Hidden Bodies
by
Caroline Kepnes
Narrated by Santino Fontana
I just finished listening to Hidden Bodies, the sequel to You by Caroline Kepnes (read my review of You here). It’s the continuation of Joe Goldberg’s twisted serial-killing narration as he leaves the New York bookstore he manages and heads out to Los Angeles. Joe is on a revenge search for the new girl in his life, Amy who has taken off with rare books from the bookstore.
As is expected, Joe is full of sarcasm with a huge chip on his shoulder. But in some ways, he’s like everyone else, searching for love. The problem is, he just can’t let things go. In addition, Joe still has problems on the East coast. His biggest mistake is the DNA he left at Peach Salinger’s family mansion. In addition, the wrongly convicted therapist in jail for killing Beck has a team working on a reversal and cops are sniffing around.
Out in California, Joe gets mixed up in several situations, and the killing continues, but then he meets Love Quinn and falls in love. But Love’s twin, Forty is a big problem. He’s a wannabe script writer and drug addict with a sharp instinct for taking advantage.
Joe’s life on the West coast is a running commentary on the shallowness of the place and the stupidity of everyone he meets. His disdain for consumer culture, social media and false conversations contributes to the pent-up anger that propels him into murder. Joe’s intense rants are what makes this story so appealing. Yes, he’s a serial killer, but he has a point. And, buried deep in Joe’s anger is a someone soft and, can I say lovable? Well not in real life, but in a story, yes.
I especially enjoyed listening to Hidden Bodies because the narrator, Santino Fontana, is fantastic as Joe. Fontana also narrates You, but I read the print copy, so hadn’t experienced how much he nails Joe’s personality. Having the story in your ears like that is an intense listen. I don’t think Hidden Bodies is quite as good as You. Sequels are always hard. And if you’re thinking of reading or listening to it, be warned, it’s what I call a little racy! But I recommend both You and Hidden Bodies for readers who like twisted stories about complicated characters.
If you’d like to read more about Hidden Bodies, check out these other bloggers’ reviews.
GritLitGirls Book Review Nook
Reens Reads and Writes
What Jess Reads
Thanks for visiting – come back soon!
I’ve been meaning to read this series for ages now! I do love an audiobook. Great review.
Hi Jules – I definitely recommend the audiobook. I’m sure You is just as good. Thanks for the visit 🙂
Thanks for the review, Barbara! I’m one of those rare individuals who never listens to audiobooks. For whatever reason, my mind has always wandered. 🙂
I’m glad to see you enjoyed this one! Great review!
Thanks, Stephanie. I forget – did you read it and watch the show? I hear Season 2 is a lot different from the book.
Yes to both. The show is pretty different. But if you can ignore that it was still pretty good.
That’s what I’m hearing – my kids had no idea what I was talking about when I was telling them about the book! I’m going to watch Season 2 later in the queue. Just started rewatching The Sopranos so I have a ways to go! Thanks for the visit, Stephanie. 🙂
I watched You and then listened to the audiobook. I’ve started Hidden Bodies now. 🙂
Hi Lynette – so you know the Joe Goldberg voice! Isn’t he great? Thanks for the visit 🙂
This sounds really good, Barbara.
It was – although it’s pretty dark, and beware of racy content 😉 Thanks for stopping by – I hope you are off to a good virtual week.
We’ve binge-watched the TV series “You” — and you’re right, that character is weirdly appealing and almost, dare we admit, loveable.
I think the author and the producers of the show do a great job getting that across, too 🙂
I was wondering if the ending to the series is the same as the ending in Hidden Bodies. Let me know after you watch it please.
From what I’ve heard – it is different. I’ll let you know. I was going to watch Season 2 right away, but I started re-watching The Sopranos so I’ll be a while with that 😉
Sopranos was a great show indeed.
It was. I have seen almost all of them, but I admit I didn’t catch much of the final season.