THE USA TODAY BESTSELLER New York Times bestseller Julia Spencer-Fleming returns to her beloved Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne mystery series with new crimes that span decades in Hid from Our Eyes. “New parents Clare Fergusson and police chief Russ Van Alstyne tackle three copycat murders and one testy baby in this riveting addition to an acclaimed series” –People magazine 1952. Millers … series” —People magazine
1952. Millers Kill Police Chief Harry McNeil is called to a crime scene where a woman in a party dress has been murdered with no obvious cause of death.
1972. Millers Kill Police Chief Jack Liddle is called to a murder scene of a woman that’s very similar to one he worked as a trooper in the 50s. The only difference is this time, they have a suspect. Young Vietnam War veteran Russ van Alstyne found the body while riding his motorcycle and is quickly pegged as the prime focus of the investigation.
Present-day. Millers Kill Police Chief Russ van Alstyne gets a 911 call that a young woman has been found dead in a party dress, the same MO as the crime he was accused of in the 70s. The pressure is on for Russ to solve the murder before he’s removed from the case.
Russ will enlist the help of his police squad and Reverend Clare Fergusson, who is already juggling the tasks of being a new mother to her and Russ’s baby and running St. Alban’s Church, to finally solve these crimes.
Readers have waited years for this newest book and Julia Spencer-Fleming delivers with the exquisite skill and craftsmanship that have made her such a success.
more
I’m so happy to see Julia back at the top of her game with this clever, multi time period puzzle
my pandemic reading has been a disaster. My husband says I am like a teenager with my phone, checking, checking, checking for news. My reading muscles feel like they’ve been injured, and that any push to get past the injury will only make it worse. That translates to terrible concentration, and that means if the first page doesn’t grab me, forget about it. (A good lesson for a writer.)
That’s also why Julia Spencer Fleming’s new book HID FROM OUR EYES went right to the top of my stack. We fans waited a long time for this book and it was worth it. Number nine in the series, the book follows beloved characters Clare and Russ who are struggling to regain their balance as a couple and as individuals after the birth of their son. Three timelines are intricately woven together, with three stories of lovely young women murdered in their prime.
HID FROM OUR EYES by Julia Spencer-Fleming is the ninth book in the Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mystery Series. It’s the excellently crafted multiply time frame story of three unsolved murders, how they are all connected and how the three crimes and the people involved are woven together into one complete picture.
The center of the story is based around Millers Kill Chief of Police Russ Van Alstyne and his wife, Reverend Clare Fergusson in the present time as they manage their independent jobs, their recent marriage, and new parenthood. Each carries past baggage that makes them who they are and plays in how they proceed in the future. Along the way, we learn more about the people within the police department – who have their own problems, and the fight to keep that department from being dissolved and taken over by the “staties”. Even the retired police chief shows up playing an important part in putting the pieces together in this perplexing murder mystery that has spanned decades.
The mystery of the story deals with the murders of three young woman all found dead along McEachron Hill Road. All three have with no identity, no evidence and no clues to the possible means of death – natural or by criminal intent. Are they all connected? Possible copycat murders? Three times is too many to be coincidental.
Although this is a story that spans three generations (1952 – 1972 – and present time), the story is told so accurately and smoothly that there is no confusion whatsoever in figuring out the time a particular part of the story you are reading or the characters within that part of the story. I. personally, loved the way the story flowed back and forth from one generation to the other, how we got to witness the characters develop in that time travel, and how all the characters connect up to make one seamless story.
This was the first book I have read in this series. I can attest to the fact that it can definitely be read as a standalone. There are aspects I am sure that were detailed in previous books as well as there are some loose threads that will be address in future books. These facts do not add to or distract from the mystery solved in this book – which was amazing. This one book had made me a definite follower of Julia Spencer-Fleming. I will be checking out the other books in this series as well as looking forward to book number ten.
