Hide Me Away is the first book in the Rileigh Bishop series, and what a thrilling start it is! The plot is exciting, twisted, and truly unique. Rileigh Bishop, a former police officer, returns to her hometown after a scandal derails her career. But her homecoming is anything but peaceful, as she soon faces the horrifying discovery of a body—eerily similar to how she found her sister's body years ago. The twist? Rileigh was the only one to have seen her sister's body, and the rest of the town believes she simply ran away before her wedding.

This personal connection forces Rileigh to team up with the new Sheriff, Mitch, to solve the mystery. As a former cop with deep ties to the town, Rileigh's in a unique position to help uncover some shocking secrets. The story is fast-paced, with well-timed twists that kept me turning pages. The characters are well-developed, and Rileigh is a protagonist I’m eager to follow in future books.

So why 4 stars instead of 5? Simple—the dog didn’t have to die! As a cynophilist, it was a heart-wrenching moment that felt unnecessary in an otherwise outstanding thriller.

I’m excited to see where the series takes Rileigh next!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I need more! This was an excellent start to a new series and I can't wait for the next installment. The characters are very well developed. The story was so intriguing! Highly recommend

A stunning debut and a great start to a new series! This novel is a gripping story of suspense, mystery and family secrets set against the backdrop of-the Appalachian mountains.
Many thanks to Sterling& Stone and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is my first read from this author and won’t be my last. Well written, twisty and a ride from beginning to end. Halfway through the book I thought I had figured out who the killer was, but kept questioning myself. I kept me reading to find out if I was right – I was engaged throughout.

I am looking forward to the journey Lauren Street takes us in this series. She is a new "must" read author for me.

I want to thank NetGalley, Lauren Street and Sterling & Stone for the e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.

wow, what a good book this is, who would have thought it, old daisy could do so much horror, its a real page turner and nice to know Jillian might still be alive even without her tongue. A very well written, edge of you seat book, holding my breath to the end - loved it!

Hide Me Away by Lauren Street
The Bishop Smoky Mountain Thriller #1

Great introduction to a new series that has me wanting to learn more about Rileigh Bishop and acting sheriff Mitchell Webster. An intriguing cast of supporting characters are also introduced as this small-town murder mystery sets the stage for more books to come.

What I liked:
* Rileigh Bishop: retired military, ex-police sergeant, works for Private Investigation business, lost her sister and father when she was six, scarred mentally and physically, suffers nightmares and PTSD, has much to deal with in this book
* Mitchell Webster: acting sheriff, intelligent, intriguing, has scars and history that hopefully will come out in the series, might be a love interest for Rileigh
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* The twists, turns, red herrings and interesting set-ups for potential future books
* The small-town feel and the idea of who was from “away” and how they couldn’t be trusted
* Watching the beginning partnership and potential friendship as it develops between Rileigh and Mitchell
* That there was a tie-in between two murders thirty years apart and that the killer uncovered
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about the trauma caused by more than one character in this book
* Not knowing the backstories of the two main characters and hoping the hints will be fleshed out in the future

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Sterling and Stone for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Wow. This was a thriller, we also can tell this is definitely a debut novel, but no biggie really.

It took me a few chapters before I got into it, but once I was hooked, I was there.

Excellent blend of characters and background along with everything seem to fit and meld together.

I only gave it four out of five, because even though I liked everything, this wasn't a store that just 'sticks' with me or changes my thinking or left me emotionally warring with myself.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastic debut from Lauren Street

Hide Me Away is the first book in the The Bishop Smoky Mountain thriller series. Rileigh Bishop is a former soldier and disgraced former police officer who was relieved of her duties after killing someone in the line of duty in self-defense. Rileigh moves back to her small mountain hometown and works as a private investigator. She is asked by Charlotte "Lottie" Montgomery to help find her daughter Tina Montgomery. As Rileigh engages in her investigation, she reluctantly joins forces with the county sheriff to solve the case. When Tina's body is found, Rilegh discovers there are many parallels to her sister Jillian's brutal murder. As she continues to ask questions and dig deeper into her investigation she uncovers terrible family secrets, and clues that help her solve both murders.

The story was very engaging and kept me reading. The flashbacks to Rilegh's past gave us more information about her upbringing and family dynamics, while slowly revealing more and more about her sister's murder. It was fun trying to figure out everyone's involvement in the murders, and ultimately I was able to figure out what happened right before it was revealed. The author did a wonderful job trying to throw readers off with characters that could have easily been the real suspects. This is a great thriller with twists and turns, that ends with a cliffhanger.

Thank you Lauren Street, Sterling & Stone, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this e-book in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Lauren Street's debut novel "Hide Me Away" is a well done mystery that is a very intriguing, thrilling and mostly engaging book with a few flaws.

This book is the first of the Bishop Smoky Mountain series which revolves around Rileigh Bishop, a former Sergeant who has been let go by the department after she had killed a suspect in self- defence. She comes back to her hometown, Smoky Mountains and has found work as a private investigator there.

When Tina's mother enlists her help to find her missing daughter, Rileigh's investigation leads her to the intermittent Sheriff Mitchell Webster.
And when the two found Tina's body, that too in a similar state to that of Rileigh's sister Jillian, she vows to find who had murdered her, inspite of the many bad memories she has to cope with because of the investigation. Amidst the introductions, the murderer is revealed in a story of high speed action and intruding twists.

