Review – The Hiding Place by C.J. Tudor

Posted February 8, 2019 by Carole in 2019 New Release Challenge, Book Reviews / 19 Comments

The Hiding Place by C.J. Tudor
Publisher: Crown Publishing Group
Publication Date: February 5, 2019
Date Read: January 31, 2019
Length: 288 pages
Source: NetGalley
★★★☆☆

The thrilling second novel from the author of The Chalk Man, about a teacher with a hidden agenda who returns to settle scores at a school he once attended, only to uncover a darker secret than he could have imagined.

Joe never wanted to come back to Arnhill. After the way things ended with his old gang–the betrayal, the suicide, the murder–and after what happened when his sister went missing, the last thing he wanted to do was return to his hometown. But Joe doesn’t have a choice. Because judging by what was done to that poor Morton kid, what happened all those years ago to Joe’s sister is happening again. And only Joe knows who is really at fault.

Lying his way into a teaching job at his former high school is the easy part. Facing off with former friends who are none too happy to have him back in town–while avoiding the enemies he’s made in the years since–is tougher. But the hardest part of all will be returning to that abandoned mine where it all went wrong and his life changed forever, and finally confronting the shocking, horrifying truth about Arnhill, his sister, and himself. Because for Joe, the worst moment of his life wasn’t the day his sister went missing. It was the day she came back.

My Review

I didn’t like this one nearly as much as I had hoped I would but I did like it.  I absolutely loved C.J. Tudor’s first book, The Chalk Man, so I was really eager to read her newest book.  This was not a bad book by any means but for me, it was missing that essential spark that I had hoped to find.

This is really Joe’s story.  Joe goes back to teach at his hometown high school.  This town doesn’t hold the best memories for him but he needs a job and there is one available at his old high school so he does what he needs to do.  It is obvious right from the start that Joe knows how to work a situation and can fake it when needed.  Joe has a few, okay more than a few, gambling debts so he is in desperate need for a job.

As a reader, you know that Joe has some history in this town, including whatever happened to his sister, Annie, but it takes a long time to find out exactly what happened.  This book is told both in the present day and the past.  I felt like a lot more of the book was set in the present day but I liked the story from the past a lot more.  As the story came together and things were revealed, I just never felt all that surprised.  I wanted something in this story to really shake things up but it seemed somewhat predictable for me.

I had a hard time connecting to Joe and really all of the characters in this book.  I never felt like Joe could be trusted and he really just felt like a mess to me.  I really have no problem liking flawed characters and often feel that they feel more realistic but Joe just seemed to be missing that redeeming quality that I needed to see.  All of the characters in this book felt rather flat to me.

I think that a lot of readers will like this one a lot more than I did.  I was looking forward to a dark story which I got but unfortunately, I couldn’t connect with the characters and felt that the story was somewhat predictable.  I did like the book and plan to read more from C.J. Tudor just as soon as it is available.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Crown Publishing Group via NetGalley.

About the Author

C. J. TUDOR is the author of The Chalk Man, and lives in Nottingham, England, with her partner and three-year-old daughter. Over the years she has worked as a copywriter, television presenter, voice-over, and dog walker. She is now thrilled to be able to write full-time, and doesn’t miss chasing wet dogs through muddy fields all that much.

Author Links: Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

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19 responses to “Review – The Hiding Place by C.J. Tudor”

  1. Olivia's Catastrophe

    Ah, I am sorry you weren't be able to actually like this one as much as the first book, especially as you loved The Chalk Man so much. I am not really for books that are meant to be dark and mysterious but then end up being disconnecting and predictable. So I don't think this is going to be one for me… Great review nonetheless!

  3. Barb

    Now I'm really scared because I didn't even really care for The Chalk Man but was going to read this one to give the author a second try. Hmmmmmm….

  4. Laura

    I have this and The Chalk Man to read. Now I'm curious how I'll feel about each one. Thanks for the great review, Carole!

  5. sherry fundin

    It's not so good when you can;t connect to the characters. I do like dark and am curious about why her return was his worst day. I like the simple cover too. Adds to my curiosity.
    sherry @ fundinmental

  6. Sophia Rose

    Ah man, bummer! I had that same reaction to the heroine in Woman in Cabin 10. I wanted to like that book and did, but the heroine was not very likeable in my eyes most of the time. I still need to read Chalk Man.

  7. Rachel @Waves of Fiction

    I agree if a character is flawed and a mess you can still like them and root for them if they have some redeemable qualities. I usually have to like my main character to totally enjoy the book. I'd like to give this author a shot and meant to read The Chalk Man so I'll probably give that one a go.

  8. Greg

    I've been wondering about this a bit since the premise of the guy coming back to settle scores had me curious! Sorry to hear it didn't entirely work for you- it is hard when characters aren't quite relatable or don't make a huge impact. Hopefully the next book by this author will be a little more gripping!

  11. Literary Feline

    I like the premise of this one. I haven't yet read the first book so will start with that one. I am sorry this one wasn't better, but glad you enjoyed it still. Hopefully the next book will be better!

  13. Northwoman

    I agree when I can't connect with the characters, even in a good book, it makes it tough to review. Good review! Hopefully, you will like another one even more. Anne – Books of My Heart

  15. Lily B

    I still need to read The Chalk Man. I'm sorry you had a hard time connecting with the characters and the story came out predictably): the blurb looked enticing.