Wow! It's great to start 2025 with a 5 star read! This book grabbed me from the opening pages and didn't let go until the end.

Quinn & Costa and the Mobile investigation unit travel all over to investigate a series of brutal murders. The author did a great job of making this reader care about these characters very quickly. The investigative work here is top-notch and there are some hits and misses along the which which help with the realism of the story. Reading how they break the case is the best part of the story when the stakes are high as they are in See How They Hide. There are some unexpected moments here and I loved that.

The dynamic relationship between Quinn and Costa is always a big part of this series, and this book is no exception. I just love these two and all their flaws. The relationships between Kara, Matt and all of the team is a big draw to this series for this reader.

Overall, a terrific, fast paced murder mystery with a tight plot and great characters.

I love this series! You never know what you are going to get until you get into it but you know you are going to get a great story. This time there are two murders (to start) that are similar but states apart. As they are investigating and interviewing possible witnesses, they discover more than they anticipated. Riley is connected to both victims and has answers if they know what questions to ask. As they dig deeper they find she was part of a community and she is probably also in danger. Can she lead them to the community. During the investigation, Matt is kidnapped and Kara nearly unravels but the team, the entire team, pulls together. Will they find this community that has been off the grid for years in time? This one, as is all in this series, can be read as a standalone but I recommend them ALL.

I like this series. I like Kara and Matt and watching as their relationship deepens and develops.
I liked the plot involving a cult because I’ve always been fascinated by people who can manipulate others and people who are gullible enough to be led by others. It’s a fascinating sociological and psychological study.
The one drawback with the book was all the characters. There were too many. The good guys and bad guys were thrown hard and fast at readers and I had to sift and sort and shuffle until I aligned all of them correctly.

This thriller was so hard to stop reading. There was always something around the corner that jumped out and surprised you. It was a great time.
Stella Madson is a lawyer who advocates for the child in divorces. When she meets Rose Barclay a 9 year old girl who hasn't talked since her nanny fell from her upstairs bedroom and plunged to her death. Stella needs to decide which of her less than honest parents should have custody, the mother who thinks she's better than everyone else or the father who was sleeping with the nanny.

See How They Hide is the latest Quinn & Costa thriller. Several people are murdered in the same manner across the country. The FBI will have a tough time figuring out the connection. The action is nonstop and the characters compelling.
I look forward to reading more of the Quinn & Costa series - this was my first one and I had no problem following the storyline or the characters.

This is the sixth in the Quinn and Costa Thriller series and, like the others, has its ups and downs. The FBI has created a Mobile Response Team headed by Matt Costa. In the first book, he picks up LAPD Detective Kara Quinn, who is on forced leave from the LAPD following events that came to a close in the fifth book. Their goal is to investigate crimes that might be difficult for other local and national task forces. See How They Hide takes them across the US as they investigate a string of similar murders that all lead back to one place and one person.

With the MRT growing in members, their ability to investigate multiple crimes in different locations is possible, and is quite handy in this one. Across several states over the course of just a few days, too few for it to be the work of one or two individuals, seemingly random people have been murdered in very similar fashions, each with a pile of poppies dumped on them. With each member of the MRT tasked with different parts of the investigation, and spreading out to fully investigate each crime scene, they are able to piece together a connection between the victims, but they’ll need a young woman who is terrified of law enforcement if they are to save more lives, and the life of one of their own.

I’ve had my ups and downs with this series. Some are better than others. Initially, after a couple that I really enjoyed, I had a hard time with this one. The writing is very plain and almost bland, so it was difficult to jump back in and connect with Matt, Kara, and the rest of the team. Even the tension between Kara and Catherine, the team’s psychologist, seemed diluted, which was a shame because it really helped the tension in a previous book. But the case quickly came to the forefront and, as it started to heat up, so did my interest. I loved watching them race to put the clues together, and deal with the danger that seemed to be all around them.

The case was, undeniably, the best part of this one. As much as I’ve always felt invested in each case, this one really had my mind spinning. Things were just heightened for me because it has an unexpected, added perspective. Riley is a young woman with an intense fear of law enforcement, and a past so well hidden she can’t risk getting close to any officer without putting her own life in danger. I loved her perspective, and I loved feeling terrified for her. Her perspective felt like it added more flavor to this story, because Kara, Matt, and the rest of the team are actually kind of flat in this one, leaving it up to the investigation itself to hold things together and get things moving. Fortunately, it was puzzling and complex and I could not read fast enough to find out what was going on.

