I loved Little Darlings her last novel! And this one is close behind!
I very much enjoyed reading The Hidden! Writing was on point! And I loved the plot!
Very exciting read! It was quick and filled with suspense!

The Biden is the second Joanna Harper book by Melanie Golding. We have a mysterious blend of myths, urban legends, dark tales. I'm enjoying getting to know Joanna.

Yes! Ms. Golding who wrote deliciously original debut “Little Darlings” : a mystery meets dark fantasy which reminded us of Neil Gaiman and Grimm Brothers’ kind of whirlwind, complex tales returned back with her next book!

We’re introduced to DS Joanna Harper at the first book : investigating a mother’s missing twins’ case: the mother insists her kids have been replaced by fairy changelings.

At this new book, she also investigates a case related with Roane a.k.a selkies: a special cult connected with seal worship which have special ritual to wrap themselves with sealskin coat on each solstice or equinox, dropping them into the sea and swimming until dawn. Aren’t you already as intrigued as like me?

Joanna is summoned to the crime scene at the Christmas Eve, a bath brim full of bloody water as a man lying unconscious inside, suffering from head trauma. This is not suicide attempt! From the angle of the gash on his head, he couldn’t accidentally harm himself. Somebody tried to kill him. They identified him as Gregor Frank.

They also find toys belong to a little child as like the neighbor downstairs mentioned who heard a child and a mother whisper each other a few days ago. But there is no record Gregor has a child and a partner.

Joanna has no idea in the meantime her own daughter Ruby ( she gave birth to her when she was a teenager and she let her mother raise her as her own child and they are raised as sisters) is saving that missing child from the hands of social service by acting like she’s the mother.

When we keep reading the flashbacks we understand that Gregor and Ruby are neighbors and Gregor lives with Constance whom he had one night stand relationship ended with her pregnancy and their ultra smart, nearly three years old kid Leonie also lives with them. But Constance suffers from agoraphobia and delusions. She thinks she’s some kind of sea creature, a member of clan, looking for her sealskin coat.

Good hearted Ruby already left her alcoholic grandmother/ mother’s house because of harsh things she told her. She starts living at the community building, estranged relationship with Joanna, writing letters to her old love Sam who also suffers from trauma, living secluded, lonely life, healing herself with the music she played.

She forms a habit to stalk her neighbor’s yoga seances in the middle of the night when she can not sleep.

One day at the outside, they bump each other and with special classical music interest of yoga man a.k.a Gregor intrigues her. He invites her in his house, introducing Constance and his child. Ruby starts to stop by playing her instrument and hanging out with this weird kind of family trio but as she starts to learn more about their dysfunctional relationship patterns and their secrets, she finds herself in a very dangerous path.

Joanna also deals with the most stressful case she’s ever gotten: she’s trying to track her own daughter as person of interest. Why Ruby acted like Leonie is her own daughter? Why Constance and Leone left the apartment? Who tried to kill Gregor? Will he survive? What are the secrets they both keep from each other?

A delicious combination of myths, urban legends, dark tales and murder mystery. I loved the second book more than the first one. We get closer look to personal life of Joanna Harper. The author’s genuine, realistic approach to the motherhood and emotional conclusion of the story made me cry. I loved it!

It was weird, quirky, original and interestingly riveting, unputdownable !

I’m rounding up 4.5 stars to 5 epic, sealskin, motherhood, complex stars!

I’m looking forward to read more DS Harper books ASAP! They are truly addictive!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

A young girl loses her amount in a shop. In steps Ruby to become the girls new amom.and the story begins. A murder occurs and Ruby's sister is the lead detextive and soon everyone stories and lives are intertwined. An interesting premise that even includes selkies.

Book Review for The Hidden
Full review for this title will be posted at: @cattleboobooks on Instagram!

This book was sent to me by Netgalley on kindle for review. Although it is not my favorite genre, others will be intrigued by the characters. Try it

I absolutely love this book I read it in one day. Realistic characters and a heart pounding plot. I highly recommend this one.