Last year, I discovered Tami Hoag's mystery/crime novels and read everything available in the Sam Kovac & Nikki Liska series. Many readers also recommended the Oak Knoll series, so after checking at the library, Deeper Than The Dead came home with me.There is a fascinating Author's Note that precedes the novel about the cultural phenomena and the lack of forensic science and technology. Computers were not readily available to every police department; mobile phones, large and bulky, were also rare--nothing like the cell phones in the hands of nearly every citizen of today; matching fingerprints was still done by the naked eye; DNA was first used as evidence in 1987 and controversial; and profiling was a fledgling science. So many things to consider when setting a novel in the 1980's.
In a small California town in 1985, four children literally stumble over a female body, partially buried, and intended for someone to discover. Anne Navarre, their teacher, is shocked and saddened that these children will be forever altered by their gruesome discovery.
While the Author's Note provides an interesting reminder of how quickly we have learned to take technology and forensic science for granted, I found the repeated references within the novel to future technology distracting. The "romance" between Anne Navarre and the FBI profiler Vince Leone didn't feel real and was certainly too fast--more sexual attraction than anything else.
On the other hand, Hoag was able to present several good suspects and to keep the reader off-center about the real killer. The uncertainty about who the killer might be kept me engaged and frequently changing my mind.
I much prefer the Kovac/Liska novels, which have better character development and are more skillfully plotted, but I will read the next one (Secrets to the Grave) if the library has a copy because Tami Hoag has the ability to engage readers and there aren't any more Kovac & Liska novels available yet.
Library copy.
Mystery/Suspense. 2008. 421 pages.
I read all 3 of the Oak Knoll books last year. Well, I listened to them. I liked them pretty well. It was interesting to go "back" to the 80's - goodness, already that time is nostalgic. I want to read more of her books.
ReplyDeleteReading books set in a time before everyone had a cell phone (let alone all the other technology we take for granted) really makes you realize how times have changed! I love Hoag's Kovac/Liska series and can't wait for another one.
DeleteI went back to read my review of this one and I don't mention the relationship between Anne and Vince so it must not have bothered or made much of an impression on me. I did read The Secrets to the Grave and liked it, but not as much as this one.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I like the other series so much that I was more critical than I would have been otherwise!
DeleteThis sounds intriguing. The forensic information sounds fascinating. It would be interesting to compare police work in 1985 to investigations today.
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference in twenty years! All the forensic and technological advances are amazing when you stop to think about it.
DeleteI agree with Irene; it'd be interesting to compare the police work & investigation of today and in the 80s. This book sounds interesting. I haven't tried anything by Tami Hoag so I'll probably look into this series as well as the others you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteI guess the use of DNA evidence is the most amazing, and now with it so common, we don't even think twice about it!
DeleteI've read most of Tami Hoag's books except the early romances, and admit Oak Knoll was not one of my favorite series of hers. Have you read the Deer Lake duo? I also enjoyed the Kovac/Liska series very much and have read a few of her stand alones too.
ReplyDeleteOh, I haven't tried the Deer Lake duo, but will check with the library!
DeleteI don't think I've read any of the Tami Hoag books but I think there are one or two here somewhere if I haven't put them in the Little Free Library. Have to give them another look.
ReplyDeleteI love that your Little Free Library has been so successful--after all the difficulties! It was certainly a topic that got people fired up, and that is a good thing. :)
DeleteI know I've heard of this author but don't think Ive read any. Maybe I should look into the Novak and Liska books.
ReplyDeletethanks
Lynn :D
I was listening to this book but had to return it to the library without finishing it. I figured the "relationship" part was probably going to feature big in this book. I wouldn't mind checking it out again one day to finish it though.
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