narrator before. The voices were distinct for the characters, who were mostly female, but the male voice were also differentiated and seemed appropriate. I was able to listen at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to the clip: HERE
About Tracy Clark
Tracy Clark, a native Chicagoan, is the author of the Cass Raines Chicago Mystery series, featuring ex-cop turned PI Cassandra Raines. A multi-nominated Anthony, Lefty, Edgar, Macavity, and Shamus Award finalist, Tracy is also the 2020 and 2022 winner of the G.P. Putnam’s Sons Sue Grafton Memorial Award and the 2022 Sara Paretsky Award, which honors crime writers from the Midwest. Tracy was also nominated for the 2022 Edgar for Best Short Story for “Lucky Thirteen,” which was included in the crime fiction anthology “Midnight Hour.” She is a proud member of Crime Writers of Color, Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime and serves on the boards of Bouchercon National and the Midwest Mystery Conference.
Tracy loves old black-and-white movies, a good nap, and a really spicy ginger snap served with ice-cold milk. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing and admits to finding characters in the most unusual places.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 23-COYER
I’m glad you loved this one Anne. It definitely sounds like a great one.
I liked it a lot and it is a promising start to a new series.
Oh cool, you’ve found a new series to start. This sounds good, and I do like books set in Chicago.
Thanks Tammy. It’s a good start, only time will tell.
I do like a serial killer story and this sounds like a good one.
I enjoyed it. It’s just the start of the series so I expect it to grow a bit but this was a very good start.
A Black lady detective series ?? Sign me up ! I just grabbed this from KU
I really liked it, the diversity plus this black woman is experienced and exceedingly competent.
This sounds like a promising start to an exciting new series.
yes I think so. There were many great aspects.
I do enjoy a good police procedural and Chicago is such a neat city. I like that it’s on KU too! I’ll check this one out.
yes and the audio is included. Another win for me.
Glad to hear this new series worked out for you. It does sound promising.
It’s different and I always like to try things which are a bit different.
ooo! Fun!!
I thought so. I enjoy a new series and setting. The diversity really sold me here, too.