#1 New York Times bestselling author Tami Hoag returns with her second thriller in the Deeper than the Dead microseries, exploring the early days of forensic investigation, the characteristics of innocence-and the nature of evil.Marissa Fordham had a past full of secrets, a present full of lies. Everyone knew of her, but no one knew her.When Marissa is found brutally murdered, with her young daughter, Haley, resting her head on her mother's bloody breast, she sends the idyllic California town of Oak Knoll into a tailspin. Already on edge with the upcoming trial of the See- No-Evil killer, residents are shocked by reports of the crime scene, which might not have been discovered for days had it not been for a chilling 911 call: a small child's voice saying, "My daddy hurt my mommy."Sheriff's detective Tony Mendez faces a puzzle with nothing but pieces that won't fit. To assist with his witness, Haley, he calls teacher-turned-child advocate Anne Leone. Anne's life is hectic enough-she's a newlywed and a part- time student in child psychology, and she's the star witness in the See-No-Evil trial. But one look at Haley, alone and terrified, and Anne's heart is stolen.As Tony and Anne begin to peel back the layers of Marissa Fordham's life, they find a clue fragment here, another there. And just when it seems Marissa has taken her secrets to the grave, they uncover a fact that puts Anne and Haley directly in the sights of a killer: Marissa Fordham never existed. It's an alias, she and her friend, Jenna, move to Oak Knoll to get money from the man, blackmail.Turns out to be the wife of the man who impregnated Marissa who is paying Marissa $5000.00 a month plus place to live and support her artist career. The baby is not dead, Marissa lost that pregnancy, but traded all her money to get the baby of Star, a drug addict, who was just going to give up or get rid of the baby she was carrying. They said the baby was his. The wife killed Marissa because she was getting tired of the woman's heavy handedness and wanted to stop the charade. The woman brutally killed, stabbing her over 47 times and cutting off her breast and then mailing them to herself to make herself not be a prime suspect.Side story the couple's only son, was a closet gay, back in a time when it was against the law. He ran the family's Mercedes business and was looking at running for California legislature. Secrets to the Grave is the second in a trilogy about the town of Oak Knoll, not a place to live if you’re squeamish about grizzly murder. The story centers on the particularly gruesome murder of a young single mother. Her four year old little girl witnesses the murder. Sad premise to start. Ann Leone, the main character of this trilogy, is a lover of children, studying child psychology, and comes to the aide of the girl. The ultimate villain came to me much sooner than Tami Hoag would have liked, I’m sure…but, I won’t be a spoiler. I think my favorite character in the series is Fanny. I hope he appears in more books, a fun guy…had me laugh out loud a few times.The book is read by Kirsten Potter, and she does a credible job with all character voices except the former Chicago cop. He sounds more east coast/Bostonian than midwestern (speaking as a born and bred Chicagoan). Great job with the other characters, including the child. Unabridged audiobook, about thirteen hours of listening.If you enjoy a Hoag murder mystery, you’ll enjoy the story. I did, and I’m ready for the third book in the Oak Knoll trilogy.
What do You think about Sır (2012)?
4 1/2 stars. This is a really good book, and one that you will remember. A true mystery/thriller.
—sunshine60
