Deeper Than the Dead

In a stunning return to writing, Tami Hoag changes the game by returning her readers to forensics of the past in “Deeper than the Dead”. As fans, we find books cluttering the store shelves where protagonists need only turn on their blackberry to solve the most heinous crimes. It often seems to be a competition—similar to that of our favorite television shows—to offer us storylines that are more and more implausible yet easily solved using state-of-the-art technology.

“Deeper than the Dead” returns us to a time where crimes are solved using instinct, people skills and good old-fashioned hard work. Without the benefit of computers or mobile devices, the authorities begin their manhunt when a small group of children stumbles show more upon the body of an unknown woman. In this small, peaceful California town—where families go to get away from crime—appearances are everything and the anxiety escalates as the body count rises and the suspect pool expands.

Hoag’s fans will agree that she has always had an amazing knack for creating strong, believable characters with interlocking plot lines but “Deeper than the Dead” displays a new chapter in this author’s body of work. Readers will find themselves locked into a true gut wrenching suspense; surprised until the very end as unexpected turns remind us that books aren’t always predictable.

Reviewed by Shannon Raab with Suspense Magazine
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Ugh, Tami Hoag, why must you keep me up nights? You know I have better things to do then tear through your latest suspense story, Deeper than the Dead. Why suck me into the small town of Oak Knoll in 1985? Sure, they have a serial killer on the loose and almost no technology in which to catch him (profiling is in its infancy, cell phones are the size of brief cases, and they rely on blood type evidence versus the DNA variety). But why bury the secret to the mystery in the families of a small group of fifth graders and their adorable teacher? You had to know that would be too compelling for me to set aside. Will ensuring that I am a bag eyed mess in the morning really solve anything?

Pleas for mercy notwithstanding, Hoag's completely show more absorbing series launch does leave some plot lines unresolved, but the 1985 setting offers a unique spin on the police procedural details. Dark and disturbing in parts, Deeper also manages to question some bigger themes: innocence, evil, dysfunction, etc... I'm not sure how many serial killers could be running around this small Californian town, but I plan on checking Hoag's follow up, Secrets to the Grave. show less

I've long been a fan of Tami Hoag's writing. She has the ability to create realism that might make some readers flinch. She doesn't do this with a lot of gore. What we get is an honest and raw look at the good and bad of humanity.

Deeper Than the Dead takes us back to 1985. I found this a refreshing change in suspense. There is no DNA evidence here, no computers at each detective's fingertips. Instead, the investigation is done by talking to and getting to know the people involved.

As the story unravels, each person's facade falls apart. We see the behavior people typically hide from even their closest friends. The clues lead us one way, then another. Just when you think you have it figured out, you'll think maybe you're wrong and the show more killer is someone else.

These characters became like real people to me. I felt their emotions. I cared about what happened to them. And that, for me, is the perfect reading experience. show less

This one is my favorite of the Tami Hoag books I have read so far, closely followed by 9th Girl. The reason: Solid, likeable protagonists and a rich, fast-paced story with surprising twists and turns.

The Queen of Thriller/Mystery hits another home run.
Set in 1985 three of Anne Navarre’s 5th grade students stumble, literally over a dead body of a woman in the woods. Sheriffs detective Tony Mendez and his mentor groundbreaking FBI profiler Vince Leone are thinking serial killer with two similar murder/tortures and one missing woman, they will have to ferret out the monster in this idyllic community with the help of Anne. Anne and Vince will also have to deal with the attraction they feel for each other while keeping safe.
Okay the first thing I have to admit is that I read this when it first came out a year ago, why, because I’m a huge Tami Hoag fan from way back when she wrote strictly romance all the way through to present and show more her darker and more meatier reads. So I thought I’d just skim through the pages until I remembered enough to write a review, well guess what. I couldn’t put it down, I just kept telling myself I’ll just read a little bit more and so on and so forth until I finished the 532 pages in the paperback edition. Why did I find my self re-reading it, me who never re-reads, well it’s my pleasure to tell you.
Tami Hoag has an incredible way with words they simply flow like melted butter so smooth that one page effortlessly merges with the next. The plot is very effective, in this 24/7 information overloaded society she takes us back to 1985 where disco is in and cell phones are the size of suitcases and DNA used in crime detection is still a while away. She takes us back to the infancy of FBI profiling and good old fashioned police work. Her characters really make the novel, her good guys will make you root for them and her bad boys will make you cringe and you won’t find out the identity of the monster until she wants you to. Her main protagonists Anne and Vince are an unlikely couple, she in her mid-twenties and he is his late forties but the romance works and works well and becomes an integrated part of the plot.
If you’ve loved Tami for years like me or if you’ve never given her a try either way you won’t be sorry you picked up this novel. If you love crime drama mixed with a great love story this is for you. If you’re the adrenaline junkie and need a novel that speeds up your pulse and makes your heart race look no farther. And when you’re done with this pick up the sequel due out in December 2010 Secrets to the Grave starring all the same people you got to know from Deeper than the Dead. show less

This is a fabulous thriller that's very different from the normal, run of the mill, serial killer fare. Why? Because unlike most authors, Hoag doesn't feel the need to raise the suspense by subjecting her readers to what's often called "torture porn," the graphic scenes where a victim--usually female--goes through horrendous torture at the hands of the killer before being killed. These things occur "off stage" in Hoag's book.

There are a lot of grim situations in this book, and more varieties of dysfunctional family than you usually run across in a single novel. (As Tolstoy put it: "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.") If you're looking for a book that has sweet pictures of happy children, this show more isn't it. The children in this book aren't happy. But they're well-drawn and interesting, as are the adults.

There's a romantic element to this book that adds to its complexity, but it's not one that makes this a "romance" or even "romantic suspense." Nope, this is a straight thriller that just has a strong relationship in it. Enough to satisfy someone who likes a bit of happy with their grim, a bit of romance with their serial killer, but not enough to turn off someone who prefers to read straight thrillers.

All in all, a gripping, fast-paced read. show less

If you haven't read this one and you like exciting mysteries, you absolutely must read it! I was literally out of breath when I finished it yesterday afternoon, tearing through the last chapters as if I were afraid someone would take the book away from me. I had things that needed doing around the house, but they had to wait until I finished and then got my breath back. What a story!

One thing that makes this book so interesting is that it is set in 1985 when the FBI was just beginning to get into profiling. The Behavioral Sciences Unit was at that time housed in a sub-basement of the FBI building in D.C. They were so far underground that, in the gallows humor that keeps them sane, the investigators joked that they were deeper than the show more dead. One of the major characters in the story is an FBI profiler.

In 1985 people didn't have cell phones, DNA wasn't a part of criminal investigation, nor were computers in most places, and all the CSI techniques we are so accustomed to didn't exist. So in this story we have a serial killer being hunted by old-fashioned hands-on detective work with the assistance of the profiler.

There are three prime candidates for the serial killer and their families are also deeply involved. Four children find one of the bodies half buried in a park. Each family is unique, each has its own secrets and tragedies. Then there is the childrens' teacher, Anne Navarre, the one person who is totally determined to do whatever is in the best interests of the kids. These characters are fascinating.

I picked out the three major suspects and before long I had rejected one as the serial killer, and was leaning toward one of the other two, but I wasn't absolutely certain until just before the end of the book. Meanwhile I was really tense; this killer is a doozy!

I read another review of Deeper than the Dead and intended to put it on my wish list, but it sounded familiar. Turned out it was in my treasure box of books given to me by friends months ago. Lucky me! show less