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Hide and Go Seek: A fast-paced cat and mouse thriller written in three threads, from the points of view of five main characters.
You can hide but fate will find you every time!
Chris is young, rich and successful but his perfect life has come at a cost – the brutal murder of his parents five years earlier. Now on his 25th birthday a message is left on his answering machine promising him the same fate. Plagued by similar pranks in the past, Chris won’t let it get the better of him. After all, his girlfriend Jill has planned a week-long getaway and he plans to propose. Unbeknown to Chris however, the mysterious caller is far from a prankster, he is a killer who has been tracking his prey, just waiting for the perfect time to strike.
Set in beautiful New Zealand, Hide and Go Seek is a fast-paced cat and mouse thriller written in three threads, from the points of view of five main characters. The perfect couple, the psychotic killer, the lonely waitress and the crazed stalker will be forced into each other’s lives in a deadly game of survival.
Chris is young, rich and successful but his perfect life has come at a cost – the brutal murder of his parents five years earlier. Now on his 25th birthday a message is left on his answering machine promising him the same fate. Plagued by similar pranks in the past, Chris won’t let it get the better of him. After all, his girlfriend Jill has planned a week-long getaway and he plans to propose. Unbeknown to Chris however, the mysterious caller is far from a prankster, he is a killer who has been tracking his prey, just waiting for the perfect time to strike.
Set in beautiful New Zealand, Hide and Go Seek is a fast-paced cat and mouse thriller written in three threads, from the points of view of five main characters. The perfect couple, the psychotic killer, the lonely waitress and the crazed stalker will be forced into each other’s lives in a deadly game of survival.
- GenresThriller
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2015
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75 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 30, 2016
At first I wasn’t sure where the Prologue fitted into the rest of the story, but by the end it all made sense. The main contrast is between Chris and Jacob with support from Jill, Jamie and Richard. Chris is the rich, privileged one, he has the fast car and pretty girl. We see his polite, but shallow attitude in his dealings with his employees. Jacob is more ordinary, driving his van, almost nomadic in his habits, more carnal, but not as sleazy as Richard. The reader’s impression of Jamie is her vulnerability, through her work in the diner. Interestingly we hear Chris’s version of his parents first and then Jacob’s version which is designed to make the reader question their initial assumptions about the characters.
The structure is well thought out with the characters’ lives nicely intertwined. The ending is logical based on the story, although I would have liked more of a physical description at the end to make sure my assumptions are correct. There are some gruesome and gory details, but they are only there to show the nature of the character. Unless you have a particularly weak stomach you should be fine (I’ve read a lot worse).
In terms of the language I thought it was a little wordy, but I’m having difficulty trying to find a reason for this. As some reviewers have commented perhaps there is too much detail. Yet most of the incidents are subtle, which are revealed later on in the story. There is the drive to the garage, but then the significance of this becomes relevant later. The swimming incident is there to emphasise Chris’s feelings and perhaps a little paranoia.
For me this book was good, well thought out and credible, which is what you want from a thriller.
The structure is well thought out with the characters’ lives nicely intertwined. The ending is logical based on the story, although I would have liked more of a physical description at the end to make sure my assumptions are correct. There are some gruesome and gory details, but they are only there to show the nature of the character. Unless you have a particularly weak stomach you should be fine (I’ve read a lot worse).
In terms of the language I thought it was a little wordy, but I’m having difficulty trying to find a reason for this. As some reviewers have commented perhaps there is too much detail. Yet most of the incidents are subtle, which are revealed later on in the story. There is the drive to the garage, but then the significance of this becomes relevant later. The swimming incident is there to emphasise Chris’s feelings and perhaps a little paranoia.
For me this book was good, well thought out and credible, which is what you want from a thriller.
October 17, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
April 16, 2019
I am giving four stars for the mere fact I don't fully understand the ending to this book. I have reread parts several times, and I guess I am missing something. Overall a very good book. It has suspense, murder, love, lust, and mayhem.
November 24, 2019
Whow
Not light reading. Events play out from individuals point of view. Characters painted into the plot with overlaps. Final chapter!
Not light reading. Events play out from individuals point of view. Characters painted into the plot with overlaps. Final chapter!
