Joe Goldberg is continually seeking true love, even if his methods are skewed. Dealing with the demise of his girlfriend Beck (in the previous novel YOU) has him in a funk, until Amy Adam is hired to work with him at Mooney Books. She is nothing like Beck, and Joe is immediately attracted to this unusual girl. However, it does not take long for their passionate love affair to implode when Amy suddenly disappears. Using his finely honed Internet skills, Joe tracks Amy from New York City to Los Angeles.

Living among and dealing with the weird people in LA has Joe homesick for NYC, but he cannot leave until he locates the elusive Amy, which leads him deeper into the decadent world of movers and shakers. Then he meets the rich and bold Love Quinn, and Joe feels like he just might have found a place where he fits in. Ah, but things can never be that uncomplicated for Joe. And no matter how good things are, he just cannot change his murderous ways of handling problems.

Caroline Kepnes's HIDDEN BODIES is a continuation of YOU, featuring antihero Joe Goldberg. I did not read the first book, but sufficient background is included so I could easily ascertain he is a murderous sociopath. Joe's first-person narrative convinced me early on that he is narcissistic to the extreme. It is apparent he is also a very clever killer who is quite insightful of other people. With straightforward dialog and simplistic narrative, Joe relates his actions as he stalks Amy and then makes a new life in LA with Love. His descriptions of the people he encounters and interacts with are provocative and honest, but freaky Joe quickly loses his appeal. I kept hoping he would finally receive fitting punishment for his crimes but was disappointed in that respect. I could not discern if the ending left the possibility of a continuation of Joe's life in another book or not, since for me, the conclusion did not bring closure. I realize there are plenty of readers who enjoy this quirky stalker and his bizarre exploits. I regret I was not one of them.