The Weight of Blood

A Novel

By: Laura McHugh

Narrated by: Dorothy Dillingham Blue, Shannon McManus, Sofia Willingham

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

For fans of Gillian Flynn, Scott Smith, and Daniel Woodrell comes a gripping, suspenseful novel about two mysterious disappearances a generation apart.

INTERNATIONAL THRILLER WRITERS AWARD WINNER AND BARRY AWARD NOMINEE FOR BEST FIRST NOVEL • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY BOOKPAGE

The town of Henbane sits deep in the Ozark Mountains. Folks there still whisper about Lucy Dane’s mother, a bewitching stranger who appeared long enough to marry Carl Dane and then vanished when Lucy was just a child. Now on the brink of adulthood, Lucy experiences another loss when her friend Cheri disappears and is then found murdered, her body placed on display for all to see. Lucy’s family has deep roots in the Ozarks, part of a community that is fiercely protective of its own. Yet despite her close ties to the land, and despite her family’s influence, Lucy—darkly beautiful as her mother was—is always thought of by those around her as her mother’s daughter. When Cheri disappears, Lucy is haunted by the two lost girls—the mother she never knew and the friend she couldn’t save—and sets out with the help of a local boy, Daniel, to uncover the mystery behind Cheri’s death.

What Lucy discovers is a secret that pervades the secluded Missouri hills, and beyond that horrific revelation is a more personal one concerning what happened to her mother more than a decade earlier.

The Weight of Blood is an urgent look at the dark side of a bucolic landscape beyond the arm of the law, where a person can easily disappear without a trace. Laura McHugh proves herself a masterly storyteller who has created a harsh and tangled terrain as alive and unforgettable as the characters who inhabit it. Her mesmerizing debut is a compelling exploration of the meaning of family: the sacrifices we make, the secrets we keep, and the lengths to which we will go to protect the ones we love.

©2014 Laura McHugh (P)2014 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“[An] expertly crafted thriller.”—Entertainment Weekly, “The Must List”

“With her riveting debut, The Weight of Blood, Laura McHugh makes a strong bid at cementing a new tradition of regional crime fiction while keeping tourism low in the Ozarks. . . . [A] powerful sense of place is the anchor of The Weight of Blood. The well-drawn townspeople and oppressive, dread-soaked atmosphere sprout from the soil of Henbane. . . . The prose is strong, with evocative paint strokes in all the right places. McHugh is an artful, efficient writer who tells her story in vicious blows. . . . McHugh has crafted a sharp, haunting tale of blood in the Ozarks, as substantial as it is pleasurable to read.”—Los Angeles Times

“Laura McHugh’s atmospheric debut, The Weight of Blood . . . conjures a menacingly beautiful Ozark setting and a nest of poisonous family secrets reminiscent of Daniel Woodrell’s Winter’s Bone.”—Vogue

Well structured

I love the way this book built the story. There were some neat surprises along the way, and enough mystery to keep it interesting.

Decent story

Not a favorite but no bad either. I think there was some missed opportunity for character development. It really kind of felt like an abridged story.

Unexpected

Would you consider the audio edition of The Weight of Blood to be better than the print version?

The good thing about the print version is that you can basically put your own voice to each character. In the beginning of a book in print I don't have a defined voice but when I get to know the character I start to picture their voice, behavior and mannerisms.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lila was my favorite character. At first I did not realize how Lila and Lucy connected. But then it all worked out and it was if Lila was guiding Lucy at some points in the book.

Which scene was your favorite?

Hmm that is difficult because the content was quite difficult and sometimes difficult to find any comfort while listening to the story. But if I have to choose it was when Lila is saved from the garage.

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

When Lila felt that she could actually have a home in a place where she felt so uncomfortable, she was willing to make it work for her child and family.

Any additional comments?

This book was surprising in several ways. Its not a book that is full of fluff and good vibes. The content is somewhat uncomfortable at times however, that makes you want to know how it all turns out in the end.

A Powerful Mystery

This well-narrated novel about a girl not only coming of age but coming to grips with the mystery of her lost mother's disappearance and the more recent death of a friend is alive with the local color of the Ozarks. The reader not only feels the weight of family ties alluded to in the novel's title but also the intimate connections the people who dwell in a small, rural community. Laura McHugh's debut is an excellent read and I won't be surprised if it's up for an Audie award at the end of the year. I'm glad I took a chance on this book!

Fascinating Family Dynamics

Where does The Weight of Blood rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I enjoy the coming of age stories where young people find out about their heritage or family secrets. This one is pretty typical of these types of stories with some variations or differences.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?
It was interesting, but predictable. To say that it kept me on the edge of my seat would be an exaggeration. Initially, it was confusing to switch between the two main characters.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
I enjoy hearing their audible interpretation of the characters.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
No extreme reaction. Perhaps, some disgust, but not an extreme reaction.

Any additional comments?
Great listen while I was packing my house to move.

Good til the end

I enjoyed the story line and all the main characters. A lot. But then when we got to the end I found myself very disappointed that much of the mystery in the book never gets explained. No one comes to justice. The bad guys, of which I am never sure who all they are, just get to skate free. Or die by unknown methods.

Loved it!!

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

Yes- the book is very engaging

Any additional comments?

Really great story- liked how different actors voiced different characters rather than one actor trying to do all the voices. Disappointed that there are no other books written by this author. Really grabs you from the very first paragraph up through the end.

Great story, excellent narration!!

Would you listen to The Weight of Blood again? Why?

The narration could not have been better. Perfect for the story.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Hard to say, they were all excellent! Lucy is my favorite, however.

very good story.

I really enjoyed the story. the two narrators were very good in the rythm of their reading.

Great BOOK!

Some parts are hard to hear, but reality. This book is wonderful. A must read!