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)

I Really Liked the Story

This story kept me guessing almost to the end, which surprised me. I also enjoyed the insight into the lives of 3 families. And I thought the family stories were right on point, and very realistic. I thought it was an interesting examination of how one event can spiral into the unraveling of a town. I definitely recommend this for a good listen.

Intense, engrossing story, great characters

Three gruesome murders and one attempted murder are the beginning of an intense, twisting saga of three families unravelling after their children find a body in the woods. Tami Hoag waves an obvious suspect at the listener, yet keeps us guessing by presenting other viable candidates as well. Her characters are well developed and believable. Kirsten Potter did an amazing job narrating the story. Wendy, Tommy, "cockroach", Dennis, and their parents, as well as Mendez and Leon, came to life in her reading, individual and evocative. The quality of the story and the quality of the narration combine to deliver one of the best audiobooks I have listened to!

Great book, great series!

What made the experience of listening to Deeper Than the Dead the most enjoyable?

I loved the performance by Kirstin Potter. Kirstin Potter makes the characters come alive! Kirstin gives each character their own voice, and she is now one of my favorite narrators!

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

Deeper Than the Dead reminds me a little of the first time I read a book by Thomas Harris. The writing is great!

Which scene was your favorite?

Hard to pick a favorite scene - the book was thoroughly enjoyable.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

"Sometimes the things you think are the things, aren't the things!" Just kidding... maybe something cheesy like "Sometimes the secrets we keep, are deeper than the dead!"

Any additional comments?

I don't usually like things, but I like this. This book is good, and the best part is that there are two other books, so you can get psyched about getting interested in a new series that will keep you listening for a while!

Enough clues to confuse -

This is my first Tami Hoag work I have heard. It was well worth the listen.
There were enough distracting clues to cover the identity of the killer, without ruling out the two, or three, primary suspects.
The conclusion was less than satisfying to suit my sense of justice. Then an entirely different scenario appears in the final words of the work!

Great Book

Loved it, didn't want to put it down it
Kept my attention the whole time

Great suspense!!!

Book was excellent! had it reeling in my head still when not listening to it and even though I had figured out who the perp was it was still surprising how it all rolled out in the end. Great reader too; easy to follow.

Entertaining

Love, love the performance! Narrator is fantastic. Tami Hoag is a great suspense thriller writer.

Great Book!

Great book! I enjoyed the narrator and the story. It definitely kept me guessing as to whodunit!

Be careful who you trust

It moved slow at 1st, but sure picked up. Met my expectations. Will try author's other books. You'll be on the edge reading this book.

Keeps your interest; well written

I enjoyed the story and the small town. I will say I guessed who the killer was very early on but the characters were good and you really did come to care about what happenes to them. Also, a lot of the time where a romance develops the lead female character promptly becomes kind of an idiot. I am glad that did not happen and she retained her ability to think her way through situations.

The main plot of the see no evil killer was quite engrossing; following the thoughts of his victem as she was held captive made you really want to pull for her.

Overall, quite enjoyable. I will get the next one to listen to soon.