I love the MRT. Each member has their own personality and talent, though more members keep getting added so they’re starting to lose their uniqueness simply because now I can’t keep them all straight. Kara, Matt, and Catherine are the best defined to me, which is a shame because some of the others were really interesting in previous books. In this one, they all kind of ran together and I struggled to keep them and their locations straight. I still love that Kara really follows her instincts even if it gets her in trouble, but sometimes I wish she could be at least a little wrong now and then. Matt is the overall good guy, even if his love for Kara is a weakness. I adore him and love just how stable he is, which contrasts nicely with how unstable Kara’s life has always been. I both love and hate Catherine. She clearly hates Kara for wholly personal reasons, and yet she’s good at what she does, even if she can be wrong. Her and Kara’s arc reaches a point in this one that I really liked, and now I’m curious to see what impact it’ll have on them and the rest of the team in future books.

Unlike previous books, See How They Hide does not plant the entire team in one location for most of the novel. Instead, they’re spread across the States, pairs of agents working to piece together how the crime scenes fit. I loved seeing them in different locations, dealing with different things. I loved that there were some twists and turns, but this one was fairly straightforward. I didn’t like that I found myself screaming at them to look in one direction. It was painfully obvious to me, and it took them forever to figure it out. So much for Catherine being a superb profiler! But, once they did figure it out, I couldn’t read fast enough. I couldn’t wait to find out how they managed to take down the mastermind.

I loved that this one threw in a perspective unrelated to both the mastermind and the MRT. It added information and flashbacks that would have otherwise just been tedious conversations. I thought it was really well done, and it really helped to hold my interest. This one was more complex than previous ones, and I loved digging my way through it. Of course, the writing did come off as more bare bones, which made it sometimes dry to read, so it was a good thing the case itself was intriguing.

See How They Hide isn’t the strongest in the series, but it does do some interesting things different from the previous books. I sometimes got the feeling the author wasn’t as invested in writing this series, but I love the way the team operates, and I usually find myself glued to their investigations. I would love more personality and growth from the other team members as this one focused mostly on Kara, Matt, and Catherine, but I adored Riley and my heart really felt for her. Overall, this wasn’t one of my favorites, but it did do some things I really liked.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Another solid entry in an overall solid series. I've read a bit of Allison Brennan's back catalog, and it's always felt a bit more romance than suspense (even in the sub-genre of romantic suspense). But as the years have gone on, and she's become a better (or more confident) writer, the books have tended towards more suspense than romance, and I feel it's all the better for it. During the pandemic, I binged every novel I could find from Lisa Gardner, and was disappointed when I completed her catalog. Brennan's books have filled that void nicely (and since there are a lot more of them, all the better). Her other current series - the new Angelheart Investigations - is good, but seems locked into the desert landscape of its location. I don't mind the local, but feel this series is all the better for how wide-ranging it is (even when it's in the desert, like in book 2). The characters are still good, and the more time we spend with them, the more we feel for them. It's a slow burn at times, but I don't think it's distracts. I even appreciated the breath of fresh air she breathed into the cult storyline. Hope she continues this series. It's a good one!

What a great mystery /suspense novel! And I learn that there are more- what a discovery! I can’t wait to read the books that led to this one. Kara’s story was a complete win for me as the reader.

Buy them all!

See How They Hide is a great installment in the Quinn & Costa Thriller series, proving that Allison Brennan is a master at crafting gripping, high-stakes stories. Even though this is part of a series, it works perfectly as a standalone. I haven’t read any of the other books in the series, but I was able to jump right in and follow along without feeling like I missed anything.

The pacing is spot on, and even with multiple points of view, timelines, and agents in play, the narrative is smooth and easy to follow. There’s never a dull moment, and the story keeps you hooked right up to the very last page.

One of the standout elements of this book is the concept behind the murders and the eerie detail of the red poppies. It’s such a unique and chilling piece of the plot that made the mystery feel fresh and compelling. I also loved how Brennan incorporated Riley’s artistic talent into the story. It’s not every day you see an artist’s skills woven so naturally into a crime thriller, and it added a fascinating layer to her character. Riley, overall, is one of the strongest points of the book—she’s dynamic, relatable, and memorable.

