Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes Summary

Hidden Bodies is the psychological thriller sequel to "You" where Joe Goldberg, a bookstore manager and serial killer, moves from New York to Los Angeles seeking revenge against his ex-girlfriend Amy who betrayed him. While hunting her down in Hollywood, Joe attempts to start fresh, blends into LA's entertainment culture, and falls for a new woman, all while his past murders threaten to catch up with him.

Caroline Kepnes wrote Hidden Bodies in 2016 as the second book in her "You" series. Born in 1976 on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Kepnes graduated from Brown University and worked as an entertainment reporter for Entertainment Weekly before becoming a novelist. She's best known for creating Joe Goldberg and writing for the Netflix adaptation of "You," which became one of the platform's most binge-worthy thrillers.

Hidden Bodies is perfect for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators, dark humor, and satirical social commentary. Fans of the first book "You," those interested in twisted character studies of obsessive love, and readers who appreciate first-person narratives that challenge moral boundaries will find this compelling. The book also appeals to anyone fascinated by critiques of Hollywood superficiality and entertainment industry culture.

Yes, Hidden Bodies delivers the same twisted brilliance as "You" while expanding Joe Goldberg's story in fresh, unexpected ways. Readers consistently praise the sequel as equally compelling, with one reviewer declaring "a BIG YES" when comparing it to the first book. The LA setting, new characters like Love and Forty, and Joe's increasingly desperate attempts to hide his past create intense suspense that matches the original's psychological depth.

The main theme of Hidden Bodies explores the destructive nature of obsessive love and self-deception. Joe Goldberg believes he's pursuing true love and deserves a second chance, but his violent actions and inability to see himself clearly reveal how obsession masquerades as romance. The novel examines how hidden secrets—like buried bodies—inevitably resurface, and how people rationalize horrific behavior when blinded by desire.

Hidden Bodies employs first-person stream-of-consciousness narration entirely from Joe's perspective, creating disturbing intimacy with an unreliable narrator. This technique allows readers direct access to Joe's twisted rationalizations and dark humor as he justifies murder as love. Kepnes weaves rich pop culture and literary allusions throughout, revealing Joe's intellectual snobbery while satirizing LA's superficiality through biting wit and dark comedy.

In Hidden Bodies, Joe moves to Los Angeles after Amy betrays him, determined to find and kill her while starting fresh. He works at a bookstore, immerses himself in Hollywood culture, and falls deeply in love with a new woman he meets at Soho House. However, his past murders from New York begin resurfacing as police reopen cases, while new bodies pile up from people who cross him in LA, threatening everything he's built.

Hidden Bodies satirizes LA's superficiality through details like the Pantry grocery store's themed aisles that market basic emotions ("I'M SORRY/I LOVE YOU" for flowers) and painted violets that symbolize the city's artificial nature compared to New York. Kepnes uses dark humor to mock Hollywood's obsession with appearance over authenticity, the desperation of people trying to "make it," and the transactional nature of relationships in entertainment industry culture.

Amy Adam serves as Joe's catalyst for moving to Los Angeles and represents ultimate betrayal in his twisted worldview. She steals specific acting manuals like "An Actor Prepares" from Joe's bookstore, revealing her calculated plan to pursue Hollywood stardom and view of Joe as merely a means to an end. Her deception drives Joe's revenge quest while exposing the transactional nature of relationships that Joe ironically embodies himself.

Hidden Bodies maintains the dark psychological depth of "You" while expanding the scope from intimate New York settings to sprawling Los Angeles culture. Both books feature Joe's first-person narration and obsessive pursuit of love through violence, but the sequel adds layers of past consequences catching up while Joe attempts reinvention. The LA setting allows Kepnes to satirize different cultural superficialities—entertainment industry versus literary pretension—while escalating Joe's body count and desperation.

Joe Goldberg compels readers through Kepnes's masterful first-person narration that makes you momentarily forget he's a serial killer. His intelligence, cultural knowledge, and self-perceived sensitivity create cognitive dissonance as he rationalizes murder as love and views himself as the victim. The author admitted being initially hesitant to label Joe a serial killer, reflecting how the intimate narration tricks readers into sympathizing with his twisted logic despite his horrific actions.

Forty is Love's twin brother, described as an erratic, self-loathing person struggling with substance use disorder who complicates Joe's new relationship. His presence adds tension to Joe's attempts at a fresh start in Los Angeles, representing another obstacle Joe must navigate while keeping his murderous past hidden. Forty's instability and close bond with Love create additional challenges for Joe's quest to maintain his carefully constructed persona.