January 23, 2016
Five unforgettable characters are on a collision course with destiny in this tension-filled thriller from author Kevin Patel. It's the kind of book that makes you keep repeating the well-worn mantra of horror fans everywhere: "Don't go in there!"
The book spins slowly through opening chapters that lull the reader into a false sense of serenity, particularly with happily just-engaged couple Chris and Jill. Their idyllic, romantic road trip is about to turn decidedly deadly.
And Jamie, the beautiful but hopelessly unlucky-in-love waitress, sees danger in every shadow, and can't believe her good fortune at meeting police detective Dallas Perkins. But is he really the white knight she's been waiting for all her life?
Then, there's Richard, the homeless man who spends most of his time across the street from the diner where Jamie works. He seems harmless, fixated on Jamie from afar, but as time goes on . . .
Finally, there's Jacob, easily the book's most complex character. He's three parts victim, one part ex-convict, and one part very scary part homicidal maniac.
You'll be tempted to skim through a few slow-moving portions of this rich and well-edited story. But stay the course as the narrative switches points-of-view. Your patience will pay dividends in the last one-third of this carefully paced thriller.
Does Jamie finally get a happy ending, riding into the sunset with her intrepid lawman? Will Chris and Jill escape the stalking of the certifiably creepy Jacob? And what will happen to Richard? A permanent place in a homeless shelter, perhaps, where he finds Jesus and doles out hot soup to his fellow residents?
Ah, this book is deliciously unpredictable. Whatever ending you think is in store for the principal players, you'll probably be wrong. Very, very wrong.
Five stars to this true crime story masquerading as an intriguing mystery. Oh, and there's also a gore alert in effect for the final few pages. Not trying to give anything away. Just sayin'.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The book spins slowly through opening chapters that lull the reader into a false sense of serenity, particularly with happily just-engaged couple Chris and Jill. Their idyllic, romantic road trip is about to turn decidedly deadly.
And Jamie, the beautiful but hopelessly unlucky-in-love waitress, sees danger in every shadow, and can't believe her good fortune at meeting police detective Dallas Perkins. But is he really the white knight she's been waiting for all her life?
Then, there's Richard, the homeless man who spends most of his time across the street from the diner where Jamie works. He seems harmless, fixated on Jamie from afar, but as time goes on . . .
Finally, there's Jacob, easily the book's most complex character. He's three parts victim, one part ex-convict, and one part very scary part homicidal maniac.
You'll be tempted to skim through a few slow-moving portions of this rich and well-edited story. But stay the course as the narrative switches points-of-view. Your patience will pay dividends in the last one-third of this carefully paced thriller.
Does Jamie finally get a happy ending, riding into the sunset with her intrepid lawman? Will Chris and Jill escape the stalking of the certifiably creepy Jacob? And what will happen to Richard? A permanent place in a homeless shelter, perhaps, where he finds Jesus and doles out hot soup to his fellow residents?
Ah, this book is deliciously unpredictable. Whatever ending you think is in store for the principal players, you'll probably be wrong. Very, very wrong.
Five stars to this true crime story masquerading as an intriguing mystery. Oh, and there's also a gore alert in effect for the final few pages. Not trying to give anything away. Just sayin'.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 18, 2015
Review of ‘Hide and Go Seek’ by Kevin Patel
The story opens with a breathless sequence of a violent house invasion of a young woman. The reader is left in no doubt that it doesn’t end well for Elaine. Switch to Chris, a successful young businessman who finds himself terrorised by a vindictive Jacob from a shadowy past he hoped he’d shaken free of. Next we meet the unfortunate Jamie, a waitress at a fast food diner who’s seen her share of disillusionment. How are they connected, if at all? When Chris proposes to Jill and they head off into the rosy sunset, you just know it’s not going to end well...
‘Hide and go Seek’ is a dark and bloodthirsty tale full of twists and parallel perspectives that often leaves you scratching your head, but it does all come together in the end. And then there’s Ian. ‘Who’s Ian’, you ask? Well, personally speaking I have my own theory, but maybe you should decide for yourself.
Mr Patel certainly knows how to ratchet up the tension in the action scenes. I might have groaned a little (okay, quite a lot) about his pedantry with regard to little things we take for granted and as authors tend to shortcut, such as eating, shaving or dressing, only I’m not exactly sure if this precision isn’t intentional. I don’t want to give anything away if my theory is correct although there is a real danger you can alienate your reader in your desire to push the point. My other gripe is that the whole package seems to tie together too neatly, and life is very rarely like that.