The “not-quite-a-cult cult” aspect was another standout for me. It added a creepy, unsettling vibe that kept me guessing and heightened the tension. And while the book is packed with action and suspense, there’s also a softer side. Matt and Kara’s dynamic brought some much-needed warmth and balance to the story, and their interactions felt natural and heartfelt.

On a more personal note, I had to pause and look up how to pronounce “Calliope,” which gave me a laugh. Those small moments of relatability and humor made the book even more enjoyable.

If you’re a fan of fast-paced thrillers with multi-faceted characters and unique storylines, you’ll enjoy See How They Hide. It’s perfect for readers who loved books like Karin Slaughter’s Pretty Girls or Lucinda Berry’s When She Returned. The mix of suspense, character development, and intriguing plot twists is sure to satisfy fans of crime thrillers and mysteries alike.

This was an enjoyable FBI procedural. It’s the 6th in a series and I haven’t read any of the other books, but it can be enjoyed as a standalone. This book heavily features a cult so if you love cult vibes then you’re going to want to check this one out.

See How They Hide (Quinn & Costa, #6) by Allison Brennan

This is the first of this series that I have read and will go back and read the series from the beginning as I enjoyed the camaraderie between Detective Kara Quinn and Special Agent Matt Costa and their team and Brennan's writing style. It can be read as a standalone.

The story begins with 2 murders on opposite coasts killed in a similar manner surrounded by poppies. What is the meaning of the poppies? The mark of the killer(s)? Something of Importance to the killer(s)? The victims? They search for the younger victim, Jane’s, best friend Riley Pierce, hoping to get more information from her as Jane’s current roommates know very little about her and there is minimal personal information in her room. More murders occur. Riley knows exactly what is going on but fears law enforcement. Will Detective Kara Quinn and Special Agent Matt Costa, along with their team gain her trust in time to end the killings? The suspense made this book hard to put down

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Allison Brennan for an advanced copy of this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

See How They Hide is my first five-star read of 2025. I haven't read the other books in this series, but after this one, I totally need to. See How They Hide functions very well as a standalone. The only confusion I had involved Kara's background, which was explained but not in depth. I also found the number of characters confusing at first, but once the story picked up, it was easy to tell who was who.

See How They Hide gave me Criminal Mind-type vibes. The cast of characters was great. I loved the romance between Matt and Kara and the drama it caused between Kara and Catherine.

I've always been interested in cults. I thought the way that Havenwood was ran by Calliope was really interesting. It wasn't really a religious cult it was more of a commune that was taken over by a charismatic leader. What really stood out to me was the way the team worked together with Riley. They actually listened to what she had to say about the cult she grew up in. Because they listened they were able to diffuse the situation at Havenwood before any innocent people were hurt.

Overall it was a great read if you like books with a cast of characters like Criminal Minds this book might be for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately I found this book boring. I may try and pick it up again at a later date. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc/alc.

See How They Hide by Allison Brennan is the 6th book in her wonderful Quinn & Costa series. I love the Quinn and Costa series, as it is always very exciting and intense. Detective Kara Quinn and Special Agent Matt Costa are the leads, with them part of the FBI Mobile Response Team (MRT).

Two people are found murdered in the same time period, with Kara in Oregon and Matt in Virginia, with both finding red poppies on the dead. Kara and her partner Michael, investigate the murder of Jane Merrifield; Matt and his agent, Sloane are investigating the murder of Robert Benson. They begin to try to uncover the link between the two cases, which have similar findings. In a short time, it is suspected that who ever is behind the murders, are part of a cult; as more victims are found. The search reveals more questions, until they meet Riley Pierce, the only person still alive that could help them.

Riley Pierce grew up in Havenwood, a commune started by her grandmother, where people could live a much simpler life. When Riley gets older, she discovers that her mother, Calliope has taken control, not allowing anyone to leave Havenwood, or they will die. Riley escapes to Paris, to study; but when she finds out her best friend, Jane was murdered; she returns secretly to the states, and is devasted that a few other friends (who had escaped) were also murdered. Kara meets Riley, and learns all she can about where and who run Havenwood; they both bond, and Riley will help reveal the information that might help them break the case.

