Books & Java

Hidden 

by Catherine McKenzie

Synopsis:

While walking home from work one evening, Jeff Manning is struck by a car and killed. Two women fall to pieces at the news: his wife, Claire, and his co-worker Tish. Reeling from her loss, Claire must comfort her grieving son as well as contend with funeral arrangements, well-meaning family members, and the arrival of Jeff’s estranged brother, who was her ex-boyfriend. Tish volunteers to attend the funeral on her company’s behalf, but only she knows the true risk of inserting herself into the wreckage of Jeff’s life.


Told through the three voices of Jeff, Tish, and Claire, Hidden explores the complexity of relationships, the repercussions of our personal choices, and the responsibilities we have to the ones we love.

My Review:

Another good Catherine McKenzie book. In this book you have three main characters: Jeff, Claire and Tish. Jeff and Claire are married. They have a very happy marriage and all seems right in their relationship. However, Jeff meets Tish at a work function. She shares his love of golf and is someone Jeff can't seem to stop thinking about. Jeff works in Accounting and Tish in HR. This means that whenever Jeff has to address any personnel issues he has to consult Tish - and he does regularly. They find that they connect in ways that make their chance meetings at work events precarious. Jeff is killed one day as he chooses to walk home from work and is struck by a car. When he dies, Tish and Claire (500 miles apart) are both devastated. Claire loses her husband and the father of her son, Seth. Tish, loses a secret relationship that makes her happy. But, the question to be answered in this book is whether infidelity is exclusive to a physical relationship or is an emotional attachment and involvement just as much an infidelity?

The book reads from the perspective of each of these three characters. Jeff's accounts are from the past when he met Claire, when he met Tish, and other relevant events as they lead to his death.

This book was a fantastic read. I liked all three characters. I found myself not really judging them because I knew each of the characters motivations, feelings and thoughts about what each was doing. However, had I heard this as a story of someone I knew or knew of, I think I would have a tendency to be judgmental. I guess it goes to show that we judge because we assume intent to be negative. Or, simply because it is more fun to be judgmental and assume we would take the higher ground in such a situation. This book will definitely make you think about what you would do if you were any of these characters. Another hit for Catherine McKenzie and I can't wait to read more.