Hush Hush

A Tess Monaghan Novel

By: Laura Lippman

Narrated by: Jan Maxwell

The award-winning New York Times best-selling author of After I’m Gone, The Most Dangerous Thing, I’d Know You Anywhere, and What the Dead Know brings back private detective Tess Monaghan, introduced in the classic Baltimore Blues, in an absorbing mystery that plunges the new parent into a disturbing case involving murder and a manipulative mother.

On a searing August day, Melisandre Harris Dawes committed the unthinkable: She left her two-month-old daughter locked in a car while she sat nearby on the shores of the Patapsco River. Melisandre was found not guilty by reason of criminal insanity, although there was much skepticism about her mental state. Freed, she left the country, her husband, and her two surviving children, determined to start over.

But now Melisandre has returned Baltimore to meet with her estranged teenage daughters and wants to film the reunion for a documentary. The problem is she relinquished custody, and her ex, now remarried, isn't sure he approves.

Now that's she's a mother herself - short on time and patience - Tess Monaghan wants nothing to do with a woman crazy enough to have killed her own child. But her mentor and close friend, Tyner Gray, Melisandre's lawyer, has asked Tess and her new partner, retired Baltimore P.D. homicide detective Sandy Sanchez, to assess Melisandre's security needs.

As a former reporter and private investigator, Tess tries to understand why other people break the rules and the law. Yet the imperious Melisandre is something far different from anyone she's encountered. A decade ago a judge ruled that Melisandre was beyond rational thought. But was she? Tess tries to ignore the discomfort she feels around the confident, manipulative Melisandre. But that gets tricky after Melisandre becomes a prime suspect in a murder.

Yet as her suspicions deepen, Tess realizes that just as she's been scrutinizing Melisandre, a judgmental stalker has been watching her every move as well...

©2015 Laura Lippman (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

You won't be disappointed!!!!

The narrator was brilliant as she changed voices with the characters and brought them to life. Laura captivated the story and interweaved the story line piece by piece. This is a masterpiece of mystery and deceitfulness. I would listen to this again. Tess is the "real deal" as an investigator. This book is a must read!!!

Tess getting soft?

I like Lippman's Tess Monaghan books although I thought this one was a little predictable. Not as much excitement as past "Tess" books. Plus the voice of the three year old was awful.

Love it!

I always love listening to it reading a new Laura Lippman book! This one was also excellent! Great plot and character development

Not the Same Tess Novel

This book was very different from the other Tess stories and not in a good way. Too much emphasis on Crow and Carla Scout. The way Crow is raising her is completely unrealistic and pulled away from the story. The narrator was good, until she had to voice a 3 year old and that happened far too much.

Entertaining

The narrator was fine except don't have her do voice of a 3 year old character! Yuk. Awful. But luckily that is very small portion of dialogue. Just hire a kid next time for a child's voice
Story itself was intriguing and voice for Tess was good

Good mystery despite mommy-track emphasis

Have always enjoyed Laura Lippman, but think she is best with her Tess Monaghan character rather than when she veers off in some of her books where Tess never appears.

The introduction of new partner Sandy in the last novel (After I'm Gone was one of the best) added interest to her Tess series. However, Lippman is falling into the same trap as other female writers (such as Jennifer Weiner and Laura Zigman)--incorporating their own mommy-track issues for career women into her fiction. This might interest half her readers, but not me. I can't think of a male writer who does this, and I am sure there a lot of stay-at-home Dad novelists. But this is still a good mystery story.

Just ok

I lost interest several times and found myself not listening and had to rewind.
I liked the narrator but story was not that compelling.

Tess is back.

If you could sum up Hush Hush in three words, what would they be?
Perils of motherhood.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hush Hush?
Tess and Carla Scout in the grocery store.

Which character – as performed by Jan Maxwell – was your favorite?
Jan Maxwell is a fine narrator and all of her characters done well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes and I did.

Any additional comments?
I enjoy the maturing of Tess and her life. I worried that Laura Lippman might no longer write Tess Monaghan books when Tess became a mother. Excellent that Tess can be Tess and so much more. #FemaleProtagonist, #DetectiveWithToddler, #TemperTantrumToddler, #tagsgiving,#sweepstakes

INTERESTING

I liked this book....no real "grab you by the throat" moments, but all the pieces were neatly tied up which is satisfying. Love Laura Lippmann especially since I live in the area she writes about.

A GREAT listen

One of the best in the series. The story was fascinating and the performance was superb.