What do you think?
Rate this book
Hide Your Fear
THE ONLY WAY
A home provides more than comfort and shelter. It stores memories . . . and hides secrets. Divorcee Caitlin Stoller and her children recently moved into a charming old Tudor-style house in the coastal town of Echo, Washington. The place was a bargain, but as weeks pass, Caitlin starts receiving messages first friendly, then unsettling, hinting at the property s dark past . . .
YOU'LL STAY ALIVE
Caitlin's teenage daughter, Lindsay, isn't fitting in at school. To make matters worse, there are stories about local high school students who've disappeared without a trace, all star athletes, like Lindsay. Then there are the rumors that their new home is cursed. Caitlin doesn't want to believe the whispers, but something strange is going on. Personal items go missing, and there are too many accidents . . .
IS IF HE NEVER FINDS YOU
The Watcher knows how to get inside the Stollers' home and inside their heads. The rumors are true . . . but the full horror is even worse. There's no escaping the nightmare that started here long ago, and no place to hide from a killer who knows exactly how this story will end.
A home provides more than comfort and shelter. It stores memories . . . and hides secrets. Divorcee Caitlin Stoller and her children recently moved into a charming old Tudor-style house in the coastal town of Echo, Washington. The place was a bargain, but as weeks pass, Caitlin starts receiving messages first friendly, then unsettling, hinting at the property s dark past . . .
YOU'LL STAY ALIVE
Caitlin's teenage daughter, Lindsay, isn't fitting in at school. To make matters worse, there are stories about local high school students who've disappeared without a trace, all star athletes, like Lindsay. Then there are the rumors that their new home is cursed. Caitlin doesn't want to believe the whispers, but something strange is going on. Personal items go missing, and there are too many accidents . . .
IS IF HE NEVER FINDS YOU
The Watcher knows how to get inside the Stollers' home and inside their heads. The rumors are true . . . but the full horror is even worse. There's no escaping the nightmare that started here long ago, and no place to hide from a killer who knows exactly how this story will end.
441 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2017
300 people are currently reading
2058 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
September 15, 2017
Wow! How have I never heard of this author before? Crazy. Absolutely loved it. Wish I could have just stayed home to read! I will be reading the rest of his books From here forward! Loved the two twists and the ending! Great characters!
July 14, 2017
Stayed up til 2am to finish. 'Nuff said.
July 13, 2017
Divorcée Caitlin Stoller and her two children move into a beautiful home to start a new life. Unfortunately, the house comes with a threatening stalker.
Meanwhile, in another part of the county, high school swimmers are being abducted. One has been found dead, while the others are still missing. Aaron has just joined the missing.
Hide Your Fear is a creepy, unsettling domestic thriller. It weighs in at 544 pages, and I read it in three gulps. O'Brien's writing is average, but as his storytelling ability is excellent, sparkling prose isn't missed. He expertly weaves the two plots together and keeps the reader in suspense even after revealing nearly everything. I highly recommend this as an un-put-down-able read.
Meanwhile, in another part of the county, high school swimmers are being abducted. One has been found dead, while the others are still missing. Aaron has just joined the missing.
Hide Your Fear is a creepy, unsettling domestic thriller. It weighs in at 544 pages, and I read it in three gulps. O'Brien's writing is average, but as his storytelling ability is excellent, sparkling prose isn't missed. He expertly weaves the two plots together and keeps the reader in suspense even after revealing nearly everything. I highly recommend this as an un-put-down-able read.
February 20, 2025
I really enjoyed this despite some weaknesses in the unfolding of the mysteries. The sadistic abductor/swim coach and swim practices were eerily specific and inventive. What a strange world of depravity and sympathetic crime victims this author cooked up! I would read more books by Kevin O’Brien. The story involved several threads that did come together in the end, albeit in a somewhat awkward manner.
Jonathan Yen did a fantastic job narrating the audiobook. It was an unconventional choice to use a male narrator when the main character is Caitlin, a female, but Yen made it work. Yen’s voice work of the creepy phone calls Caitlin receives alone was worth it.
Jonathan Yen did a fantastic job narrating the audiobook. It was an unconventional choice to use a male narrator when the main character is Caitlin, a female, but Yen made it work. Yen’s voice work of the creepy phone calls Caitlin receives alone was worth it.