The suspense rises throughout the investigation, as Matt gets himself kidnapped. Kara, Michael and the rest of the FBI/MRT team, are determined to find Matt, and save Riley (who her mother wants her back). The last ¼ of the story was a nail-biting end, filled with suspense, intrigue, intense, with a number of twists.

See How They Hide was a captivating thriller, that was a fantastic chiller, with a wild ending. I was happy that Riley’s part ended well, with her having a very good conclusion. Allison Brennan gives us another fabulous exciting thriller. See How They Hide was another terrific addition to this wonderful series.

I have read every single one of Alison Brennan's books. They never disappoint and this was no exception. Great story, great characters.

Best of luck with the book and thanks for the advanced read

Thank you to NetGalley, Allison Brennan, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC. This gripping detective mystery with a cult theme is a true page-turner. Brennan expertly reveals each twist at the perfect moment, keeping the tension high throughout. A highly enjoyable read!

A mind blowingly wild ride! This one had me on a rollercoaster ride that I couldn't get off until iknoew what the heck was going on! From start to finish, never a dull moment. Allison Brennan, you are absolutely brilliant!!

This was a difficult book to read because of the subject matter. However, I did feel for the characters. The police/ FBI story was wee done v

See How They Hide is the Sixth installment in author Allison Brennan's Quinn & Costa series. Detective Kara Quinn, formerly of the LAPD, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Matt Costa, have a mystery on their hands. The FBI Mobile Response Team has been asked to investigate the deaths of two people who were murdered in the exact same way, one in Virginia and another in Oregon, with red poppies covering their bodies. Quinn and her partner, FBI Agent Michael Harris, investigate the murder of Jane Merrifield in Oregon.

Meanwhile, Matt and Agent Sloane Wagner, who is new to the team, are in Virginia looking into the murder of Robert Benson. What is his connection to Jane? As they investigate, they pinpoint Jane’s roommate, Riley Pierce, as the link between the two and other victims who appear to have been given new identities. Eventually, they learn that Riley, who arrived from Paris, has information about an isolated cult-like community called Havenwood in the Colorado mountains that might be the key to solving the murders.

Riley grew up in Havenwood, a commune started by her grandmother, where people could live a much simpler life. It was a place for people who wanted to live a simple life. But when Riley got older, she discovered that her mother, Calliope, had taken control and refused to allow anyone to leave. Those who tried, died. Those who escaped were tracked down. While Riley escaped to Paris to study art, her best friend, Jane stayed behind. Now she's dead. Riley is devastated to learn that friends who escaped with her help are now being targeted by Calliope.

The suspense rises throughout the investigation as Matt gets himself kidnapped as a way to send a message to Riley. Kara, Michael and the rest of the FBI/MRT team are determined to find Matt and save Riley (whose mother wants her back). Unfortunately, Kara once again faces scorn from her teammate, Catherine Jones, who thinks she's unhinged and out of control. Catherine's issues have always bothered me because she's sanctimonious, like most politicians, believing that her truth is one everyone should agree upon. Even Dean Montero, who takes over while Matt is gone, seems to have issues with Kara.

The good thing is that Kara develops a bond with Riley, one of the bright spots in this series. Riley is a character who not only escaped her own mother but now may have answers as to how to find Havenwood and how to rescue Matt and others who might want to leave. Dean Montero is an expert in cults but he hasn't been out in the field for years, which allows Kara to do what she does best. Kara is well aware of her shortcomings in the eyes of the FBI, but no one has her instincts, and that counts for a whole lot, especially when things go sideways and Matt is in danger.

On the brighter side, it has taken a few books for Matt to realize that Catherine's opinion is just that—her opinion. Matt loves Kara, who is now looking to move ahead with her life without worrying about her past issues with the LAPD or her issues with Catherine. There is a bit of hope when it comes to that, but I won't spoil it. Let's hope this means that the author intends to give the couple time to explore if they are meant to be together.

See How They Hide by Allison Brennan is a gripping thriller that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Brennan expertly crafts a tense and suspenseful narrative filled with unexpected twists and turns. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with their flaws and motivations adding depth to the story. The plot moves at a brisk pace, combining psychological intrigue with action-packed moments that make it hard to put down. Brennan’s attention to detail and ability to build a chilling atmosphere elevate the book, making it a standout in the genre. A must-read for fans of fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thrillers!