Deeper than the Dead

By: Tami Hoag

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

Length: 13 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Tami Hoag is in a class by herself, beloved by audiences and critics alike, with more than 22 million copies of her books in print. With Hoag's first novel for Dutton, she proves anew why the Chicago Tribune called her "one of the most intense suspense writers around."

California, 1984. Three children, running in the woods behind their school, stumble upon a partially buried female body, eyes and mouth glued shut. Close behind the children is their teacher, Anne Navarre, shocked by this discovery and heartbroken as she witnesses the end of their innocence. What she doesn't yet realize is that this will mark the end of innocence for an entire community, as the ties that bind families and friends are tested by secrets uncovered in the wake of a serial killer's escalating activity.

Detective Tony Mendez, fresh from a law enforcement course at FBI headquarters, is charged with interpreting those now revealed secrets. He's using a new technique-profiling-to develop a theory of the case, a strategy that pushes him ever deeper into the lives of the three children, and closer to the young teacher whose interest in recent events becomes as intense as his own.

As new victims are found and the media scrutiny of the investigation bears down on them, both Mendez and Navarre are unsure if those who suffer most are the victims themselves-or the family and friends of the killer, blissfully unaware that someone very close to them is a brutal, calculating psychopath.

©2009 Tami Hoag (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

“[A] nail-biting thriller…Once again, bestselling Hoag plots craftily and creates characters readers root for.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

“Hoag's first-rate exploration of her characters imbues Deeper than the Dead with compelling plot twists.” (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

“There's a truly terrifying serial killer at the heart of Hoag's...page-turner...the chilling premise and exciting twists make Hoag's latest a thriller in every sense of the word.” (Booklist)

“Bestseller Hoag (Kill the Messenger) ventures into serial killer territory with results sure to please her many fans.” (Publishers Weekly)

Great book

First time listening to a book by Tami Hoag and I have to say it was really good. Keeps your attention, I never wanted to put the book down and Kirsten Potter does such a good job narrating. Starting the next book in this series tomorrow.

5. STAR

LJT918.
DON'T PASS THIS UP ! GREAT CHARACTERS, INTRIGUING PLOT, Could not stop listening.
LOVE

Wow!

The author had me guessing right up until the end.
I thought the narrator did an excellent job. I LOVED Kristen's voice for Vince, the FBI agent.

Intriguing Murder Mystery

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book - I couldn't stop listening.

What other book might you compare Deeper Than the Dead to and why?

There is nothing quite like it. The story twists and turns and keeps you guessing at every moment.

What does Kirsten Potter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Kristen is great at bringing each of the characters alive an making them unique

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Several moments moved me however the teacher and her love for the children was remarkable.

Unnecessarily gruesome and ordinary

A quiet town is suddenly infused with multiple criminal and or dysfunctional families. All the suspects just happen to be parents of children seemingly located at the same school in the same grade. Apparently these same kids stumble upon the body of a victim which leads to a serial murder investigation.

Peyton Place meets Criminal Minds

If you listen carefully to how the FBI profiler describes the serial killer--which is repeated several times in the book-- there's only one character who fits the description. I kept thinking there would be some twist at the end, but there wasn't. Agree with other comments that the book overdoes the "too bad we don't have DNA testing yet" kind of theme. And every single character has some sort of tragedy in their background. However, the narrator was terrific (never heard her before), so it was a fun listen. But not great plotting.

Great suspense novel

Wonderful character development in this suspenseful mystery. So many threads that tied the characters together.

Hard to stop listening

Terrific story with deep insightful characters. The narration was great and the complex building of the different family variations was crafty. It never got boring and I usually listen at bedtime but found myself turning it back on when I woke up and finished quickly because it was hard to stop listening! I will be checking out this author's other books.

Great Listen!

If you could sum up Deeper Than the Dead in three words, what would they be?

Couldn't stop listening

What was one of the most memorable moments of Deeper Than the Dead?

It was just a great story - left me wondering.

Have you listened to any of Kirsten Potter???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, enjoyed her just as well in

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The vivid situations made me

Any additional comments?

Can't wait for a sequel!?!?!?

Great Series with interesting characters

I have tried a couple of other Tami Hoag books this is the only series that I have fallen in love with. I like the way she gives the perspective from all characters. If you like a lot of twists this one is for you.