Hide - Bev Russell, Library Director

(This column appeared in the April 4, 2010, Star-Herald)

I love books. Maybe this doesn’t surprise anyone. A relaxing day for me would include a visit to a bookstore with a cup of coffee and books to browse all day. Late one night when I was in high school, I was watching a movie. As I remember, it was an English film. One scene included the library in one of those old English manor houses—a kind of Clue^TM library with the woodwork and leather chairs. I had a revelation. When I grew up, I wanted to own a bookstore. It never occurred to me that I might be a librarian instead. Now, I have the best of both worlds. As a librarian I get to share books with folks and not worry about making a profit.

I recently came across another author who I really enjoyed, Lisa Gardner. If you are already a fan of Gardner, you know that she write gripping crime thrillers. “Hide” is no exception. It grabs the reader from the opening sentences. State Police Detective Bobby Dodge is called to a crime scene in the middle of the night. In an underground chamber on the grounds of the old Massachusetts mental hospital, six mummified corpses are discovered, wrapped in clear trash bags. All six corpses are little girls. Around one girl’s neck is a locket, which bears the name Annabelle Granger. Police assume the locket belongs to the child who was found wearing it. Later, however, at the police station a young woman appears, claiming to be Annabelle Granger. If she is Annabelle Granger, then who is the child in the grave?

“Hide” brings back two characters from a previous Gardner book, “Alone”. They are former partners and lovers Bobby Dodge and D. D. Warren. Warren is the chief Boston detective on this case. Both detectives observe a striking resemblance between Annabelle and Catherine Gagnon. Gagon was the victim in the previous case. As a child she was abducted and held in an underground chamber similar to the one in this case. Her abductor also sexually abused her. Warren and Dodge wonder if the two cases are connected.

Annabelle Granger has led a strange life. Her father kept the family on the run and in hiding for 25 years. Why were they running? Annabelle has no idea. To further complicate the case Dodge finds himself attracted to Annabelle. The attraction is mutual. Although Dodge and Warren are no longer involved, D. D. is not pleased with this development.

False leads and red herrings abound in this riveting novel. Is the case connected to the Gagnon abduction? Did Annabelle’s father know something about the disappearance of the six girls? Are former patients or employees at the state mental hospital involved? Gardner keeps you guessing until the end.

Readers will care about Gardner’s characters and be drawn into this thrilling book from page one. I enjoyed it and plan on reading more novels by Lisa Gardner.

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