December 7, 2017
Some parts cheesy suspense but most of the book was solid and kept me on the edge of my seat. Enjoyed it!
April 12, 2019
After her son's death causes her husband to spiral down into drug use, Caitlin Stoller buys an old Victorian mansion to start life over again with her other children Gabe & Lindsay. Caitlin begins to receive calls from a raspy voice, notes on her car, and strange occurrences inside her house. Turns out these strange happenings occurred to the previous owners too. Caitlin also finds out that a murder happened in the house 25 years ago. She's further freaked out as she learns teenaged swimmers have been disappearing for a while and Lindsay is a swimmer.
Early on, a scene in the book depicts someone in a clown mask abducting a woman and staging her suicide. Some clowns are creepy. Someone is watching Caitlin, even knowing when she sends an email. Then there are the scenes where an unidentified man is coaching the swimmers he abducted. Seriously, some of the scenes made my skin crawl.
I spent most of the book trying to figure out if one person could be responsible for all the sinister behavior going on. Who could be watching Caitlin so closely? The author held his cards close. I didn't figure out who was behind everything until the author chose to reveal. I'm glad I didn't read the book alone or late at night.
Early on, a scene in the book depicts someone in a clown mask abducting a woman and staging her suicide. Some clowns are creepy. Someone is watching Caitlin, even knowing when she sends an email. Then there are the scenes where an unidentified man is coaching the swimmers he abducted. Seriously, some of the scenes made my skin crawl.
I spent most of the book trying to figure out if one person could be responsible for all the sinister behavior going on. Who could be watching Caitlin so closely? The author held his cards close. I didn't figure out who was behind everything until the author chose to reveal. I'm glad I didn't read the book alone or late at night.
July 23, 2017
A special thank you to Kensington for my copy of Hide Your Fear by Kevin O’Brien in exchange for an honest review. I will read Hide Your Fear and give a review after I have finished reading my current book.
August 8, 2017
Not as enjoyable as others.
September 7, 2017
Ok
It took me forever to finish. It was not a page turning thriller. Just was not that interesting of a story for me. The ending was the best part of the book.
It took me forever to finish. It was not a page turning thriller. Just was not that interesting of a story for me. The ending was the best part of the book.
May 2, 2020
A masterful suspense novel with constant surprises throughout the story. One of my favorite thriller writers. I always appreciate the originality of his stories.
February 22, 2019
Two concurrent stories: All of the families living in a house, at different times, endure a stalker and several tragedies. The other story is of a kidnapper who takes high school swimmers and trains them to be better swimmers. The connection between the stories unfolded in the last quarter of the book, but things were so weirdly connected that everything was too far-fetched. I have a hard time believing that so many psychopaths can exist in the same area. The writing and editing were okay, but I was unimpressed with the author’s descriptions of some characters. Saying the lady cop looked exactly like Jennifer Lawrence or that Aaron looked like Keanu Reeves feels like lazy writing. I’d prefer to use my imagination in visualizing them. I was also frustrated by how naive and stupid Caitlin and Lindsay were.
July 30, 2017
Wow. How have I never read Kevin O' Brien before.
Hide your Fear was an excellent read. So many twists and turns, some characters you love and some you love to hate. It's a fair size book but you will find yourself turning the pages as quick as you are able.
I will be thinking about Caitlan, Lindsay, Gabe ,Aaron , Monica along with many others in this very good story.
I am sure to buy more of Kevin O'Brien as soon as i can.
DON'T MISS THIS ONE
Hide your Fear was an excellent read. So many twists and turns, some characters you love and some you love to hate. It's a fair size book but you will find yourself turning the pages as quick as you are able.
I will be thinking about Caitlan, Lindsay, Gabe ,Aaron , Monica along with many others in this very good story.
I am sure to buy more of Kevin O'Brien as soon as i can.
DON'T MISS THIS ONE
August 17, 2017
This is the 5th book by this author I have read, and while all of them have been good, this one really stepped up the creepiness factor. The way the story develops is completely believable and very unsettling because it is so plausible.
