The Shadows We Hide

I don't know what the heck I was thinking, but I jumped right in to this series on book 2. I can say based on what I read, I don't think you need to start with the first book, but my OCD brain is screaming at me! This story is frankly great to put is very simply. It is layered but not messy, it is heartfelt but not hokey, and it is smart and a little twisty. One of my favorite things about Allen Eskens is that he relies on a fully formed, good story with excellent & relatable characters, not on jaw dropping twists and outlandish tropes; it's very refreshing and makes me like his books all the more. This is my second by this author and he's now a "must read" author for me. Just read his books, you won't be sorry, I promise.

4.5 stars.

The Shadows We Hide by Allen Eskens is a truly captivating mystery that is suspenseful and compelling. This newest release is a sequel to The Life We Bury and while it can be read as a standalone, I HIGHLY recommend all of Mr. Eskens' previous works.

Joe Talbert Jr. is settled into his job with the Associated Press and life with his girlfriend, Lila Nash, and his autistic younger brother, Jeremy. But his career quickly takes a downward turn when he is notified he is being sued over his story about a politician. On the heels of this discovery, Joe also learns that his father, Joe "Toke" Talbert has recently died and the police suspect foul play.

Although he never met his father, Joe is taken off guard by his need to find out show more more information about both his life and death. Lila is less than thrilled when he tells her of his plans to go to Buckley since she is studying for her upcoming bar exam. Their relationship is further strained when Lila confesses she has been in contact with Joe's abusive and addict mother, Kathy Nelson. Needless to say, Joe is in desperate need of a distraction so he sets off for the rural town where many surprises await him.

Joe's father was universally disliked by everyone in town so Joe is rather shocked to learn the sheriff's department has already zeroed in on a suspect. But Sheriff J.T. Kimble wants to ensure he and his deputies, Jeb Lewis and Nathan Calder, thoroughly investigate anyone who might have reason to murder Toke. Joe is further astonished by the discovery he is on their suspect list but he complies with their requests.

After learning more about his father's life in the years since he abandoned him and his mother, Joe decides to do a little digging around on his own. He finds the timing of Toke's wife Jeannie's death a little suspicious but the case appears to be open and shut. Joe is also caught up in the manipulations of another member of his family but this person has conned everyone into believing Joe is not to be trusted.

After setting a plan in motion to flush out the Sheriff's suspect, Joe gets his chance to hear his version of the events surrounding Toke's murder. Sheriff Kimble remains convinced of his guilt but Joe continues to harbor serious reservations. Unable to push aside his misgivings, Joe continues to investigate Toke's death but will he find the answers he is searching for?

The Shadows We Hide is a riveting mystery with a colorful cast of characters and a perplexing murder to solve. Joe is a flawed yet sympathetic protagonist with a complicated family history. Although Lila remains on the periphery for much of the novel, she is the catalyst for Joe's most important decisions. The investigation into Toke's murder is interesting and Joe is instrumental into uncovering the truth about his deceased father's death. With some very stunning twists and jaw-dropping turns, Allen Eskens brings this gripping novel to a very satisfying conclusion. show less

A young reporter must come to terms with his past - and present - while investigating the murder of a man he believes could be his father. Joe is shocked to discover that the dead man was a loathsome lowlife who squandered his wife's inheritance - an inheritance that may now be Joe's. Mired in uncertainty, Joe must piece together his family history - before his quest for discovery threatens to put him in a grave of his own.

This was a so-so story that never really drew me in. Joe’s decisions and actions were often not believable as he investigates. His character was more appealing to me in the 1st book of this series. It did move at a good pace and had an interesting twist at the end.

