Hidden (A Bone Secrets Novel) (edition 2012)

Kendra Elliot's debut work, "Hidden: A Bone Secrets Novel", is an intriguing romantic suspense with plenty of cold hard facts and sparks-fly, steamy sensuality. The perfect combination for lovers of this genre, told by a new voice. Lacey Campbell is a forensic odontologist, a highly experienced, specially trained dentist who uses her expertise to help identify unknown remains and trace bite marks to a specific individual. Forensic odontologists, or forensic dentists, are typically called in to identify human remains that cannot be identified using fingerprints or other means, and also to estimate the age of skeletal remains. They may be called to work on a case by police officers, the medical examiner, or the coroner. When Lacey is called to an unusual crime scene to examine skeletal remains, she is distraught to discover that the bones are all that is left of her college friend Suzanne. More than a decade has passed since Suzanne was kidnapped by the infamous Co-Ed Slayer. Her fate had remained unknown until now, when her carefully placed remains were sure to be found. The property where Suzanne's skeleton was found is owned by former policeman Jack Harper, who left the force after a tragic incident where he was injured. Intelligent Lacey and instinctive Jack are a high-octane combination, complementing and completing each other in unexpected ways. There are those who wish to come between Jack and Lacey, including her unpleasant ex-husband, Frank, and also a former boyfriend, Michael, neither of whom are fond of Jack's increasing importance in Lacey's life. When new murders begin to occur, suspicion is cast in all directions. The Co-Ed Slayer died in prison, so who is playing this macabre game? "Hidden: A Bone Secrets Novel", is a perfect Summer suspense read, and it is also just the thing for a reading "all-nighter". I look forward to more "sensational secrets" in upcoming works by Kendra Elliott.

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This was a wonderfully complex mystery that I just couldn't put down. Lacey Campbell has suffered from survivor's guilt for years since her best friend Suzanne was kidnapped from in front of her leaving her beaten and injured. Her testimony helped convict the Co-Ed Killer who had killed a number of young blond girls and left their tortured bodies to be found. However, Suzanne's body had never been located until Lacey, now a forensic odontologist, is called to the scene when some bones are discovered in the foundation on an aging apartment building.

The building belongs to Jack Harper who is a former policeman who left the force because of an injury and who now owns a very successful property business. Jack was also one of the former boyfriends of one of the Co-Ed Killer's earlier victims.

But the Co-Ed Killer died in prison. So who is responsible for the buried bones? And who is killing anyone connected with the case in gruesome torture-murders? Jack knows he isn't involved though the real killer is certainly trying to point the blame his way. He falls for Lacey and decides that he has to protect her. Lacey isn't short of protectors. Michael is a former boyfriend turned best friend and an investigative journalist. He is determined to protect her too and willing to throw Jack to the wolves along the way. Is Frank Stevenson the criminal? He's Lacey's ex and the split was very bitter.

The story is told from multiple viewpoints. We hear from Lacey, Jack, Michael, the two police detectives who caught the crimes and who also have ties with the old Co-Ed Killer case and trial, and we peak into the mind of the killer and learn how he became the serial killer he now is.

The story was very tense and exciting. Watching Lacey and Jack overcome there various issues and fall in love added to the intensity. I strongly recommend this one to lovers of romantic suspense. This is Kendra Elliot's first novel. I will be watching for her next book. ( )