Though show, the story had a promising start, with the characters and their motivations established very clearly. And about midway through, the narrative picks up with Rileigh getting to know many things which had never been revealed to her earlier. And the readers are taken in a helter skelter ride along with her, when she tries to keep up with the devastating facts and find the culprit. And when the identity of the murderer is finally revealed, that is the last person she would have ever suspected.

However, I was able to guess what is happening almost about the half way length and that greatly diminished my interest in the story. But the author had done a fantastic job of throwing in logical and believable red herrings that will keep the majority of the readers guessing. My main problem with the story was that the principal characters Rileigh and Mitchell have not been given enough depth and intensity for me to root for them as a reader. Most importantly, their process of investigating left a lot to be desired.

The final few chapters made up for this in a big way and the last twist was something I definitely didn't see coming. I might want to read the other books in this series only to know what happens with it.

This book is for all those people who love a good mystery- thriller containing twists and turns which don't demand an emotional response from them.

Hide Me Away


Years ago, Rileigh’s sister was found murdered. The deceased was found with her tongue cut out. Recently, a teenage girl was found the same way in Rileigh’s Appachalachian hometown, not far from where her sister’s body was discovered. Rileigh, now a former soldier and police officer, must solve the mystery, joining forces with the county sheriff. The problem is that the crimes are connected and now someone is trying to murder Rileagh.

The unusual fast-paced plots and interesting characters make the books in this series page turners. This is the first in the series.

Hide Me Away by Lauren Street: A gripping mystery-thriller that takes readers on a journey through the twisted alleys of a small Appalachian town haunted by dark secrets and locals who keep a strict code of silence. The story follows former police officer Rileigh Bishop who reluctantly returns to her hometown after a gruesome murder reminiscent of her sister's tragic death. She reluctantly joins forces with the county sheriff to solve the brutal murder. As she delves further into the investigation, she not only uncovers links between this murder and her sister's tragic demise but also stumbles upon haunting family secrets that were meant to stay concealed. When the inquiry puts her life on the line, she must summon unwavering resolve to swiftly crack the case.

This is a riveting tale of suspense and tension, keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sterling & Stone and author Lauren Street for the opportunity to review the advance copy of this book.

Holy mackerel! I did not see the ending coming. I cannot wait to see what waits next for Rileigh.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Ex-police officer Rileigh Bishop never wanted to come back to her hometown. But when a dead teenage girl is found with her tongue cut out, she must return. After all, that’s the same way Rileigh’s sister died.

Reluctantly, she joins forces with the county sheriff to solve the brutal murder. The locals maintain a strict code of silence. The narrow mountain roads winding through Appalachia are fraught with peril. As Rileigh dives deeper into the case, she not only unearths connections between this murder and her sister’s death but dark family secrets that should’ve remained buried.

When the investigation nearly ends her life, she must find her resolve to solve the crime — fast.

Because she’s the killer’s next target.

I need to stop attempting to read books that sound interesting when they’re part of a series. Most people can be okay reading out of order or just popping in and out. I find myself feeling like I’m missing something or just getting hung up on there being info I don’t have or know, but I simply don’t have time to start a bunch of series. Maybe when I can make more progress on my TBR, I can read more from the series and start fresh.

At first, I did not realize that this title was part of a series. I think that info would have helped in the general feel and tone. Loved the setting, but was never able to connect to any of the characters. A lot of the procedural police drama, I felt to be a bit too stretched in believability. Especially with the ending and the reveal of the perpetrator. The pacing was good and did keep you guessing, but for some reason, it just didn't grab me. I would recommend for lovers of the mystery/crime novels and lovers of the whole series. #hidemeaway #laurenstreet #netgalley #goodreads

I honestly don’t know what to think about this book. It was definitely suspenseful. Lots of twists and turns. The ending tied up a lot of questions. I can’t quite tell if the story is over or not. I have a feeling more of Rileigh's story will spill over into the next book. It was written so onto the next in the series! Thank you to NetGalley for this free advanced copy. I’m leaving my review voluntarily

Hide Me Away is book 1 in The Bishop Smoky Mountain series by Lauren Street.
An intriguing debut. It was an exciting and suspenseful very well-written and thrilling story.
Lauren Street has created a nail-biting thriller with entertaining characters that pull you into the story and doesn’t let go till the end.
I thought it was really well paced and the characters give just enough away all the way through to keep you guessing.
Totally surprising plot that is a real page turner. I stayed up late to see how it ended.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

This was a great thriller! This was a wild ride with lots of twists and turns with an ending that made my jaw drop! One of the best thrillers I've read this year! Thank You to Lauren Street, Sterling and Stone and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I have read by this author. It was a really good read and I hope the series continues on as I would love to see this pairing grow😊.

Rileigh Bishop is an ex-police officer who never intended to end up back in her hometown. When a teenager is found murdered in the same manner that her sister was killed, she knows she has to find out what happened. The acting Sheriff is investigating the case and Rileigh finds herself reluctantly helping him when the girl's mother begs for her help. The pair find that the locals are close-lipped. Can they find the killer and finally solve her sister’s murder as well?

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, just wow! I was totally sucked in from the beginning and had to finish it in two days. I thought the plot was going to be the same ol same ol, but I was mistaken. There is a fairly steady rise in action/anticipation and then BAM a twist! I loved it! Such a great story. I have definitely found a new author! I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

A fascinating blend of mystery and drama make this a genuine thriller. I loved the interplay between the main character and the “newcomer” sheriff. Past and present force the main character to address long buried trauma and the end result is a book which will please readers of many genres.