Every Hidden Thing

By: Ted Flanagan

Narrated by: J.D. Jackson

The last scion of a once-powerful political family, Worcester mayor John O'Toole has his sights set on vastly higher aspirations. When night-shift paramedic Thomas Archer uncovers a secret that could upend the mayor's career, O'Toole is set on silencing him and sends Eamon Conroy, a brutal former cop, to ensure the truth remains under wraps.

But O'Toole doesn't stop there. With bribes, buried secrets, and personal attacks, he wreaks havoc on Archer's life in an attempt to save himself. Archer's troubles continue to mount when domestic terrorist and militia member Gerald Knak, who blames Archer for his wife's recent death, sets in motion a deadly plan for revenge.

With two forces of evil aligned against him, Archer doesn't stand a chance. But things aren't always what they seem - and he may just have a few tricks up his sleeve in a last gambit to get out alive.

©2021 Ted Flanagan (P)2021 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Gritty Crime Fiction with a Flawed Protagonist

Put together a seedy political family, a mostly-honest reporter for a dying newspaper, a slimy ex-police goon, an urban survivalist with a grudge, and a paramedic whose marriage is rapidly disintegrating, and what do you get? The perfect gritty crime fiction novel. Every Hidden Thing masterfully intertwines character and story among the naked realism of a tawdry industrial city slowly disintegrating on the outskirts of Boston. As the body count rises, the characters make stupid but realistic decisions that keep you shouting, "Don't do that!" But they do, especially the broken, flawed protagonist Archer, the ex-alcoholic paramedic. I found Ted Flanagan's debut novel thoroughly engaging. As an ex-New Englander, the narrator, J. D. Jackson, nails the Worcester accents — something that, when done wrong, has ruined many a potentially good audiobook.

Outstanding debut crime novel

As good a debut novel as there’s been in the last decade. Up there with John Vercher, Stephen Mack Jones & David Swinson’s debuts. The story rattles along, the characterisation is very good, the dialogue excellent and the descriptions bring it all to life. Narration does the writing justice. Highly recommended.

excellent debut book.

Riveting read. Mr. Flanagan creates a believable world, which rings all too true for anyone who has ever worked inner-city EMS. His research is stellar, with nuances that make the story pop. I highly recommend this novel and look forward to Mr. Flanagan's next book.