Like any seasoned mystery author, Allen Eskens layers incident upon incident building a 'bomb' that will explode towards the end. So it is with 'The Shadows We Hide', the sequel to the first Joe Talbert book. What I enjoy most about this author is how he weaves humanity into the story 'fabric', affording the reader something more than crime alone. Rather than dazzle with gore, blood and explosive anger, he integrates compassion, forgiveness and family while the 'bomb' nears explosion. Joe's autistic brother and girlfriend studying for the bar exam are icing on the cake, the plot twisting until the last few pages, which is the mark of a great mystery writer. While he doesn't complicate plots with copious elements of research, he keeps show more the reader engaged with story; and that's what best selling authors are about! I've read three or four of his books now, and none of them let me down. If you enjoy mystery, interesting characters and constantly twisting plots, read his books; you won't be disappointed! show less

I was so excited when I heard that Allen Eskens had a new book coming out. Even more so when I discovered that Joe Talbert would be returning in The Shadows We Hide.

Joe was the protagonist in Eskens' first book, The Life We Bury. I thought there was more to Joe's story. Joe has never known his father. When he comes across a news story about the death of a man named Joe Talbert, he wonders - could it possibly be the father he was named for? He heads to the small town as the reporter he is - and is stunned by the town's animosity towards the dead man.

Esken's characters have depth and significant back stories. Joe's mother is a drug addict, his brother is mentally challenged and Joe himself battles personal demons. I'm really fond of Lila, show more Joe's girlfriend. She's whip smart, kind, thoughtful and no pushover. She is true to her own beliefs and lives accordingly. All of these relationships resonate with reality.

Now in addition to absolutely fantastic characters is the mystery behind the dead Joe Talbert. And again, Eskens excels. His plotting is intricate and detailed and drew me into the underbelly of the small town. I wasn't able to predict the outcome of the book, which I really appreciate. And the ending was just right. Read an excerpt of The Shadows We Hide.

Eskens is easily one of my favorite authors. I'll be eagerly awaiting the fifth book from this talented writer. Absolutely recommended. But do yourself a favor and start with the first book.

(The cover of The Shadows We Hide features the same barn that was on the cover in The Life We Bury, but in a growing season, instead of the winter.) show less

The Shadows We Hide

A gripping tale of self discovery with great characters, descriptive writing and a fast paced story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY
Joe Talbert,Jr. has never met his father. While working for the Associated Press in Minneapolis, Joe comes across the story describing the murder of a man named Joseph “Toke” Talbert. Could this man be the father that abandoned him? Joe travels to the southern Minnesota blue collar town of Buckley, only to discover that the dead man was a lowlife auto mechanic, who was detested by everyone in the community. No one was surprised and most were glad he was gone. But if DNA results prove that Joe really is Toke’s son, he potentially stands to inherit quite a bit of money.

Joe’s show more investigation into his father and his murder, is further complicated by family secrets and the uncertainty in his personal life. His AP job is on the line for refusing to give up a source in a story, his girlfriend, Lila needs him to come back home immediately and he is irrevocable estranged from his addict mother.

“I want to believe that I am a better man than I am, but I know that I am not.”

REVIEW
I first met Joe Talbert in Allen Eskins bestselling debut novel The Life We Bury in 2014. In this gripping sequel, Joe investigates the death of an unlikeable man and soon becomes a target himself. Eskins hits The Shadows We Hide out of the park, with robust characters, tight descriptive writing, and a fast-paced exciting story.

You will fall in love with Joe’s hardened yet sensitive character. You will become enmeshed in the lives of the various characters and the intricate story will keep your head in the book. The twists are as good as the pretzels in the ballpark.

Eskens easily juggles multiple family-related story lines in The Shadows We Hide. It is a gratifying tale of self-discovery, with themes of good versus evil, redemption, and forgiveness. I listened to the Audible version of this book and highly enjoyed it. While the book is labeled as a sequel, this is one that can easily be read as a stand-alone. But you are going to want to read the The Life We Bury, it’s being made into a movie!

Publisher Mulholland Books
Published November 14, 2018
Narrated Zach Villa
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com show less

I liked The Shadows We Hide every bit as much (or, maybe, a little bit more) than it's predecessor, The Life We Bury (which I read in April). This one takes place several years later. It's full of relationships and surprises (and, I like being surprised by a mystery—it doesn't happen as often as it should).