Take one haunted house, add in a number of missing teens, and add in a serial killer, and you have Hide Your Fear. I found myself feeling my skin crawl more than a couple of times, that's how scary good this book is.
Take one haunted house, add in a number of missing teens, and add in a serial killer, and you have Hide Your Fear. I found myself feeling my skin crawl more than a couple of times, that's how scary good this book is.
January 31, 2018
This was a really great book. I didn't want to put it down and finished it quicker then most books that are over 500 pages that I have read. I like the fact the author didn't repeat himself in the book as far as the mystery or how the characters were feeling. The book kept you engaged with its relatable characters and the order of the storyline.
May 2, 2022
It was okay...
I had higher expectations.
For some reason I wanted it to be more thrilling than it was.. it was also very long... longer than it needed to be.. all in all it was a good book I enjoyed it.
I had higher expectations.
For some reason I wanted it to be more thrilling than it was.. it was also very long... longer than it needed to be.. all in all it was a good book I enjoyed it.
July 20, 2023
DNF. Read first 50 pages or so. Dark and depressing
September 9, 2017
The house was supposed to be a new beginning for the recently divorced Caitlin and her two kids. Little did she know, however, that the house came with a stalker. Was it just a little innocuous flirting from the creepy, yet harmless, guy who frequented the library where Caitlin worked? Or was it something more sinister? Furthermore, several high school students had been going missing. The only thing these students had in common was that they were all swimmers on their high school teams. Caitlin's daughter, Lindsay, was also a swimmer. Were the stalker and the missing teens connected somehow?
Normally books take a while to become interesting, but this book was captivating from literally page one. It's a pretty big book (550 pages), but it's a page turner. Although I did, at a certain point, figure out who-dunnit, it was still really good. I'm looking forward to reading more stories by this author.
Normally books take a while to become interesting, but this book was captivating from literally page one. It's a pretty big book (550 pages), but it's a page turner. Although I did, at a certain point, figure out who-dunnit, it was still really good. I'm looking forward to reading more stories by this author.
January 12, 2019
This is my 17th book by Kevin O'brien and all I can say is AMAZING... Such a, kept on your seat page turner!!! Sure glad this wasn't a True Story in the NW Part of Washington, or any part that is. Just ordered Kevin O'briens newest book that came out last year, Can't wait :-)
August 9, 2017
Even after 14 or so books of pretty much the exact same tropes, plot elements and similar ideas, somehow, Kevin O'Brien still manages to pen yet another fantastic thriller that kept me absolutely hooked.
Hide Your Fear is easily the most addictive novel I've read in up this point this year (August, 2017). I mean, I read something like 320 pages in one sitting because I couldn't put the damn thing down. That's, quite simply, because, even though O'Brien isn't the best author out there, the guy can spin one hell of a story, complete with the requisite cliff hangers, red herrings, and moments of plot twists that are an essential part of a book in this genre.
Ever since I read Unspeakable, I've always wanted O'Brien to try something different, try to branch out from his same step-by-step, fill in the blank plots of every single novel. Hide Your Fear didn't do a whole lot to change the usual strong female lead and teenage male protagonist, but thankfully, O'Brien changed up the way in which these characters work, interact, and eventually work together to bring about a really great conclusion. Finally, after 13 previous novels, doing something just slightly different was exactly what I've been waiting for and easily proves the original thoughts I had regarding his skills.
A few weird moments aside (Swim meets in October? A kind of lame and convenient motivation for the antagonists), Hide Your Fear is definitely one of O'Brien's best, and easily takes a spot in his top 3 (which is saying a lot since his last, what? 6 novels? have been 5-stars in my opinion).
Hide Your Fear is easily the most addictive novel I've read in up this point this year (August, 2017). I mean, I read something like 320 pages in one sitting because I couldn't put the damn thing down. That's, quite simply, because, even though O'Brien isn't the best author out there, the guy can spin one hell of a story, complete with the requisite cliff hangers, red herrings, and moments of plot twists that are an essential part of a book in this genre.
