Haunted Ground

By: Erin Hart

Narrated by: Jennifer McMahon

Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

When farmers cutting turf in an Irish peat bog make a grisly discovery, the perfectly intact body of a young woman with long red hair, archaeologist Cormac O'Callaghan and pathologist Nora Gavin are thrown together by their shared scientific interest in human remains. Because of the preservative effect of the bog, it is difficult to tell whether the body has lain there for two decades, two centuries, or two millennia. As they dig into the mystery of the red-haired girl, they are drawn into the two-year-old disappearance of a landowner's wife and young son. The story delves through the many layers of Ireland's turbulent past, tracing the still-visible footprints of fortified tower houses and ancient burial mounds, ever mindful of the eternal, subliminal connections between past and present.

©2003 Erin M. Hart (P)2003 Books on Tape, Inc. Published by Arrangement with Random House Audio Publishing Group, A Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"In every way, this is a debut to remember." (Booklist)
"In addition to a complex, multilayered plot that involves both contemporary and historical crimes, Hart's novel is rich in local color." (Publishers Weekly)

Outstanding Read!!

I guess I understand why there are some less than enthusiastic reviews of this book. If one is looking for the simplicity of a formula romance novel, this is the wrong book. I can imagine the rich historical narrative and the exceptional literary development would be "tedious", in that case. The same goes for pulp mystery seekers. However, if a person is looking for a beautifully written, engaging, historically informative literary story, complete with sufficient mystery to keep one on the edge of one's seat throughout, and a healthy, adult sprinkling of romance, then there isn't much out there that is better than "Haunted Ground". Add to that the pleasant, lyrical narration, and it's a perfect listen!

Wish I got abridged version

I saw other customer recommendations for getting the abridged version and I wished that I had taken their advice. I listened to this on a road trip and it made the trip seem slower rather than faster. I think I wouldn't have minded the length if I was reading it but listening was at times tedious.

The other problem I had with the book is that I wanted more mystery and less romance. The quality of the writing and historic detail made it better than a Harlequin-type novel but it wasn't really what I wanted. I did enjoy the information about Ireland.

Beautifully written and beautifully read

I picked this up on a whim, and now it's one of my favorite audio books. The reader is wonderful, the language is lyric and beautifully paced and the story is solid.

Enjoyable w/ wonderful twists & turns A+ Narrator

Any additional comments?

The narrator really made a good story better. Her lilting Irish accent is a joy.The story itself has two mysteries in one and it ties them together with wonderful twists and turns. Very enjoyable all around.

Mysteries old and mysteries new

A beautiful weaving of past and present, Erin Hart leads you through several murders, one in present day Ireland and one in 1650's Ireland, and one unresolved one in Dr. Gavin's family. Examining all she shows how the past is so much a part of the present. The story is enhanced by the beautiful Irish lilt of narrator Jennifer McMahon, who is also up to the task of an American accent when needed. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed the printed version half as much as as this version read by Ms. McMahon. I have recommended this audio book to my friends.

Archeology, Folklore and Mystery in Ireland

Overall a beautifully written story about Ireland and Irish history. This is a book that entwines mysteries from both past and present which in the end fit together fairly well. It uses archeology, forensics, history and local lore together nicely.

However, I can understand the negative reviews that others have written. To me this was related to the lack of a clear voice telling the story. Instead the book was written from a variety of perspectives and this slowed the flow of the story and made the book seem scattered. The disjointed threads at times did not fit together making it difficult to follow a clear path. This wasn't because there was too much information, but instead because there were a few spots where things became implausible. To me, these unbelievable parts distracted from what was an engaging interweaving of past and present in the story.

Recommended if you don't mind a slower story and are able to overlook a few far fetched bits.

Haunted Ground

A good read with several intriguing plots to keep the listener listening carefully. Even though long, you don't want to put it down; even when you think you're getting resolution, there's more.

Lyrical and hauntingly beautiful

I was so taken with this book (so beautifully narrated by Jennifer McMahon) I had to follow the story of Nora Gavin. I found this story to be touching and insightful, and a darn good mystery. The author and narrator work total magic. Jennifer does her accents to perfection, thus making the whold story flow.

Kept me interested to the end

This wasn't a particularly fast-paced book, but it did keep me interested, despite the fact I had a pretty good idea of what happened about half-way through. If you like a novel with a little bit of history, a touch of legend, and even a small bit of science mixed in, this is a pretty good read.

A Beautiful Mystery

Intelligent, beautifully plotted, great characters, a clever use of archeology and forensic science in a mystery.