The author provided a free copy of ‘Hide and Go Seek’ in return for an honest review.
The story opens with a breathless sequence of a violent house invasion of a young woman. The reader is left in no doubt that it doesn’t end well for Elaine. Switch to Chris, a successful young businessman who finds himself terrorised by a vindictive Jacob from a shadowy past he hoped he’d shaken free of. Next we meet the unfortunate Jamie, a waitress at a fast food diner who’s seen her share of disillusionment. How are they connected, if at all? When Chris proposes to Jill and they head off into the rosy sunset, you just know it’s not going to end well...
‘Hide and go Seek’ is a dark and bloodthirsty tale full of twists and parallel perspectives that often leaves you scratching your head, but it does all come together in the end. And then there’s Ian. ‘Who’s Ian’, you ask? Well, personally speaking I have my own theory, but maybe you should decide for yourself.
Mr Patel certainly knows how to ratchet up the tension in the action scenes. I might have groaned a little (okay, quite a lot) about his pedantry with regard to little things we take for granted and as authors tend to shortcut, such as eating, shaving or dressing, only I’m not exactly sure if this precision isn’t intentional. I don’t want to give anything away if my theory is correct although there is a real danger you can alienate your reader in your desire to push the point. My other gripe is that the whole package seems to tie together too neatly, and life is very rarely like that.
The author provided a free copy of ‘Hide and Go Seek’ in return for an honest review.
April 8, 2016
Fast-moving in parts but too slow in others. Despite the very gripping beginning and the gruesomely bloody end of this serial killer thriller, I found too much of it contained rather ponderous detailed explanations, much of which could have been left out. There was nothing wrong with the well-written descriptions as they showed the author’s undoubted literary skills. It was just that it slowed things down and often led to confusion about the many characters that required centre stage at that moment.
There were five main characters and Kevin Patel allowed each of them to relate the tale from their own point of view which was, for me, more confusing than it was interesting. I found Jamie, the waitress in the diner, to be the only character I cared about while Richard and Jacob impressed me with how repulsively creepy and scary they both were! This tense and bloodthirsty tale seems, for the most part, to revolve around Chris and his girlfriend, Jill, but I could not sympathise with them and the events that overtake them, which was probably the author’s intention. However, I thought much of the description about them and the twists and turns throughout the book realistic and thought-provoking. It was just that there was a little too much of it.
In addition, I believe the reader has to be a fan of this gory end of the genre to really enjoy it, which I’m not. The author provided a free copy of ‘Hide and Go Seek’ in return for an honest review.
There were five main characters and Kevin Patel allowed each of them to relate the tale from their own point of view which was, for me, more confusing than it was interesting. I found Jamie, the waitress in the diner, to be the only character I cared about while Richard and Jacob impressed me with how repulsively creepy and scary they both were! This tense and bloodthirsty tale seems, for the most part, to revolve around Chris and his girlfriend, Jill, but I could not sympathise with them and the events that overtake them, which was probably the author’s intention. However, I thought much of the description about them and the twists and turns throughout the book realistic and thought-provoking. It was just that there was a little too much of it.
In addition, I believe the reader has to be a fan of this gory end of the genre to really enjoy it, which I’m not. The author provided a free copy of ‘Hide and Go Seek’ in return for an honest review.
August 12, 2015
Well, my review may be colored a bit by the fact that I am not a fan of reading about violence, but I've tried my best to keep that out of it and give a thoughtful, more objective review. Kevin Patel writes a book that is often fast-paced (suspenseful, vivid, action-packed), but occasionally the plot gets bogged down by slow description. It's nice to take a breather from all that action once in a while, though, as there are lot of fast switches in point of view (we follow 5 characters' view points, and the chapters are very short), and it's easy to get confused.
I didn't feel I could connect with any of the characters. You have Chris and Jill (a young couple about to get married), but a serial killer is after Chris. There's the psycho killer, a stalker, and, as the author notes in the description "a lonely waitress." None of the characters are that complex, making this a more plot-focused novel. It will certainly keep you on your toes, keep you guessing, keep your stomach churning, and so if you're into that, give this a read.