I recommend HID FROM OUR EYES to anyone that loves a fabulous well-written mystery, a story that takes years to unfold but only hours to devour and a book that will have you turning pages trying to figure out the whodunit from page one to the very end. Definitely has my 5+ Stars!
Hid from Our Eyes, the long awaited 9th novel in the addictive Claire Ferguson series, far exceeds my expectations. I cannot tell you how excited I was to find that Hid from Our Eyes was listed with Edelweiss and to be approved for an ARC. I think the third book had been published when I discovered Claire Fergusson; I immediately fell in love with the series and have avidly awaited each release since then.
With the build-up of anticipation from the delay, I wasn’t sure that any book could meet those expectations. I should have had faith in the magic that Julia Spenser-Fleming creates with each book. This newest book goes beyond anything I could have hoped for.
As Claire deals with the exhaustion and complications of being a working mother with a young infant, Russ faces an unpleasant part of his past in a current investigation. I don’t think Claire has ever had an easy life and she has definitely made some bad decisions along the way but I love her and Russ!
Juggling new motherhood with a demanding job is hard enough combined with the guilt of drinking before she knew she was pregnant; concern for her police chief husband added to the stress is just about too much for her to handle.
The whole police department faces a tough time as the community decides their fate and one office has an even bigger cloud hanging overhead. A long-time favorite has left the town but is back undercover. Speaking of poor decisions, he still thinks his choice was the right one but he has trouble living with it.
This series would make a great TV drama.
It’s been a while waiting for this book but what an exciting and intense book. There is romance but it is kept clean. The mystery is a great one to try to figure out, I hope you can do it. You did a fantastic job Julia. This is a must read if there ever is one. Thanks for the exciting book Julia!
I love her books, hope she continues to write this series!
A fresh take on an interesting series. Real people in a very realistic setting. I do not usually enjoy books which constantly switch back and forth between different time periods, and don’t know that it was necessary to format this book that way, but the fluctuating settings were not as annoying in this book as I have found them to be in other books.
This book was a little hard to follow at first because of changing between decades, but it was necessary to read the back story. After I got into it, I really enjoyed it. This is the first book that I have read by this author, but it won’t be the last. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Having read the previous books with mostly the same characters I found it exciting and comfortable to read. The author who has lived in the described area, but altered the names, has made those of us who presently live in the area, have an extra challenge recognizing places. We then imagine finding ourselves in the places where excitement occurs. In addition there is the warmness of people who work together and additionally like each other.
It’s been quite a while since the last in this series and Hid From Our Eyes was well worth the wait. I love Clare and Russ, and this story had me guessing until the very end.
Great storytelling in another Millers Kill installment! Two of my favorite characters, the reverend and the police chief who are now new parents! The story gets a little drawn out, but the timeframe is intriguing. The murders of three young women take place in three different eras, and the circumstances are all very similar. The three eras provide an insightful history into the lives, personalities and players within the small community that we’ve gotten to know and enjoy. Making it most enjoyable is the new role that Rev Clare and Chief Russ now play as parents to their new baby. A dark cloud prevails throughout the story, however, as the community considers voting to eliminate the local police force. The audio version of this series is thoroughly enjoyable. Compliments to the narrator who is fantastic and adds enrichment to the characters.
I loved the book! So glad Spencer-Fleming finally put out another. One of my favorite series of all time!
Received this book from BookishFirst.
This is the 9th book in a series and the first one I’ve read by this author and in this series. However, I did not feel that I missed anything by not reading the previous books in the series.
Russ Van Alstyne is the Chief of Police in Millers Kill, a town located in New York State. His wife is Rev. Clare Fergusson and they have have an infant, Ethan. Russ is investigating a mysterious death of a young woman who was dumped on a road with no obvious trauma. This case is identical to a case from 1972 in which Russ was a potential suspect. The chief in 1972 recalls yet another identical case from 1952. This book follows Russ’s investigation in the current case but also alternates between the current case and the previous two cases.
