Cover Image: The Hanged Man

The Hanged Man

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Really enjoyed this thriller that had it all, twists turns fantastic storyline and great ending! 4.5 stars for me!

Was this review helpful?

An amazing thriller that had me gripped from the first page. A compelling read I couldn't put down. Love Kernick's writing and can't wait for the next one! A total sleep stealer I'll be recommending to everyone.

Was this review helpful?

Simon Kernick always delivers a great thriller and The Hanged Man is no exception. Even better we get to meet Tina Boyd in her new job as a PI. Although this isn't one of the seven in the Tina Boyd series, it does feature her and DI Ray Mason in their pursuit of those darkly evil souls behind the Bone Field murders. With so many bodies in his wake will DI Ray Mason (or should I say ex-DI Ray Mason) end up behind bars? I hope not and I am sure Tina Boyd hopes not too as there was a blossoming romance between the two.
This is book two in the Bone Field series, I look forward to reading its sequel.

Was this review helpful?

This is a second in the series book, so I definitely need to read the first and then re-read this. DI Ray Mason is a copper who’s never far from trouble and there is a little information from the backstory with Mason talking directly to his audience and recapping the events that led to the gruesome discovery of the partially dissolved remains of seven women in a remote farmhouse in Wales.

It is apparent that the police have absolutely no idea and no clues as to the identity of the murdered women and their only lead lies in following the ownership of the house, however( that house was bought by an offshore company in 1996. From here we go on a journey of twists and turns with the coming and going of DI Boyd and Manning, who are an interesting pair!

Was this review helpful?

I had not read the first book in this series but it was easy to pick up on what had happened, and I do not feel that it affected my enjoyment of this book. It was a dark and twisted read, not for the faint-hearted! However, it was also a satisfying read, with flawed heroes and an interesting premise. I did enjoy reading this, and would look for more books by this author.

Was this review helpful?

Just a gripping read i liked the characters some were not nice i was pulled into the plot story was gripping a good book to read it hold me read in a day very good

Was this review helpful?

I will definitely be reading this again. I’ll be looking forward to more books to come from this author.

Was this review helpful?

Overall 4.5*
I hadn't read Simon Kernick before and as the sequel to The Bone Field , I am hooked and want to now read the first in the series! It is not so easy to review this novel without giving anything away however there is never a dull moment and you are taken on a roller coaster trip with unexpected complications along with some great twists. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it

Was this review helpful?

I'll read all the series for both DI Ray Mason and PI Tina Boyd. All so far are 4 star minimum and great reads.

I will continue to follow this author.

Was this review helpful?

Having not read Bone Field, the first in the series featuring DI Ray Mason and PI Tina Boyd, I was hoping it wouldn't spoil my enjoyment of The Hanged Man, Luckily it didn't!

There is another information in this book so that you aren't in the dark.

Dark and twisty is how I would best describe this book and really enjoyed delving into the story,

Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

Unfortunately I really struggled with this book. The most likely reason being that I have not read The Bone Field so coming in on the second book isome always a gamble and for me it was too confusing to not know the characters.

Was this review helpful?

I love Simon Kernick books. He writes such fast paced stories with characters that you actually care about. This story features Tina Boyd who is one of my favourite Kernick characters and DI Ray Mason in an absolute rollercoaster to f a story where seven bodies are found in a country house.

Was this review helpful?

To describe this as a fast-paced detective story would be an understatement and I have the scorch marks from trying to keep up to prove it. A very imaginative plot populated by all too believable people getting up to all sorts of boundary pushing and nasty things with an unusual ending.

For me, a two sitting read, that kept me engrossed from word one. If you are up for a book that will not, easily, let you put it down then this is the book for you.

Was this review helpful?

This book follows the previous novel by Simon Kernick, The Bone Field. You would really need to read the books in order for the characters to develop properly. I love Simon's books but was a little disappointed with this one. The scene was set in The Bone Field for a great follow up but unfortunately this did not quite deliver. The suspense level was not at it's highest and one of the twists was signposted very early in the book. Without spoiling anyone's reading, the ending left the door ajar for another book in the series. Although this review may come across as negative please be assured this is the first book I have read by Simon that has ever left me feeling slightly disappointed. Maybe he has raised the bar too high!!

Was this review helpful?

From the Sunday Times bestselling author, Simon Kernick, comes the thrilling second instalment in The Bone Field series. Featuring DI Ray Mason and PI Tina Boyd.

Another fast paced crime thriller.

Was this review helpful?

This book is the second in the Bone Field series. The first was responsible for making me a fan of Simon Kernick's work and this one has given me no reason to change my mind.

If you haven't read The Bone Field it would probably be a good idea to do so before diving into this one as the story in The Hanged Man is a continuation of what happened in The Bone Field.

This book is a page-turner with lots of action along the way. It is full of twists and turns and heartstopping moments where it seems disaster is about to strike but is averted at the last moment.

It isn't all about fast-paced action and Ray Mason (the main character) isn't the only one to indulge in fighting the enemy.

Often when a story concentrates so much on the action it is at the expense of character. However, Simon Kernick takes the time to make sure his two main characters are fully developed, fleshed out real people that we can believe in. This makes it easier to care about them and their fate. The relationship between Ray and Tina is tender and complicated and very, very real.

Tina isn't just a female love interest designed to keep readers happy by having a nod towards equality and feminism. She is a strong character in her own right. Fully developed with her own backstory that gives the reader insight into her personality and helps explain why she does what she does, Tina is integral to the story, not just a replaceable side-kick.

Ray is a complicated man, life hasn't been easy for him. Personal loss and tragedy have dogged his footsteps and had their effect on his character. Because so much information is given about him and his background it is easy to understand his actions. Not approve but understand. Perhaps faced with similar circumstances we would choose to do the same as Ray. Perhaps not. Let's hope we are never tested in that way.

There is another book waiting in the wings to finish this trilogy. I have to admit I am waiting impatiently to read it. I really need to know what happened next and if there is any possibility of a happy ever after.

Was this review helpful?

This is a sequel to The Bone Field. It is equally as violent and graphic as the first in the series, but the plot has so many twists and that keeps the pages turning. The two main characters on the trail of historic murders are believable, not least for their flaws and determination to crack the case. The suspense is maintained to the end in this gripping story.

Was this review helpful?

This is book 2 in the Bonefield series, and not having read book 1 before, I think that I might have missed some references that might have made the book easier for me to read and understand. Regardless, the book was fast-paced, gripping and thrilling until the ending! Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

The Hanged Man

I had not read the first in this series, however I really enjoyed this novel. Maverick detective Ray Mason is given recruited for the NCA after being dismissed from his previous job in the police force following some unprofessional behavior in the Bone Field. Following the discovery of several women’s remains in a remote farm house the hunt is on to catch the killers and the man to help with this is Ray Mason.

Ray’s team are put to test and have to stop a criminal gang from continuing with their fifty year reign of sadistic and brutal murders of young women once and for all. Ray is a troubled man with a dark past that affects his behavior in the way he handles aspects of his job. An insight to his problems are picked up on in the story and you have to feel for him and understand why he acts the way he does.

This gritty and gruesome novel had me page turning quicker than ever, I even held my breath on several occasions and what a cliff hanger of an ending. I am sure there will be a follow up to this series and it will be on my to read list for sure.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book by Simon Kernick. Great characters, a plot with more turns than a Grand Slalom, unexpected happenings, and a smart ending!

I would recommend to other readers.

Was this review helpful?