I’ve had the pleasure of ARC reading a book by Minka Kent again which I was very excited about because this woman writes psychological thrillers very well. It’s very thrilling to dive into the psychological concept of every book she writes.

So this book is called Hidden Strangers and is a third book in the Dangerous strangers’ series but I did not know this. I’ve read this as a standalone which can also be done. I did some research after reading this book and yes, the main character throughout the books is the same but still, it was a fine read. The release date of this book is the 14^th of July of this year which means if you want to, you can read the first two books while you wait.

Camille thought she had it all. A good marriage, a doting and normal husband and two beautiful children; but she was wrong. When her husband thought she was cheating he killed the next-door neighbor who was also Camille’s friend; he did this so she wouldn’t leave but the opposite happened. She packed her bags, the kids and went; how could she have been so wrong? When her husband Will finds out she made a runner with his kids he calls in the media – painting Camille as a deranged mother who is a danger to their children. With the whole nation on the lookout and funds dwindling Camille doesn’t have much choice but to go back to her mother, the woman she despises the most.

You see, Camille wasn’t born as Camille but as Gabrielle. She fled home when she was seventeen because her mother threatened to kill her. Camille has had it though with this woman but if she’s on guard at all times surely things would be fine? Lucinda hasn’t earnt the label of mother, as a matter of fact, she never should have had any. Camille was always a burden to bear and Lucinda made her live a living hell as a child. That’s why Camille is flabbergasted that the woman has actually settled down and has another child, thirteen-year-old Zoë. Now, Lucinda hasn’t settled down with just anyone but with a millionaire, older than she is.

When seeking refuge at their mansion, Camille notices that something doesn’t seem right. Rob, her stepfather looks sick but he doesn’t elaborate. Because of her upbringing, Camille’s brain immediately goes to poison. Would her mother be capable of that? Yes, definitely but why now?  On her first night the kids are fast asleep beside her but then, in the middle of the night, she hears shuffling. Nobody should be awake at this hour, so she goes and investigates. At the end of this long hall is a door that is locked but there is a faint light coming from under the door. It should be vacant, that’s what Lucinda told her; It’s to be renovated. Camille unlocks the door and goes in; this is the apartment above the garage but it doesn’t look anywhere near being renovated and it stinks of sweat and cigar smoke. When someone puts a hand in front of her mouth and tells her not to scream, she obliges. The man tells her his name is Evan, Rob’s son with his first wife and tells her a whole story about the going ons in this place.

After a few days, Rob collapses at the dinner table and has been taken by ambulance to the hospital, that’s when Camille knows for sure. Something isn’t right in this house. Everyone lies here, at least that is what Zoë told her. But it get’s a whole lot more mindboggling especially when Lucinda doesn’t want Camille and the kids go.

This book is filled with schemes, psychological warfare, lies, murder and a whole lot you won’t see coming. That’s why I’m giving this book a ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 star rating.