It was very well done and I enjoyed the story. Well-written and it kept me guessing. Typically, when I’m reading, I try not to guess “who did it” because I want to be “lost” in the story telling. I really enjoyed this book.
A good fast read. Who couldn’t want to read a who-dunnit that happened in a town called Miller’s Kill? It may be that the town name gives you an idea of a cozy. No one likes a good cozy more than I do but this is more. More elements, more depth to the characters and maybe a deeper plot. I loved reading a mystery about a crime years ago. Could it be connected? Could it have been people you talk to face to face today? Lots of suspense and the author kept you guessing.
As I said there is more to this story than one might think. I liked the characters. Who would think a female priest could be one of the main characters and a pretty good amateur sleuth? To me this was a plot that didn’t have as many characters involved and sometimes that’s a relief. No figuring out who’s who all the time.
This is Book 9 from a series titled “A Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mystery (Fergusson/Van Alstyne Mysteries)”. Ok, ok, the series title is a little long. Maybe even more than a “little” long. Nonetheless, the read was well worth my time and I think I’ll jump back and read another.
Julia Fletcher-Fleming is back with her ninth book in the Clare Ferguson / Russ Van Alstyne mystery series.
The time setting alternates between the month of August in 1952, 1972 and “present day” which I estimate to be 2004. The Washington County Fair is just beginning, the carnival is setting up in each of the three time frames and the dead body of a pretty young woman is found on the same rural road near Miller’s Kill. In all three cases her underwear, shoes, stockings and purse are missing. The police were unable to determine cause of death in 1952 or 1972 and Russ Van Alstyne and the Miller’s Kill Police Department are facing the same dilemma with the third victim. They are hoping that more advanced forensic testing in the present day will assist them in solving the most recent mysterious death and perhaps make connections with the 1952 and 1972 deaths.
Russ and his police department are short staffed and facing a November town referendum that will determine whether Miller’s Kill will continue to have a local police force or if the State Police will assume all protection responsibilities for the community. Nevertheless, the need to investigate and determine the woman’s cause of death and learn if or how the three deaths over 54 years are connected. The final solution is cleverly developed and the guilty parties and the reason for the murders was a surprise to me.
It was wonderful to discover that Russ has overcome his misgivings about fatherhood during Clare’s pregnancy and is a loving father to their infant son, Ethan. Clare is a caring mother and is overwhelmed with her pastoral responsibilities and lack of sleep as she is awakened during the night to nurse Ethan. Her demons continue to pursue her. In spite of the stress, she is able to assist Russ in discovering whodunit.
I have read the first eight books in the series two times because I love the characters, the great plots and the author’s wonderful writing style. I am thrilled to have been selected to read and review the Advance Reader’s Edition of Hid From Our Eyes and loved this book as much as the others. Now I can’t wait for the tenth book to be published.
Not quite up to the standard of the previous books, but I am grateful to the author for writing it, with all she has been through.
Very happy to see this series continue (and the epilogue makes it clear another volume is planned). I listened to it instead of reading it, my first real audio book listen, because it was the easiest way to get my hands on this during a pandemic. The three historical time periods add a lot of depth to the story of Russ (and his mom). I may have seen the solution to the murder investigation a little early, though it’s quite inventive, but the personal continuing story took a couple of turns that really surprised me and left me very eager to read the next book. Preferably in print, though. Turns out I sometimes like to flick ahead and make sure my characters will be okay and that is VERY HARD to do in audio. I literally had to steel myself for two days before continuing a certain suspenseful chapter. At least I now know that about myself. Oh, and extra bonus points for gentle skewering of Episcopal Diocese of Albany.
So this book has so many interesting characters lol and like I was, super hesitant when it mentioned a character was trans but I think they did pretty well making her a character and though transphobia was brought up more than once/ppl said transphobic things, it wasn’t glossed over (for the most part) imo idc if someones 70 yall can learn to not be a butt.
