Title: HIDE AND SEEK
Author: CHRIS CARTER
ISBN: 9781398556300
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Pages: 528
Source: Private Copy
What if nothing in your life is what it appears to be?
After being trapped in an abusive marriage, Sam Stewart finally manages to gather enough courage to take her husband, Nelson, to court. But before he is sent to prison, he makes her a ‘I will be coming for you. No matter how long it takes.’
And Nelson Stewart isn’t one to make empty promises.
Sam is granted a new name and a new identity. As Mary Smith she moves across the country to start life afresh, but she knows full well what her ex-husband is capable of – and that his reach stretches far beyond prison walls.
What was supposed to be a new beginning for Mary becomes the biggest cat and mouse game of her life, where nothing is quite what it appears to be, where she HIDES and he SEEKS, however long it takes, because to some, revenge can be an art form.
Official Summary
04 August 2026
Regular visitors to my blog will know that I spent last year catching up on all the Robert Hunter books and that I am a huge Chris Carter fan. Last year I received a signed copy of The Death Watcher for my birthday, and this year, for the first time ever, I pre-ordered one of his books. Hide and Seek arrived just before my birthday, and I was thrilled to discover that my early edition was signed as well!
Hide and Seek is not part of the Robert Hunter series, but if you pick up this book, you can still expect the edge-of-your-seat suspense that Chris Carter is so well known for. While it doesn’t feature the gruesome, graphic crime scenes that fans have come to expect, it is an incredibly clever and twist-filled thriller that will leave your head spinning. I’ll say it right from the start—this is a five-star read from beginning to end.
As Chris Carter’s first standalone novel, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, especially after all the discussion on social media about how different it is from the Robert Hunter series. Thankfully, there was nothing to worry about. Chris Carter once again delivers compelling characters, vivid settings, relentless suspense, and so many twists that you’ll constantly be questioning everything you think you know.
Sam Stewart has finally found the courage to leave her abusive husband. She survived the trial, and Nelson is on his way to prison. But before he is taken away, he promises that he will find her and make her pay. Desperate for a fresh start, Sam changes her identity and moves across the country, doing everything she can to ensure that Nelson will never find her.
Sam Stewart—or Mary Smith—won me over almost immediately. From the very first chapter, I was completely invested in her journey. She had escaped an abusive relationship and deserved the chance to rebuild her life. I trusted her completely and never once questioned her decisions.
Then Mary meets Quaddra (and I still have questions about that name!). From the moment he appeared, something about him felt just a little too perfect. I found myself becoming suspicious almost immediately and decided I didn’t trust him long before the story gave me any real reason not to.
The opening line of the blurb asks, “What if nothing in your life is what it appears to be?” That single sentence perfectly captures this novel because absolutely nothing is as it seems. Every time I thought I had worked something out, Chris Carter completely pulled the rug out from under me.
Every suspicion, theory, and prediction I had about the ending turned out to be wrong—and I absolutely loved that. Chris Carter kept surprising me right until the final pages, making this one of the most satisfying thrillers I have read in a very long time.
It may only be the middle of the year, but I already have a very strong suspicion that Hide and Seek will be my Book of the Year for 2026.
If you’re looking for a mind-bending psychological thriller that will keep you turning pages well into the night, then you absolutely need to add Hide and Seek to your TBR. Whether you’re already a Chris Carter fan or this is your first experience with his writing, I have no doubt you’ll be eagerly waiting for whatever he writes next.
Also By Chris Carter
THE DEATH WATCHER
When a routine autopsy on what looked like a straightforward hit-and-run leads the LA Chief Medical Examiner, Dr Carolyn Hove, to discover some puzzling inconsistencies, she calls in Detective Robert Hunter of the LAPD Ultra Violent Crimes Unit. Not only did Dr Hove discover that the death wasn’t caused by a hit-and-run, but she also found indications that the victim had been severely tortured prior to death.
What no one realises is that what Dr Hove has stumbled upon is just the tip of the iceberg and it will lead Hunter and his partner, Carlos Garcia, on the trail of a twisted and clever killer who hides in plain sight. A serial killer no one even knew existed – a killer who has always operated under the radar, expertly disguising every gruesome murder as an accidental death.
But with no leads as to why the victim was targeted, the investigation comes to a standstill, until another body is discovered with an alternative cause of death.
What becomes clear is that this serial killer isn’t going to stop – unless Hunter and Garcia can get to him.
But how do you investigate a murder when you have no victims? How do you catch a killer who leaves behind no crime scene? How do you stop a ghost who no one can prove even exists?
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
I was born in Brasilia, Brazil where I spent my childhood and teenage years. After graduating from high school, I moved to the USA where I studied psychology with specialization in criminal behaviour. During my University years, I held a variety of odd jobs, ranging from flipping burgers to being part of an all male exotic dancing group.
I worked as a criminal psychologist for several years before moving to Los Angeles, where I swapped the suits and briefcases for ripped jeans, bandanas and an electric guitar. After a spell playing for several well-known glam rock bands, I decided to try my luck in London, where I was fortunate enough to have played for a number of famous artists. I toured the world several times as a professional musician.
A few years ago I gave it all up to become a full time writer.
This book has been all over social media for the last few months and I was so excited that South Africa did not have to wait to get copies of this one. Exclusive Books had copies of this one on their shelves immediately.
I loved every minute of this standalone novel. If you are a psychological thriller fan, and you only add one book to your TBR this year – please make sure it is this one, you will not be disappointed. Until next time… Happy Reading!
