MY REVIEW:
I have read and enjoyed several of Erin Healy’s novels in the past. Her stories often take an entirely different direction from what is usually the norm but that is part of what makes them so interesting. I will admit that at first I had a difficult time getting into “Hiding Places” and actually put it down for awhile and returned to it after reading something a bit more frivolous. Once I understood the pertinent facts, I suddenly found that I was quickly reaching the end. When it grabbed my attention it didn’t let go.
The main protagonist of the story is eleven-year-old Kate Whitby who has free range of the family hotel where she occupies herself by spying on everyone, especially her obviously dysfunctional family members. The historic buildings of the hotel each have hiding places that were designed for safety when they were built during World War 2. Kate is familiar with most of the hiding spots which play an important role in the drama and danger that develops when several gang members converge on the hotel in search of the man they believe killed the son of their leader.
The story is told through several points of view which makes it both interesting yet sometimes confusing. There were times I wanted to sit Kate down and have a long talk with her about how inappropriate her behavior was, especially her tendency to hide things. The truth was, she saw life through the innocent eyes of a child and her somewhat skewed desire to help others.
Although the tale is pretty suspenseful, it is relieved by occasional humorous moments – usually involving Kate or her great-grandmother. I liked how Kate’s family finally woke up and realized how much they cared for each other when faced with the possible loss of their loved ones. Overall, “Hiding Places” was a satisfying read and a reminder of the importance of family.
This book was provided for review by the BookLook Blogger Program of Harper Collins Christian Publishing.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Family means safety. Family means protection. Until it doesn’t.
Eleven-year-old Kate Whitby leads an invisible life, the youngest member of her odd family. They live in their historic small-town hotel, where she is an expert at keeping everyone’s secrets: her sister’s a thief, her great-grandmother isn’t as crazy as people think, her mother lives in the past, and her beloved grandfather might have killed his best friend.
Devoted to the people she loves-more than they have ever been to her-Kate vows to protect each one. Charlie Fuse has lived on the streets since his alcoholic father threw him out. When Charlie’s powerful street family tests his loyalty by demanding that he kill the son of a rival gang leader, he refuses. They frame him for the murder, forcing Charlie to run.
When Kate finds Charlie injured and penniless, she hides him from his enemies and her uncharitable relatives, unaware that he has a connection to her family as old as the hotel itself.
The murderous gang tracks Charlie down. To flush him out, they take the clueless family hostage and threaten young Kate. Even then, Kate keeps Charlie hidden, putting all her childlike faith in one terrible hope: that the family who has never been able to protect her before might learn how to do it now.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Erin Healy is the bestselling coauthor of Burn and Kiss (with Ted Dekker) and an award-winning editor for many bestselling authors. She is a member of ACFW and Academy of Christian Editors. Her novels include such thrilling stories as Never Let You Go, The Baker’s Wife, Stranger Things, and Motherless. She and her family live in Colorado.
Facebook: erinhealybooks
Twitter: @erinhealybooks
