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)

Great book!

I liked this book especially well because of Jennifer McMahon, who reads superbly with an Irish accent. She clearly shifts for each character which makes it easy to follow. This book would not be nearly as good without her reading. The intertwining of the two mysteries of the bog body and the disappearance of the current landowner's wife and child make for an interesting plot. The book contains enough Irish history and country life to give a good sense of realism to the story.

Wonderful story & wonderfully narrated

Would you consider the audio edition of Haunted Ground to be better than the print version?

Yes, yes, yes. Irish accents are such a delight, they beat words on paper any day.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Haunted Ground?

Great story with cool characters, nice development, mystery that kept you guessing.

Any additional comments?

Highly enjoyable!!

Good listen

This book was very enjoyable. The narrator was very good. Maybe the ending was a bit too neat, but a good listen all in all.

Really fascinating mysteries

Just finished listening to Haunted Ground. The two mysteries in the story are really fascinating. I learned about bog bodies, and the book inspired me to do some research on the subject on the Web. These are truly fascinating. The characters in the book are very well drawn. I found myself really caring for them, and really involved in their emotions as the answers were revealed. The ending has a surprise twist in it which is totally unexpected. I highly recommend this book, and look forward to more by the same author. And I should mention the narrator's voice and accent are wonderfully suited to the Irish setting and voices of the characters.

Reader Is Fantastic

I could see where this would be a good read no matter what, but it only became a five star book for me because of the reader. Although she flagged just a bit toward the end with her character voices, she added a wonderful depth and clarity to the book. In fact I joined audible.com just to listen to this particular book. I doubt if one listen is going to be enough.

Great listen

Good book, interesting story with a great narrator. I loved her accent. I don't usually buy murder mysteries but this had other elements that drew me to it. Drama, suspense, a little bit of romance. It wasn't overly long. I like books that are long AND good so I feel like I haven't wasted a credit or my time. This book was worth both, I won't forget the "Colleen roa". (Sorry if I spelled that incorrectly. That's the only thing I don't like about audiobooks, I can't see how names or places are spelled 😁).

Pleasurable Read

I listen to 5 to 6 audiobooks a month. I am looking for sheer intelligent entertainment. Enjoyed the narration (accents still easy to understand), storyline and characters. Even though there were several storylines, the author moved you back and forth effortlessly and it wasn't a struggle to remember where you were and with whom. Anyone who just wants pleasurable listening will enjoy this.

Too Contrived

I was disappointed; I've listened to many Irish mystery stories and this is the first one I'm returning.

Not enough about the bog body

I found the premise of this book intriguing but the subplot of the missing woman is more dominant than the story of the bog body which was my primary interest in reading the book. The plot follows well worn conventions and the resolutions are too tidy to believed.

While the narrator did very well doing the Irish characterizations, I found her interpretation of an American accent very flat and without nuance.

Lackluster

I've finally finished this book. Thank goodness. I never felt engaged at all or as though I knew any of the characters -- I can't even remember their names at this moment -- or what was happening plot-wise, and I honestly don't care. Even though the premise sounded interesting (albeit disturbing), the three or so sub-plots wound into one was too many, and the end was lackluster after the long road getting there.