The Disappeared

By: M. R. Hall

Narrated by: Sian Thomas

Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Two young British students, Nazim Jamal and Rafi Hassan, vanish without a trace. The police write them off as runaways, but seven years later, Nazim's grief-stricken mother is still unconvinced.

Jenny Cooper is finally settling into her role as coroner for the Severn Valley; the ghosts of her past banished to the sidelines once more. But as an inquest into Nazim's disappearance gets underway, the stink of corruption and conspiracy becomes clear. As the pressure from above increases, a code of silence is imposed and events begin to spiral out of control, pushing Jenny to the breaking point. For how could she have known that by unravelling the mysteries of the disappeared, she would begin to unearth her own buried secrets?

©2010 M. R. Hall (P)2009 BBC Audiobooks America

Technically a great story

The plot is a good one. The story is well researched and has interesting implications both politically and socially. The reader is excellent!
The only thing missing is characters one can care about. The missing boy’s mother is the only character with “life”. Sadly, the main character is a paper doll. She has been given flaws and emotional issues but there is no reason to care.

Strong women

The ending surprised me. Waiting for the follow up book. The lead character is make should kick her habit.

Unsure about Jenny...

I'm listening, but still unsure about my feelings for Jenny. I get tired of troubled heros & heroines, and Jenny's pills & thusly her seemingly slow uptake are off putting. Going to give the third book a go. But Jenny has to get stronger or I'm out.

Good but disappointing narration

It seemed like the voice for Allison had changed between books. She sounded like a man.. It's very confusing throughout having different voices associated with the wrong characters.

Another GREAT book!!

Just love this series!! I'm so glad I found it. Going to start the next 1 right now!!

This, Book 2, better than Book 1 (The Coroner)

- The plot is about the same level, but Character development is progressing pretty well. Still do not like the main character, Jenny Cooper, tho, as she is so impetuous and childish, rude and mean. Not someone you'd want to have any kind of relationship with, personal nor professional.
- For us Americans: be aware that the Coroner system in the U.K. works entirely separate from the police and is quite different than ours in other ways, too. Has it's benefits I suppose, but many more drawbacks; just my opinion. Makes for a different type of tale than American Crime Fiction.
- In some of the actions, interactions, insights
(or lack thereof), and descriptions of Jenny's inner being, the book reads like a man trying to write about the inner life, thoughts, etc. of a woman he thinks he knows, or of women in general; in which case he is often off kilter ,and it is not flattering.
- The narrator/reader does a much better job this time around, however. And, I turned the speed up to 1.1, which also helped a lot. Definitely worth the price -- it's on the Included list -- to fill the days until my next monthly credit comes in! Since I like a good mystery, it was enjoyable overall. And, since Book 3 is also "Included," I'll be listening to it next.

great book

I hope I read more books by this author she I great. you have to read them all

kept me hooked till the end

I see in my mind a fallible women with secrets locked in her mind and past. I can see her change from doubtful of herself to commanding a room. I am totally hooked to see what this character can do. Pretty impressed. I love the narration too. Keep um coming.

6 on the Richter Scale

The story, in my opinion, was not as exciting as the last book written by M R Hall. Enjoyable all the same.
I know the next in the series will be excellent. Can't wait.
The Narrator Ms Thomas was excellent as usual!
She flows through languages and dialects with ease.
I think I said this same thing about the last book... you forget it's only one person narrating.
Thank you M R Hall, Sian Thomas and Audible

Another great listen from M. R. Hall

Often the 2nd book in a series is less interesting than the first. This book was the exception. Cleverly crafted with unexpected subplots that were tied together in its conclusion. I did find myself not liking Jenny as much as I did in the first book despite that I find her a strong, capable woman and can't wait to listen to the next chapter in her life.
The narration was impeccable. I had no trouble differentiating between characters. Not a lot of " he said, she saids" many narrators use doing conversations that I find annoying.