Hidden Bodies
by Caroline Kepnes
Summary
Joe Goldberg is no stranger to hiding bodies. In the past ten years, this thirty-something has buried four of them, collateral damage in his quest for love. Now he’s heading west to Los Angeles, the city of second chances, determined to put his past behind him.
In Hollywood, Joe blends in effortlessly with the other young upstarts. He eats guac, works in a bookstore, and flirts with a journalist neighbor. But while others seem fixated on their own reflections, Joe can’t stop looking over his shoulder. The problem with hidden bodies is that they don’t always stay that way. They re-emerge, like dark thoughts, multiplying and threatening to destroy what Joe wants most: true love. And when he finds it in a darkened room in Soho House, he’s more desperate than ever to keep his secrets buried. He doesn’t want to hurt his new girlfriend—he wants to be with her forever. But if she ever finds out what he’s done, he may not have a choice…
My Review
This was a re-read for me, and this time I decided to try the audiobook instead of the physical copy I read originally. While the narrator did a solid job bringing the story to life, I personally struggled to connect with his portrayal of Joe. Having watched the first two seasons of the You TV series before diving into the books, Penn Badgley’s voice is permanently embedded in my mind as the voice of Joe Goldberg. So hearing someone else just felt… off. That’s on me, though, so for future reads, I’ll be sticking to the physical or digital versions.
That said, I’m really glad I revisited this book. The book is VERY different from the show, and this refresher was perfect as I prepare to continue the rest of the series. Joe remains one of my all-time favorite villain characters. Being inside his deranged, obsessive, clever, sarcastic, and deeply cynical mind is such a wild ride. He’s terrifying and hilarious all at once…and I love every second of it.
In this installment, Joe heads west to Los Angeles, and it’s fascinating to see him out of his comfort zone. Watching him adapt (and snarkily judge) LA’s fame-obsessed culture is one of the highlights of the book. His inner monologue is razor-sharp and bitingly funny, especially when he’s ranting about California clichés and celebrity wannabes. And of course, there’s a new love interest, ironically named Love, because Joe never strays far from his twisted brand of romance.
While the pacing is slower at times and parts of the story feel a bit drawn out, the tension builds steadily, and Joe’s inevitable descent into murder keeps things engaging. The book ends on a strong cliffhanger that has me ready to dive into book three ASAP.
Highly recommend this book and the entire series, especially if you love a smart, twisted psychological thriller with a compelling antihero at its core. And if you enjoy the TV show, the books offer a darker, more introspective take on Joe that’s well worth exploring.