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)

long but great listen

I really liked this book. It was long, but I like that. lots of surprises. the narrator was pretty good at keeping characters separated. I was completely surprised by the ending. This was my second book by this author and will definitely read more by her.

oak knoll isn't a sleepy town anymore

This story just kept getting better with each chapter. Trying to figure out the killer gave false clues throughout. Totally a great listen

Suspenseful

Too long but the action and suspenseful parts as well as the red herrings were fabulous

Amazing

Loved! Such an exciting read. Making you doubt your own suspicions and drawing you back and then away.

Captivating!

Just when you thought you knew, and had figured everything out, there was something that had you second-guessing yourself. The twist and turns kept me enraptured in the characters and the story overall.

Riveting & suspenseful!

I loved this book! I could not stop. Any free time I was all in it! It had my heart racing at different parts several times. I would recommend this book for an 18 year old +. Only due to a sexual encounter in the book that may make a 16 year old blush. I can’t wait to dive into other books! Love love loved it!

Loved it!

I thought the story was great and the characters were so likable (well, the ones who were intended to be liked😗) next on my list is Secrets to the Grave. I haven’t checked but I hope it’s the same narrator, I love her voice!

Pretty good story,

Pretty good story. The actual murder/thriller were good. The tough cop/fbi agent that has a sensitive/injury/weakness and love story is very cliché. Not sure why most authors always have to put that in.

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.