Ever since I read Unspeakable, I've always wanted O'Brien to try something different, try to branch out from his same step-by-step, fill in the blank plots of every single novel. Hide Your Fear didn't do a whole lot to change the usual strong female lead and teenage male protagonist, but thankfully, O'Brien changed up the way in which these characters work, interact, and eventually work together to bring about a really great conclusion. Finally, after 13 previous novels, doing something just slightly different was exactly what I've been waiting for and easily proves the original thoughts I had regarding his skills.
A few weird moments aside (Swim meets in October? A kind of lame and convenient motivation for the antagonists), Hide Your Fear is definitely one of O'Brien's best, and easily takes a spot in his top 3 (which is saying a lot since his last, what? 6 novels? have been 5-stars in my opinion).
September 7, 2017
Entertaining thriller.
July 10, 2020
Great story line - the writing was terrific and told a great story. Will look for this author again!!
August 25, 2025
This book was so dark, gruesome,and twisty... had me absolutely hooked from the first page! The ending fell a little flat for me, but I still loved it and will be reading more by this author when I'm in the mood for something really dark and disturbing.
June 27, 2024
I love this author... he has some phenomenal books filled with suspense and surprise endings that just blew me away.
This book wasn't quite one of them though. I won't say it was bad by any means but it just felt like it was a bit drawn out and LONG. It was still creepy and suspenseful and I was still interested in the story and didn't guess the plot line/ending until closer to the end. Even though it felt like 2 stories at first everything came together.
(I'm not sure I totally understand why the 1 killer did all that they did though. It seems off that they would get away with everything like they did.)
This book wasn't quite one of them though. I won't say it was bad by any means but it just felt like it was a bit drawn out and LONG. It was still creepy and suspenseful and I was still interested in the story and didn't guess the plot line/ending until closer to the end. Even though it felt like 2 stories at first everything came together.
(I'm not sure I totally understand why the 1 killer did all that they did though. It seems off that they would get away with everything like they did.)
April 20, 2024
I honestly don't understand this. I can't put some books down. Others that I like take 6 months to read bc I can't get through them. This book wasn't one of the slow ones. Now I wanna read everything he's written. I can't believe I've never heard of him but he's a NYT's bestseller.
March 20, 2018
Another exciting story by Kevin O'Brien...
I discovered KO after his first book and have read every one, and can't wait till the next one...Hope He never stops.
He is a master novelist! If you haven't read his novels yet you are LUCKY☺
I discovered KO after his first book and have read every one, and can't wait till the next one...Hope He never stops.
He is a master novelist! If you haven't read his novels yet you are LUCKY☺
April 2, 2018
I really enjoyed this book, lots of twists and turns for the suspense genre. This was my first time reading this author and now I have to look for his other books. If you are into mystery and suspense this is a great novel.
December 10, 2017
Thought I had it figured out, but here came a curve ball
January 1, 2018
First book by this author for me. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of his books. It told a good story .
February 15, 2020
I wish there was a rating less than 1 star. I can’t believe how highly this book is rated. It was so unbelievable from start to finish. Also made police all look totally inept. Not a fan.
August 28, 2017
I enjoyed and rooted for some of the characters in this mystery. Caitlin and her her two children move into a new house on a island near Washington. Her husband Russ had become a drug addict after the death of their eldest son and she needed a new start. Once she moves in, lots of odd things keep happening including a feeling of being watched, creepy phone calls and notes.
I can't really describe much more: much of the book deals with an unknown crazy man who kidnaps, tortures and keeps teen swimmers and forces them to practice swimming in his home pool. That part is sick and my favorite character in the book is young Aaron, a teenager who is trying to find a way out.
The books has many, many characters and even though I finished reading a few minutes ago, I couldn't possibly remember them all. Lots and lots of murders too to the point where it seems ridiculous. Also, the various bad guys are the type of book characters who somehow know all and can be everywhere at once.
I can't really describe much more: much of the book deals with an unknown crazy man who kidnaps, tortures and keeps teen swimmers and forces them to practice swimming in his home pool. That part is sick and my favorite character in the book is young Aaron, a teenager who is trying to find a way out.
The books has many, many characters and even though I finished reading a few minutes ago, I couldn't possibly remember them all. Lots and lots of murders too to the point where it seems ridiculous. Also, the various bad guys are the type of book characters who somehow know all and can be everywhere at once.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews