I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

FINAL DECISION: HIDDEN NATURE has a strong second half and an intriguing premise, but its slow, detail-heavy first half drains momentum, keeping it from reaching its full potential as a thriller.

THE STORY: Natural Resources police officer Sloan Cooper’s life changes drastically when she walks into a convenience store robbery and is shot. After being revived on the operating table, she moves back to her parents’ home in Heron’s Rest to recover. While healing both physically and emotionally from being dumped by her boyfriend via text during her hospital stay, Sloan becomes intrigued by the case of a woman who disappeared, leaving her car in a supermarket parking lot. As she searches online, she discovers similar disappearances across three states with seemingly unrelated victims. With the support of Nash, a new man in her life who shares her investigative passion, Sloan digs deeper into the mysterious abductions. She soon realizes the victims share one critical factor—they’ve all been resuscitated after near-death experiences, just like her. As the pattern becomes clearer, Sloan must use all her skills and determination to stop a killer before she becomes the next target.

OPINION: Roberts once again proves her storytelling prowess with a thriller that balances suspense, recovery, and romance. Sloan Cooper is a particularly strong protagonist whose journey from trauma to renewed purpose forms the emotional core of the novel. Her determination to solve the mystery despite her physical limitations makes her instantly relatable, and her growing relationship with Nash develops naturally amidst the chaos.

The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, particularly Sloan’s parents, whose warmth and support provide a comforting backdrop to the increasingly disturbing investigation. The brothers who move to town to start a contracting business integrate seamlessly into the close-knit community, and their interactions with the main characters add depth to the overall narrative.

Unfortunately, the book takes far too long to find its footing. The first half is bogged down with excessive detail about home renovations and day-to-day activities that, while creating a rich sense of place, fail to engage with the urgency a thriller requires. I struggled to stay interested until the investigation finally gained momentum in the second half.

When the mystery does take center stage, the concept of targeting people who have been resuscitated is genuinely chilling and original, creating a unique vulnerability for the protagonist that raises the stakes effectively. The second half delivers on the promise of suspense, with tension building masterfully toward a satisfying conclusion. However, this strong finish can’t fully compensate for the sluggish beginning.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book is a mystery/thriller but takes a while to get into that plot.

CONNECTED BOOKS: HIDDEN NATURE is a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

NOTE: I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley which I used to prepare this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.