Hide by Nell Pattison is a psychological thriller involving seven friends, Emily, Lauren, Morna, Ben, Dan, Kai and Alec who take a nature trail trip on Boxing Day and one of them winds up dead. This is a thoroughly captivating read told from multiple perspectives. Dripping with atmosphere, there was a real feeling of unease and apprehension and felt the chills from the author's expert writing. With an exceedingly strong plot and comfortable pacing, the mystery was absorbing and compelling. There were abundant twists as the plot unfolded, and some of the characters could not be trusted. Chapter cliffhangers definitely worsened my one more chapter syndrome! Very highly recommended. I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Avon Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

What a book! Read it in two sittings because I had to know what happened next! Lauren & Emily are sisters who have met again after eleven years after Lauren turned eighteen & left the care home they lived in. Lauren works at a nature reserve & a group of people including Emily, meet on Boxing Day to go & see the murmurations. Each of the group is carrying a personal secret close to their chest & this outing brings everything to the surface. Great writing, great tension & great story. Recommended read.

Gripping psychological thriller featuring a group of friends who have arranged a special trip to a nature reserve on Boxing Day. Relishing the prospect of being able to visit when the site is closed to the public, they soon find themselves wishing they weren't so cut off from any hope of help. Narrated from multiple points of view, the interwoven stories combine to ramp up the tension. I love Nell Pattison's writing and how her stories break down taboos around hearing impairments. A great read.

A deserted nature reserve may be a remarkable place to observe birds in their natural habitat but when there is a killer amongst your group, the isolation is now an extra enemy that you can do without. Seven people went out on a crisp winter’s day, but how many will actually return? Just wow! I was taken aback with the increasing tension within the pages of this book, it pivots on a knife's edge at times. It was just gloriously sneaky, with the various motives to previous & current deceptions bubbling to the surface. You are fully immersed in the shifting emotions of each of the group as each crisis unfolds and like them, you aren’t sure where it will lead. This is suspense writing at it’s very best. I also wanted to highlight the striking cover design, it is a lovely lure to ensnare readers into an enthralling reading experience. I received a copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

It seemed a great idea- having access to the Nature Reserve for a Boxing Day Hike when it was closed over the holidays. Lauren felt quite proud of herself for organising it. The group meet together although they are a varied lot. She struggles to get on with her sister Emily, who has not let her lack of hearing stand in her way. Morna has always been a bit of a thorn in her side. Ben is besotted with Emily although seems unable to make a move to ask her out. Dan is the strong silent type. Kai is a man with something other than wildlife & Alec is the know-it-all. Up until an evening get together they thought it was just about birds but he says he knows everybody's secrets! The group set off across the reserve looking for the best spot to watch the starling murmuration. They split up to find & a shot rings out. One of the party is dead- but who was it? As it gets dark & the snow falls the party splits up- but will everyone make it home? The setting of this book was terrific! I could really picture the place & the atmosphere of fear & suspicion. There were many places where I wanted to yell at that characters- "Why would you do that???" I guessed some aspects of the plot but did not see the end coming. I hadn't realised this was written by the author of the excellent Paige Norwood series, apart from having a deaf character it was very different but equally as satisfying. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.