Hidden by Catherine McKenzie

about book:

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 thoughts:

I just finished reading this one the other night and thought to myself, "Why do I keep reading Catherine McKenzie books?"  Ugh!  They always leave me feeling annoyed - like, I just wasted several hours reading an overly predictable book.  I don't know what it is about her writing that just leaves me feeling nonplussed.  Its solid writing about flawed characters, but that is all.  The story lines themselves do not make you care about what happens next.  In fact, if the story had just ended when Jeff died, that would have been fine.  Of course, the whole point of the story is to find out whether or not Jeff cheated on his wife.  Told in alternating chapters, this book leaves the big reveal til the very end.  And, truthfully, it is exactly what you expected.

I have nothing else to say about the book, except that it has definitely shown me that Catherine McKenzie's writing is not for me.