Hidden Things: A Novel

( 5 )

Overview

Watch out for the hidden things . . . That's the last thing Calliope Jenkins's best friend says to her before ending a two a.m. phone call from Iowa, where he's working a case she knows little about. Seven hours later, she gets a visit from the police. Josh has been found dead, and foul play is suspected. Calliope is stunned. Especially since Josh left a message on her phone an hour after his body was found. Spurred by grief and suspicion, Calli heads to Iowa herself, accompanied by a stranger who claims to know ...

See more details below
Paperback
$14.53
BN.com price
(Save 3%)$14.99 List Price
Pick Up In Store

Pick Up In Store

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Other sellers (Paperback)
  • All (43) from $1.99   
  • New (21) from $3.38   
  • Used (22) from $1.99   
Hidden Things

Available on NOOK devices and apps  
  • Nook Devices
  • NOOK HD/HD+ Tablet
  • NOOK
  • NOOK Color
  • NOOK Tablet
  • Tablet/Phone
  • NOOK for Windows 8 Tablet
  • NOOK for iOS
  • NOOK for Android
  • NOOK Kids for iPad
  • PC/Mac
  • NOOK for Windows 8
  • NOOK for PC
  • NOOK for Mac
  • NOOK Study
  • NOOK for Web

Want a NOOK? Explore Now

NOOK Book (eBook)
$10.99
BN.com price

More About This Book

Overview

Watch out for the hidden things . . . That's the last thing Calliope Jenkins's best friend says to her before ending a two a.m. phone call from Iowa, where he's working a case she knows little about. Seven hours later, she gets a visit from the police. Josh has been found dead, and foul play is suspected. Calliope is stunned. Especially since Josh left a message on her phone an hour after his body was found. Spurred by grief and suspicion, Calli heads to Iowa herself, accompanied by a stranger who claims to know something about what happened to Josh and who can— maybe—help her get him back. But the road home is not quite the straight shot she imagined . . .

Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
Sometimes, you can go home again, albeit taking a few supernatural shortcuts on the way. Calliope Jenkins, singer turned PI, heads back to Iowa to find her missing business partner, Josh White, who keeps leaving messages for her after his reported death. Following Josh’s trail takes Calliope into the Hidden Lands, an alternate Midwest where legendary creatures roam. Provoked by a guide and a goad, Calli learns to confront her own fears of making a life for herself and of losing her best friend. Debut novelist Testerman provides a satisfying blend of noir and magic, and if the bantering dialogue keeps covering the same ground, at least the story keeps moving, with sweet revelations such as a mundane piece of tire tread turning out to be a lilac-scented dragon scale. (Sept.)
Locus
"Although this has many of the trappings of a detective story, drawing noticeably on The Maltese Falcon, Calliope’s search ends up more of a quest in contemporary fantasy form . . . An entertaining read and a very solid first novel."
Charles de Lint
"Apparently this is Testerman’s first novel. You’d never know it from his assured writing style and his ability to tell a story...He is helping to build a uniquely North American mythology that still has its roots in older traditions."
Maureen Johnson
"Hidden Things reveals the America I want to believe in—dragons on highways, trolls in the hills, motels that lead to new dimensions. I’ll never look at a rest stop the same way again."
Chuck Wendig
"This world of wizened wizard-men and demon clowns will lure you into the shadows, and once you meet the characters who live in those dark strange places you’ll never want to leave. The magic matters here, but it’s the human touch that really brings the book to life."
Kirkus Reviews
Supernatural detective yarn: blogger Testerman's first novel. In California, Calliope Jenkins of White Investigations receives a phone call from her partner, Josh White, who's pursuing a case in Iowa, although he's explained nothing of what the case involves. The following day, Detective Darryl Johnson and Special Agent Walker show up at her office with the news that Josh has been murdered. However, on the answering machine is another message from Josh, mysteriously warning Calliope to watch out for the "hidden things" and, according to the time stamp, left several hours after Josh was killed. There's no question that Josh is dead. Walker doesn't believe that Calliope knows nothing and insists on raiding the files. Outside, Calliope notices she's being followed by a homeless bum wearing a hoodie and clown makeup; being a martial arts expert, albeit with anger management issues, she clobbers the unfortunate creature and thinks nothing more of it. However, Vikous proves tougher than he looks, and very persistent. Finally he persuades Calliope to listen: He is, in fact, one of the "hidden things," a bogeyman, and the clown makeup isn't makeup, it's his real face. Clearly a road trip to Iowa is in order, where Calliope grew up and her estranged family still lives. But Vikous isn't the only supernatural operator in the game, and the opposition proves treacherous, powerful and cunning, with motives that Calliope won't understand until much later. Along with the clever, determined, dauntless protagonist, Testerman brings an impressive dark energy to the scenario and plotting, even though, despite the profanities and sexual situations, the characters dwell rather YA-ishly long on working through prior issues and hang-ups. Agreeably creepy, with original flourishes and flashes of dark humor.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780062108111
  • Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
  • Publication date: 8/21/2012
  • Pages: 336
  • Sales rank: 364,695
  • Product dimensions: 5.42 (w) x 7.80 (h) x 0.80 (d)

Meet the Author

Doyce Testerman was born and raised in the wilds of South Dakota, where he began a lifelong love affair with the written word. He moved to Denver in 1995, and has since steadily ceded control of his weekends to two dogs, a brilliant wife, and two astounding children.

Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 5 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(3)

4 Star

(2)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
Sort by: Showing all of 5 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 25, 2013

    Noir fairytale

    I really love noir and fairytales so both is amazing.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted January 21, 2013

    Very unique, unlike anything I've ever read. Definitely recommen

    Very unique, unlike anything I've ever read. Definitely recommend!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 26, 2012

    Hidden Things

    Satisfying story, both as mystery and fantasy

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 17, 2012

    Definitely recommended reading.

    See my previous review, for some reason the star rating I chose did not appear. Great read.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 26, 2013

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 5 Customer Reviews
If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
Why is this product inappropriate?
Comments (optional)