Don’t be put off by descriptions of THE HIDDEN that mention its being steeped in local legend or fable. While that is true and is the reason I thought this story would come off as corny, it really does not. Although the end is a little too neat and clean, I suppose it could happen that way, and I really did enjoy this book.

Why is a two-year-old girl found alone outside a store? The background to this begins a few months before then, when Ruby rents an apartment and becomes friendly with a neighbor, Gregor. He’s good looking and considerate and shy, or so it seems. A strange woman, Constance, lives with him. They were romantically involved but no longer are because she is mentally unstable, he says, but they have a child, Leonie, so he does not throw her out.

When Ruby overhears Gregor yelling at Constance and mistreating her, she and Constance begin their plan. And that is how Leonie comes to be found outside the store.

Why doesn’t Ruby ever call her sister/mother, Joanna, a detective sergeant, to ask for help with their predicament? That would have made sense to me, regardless of their family situation. I guess the story wouldn’t have been as exciting if she had.

Still, Joanna gets wind of what’s going on with Ruby through police reports. So Joanna puts her career in jeopardy to find and help her.

I’m relieved to say that the elements of this story that incorporate fable are not corny because they do not have to be believed. The characters other than Constance sure don’t.

I won an ARC of THE HIDDEN through librarything.com.