Title: Hidden Nature
Author: Nora Roberts
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Release Date: May 27, 2025
The #1 New York Times-bestselling author presents a new novel about an injured cop who must fight to bring down a pair of twisted killers…
Natural Resources police officer, Sloan Cooper, and her partner had just taken down three men preying on hikers in the Western Maryland mountains. Driving back, she pulled in at a convenience store—and walked right into a robbery in progress. One gunshot from a jittery thief was about to change her world.
After being shocked back to life on the operating table, she has a long recovery ahead, so she moves back to her parents’ peaceful house in Heron’s Rest. As for the boyfriend who dumped her via text while she was in the hospital, good riddance.
She may be down, but she’s not out. So when a woman vanishes, leaving her car behind in a supermarket parking lot, Sloan searches online for similar cases. She finds them, spread across three states. Men and women, old and young—the missing seem to have nothing in common. And the abductions keep happening.
Luckily, the new man in her life shares her passion for solving this mystery. But it will take every ounce of endurance to get to the dark heart of this bizarre case—and she's willing to risk her life again if that's what it takes to stop the horror.
The novel unfolds seamlessly!
The story begins when Sloan Cooper, a Natural Resources police officer, and her partner close their latest case. They stop for gas and a drink. When Sloan opens the minimarket door, she senses something is wrong. The man at the counter suddenly turns and shoots her twice.
Sloan survives, but her recovery at Heron’s Rest is slow. While still recuperating, a woman goes missing around Thanksgiving. She left her home mid-cooking, searching for butter, but never returned. Her car was found outside the store with no trace of her.
After the shooting, Sloan decides to make life changes and begins renovations on her new home. This is where she meets Nash Littlefield, a newcomer to town who has started a contracting business with his brother, Theo.
Nash and Sloan connect instantly, and soon she’s sharing her ideas with him. Sloan can’t let go of the woman’s disappearance; she’s now certain more people have been abducted in the past year, and they may share a common link. If she’s right, this connection could make Sloan a target.
Hidden Nature was compelling from start to finish. Nora Roberts crafts vivid, well-rounded characters, including the unhinged ones. The story blends suspense, romance, and a stunning setting, brought to life flawlessly by January LaVoy’s narration.
I’m hoping Nora Roberts brings Sloan back for a sequel.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Macmillan Audio via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.