Hanging Hill

By: Mo Hayder

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 14 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

One morning in picture-perfect Bath, England, a teenage girl's body is found on the towpath of a canal: Lorne Woods - beautiful, popular, and apparently the victim of a disturbingly brutal murder. Zoe Benedict - Harley-riding police detective, independent to a fault - is convinced the department head needs to look beyond the usual domestic motives to solve the case. Meanwhile, Zoe's sister, Sally - recently divorced and in dire financial straits - has begun working as a housekeeper for a rich entrepreneur who quickly begins to seem possibly dangerous. When Zoe's investigation turns up evidence that Lorne's attempts to break into modeling had delivered her into the world of webcam girls and amateur porn, a crippling secret from Zoe's past seems determined to emerge.

©2011 Mo Hayder (P)2012 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Unbelievably good

This book was so good that as soon as I finished listening to it, I immediately turned around and listened to it all over again. The ending of the book was so shocking that I had to go back and see what clues I had missed.

I am a Mo Hayder fan and have loved everything she has written. Hanging Hill is no exception.

This is a stand-alone novel which focuses on two estranged sisters who haven't seen or spoken to each other in years, even though they both live in the same city. Zoe is a headstong police officer with a secret past. Her divorced and somewhat annoyingly stupid sister Sally is a single parent with a spoiled and headstrong teenage daughter. The sisters are reunited as a result of the murder of another teenage girl.

There are many red herrings in the story, and it's a grim comedy of errors which ends up having dire consequences.

The narration is great, the character development is wonderful, and the plot is masterful. It may be a little graphic for those with delicate constitutions, but there is nothing gratuitous about any of the violence or murder in the book.

It's a great thriller and gets two thumbs up.

Enjoyed it

Would you listen to Hanging Hill again? Why?

Yes, the story really keeps your interest. I was pleased that the usual rules of behavior were bent for the main characters.

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

The story built well until it droppped you off the cliff at the end

Any additional comments?

I find it very frustrating when an author pulls a Soprano-like ending. I don't want to use my imagination as to what happened. If I wanted to write my own end, I would be an author. I'm not; finish your book!

Good book but..

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

With a warning

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

yes it was a really good book with twists and turns.

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

Don't know but enjoyed this one.

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

I was totally caught up in the story.

Any additional comments?

I also felt like I was left hanging at the end so much I was sure there had to be another book. My choice only ,nothing wrong with the book I just need to feel it's finished when they say the end. I hope this isn't a spoiler for anyone else.

Worth a credit

This book reminds me of Tana French's books, which is mostly a good thing. It has an interesting plot but is very character driven. I sort of wish at least one of the characters was moderately likeable, but they're all pretty awful. Well written, well developed characters, but I wouldn't want to have a beer with a single one of them.

Gripping!

If you could sum up Hanging Hill in three words, what would they be?

Thriller, twisting plot

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

Unexpected and novel twists in the plot kept my interest. It was definitely unpredictable (in true Mo Hayder style!)

Which scene was your favorite?

Final scene - definitely unexpected!

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

no

Any additional comments?

It took me a while to warm up to this reader, but I did enjoy her performance by the end.

I just cannot finish listening to this book.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I don't know

What could Mo Hayder have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I wouldn't presume to tell an author how to write a book for my enjoyment.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Not totally bad, but the "Sally's daughter" writing as well as the narration voice of this character were horrible. The character, the voice were more than I could stand listening to.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Hanging Hill?

It's the entire story, not scenes.

Any additional comments?

As inexpensive as it was it was still more than it is worth. It goes on and on and on. I didn't like the book, fell asleep listening, tried again, but I cannot continue to put myself through this just because it exists as part of my library.

I Didn't Care for This Book as Others Have

Due to the reviews, I was looking forward to this book. I should have returned it but due to the reviews I kept giving it a chance. I wished the author had stayed on story path of a mom, down in her luck and in need of work and her employer's occupation. I found this story line solid. Sadly, the author had too many story lines and many should have been eliminated. Also, I find it difficult to believe that two sisters living in the same town not running in to each other sooner! Really, with two teenage kids and one sister being in law enforcement they should have run in to each other! Lastly, I found Millie beyond annoying and for the two possible final outcomes I hope for the latter.

Some original angles but not very good

The only reason why I finished this is because there were a few moments where I was actually intrigued. The ending (though not great) was one of the few redeeming qualities. The characters were just weird and kind of empty. They didn’t feel like real people at all. I can’t say I found any of them likable. The story is sooooo long and not much happens. No credible character development, no interesting plot lines, and even the good guys are completely psychotic. The gore was the only thing well written, but it felt so out of place that it just really messed even more with the dynamic of the book.