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)

Couldn’t put it down!

I got one word for you... Awesome! Loved it from beginning to end. Already downloaded 2nd book in series.

this was great book

I couldn't stop listening to it. it's sad and twisted, but so worth it all the way up until the end.

I couldn't finish it

This book is well writen and narrated...I just did not like the ten year olds
use of disgusting swear words. I had kids that age in 1985 and they had
no idea of the words used by one of the kids. It kind of made me sick so I
had to stop listening. I understand trying to be realistic, but honestly, this
ruined the book for me. Too bad since I really wanted to know what happened.
Also, I struggle with books about serial killers...just so unnerving.

Couldn't put it down!!!! Spellbinding story

I was completely intrigued with this book and highly recommend it to those who enjoy complex characters.

Excellent thriller!

Another Tami Hoag delivers a great twist of characters and a great story plot, with a sizzling little romance too! I couldn’t put it down.

Suspenseful till the end

loved the story and narration . great story line and definitely recommend to anyone that enjoys a crime mystery.

Wow that was a crazy ride!

The book was great, riveting kept me guessing. Such an enjoyable read. At times hard to listen to because the story was so intense, but gripping all the way to the end!
Excellent!

author has psychological insight

Very few authors understand the borderline/abusive wife/mother as well as the dynamics between an abusive husband and his wife. Tami Hoag presents both of these situations throughout this book and is right on. As a psychologist I commend this author for understanding and presenting these characters for the readers to understand.

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!