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)

Interesting but....

If you are offended by foul language, you will probably want to skip this one. The author apparently only knows one curse word but uses it frequently, even when there is no reason for the characters to be cursing. I also didn't like the narration. The accent may be authentic, but it was very hard to understand and her attempt to sound masculine for the male characters sounded like someone mimicing Santa Claus. Despite all this, the mystery was interesting enough. It would be much improved by a male narrator and a little editing.

Insipid Melodrama

Do I have to give this novel even a single star? If you're expecting an archeological puzzle, don't bother. "Haunted Ground" is more Harlequin romance than ancient mystery. Pathetic characters people contrived settings, stumbling through an improbable plot. The writing itself isn't bad, though Erin Hart does tend to become a bit overwrought at times. A bright spot is Jennifer McMahon's narration -- she possesses an impressive range. However, her talents aren't enough to salvage what is, at heart, nothing more than a suburban bodice-ripper. Halfway through, I found myself finishing characters' sentences in a silly Irish accent. Sadly, it was the only enjoyment I derived from this novel. Fabio should appear on the cover, holding an excavation trowel in one hand and a swooning colleen in the other.

not the best

What would have made Haunted Ground better?

A more driving plot line, and less meandering about. Really had a sense the author wasn't sure what to do with things and just mucked about. Disappointing

Tried twice to get into this book and I couldn't

What disappointed you about Haunted Ground?

I don't know what it is about this book but I've tried to listen to it twice now, thinking maybe the second time I'll be more interested, but I find myself tuning it out. Its not an interesting story line to me, though I wanted to like it. I find minutes can go by and I realize that I've absorbed nothing of what the narrator was saying and had to backtrack.

What three words best describe Jennifer McMahon’s voice?

I like her accent, but maybe her voice was too soothing or monotone? Reminded me of science class back in high school

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I think the story line sounds interesting if I could actually pay attention and follow along with the book.

Too Much head-hopping

I was prepared to like this book, especially after the rave reviews found here on Amazon, and Audible. But I found that Haunted Ground: A novel, quickly lost my interest. Why, you may ask? Because the author has too many characters and she head-hops between them constantly. Each section is narrated by a new character, and frankly I lost interest. I prefer books with one, possibly two voices but not a half dozen. This is particularly disconcerting in audio format. Plus, I found the drippy American character with the tortured past and murdered sister a bit trite and maudlin.

Feh, overall, 2 stars. If she had stuck to a single or maybe dual perspective it might've captured my interest.

Slloooowwwwww. Very , very slow.

The first few chapters and last three or four chapters were okay and even a little exciting. The rest? Trash.