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)

Just Okay

I usually really enjoy Tami Hoag's mysteries. This one was based in the '80s, and having been a reader for many years, I feel like I'd already read/heard this book. There wasn't much new in it. I didn't like being thrown back to the days without cell phones, and the characters kept complaining that they need computers, which was honestly a little hokey, considering current technology. All in all, it was okay. Worth listening to, but not the best.

OMG! Fabulous book

I loved this book. I hadn't read Tami Hoag in a long time and I picked this one because it was on sale for $4.95. What a deal!

Kirsten Potter is an excellent narrator. I had enjoyed her narration previously and so I knew this would be a good listen. The story kept me in such suspense that I had trouble putting it down. When I got to book 2, I just kept listening until the end. All that I can say is WOW!!!

The rest of the series is now in my wish list. Thanks so much for this great read.

Had me on the edge of my seat

Great read! This story had me on the edge of my seat! The author did a great job leading me to suspect almost all the various characters of being the murderer, until nearly the end I was still guessing. The reader does a great job too. The only complaint is that the ending leaves you hanging a little bit. We find out who is guilty, but the story ends letting us believe that the police will not be able to convict the murderer due to lack of evidence. Maybe there will be a second book...

I gave it 5 stars. I really liked the narrator

I liked the story. It had a lot of twist and turns in it. It keep me going all the death in it was kind of hard to take. I have listen to her books for years.

love it!

If you are a fan of CSI and Criminal Minds, you will like hearing about the early days of forensic science. well written and performed.

A GOOD MYSTERY....

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

The suspense...

What did you like best about this story?

The characters...

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

First time...

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

Just kept me guessing

Any additional comments?

A decent mystery with some twist... The ending did fall a little flat with too many unanswered questions...

A satisfying whodunit!

Narrator grew on me after initial annoyance. Story and characters were solid. A great listen if you like crime mysteries with a hint of romance.

One of the best

I've listened to a lot of books, this was one of the best stories I've heard in a while. I think it would have made a great series.

Deeper than the Dead is a good whodunit book

Would you listen to Deeper Than the Dead again? Why?

No, because I know who the killer is now.

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

When she opened the present and saw the pendant belonging to the dead girl

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

She brings the personalities to life more.

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

Whwn the child was hiding in the back of the car and saw his father (the Killer), he named the man the shadow as he could not relate this person to his father. That was heartbreaking

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book and wasn't sure who did it until the end

Excellent

I Loved this from start to finish!! One of the best I've listened to. I can't wait for the next in this series. Thank for a great listen!