Getting past unnecessary dialogue and description that would immediately get cut in a writer's workshop was tough for me. This story has a bit of a way to go before it's polished. Still, if you don't mind all that and just want a bloody read about a serial killer, you may just enjoy this one.
I didn't feel I could connect with any of the characters. You have Chris and Jill (a young couple about to get married), but a serial killer is after Chris. There's the psycho killer, a stalker, and, as the author notes in the description "a lonely waitress." None of the characters are that complex, making this a more plot-focused novel. It will certainly keep you on your toes, keep you guessing, keep your stomach churning, and so if you're into that, give this a read.
Getting past unnecessary dialogue and description that would immediately get cut in a writer's workshop was tough for me. This story has a bit of a way to go before it's polished. Still, if you don't mind all that and just want a bloody read about a serial killer, you may just enjoy this one.
October 10, 2015
Many a time I read a book that's technically good but bores me with the way it's written, and I'm glad to say Hide And Go Seek was nothing like that. It was good on top of being written in a way that was easy to get through while being fun and flat out entertaining. It's a little slow in the beginning but once it picks up it REALLY picks up.
The story follows more than one character, and different chapters focus on different characters. My personal favorite was Jamie, who was tragic but very likable, and I found her brief relationship with a chef she works with to be very sweet. It was completely platonic, by the way. At first I wasn't sure how all these characters were connected, but by the end everything came together pretty naturally.
The first half of the story is surprisingly lighthearted, but then halfway through it goes dark and then winds up downright nasty. There's even a few scenes that made me feel a little sick to my stomach just because of how well it was described. Without spoiling anything, I started suspecting how it was going to end but was still shocked when I actually read it. Just wow. Super dark, that's all I'm saying.
Oh and a bonus: this may sound a little lame, but since I'm a total 90s kid, I loved that there was a reference to Are You Afraid Of The Dark? in there. It's such a minor moment but it put a smile on my face.
The story follows more than one character, and different chapters focus on different characters. My personal favorite was Jamie, who was tragic but very likable, and I found her brief relationship with a chef she works with to be very sweet. It was completely platonic, by the way. At first I wasn't sure how all these characters were connected, but by the end everything came together pretty naturally.
The first half of the story is surprisingly lighthearted, but then halfway through it goes dark and then winds up downright nasty. There's even a few scenes that made me feel a little sick to my stomach just because of how well it was described. Without spoiling anything, I started suspecting how it was going to end but was still shocked when I actually read it. Just wow. Super dark, that's all I'm saying.
Oh and a bonus: this may sound a little lame, but since I'm a total 90s kid, I loved that there was a reference to Are You Afraid Of The Dark? in there. It's such a minor moment but it put a smile on my face.
April 25, 2016
A Happy Ever After Story…?
I want to give this 3.5!
An intruder terrifies a young woman who at first suspects the noises she hears are nothing more than figments of her imagination. Not so. We hold our breath and will her to make her escape.
Next, we are introduced to Chris and Jill. Young love. Chris is seriously wealthy and happy to surprise Jill with an expensive gift on a birthday weekend away. They practically ride off into the sunset, but there is always something out of kilter. Chris has a past that threatens to spoil everything. We don’t know what he has done. Mr. Patel keeps us guessing.
Richard and Jacob are very disturbed individuals, who are capable of shocking acts of violence. Each of them has his reasons, that is clear, but I found it a little distracting to have two such similar characters. That they are convincingly drawn and utterly evil, there is no doubt.
Jamie, a waitress in an American style diner, who is trying to dig herself out of an unenviable past, is the only character I can say I cared about.
While this book is action packed for the most part, at times the pace slows and detail makes the writing drag. If you are a fan of violent action thrillers, there is certainly enough to keep you turning the pages, though.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I want to give this 3.5!
An intruder terrifies a young woman who at first suspects the noises she hears are nothing more than figments of her imagination. Not so. We hold our breath and will her to make her escape.
Next, we are introduced to Chris and Jill. Young love. Chris is seriously wealthy and happy to surprise Jill with an expensive gift on a birthday weekend away. They practically ride off into the sunset, but there is always something out of kilter. Chris has a past that threatens to spoil everything. We don’t know what he has done. Mr. Patel keeps us guessing.
Richard and Jacob are very disturbed individuals, who are capable of shocking acts of violence. Each of them has his reasons, that is clear, but I found it a little distracting to have two such similar characters. That they are convincingly drawn and utterly evil, there is no doubt.
