A Little Something To Hide by Craig Brown - Reviewed by Maureen Kelly

Loved it! 😍

"A Little Thing to Hide" is an engaging exploration of character, secrets, and moral ambiguity.

Synopsis

Some people want to take their secrets to the grave. On the Briscola Coach Service to Albuquerque, that’s just not possible.

“All manner of people ride a Briscola coach. Some travel toward dreams, others are escaping horrors, each carries their secrets and the belief that they harbour truths known only to themselves.”

A Little Something To Hide is an exploration of the human condition. Every traveller on the coach believes they’re harbouring a secret that none of the world can see. Some secrets are darker than others and none of them are truly hidden. Climb aboard to learn more and remember, never trust the person you’re next to, no matter how sweet they look.

A Little Something to Hide is a thought-provoking and original exploration of the human condition, delving into the lives of passengers on a bus ride from San Francisco to Albuquerque. The novel is structured in a series of eleven interconnected vignettes, each following a different character on their journey. These individuals are all escaping something—whether it’s trauma, shame, or simply a past they want to leave behind.

Craig Brown’s writing effectively creates a rich tapestry of characters, each with their own secrets and struggles. The characters are diverse, with some seeking redemption and others hiding dark histories. The author skillfully navigates these complex personalities, providing readers with a nuanced understanding of their inner worlds without passing judgment. Some characters are victims of abuse, while others are perpetrators seeking to escape their past misdeeds. This blend of moral ambiguity makes for an engaging and thought-provoking read, where the reader is invited to decide for themselves how they feel about each character’s choices.

One of the book’s strengths is its non-judgmental narrative style, which allows readers to form their own opinions about the characters and their actions. This approach enhances the book’s authenticity, as it mirrors the reality that people are often more complex than they first appear. While the subject matter can be dark and sometimes uncomfortable, it adds depth to the story, allowing for a more realistic portrayal of human experiences.

Although each vignette is self-contained, the stories weave together, offering glimpses of the characters’ interactions and how they relate to each other as the narrative unfolds. These connections add layers to the story and give a sense of continuity amid the shifting perspectives. The ending of the book is strong and satisfying, providing closure to the series of stories while leaving the reader with something to think about long after the final page.

While the book is compelling, there are some drawbacks. The editing and spelling errors are noticeable and detract from the overall reading experience. These mistakes, though not overwhelming, could have been easily avoided with more careful proofreading. Despite this, the book remains engaging, and the characters’ stories are strong enough to carry the narrative forward.

In conclusion, A Little Something to Hide is a gripping, emotionally charged read that will appeal to fans of contemporary fiction and crime stories. Its deep dive into the lives of its characters and their hidden truths makes for a captivating and reflective experience. If you enjoy character-driven stories with moral complexity, this book is worth reading. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars, with the only major drawback being the occasional editing issues.

A Little Something to Hide by Craig Brown is a masterful collection of interwoven narratives that explore the lives of people carrying heavy burdens, secrets, and scars, all aboard a bus traveling from San Francisco to Albuquerque. Each chapter offers a fresh perspective, focusing on an individual character, making the book feel like a mosaic of personal stories, all bound together by a single journey and a universal human experienc

The strength of this book lies in its structure. Brown’s decision to tell the story through a series of vignettes—each with its own self-contained narrative—is a brilliant one. Each character is not only unique but also multi-faceted, with hidden complexities that unfold as the story progresses. The approach gives each vignette room to breathe, allowing for detailed character development while maintaining a sense of unpredictability, as the reader never quite knows what to expect next.

The main theme of the book revolves around secrecy. Every passenger on the bus is escaping something—whether a dangerous past, guilt, or a need to flee from painful memories. Brown plays with the idea that everyone is hiding something, and as the title suggests, they all have a little something to hide. This central theme is explored through the varied backgrounds of the characters: some are victims of crime, while others are perpetrators of it, and the balance between these two perspectives makes the book complex and morally challenging.

As each character is given the spotlight in their respective vignette, we see how their lives have been shaped by trauma, shame, and their own actions. Brown skillfully examines the complexity of the human condition, exploring how people cope with their circumstances and the impact of their choices on others. The lack of moral judgment allows readers to come to their own conclusions about the characters’ actions, making the story feel raw and real.

The characters are where Brown truly excels. From the first vignette to the last, you are drawn into the lives of people who may seem ordinary at first, but as their stories unfold, you realize how extraordinary their emotional depth is. Whether it’s a troubled woman fleeing an abusive relationship or a man hiding a past mistake, the empathy Brown elicits for each character is remarkable.

One of the book’s standout aspects is how well Brown captures the internal conflict of each character. They’re not one-dimensional; instead, their motivations, desires, and fears are richly layered. The protagonist of each vignette feels real and human, struggling with a personal dilemma that resonates with the reader. This emotional depth is what makes the book so compelling—every character’s journey feels intimate, like a peek into their most vulnerable moments.

The social commentary in A Little Something to Hide is subtle yet impactful. Brown doesn't present a clear-cut narrative of good versus evil. Rather, he invites the reader to explore moral ambiguity, where the line between right and wrong isn’t always so clear. Some characters are on the run from abusive situations, while others are escaping their own wrongdoing. In doing so, Brown forces the reader to reflect on the nature of guilt, redemption, and how we judge others, especially when secrets are involved.

There’s also an underlying critique of society’s tendency to overlook the broken, the forgotten, and the lost. The bus journey itself is a metaphor for the emotional journey each character is undergoing—moving from one place to another, carrying all their burdens with them, in search of a better future or escape.

In conclusion, A Little Something to Hide is a powerful, character-driven story that explores the complexities of human life through the lens of secrets, lies, and personal journeys. Craig Brown does an exceptional job of crafting vivid characters with hidden depths, making each vignette a compelling exploration of the human condition. The book will appeal to readers who enjoy contemporary fiction with an emphasis on character development, moral ambiguity, and thoughtful reflection on the nature of secrets.

The only drawbacks are the minor editing and spelling errors that occasionally detract from the otherwise polished narrative. However, these do not take away from the overall impact of the story, which is gripping, emotional, and highly engaging. For anyone looking for a book that dives deep into the human psyche, explores complex characters, and doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths, A Little Something to Hide is a must-read.

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Passionate about personal growth and empowerment I believe in turning dreams into reality and inspiring others to courageously pursue their passions

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A Little Something To Hide

Loved it! 😍

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