This was a really interesting story though didn’t see that coming! I kinda thought it might be along the lines of more than one person but I will admit I ddint see that coming! ik some of those ppl had to be dirty and had an idea but couldn’t say for sure!
Ngl this book did have, more religion than most thriller/mysteries I read but it wasn’t horrible. Yes it did have lots of offhand Christian comments but it wasn’t like *some* books ive read. so it wasn’t bad. plus this did show diversity in Christianity and they were “accepting” (I don’t really like that term but for the sake of easily being understood I will sue that) the trans woman not just going to church but literally working in it 🙂
Three murders of young women, found dead in the same area, dressed in clothes they didn’t have before their deaths, wearing makeup with purses and shoes missing. The one connection ….. no one can figure out how they died.
The first woman was killed in 1952. The second was 1972 and the third is present day. So far, the first woman was never identified …. all have been unsolved. And Russ, as a young man, just out of the military was a suspect in the second woman’s murder.
Russ is threatened with losing his job shortly … the powers that be want to close down the local police station, putting him and his team on the unemployment line. He would like to solve this particular case as soon as possible.
The story bounces from each crime to the present …. detailing how they tried identifying the victim and then trolling through family and friends looking for a killer.
It’s been 8 years since the last book in this series. I was thrilled to see this offered up as I have followed the series since the beginning. I highly recommend to any new readers to start at the very beginning.
The characters are terrific. Reverend Clara Fergusson and Police Chief Russ van Alstyne have come a long way from the first published book. They’ve grown and matured, they’ve weathered all kinds of stormy weather, they’ve solved crimes together.
This is, as all the others in this series, well -written with imaginative twists and turns leading to an unexpected ending. I thought this might be the last of the series.. but there is a small cliffhanger …. evidence that another book might be forthcoming.
Many thanks to the author / St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
This is my first book by this author, Julia Spencer-Fleming and won’t be my last. Although it’s a series this was very good alone. I have a couple of the others but haven’t read them as of yet. I fully intend to though.
This book was great from the very first page. It held my interest all the way but I have to say I was a tiny bit disappointed with the ending. Though now that I know it’s part of a series of books that is ok because I’m sure my question of what happened to a certain person will be answered. It’s not exactly a cliffhanger but for me was just a very important part that I want to know about. I look forward to the next book for sure now.
The characters are all likable. There is a lot of mystery in this book. It’s not so much of a thriller as a mystery. A whodunnit book. From 1952, 1972 and present, which according to my math seems to be in the early 2000s. There are three murders. One in each year stated and three investigations. The early years, 1952 and 1972 go unsolved as there was not as many ways of finding out certain things in those years. All three murders are carried out the same way so it looks like it would be the same person doing them all. Or possibly a copycat. That remains to be seen when you read this book for yourself.
This book has many twists to it. Lots of things to make you wonder who is guilty. You’ll meet family members who truly love each other so much and others briefly who are not so close. Russ Van Alstyne and Clare Fergusson are married and very much in love. They have an infant son who they love beyond anything else. Clare is a clergy and Russ the police chief. Russ is investigating the latest murder. A young woman in her early twenties. No ID, no purse, shoes. She’s left in the road just like the previous woman. These deaths are years apart but done exactly the same way. Russ will stop at nothing to find justice no only for this death/murder but for the other two also.
This book was well written. It flows between the different time frames great. You won’t get lost or be wondering what is going on. It’s done perfectly. The descriptions are great and make you feel like you are part of the story. You will feel emotions in many parts of the story and root for love in many. The thoughts of a killer on the loose will make you feel fear.
I enjoy this book very much. It held my attention all the way through and I look forward to reading more by this author. I think she is a very good author.
Thank you to #NetGalley, #Minotaur Books, #Julia Sencer-Fleming for the ARC in exchange for my complete and honest review.
I gave it 4 stars and highly recommend it to others.