Jamie, a waitress in an American style diner, who is trying to dig herself out of an unenviable past, is the only character I can say I cared about.
While this book is action packed for the most part, at times the pace slows and detail makes the writing drag. If you are a fan of violent action thrillers, there is certainly enough to keep you turning the pages, though.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2016
This novel starts off at a measured speed, drawing you in at a slow pace and as it kicks up steam, pretty soon it doesn't let up. Told from varying points of view it kept me intrigued all the way through. It didn't hold back on the gore and violence but this is a serial killer thriller and that's the nature of the beast, so to speak. As it was told from five different perspectives, what is actually true and what is a lie tends to get very murky and you have to rely on your own reasoning for who or what to believe. The fact that the story is also told backwards and forwards in time makes it even more difficult to figure out where the story was going and is one of the more unpredictable novels I have read in quite some time. I still didn't see the (shocking) ending coming and I still have questions about the real identity of some of the characters, particularly Ian and Jill. Only Jamie did I mostly believe but the others? Forgetaboutit.
October 11, 2015
Hide and Go Seek is a unpredictable violent thriller set in beautiful New Zealand. It starts off with sheer violence in the beginning and the story teases you by mixing false suspense and outright surprises. The five characters in the book are developed in a non-linear manner, and you can't from wanting the best for at poor Jamie - the mis-fortuned waitress. Whilst reading the book, I frequently asked myself - what's eating Chris the successful businessman. More importantly, who is Jill? The ending chapters shocked me. Without giving any spoilers, all I can say is that no one is whom they seem to be....well, maybe except for Jamie. Highly recommended for serial killer and mystery violent thriller fans. I downloaded this book using Kindle Unlimited.
June 20, 2016
If you are not such a fan of blood and violence, do not dare to start reading this book. I admit that several times I couldn't continue reading when the pace is starting to get slow and even sower, but I guess that's part of the author to build up the tension. Taking angle from multiple characters is very smart. It makes the story is unpredictable and keeps the fun. Writing too detail can be both good and bad. As for me, I like detail in things, and, in Hide and Seek, some of the scenes are so vivid that I could almost taste and smell what the main characters do. But going too detail can be dangerous most of the time as it bores readers.
June 13, 2015
This one took a little while to get going, I found the lengthy descriptions somewhat pointless, but if you persevere, the last 15% goes off like a rocket. A very graphic bloody rocket.
As the blurb says, it's told from several points of view, and the way it swaps around between them and in time takes a little getting used to, particularly as the same scene is viewed from different perspectives on several occasions. It could do with tightening up to increase the suspense, but it's a decent yarn for fans of of the serial killer genre.
As the blurb says, it's told from several points of view, and the way it swaps around between them and in time takes a little getting used to, particularly as the same scene is viewed from different perspectives on several occasions. It could do with tightening up to increase the suspense, but it's a decent yarn for fans of of the serial killer genre.
July 17, 2015
A grisly and nasty thriller
This is a story of several unsavoury characters, most of whom need psychiatric treatment. I found it hard to feel empathy with any of them. Just the point, I guess.
Chris is engaged to Jill, but is he the man he seems to be? Jacob is a psychotic killer, with a score to settle. In doing so, a number of people die, in bloodthirsty detail.
This is basically a horror story, so if you like gory details and characters that should really be put out of their misery, you’ll love it.
This is a story of several unsavoury characters, most of whom need psychiatric treatment. I found it hard to feel empathy with any of them. Just the point, I guess.
Chris is engaged to Jill, but is he the man he seems to be? Jacob is a psychotic killer, with a score to settle. In doing so, a number of people die, in bloodthirsty detail.
This is basically a horror story, so if you like gory details and characters that should really be put out of their misery, you’ll love it.
October 14, 2015
Once you get used to the swapping around of points of view in this book (which doesn't take long) you’ll enjoy this book. It seems slow in the beginning, but this is mainly due to the detail the author goes into which sets you up for the main part of the story. Be aware, this is has a number of confronting scenes in it and if you are not a fan of serial-killer/stalker type novels, this may not be for you. That said, it is no worse to many shows you can easily access on TV or at the movies. No problem for me as I like this genre and I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. Recommended.
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