• The Boy

  • A Novel
  • By: Tami Hoag
  • Narrated by: Hillary Huber
  • Length: 17 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (8,000 ratings)

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The Boy  By  cover art

The Boy

By: Tami Hoag
Narrated by: Hillary Huber
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Publisher's summary

Now a New York Times bestseller

An unfathomable loss or an unthinkable crime? #1 New York Times bestselling author Tami Hoag keeps you guessing in her most harrowing thriller yet.

When Detective Nick Fourcade enters the home of Genevieve Gauthier outside the sleepy town of Bayou Breaux, Louisiana, the bloody crime scene that awaits him is both the most brutal and the most confusing he's ever seen. Genevieve's seven-year-old son, KJ, has been murdered by an alleged intruder, yet Genevieve is alive and well. Meanwhile, Nick's wife, Detective Annie Broussard, sits with the grieving Genevieve. A mother herself, Annie understands the devastation this woman is going through, but as a detective she's troubled: Who would murder a child and leave the only witness behind?

When KJ's sometimes babysitter, twelve-year-old Nora Florette, is reported missing the very next day, the town fears a maniac is preying on their children. With pressure mounting from a tough, no-nonsense new sheriff, the media, and the parents of Bayou Breaux, Nick and Annie dig deep into the dual mysteries. Is someone from Genevieve's past or present responsible for the death of her son? Is Nora a victim, or something worse? Then everything changes when Genevieve’s past as a convicted criminal comes to light. Could she have killed her own child to free herself from the burden of motherhood, or is the loss of her beloved boy pushing her to the edge of insanity? Could she have something to do with the disappearance of Nora, or is the troubled teen the key to the murder? How far will Nick and Annie have to go to uncover the dark truth of the boy?

©2018 by Indelible Ink, Inc. (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“[A] tightly plotted whodunnit . . . prepare to gasp."—People

“Thoughtful, character-driven . . . Hoag keeps the twists and turns coming all the way to the shocking conclusion.”—Publishers Weekly

“Hoag puts on quite the juggling act here, dazzling us with multiple theories about the boy’s murder, numerous potential suspects, and plot twists that keep us just slightly off-balance. A welcome return for a compelling investigative duo.”—Booklist

What listeners say about The Boy

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Like watching dominos...

As a long time fan of Tami Hoag, I've been looking forward to the release of this book. Although I enjoyed the story I don't think this is one of Hoag's best.
The book starts out with the murder of a young boy, his mother fleeing from her life (and to try to get help). I thought the book started getting bogged down with the initial investigation. Then about 1/2 way through the tension ratcheted back up again and maintained a taut storyline with unexpected twists and turns right up to the end.
The characters are fleshed out, including a stepford wife or two, a sheriff who take his power too seriously and a family who lives in too much fear of consequences
Hillary Huber does a thoroughly outstanding job narrating especially Nick's French accent.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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594 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great work!

I did not expect that ending! I couldn't stop listening. Every time I thought I knew who did it I was left wrong and surprised!

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104 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Normally a good narrator but...

If you are going to narrate a book with a lot of Cajun patois, you better be able to do it properly or it spoils the story. Terrible narration of the beautiful, mellifluous Cajun accent. For the rest, narration was good. I didn’t appreciate the story as much as I normally do for this author.

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95 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good but ...

The story was good and kept me guessing. However it was a bit too long. If I could have I would have rated it 3 1/2 stars. The characters were well rounded and the narration was good and it was impressive how she switched between her voice and the characters rendition. However the hitch was the accents especially the foreign accent which unfortunately happened to be a main character was really grating. She was for the most part she was subtle with the southern accents until she went all ‘gone with the wind’. But that foreign accent was like nails + chalkboard! I’m still not sure if it was supposed to be cajun or he was a Frenchman. This one would probably be best read vs listened to.

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88 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Bravo!

Hillary Huber is at her very best Narrating this twisty harrowing mystery. You’ll never guess “Who Dunnit! “ Tami Hoag’s reputation is solid as a mystery thriller writer, but she really hit the mark in this book. I was riveted from page 1 and had to sneak a listen even at work! Nick Fourcade is the arrogant, gorgeous and very capable detective who is also the man of my dreams! I don’t attach to characters very often! But this guy is sexy, dangerous and extraordinary moral. Hillary portrays the full swagger of this character to perfection! Wow! Best book I’ve read since the woman in the window. Fantastic! Kudos to both of these talented ladies. Tami Hoag should consider using Hillary for all of her Nick Fourcade’s future endeavors!

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76 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Can't listen anymore......

I love Tami Hoag's stories and will probably check this one out of the library or get it on Kindle, but listening to this book on Audible is pure torture. I actually had to look to see if it was being electronically read by a robot because the robotic, nasally voice used for the backstory sections sounds unworldly in parts.

I purchased it this morning as the Audible special "Book of the Day" to listen to on a long trip and had to stop after about an hour. I just checked my account to return it and it says I can't. $5.95 I'll never get back but worth losing the $ versus listening anymore.

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46 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

The Boy

This was a little slow and repetitive in the beginning but got more interesting as it went along. The French accents were a little distracting.

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40 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

It was okay....

It was a pretty good book but did not like the Cajun narration. It sounded like a 50 year old woman who smoked three packs of cigarettes a day, not a mysterious Cajun man. Also, was any else annoyed with how the fiancé got the better of the detective 3 or 4 times? Seriously?

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32 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing!

Nothing but blah and they “wrap” the case up with a summary at the end. Kept hoping for SOMETHING to come of it

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

horrible attempt at an accent!

great story but I can’t get over the horrible attempt at a southern accent ! couldn’t even get into it .... the story is great so i’ll grab it in paperback but will not listen to another second

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29 people found this helpful