Hangman

A Novel

By: Stephan Talty

Narrated by: David H. Lawrence XVII

New York Times bestselling author Stephan Talty’s acclaimed fiction debut, Black Irish, won him comparisons to such thriller masters as Jo Nesbø, Karin Slaughter, and Tana French. Now, this chilling novel brings back intrepid heroine Absalom Kearney, a driven police detective with a haunted past, trying to make a difference in a troubled town.

“A brilliant thriller series.”—Tess Gerritsen

Hangman, Hangman, what do you see? Four little girls, as cute as can be. The eerie schoolyard chant still sends ripples of horror through North Buffalo. Not so long ago, serial killer Marcus Flynn preyed upon the community’s teenaged daughters—until he was cornered and shot in the head. But Flynn lived, carrying to prison the nickname “Hangman,” along with the secret of his last victim’s fate. Homicide cop Abbie Kearney wasn’t around during Hangman’s reign of terror. She hadn’t yet come home to wear her dad’s old badge in the tough Irish American stronghold known as “the County.” Abbie had never experienced firsthand the horror of Hangman. Until now.

Hangman, Hangman, where do they go? Down on the ground, where the daffodils grow. A corrections officer lies dead, a prison van stands empty . . . and somewhere out there, the monster who condemned innocents to death at the end of a rope watches and waits to strike again. Abbie leads a desperate manhunt through a city driven to its knees by fear, matching wits with a predator as brilliant as he is elusive. But as more victims are claimed, a rising tide of secrecy, paranoia, and politics forces her to realize that stepping beyond the law may be the only way to find justice. Because with each passing hour, the stakes grow higher—and Hangman’s noose gets tighter.

©2014 Stephan Talty (P)2014 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“An expertly judged dose of adrenaline.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Detective Abbie Kearney is back in this explosive thriller featuring not only a brutal serial killer, but also complex characters. . . . Plot twists will keep readers guessing right up until the grand finale.”—RT Book Reviews

“[Stephan Talty has] a writerly knack for constructing compulsively readable narratives that can be consumed with considerable velocity and contentment. With flying colors, the fellow passes the ‘what happens next’ test.”—The Buffalo News

Blah

The plot really drags. The work might have been better as a short story. Not a thrill either.

The Fun Continues

Another offering taking me back to the area of my birth. Loved the story and the regional details. But non Buffalonians will enjoy this thriller as well. Great Narration. I suggest you read Black Irish first for the fullest understanding of the characters. Although I think this volume will stand alone.

Good Police Procedural

Strong writing, good plotting, excellent sense of place, engaging characters. (Extra words to make 15.)

This is a scary one - quite a riddle to the end.

Would you listen to Hangman again? Why?

Yes. So many details to recapture. Fascinating characters that are red herrings.

What did you like best about this story?

Believable heroine. Minimal romance. Great intrigue.

Which character – as performed by David H. Lawrence XVII – was your favorite?

The heroine is great but the other cops and The Hangman are absolutely great. Tough to choose.

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

Laugh or cry?...heavens no! This book made me check the locks on the doors and turn on the outside lights. I was glad for the company of my dogs to protect me.