Hidden Bodies

Hidden Bodies is a 2016 thriller by author Caroline Kepnes. Lauded by acclaimed horror writer Stephen King and Entertainment Weekly, Hidden Bodies is the second book in the You series, which is preceded by the novel You. The You series has been adapted into a popular Netflix series that follows the books’ major beats but varies in some of the details.

Hidden Bodies is a thriller but also serves as a satirical look at the nature of fame, social media, emotional unavailability, love, and codependence.

Content Warning: This novel depicts intimate partner violence and emotional abuse, substance use disorder, and mentions suicide.

Plot Summary

Joe Goldberg is the novel’s protagonist and a serial killer living in New York City. He is in what he assumes is a happy relationship with a woman named Amy Adam. Joe’s infatuation with Amy allows him to move past his failed relationship with Guinevere Beck—a woman he killed in the previous novel in the series. Soon, Amy proves to be a manipulative thief. Amy understands Joe’s infatuation with her and uses it against him. She steals from Joe after breaking into the basement at Mr.