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)

Semi-creepy mystery/thriller!

The star of this listen is Kirsten Potter, I know her for her Highlander reads so hearing her with an English accent was quite a change and she did an amazing job! The story was semi-creepy, I've listened to creepier, but there were lots of interesting characters and many stories being told. It kept me guessing to the end and I didn't get it right. I put #2 in my wish list but I am not in any hurry to continue on.

Solid Entertainment

Any additional comments?

Entertaining first book in trilogy. Good character development. I must join my fellow reviewers in mentioning the odd

Great book

I listened to the book in one day. Gripping, real people, real children. I loved everyone in the story. I just don't understand why the narrator (whom i rate in the top for women) chose to give the romantic leading character from Chicago an accent that was a cross between Boston and Long Island. Chicagoans are Midwesterners with hard R's, not easterners who drop them. Not only was it incorrect, but a distraction from the sympathetic character. He sounds like a low level Mafioso who is faking his accent.

Deeper Than the Dead

Any additional comments?

Audiobook. First time I’ve listened to a Tami Hoag story, and not the last, as it is certainly an enjoyable read. It’s rare for a procedural crime novel to be penned by a woman, for starters. How great is that! The who-done-it story of Deeper Than the Dead is filled with well defined characters and suspense. Although the villain became apparent probably a little sooner than Hoag might have liked, it was still an enjoyable tale and I’ll likely continue the series.

Deeper Than the Dead has a significant problem, though. The portrayal by the narrator of one character, the Chicago FBI agent, doesn’t work. Kirsten Potter does a credible job with all except when dealing with this Chicago accent. The character sounded a bit more Bostonian, the opinion of this local Chicagoan. But, this minor faux pas is forgiven … she does a good job with children, women, and men. It’s a fun mystery, worth the purchase.

Good story withgreat narrartion

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

Kirsten Potter! She develops each character to make very different.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Both Anne and Franny. Their conversations together were very funny for such a dark book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Unfortunately, I didn't have 13hrs to devote to listen all at once.

Any additional comments?

Recommend for first time Tami Hoad listeners.

Great listen!!!

Kept me guessing until the end! Narration was outstanding. Highly recommend and will be buying more from this author.

Awesome

Fantastic - Tam Hoag really did her homework and it shows. This book is spectacular. I LOVE her characters, especially the 5th grade students...very believable. The narrator was AWESOME..the only reason didn't give it 5 stars is because although the protagonist is from Chicago, I felt Kirsten gave him more of a New England accent. Nevertheless I will seek out more books that she has recorded; she was FABULOUS!.

How did we solve crime before the internet?

Where does Deeper Than the Dead rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is an excellent read with believable characters that you can care about and root for and also despise. The setting was nostalgic and revealing. We have really come along way.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot was fast paced but had very good character development. The murders and kidnappings were chilling and more realistic than you want to believe.

What about Kirsten Potter’s performance did you like?

Kirsten Potter is an excellent narrator who portrayed both children and adults, men and women in separate distinctive voices without being distracting.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this author to anyone who loves mysteries and well developed characters.

Excellent Book

I read this book years ago when it was first released. I enjoyed it then and enjoyed listening to it even more! Tami Hoag is a great writer who is able to build suspence. The narration is perfect. I highly recommend this book.

Entertaining.

Where does Deeper Than the Dead rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Probably in the 50th-60th percentile - good but not great.

What did you like best about this story?

Story line moved along well, and narration was effective in capturing scene.

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

Not sure I have, but I would listen to another she narrates.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No ... kept me engaged, but not to the point of distraction.

Any additional comments?

Worth the time and the credit.