Monday, December 6, 2010

Review & Giveaway - Secrets to the Grave - Tami Hoag

Tami Hoag returns with her new book - Secrets to the Grave - another chapter in the lives of the characters originally introduced in last year's thriller Deeper Than the Dead.

Secrets to the Grave opens with a brutal murder scene...

"She lay discarded like a life-sized broken doll - made up, torn up and cast aside, her brown eyes cloudy and lifeless. Beside her lay a smaller doll - her child - head resting on her shoulder, face streaked with the last of her mother's life's blood.

The telephone receiver dangles near the floor, stenciled with small bloody fingerprints. The last words spoken into it were a whisper still hanging in the air: "My daddy hurt my mommy..."

The she in the tableau is Marissa Fordham. Marissa and her daughter Haley were recent additions to the population of Oak Knoll, CA. With a local wealthy patron, Marissa had been making her living as an artist.

Detective Tony Mendez is the lead on the case. He calls in child advocate Anne Leone to protect four year old Haley's interests, with the hope that the child can give them something to go on. Anne herself is still recovering from the brutal attack on her life by the See No Evil killer that terrorized Oak Knoll last year. She is a newlywed, having married Vince Leone, the FBI agent called in to handle that case. Mendez calls in Vince as well to help him with this new horrific case. Their investigation uncovers no records of a Marissa Fordham ever existing before her arrival in Oak Knoll... who was she really, who would have wanted her dead, who is the child's father? Could this case have ties to last year's brutal murders?

I really enjoyed the characters introduced in Deeper Than the Dead and was thrilled to see that Hoag had reprised them and carried on with the story of Oak Knoll. The neat thing is that these books are set in 1986. So, forensic methods and tools such as DNA banks as we know them from current tv shows and current headlines just don't exist yet, although they are hoped for. Mendez and Leone must use 'old fashioned' methods to investigate. I quite enjoyed the 'historical' references to movies, style and culture inserted into the story.

Hoag has created a multi level plot with some red herrings, but also some subtle clues tucked in if you read carefully. Watch for those sneaky little sentences at the ends of the chapters. Details are teased out from each character on the way to the solution - it seems that every one in Oak Knoll has secrets. Fair warning - the crime is somewhat gruesome in description,some readers may be offended.

Hoag has crafted another fast paced, page turning thriller. And I like that the door has been left open for more from these characters! Read an excerpt of Secrets to the Grave.

Secrets to the Grave is on tour with TLC Book Tours - check out what other bloggers are saying.

Secrets to the Grave can certainly be read as a stand alone. But the references to the past case are tantalizing to those who haven't had a chance to read Deeper Than the Dead. So....thanks to the publisher Dutton, one lucky winner has a chance to win a copy of both books!! Simply comment to be entered. Ends Wednesday December 29 at 6 pm EST. Open to US and Canada, no po boxes please.

86 comments:

Kaye said...

Count me in, Luanne! The Big Guy loves Tami Hoag. Well, her books, not her personally 'cuz he is all MINE!

Linda said...

It's been a long time since I've read a good murder/crime/detective type book. These sound wonderful. Thanks for the giveaway.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

Charleydog said...

I have all of Tammi Hoag's books and I would so much like to win this one.

Please enter my name in the giveaway for the book. Thanks!

pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com

Mishel (P.S. I Love Books) said...

I've heard great things about Tami's books and I'd love to give her a try =)

Thanks so much,

mishtakes AT gmail DOT com

Heather said...

I love mysteries! Thanks for the chance to win!
ra6352 (at) gmail (dot) com

PoCoKat said...

Awesome giveaway...would love love love to win!

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

debbie said...

I have read all of her books, I would love to read this new one.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Rebecc Carter said...

I have been waiting for Tami to release a new book! I can't wait to pick this one up and give it a good read. Tami Hoag was introduced to me when I had jury duty and have kept her on my list of favorite authors to keep track of.

chey said...

This sounds fantastic! I enjoy Tami Hoag's books.

chey127 at hotmail dot com

Misusedinnocence said...

I would love to be entered for this!

misusedinnocence@aol.com

donnas said...

These sound great. Thanks for sharing!

bacchus76 at myself dot com

Tami Hoag said...

Thanks Bookworm! I'm so glad readers are enjoying these characters as much as I enjoy writing them.

Linda Henderson said...

I've liked everything I've read by her, please enter me.

seriousreader at live dot com

LisaMM said...

Sounds fantastic! SO glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for being on the tour!

roarke said...

I would love to win these books.

a real librarian said...

Sounds fab!! Thanks for the chance to win!!

areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

Melissa said...

I love Tami Hoag, but haven't read these, so I'd love to win!

A said...

This is exciting! Definitely entering.

anastasia.trombly[at]gmail[dot]com

gcpeach17 said...

Wow! Fantastic giveaway because I hate to read a 2nd book without reading the 1st, first. I've heard wonderful things about Tami's work. Thanks for the chance to win these.

gcpeach17 at aol dot com

Laura K. Curtis said...

Oooh, I'd love to win! I love me some Tami Hoag! laura.kramarsky[at]womenofmystery[dot]net

Katrina said...

Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance.

ykatrina at hotmail dot com

holdenj said...

Please count me in, it sounds like a great read! I think the 1986 setting is interesting too, long before a lot of the forensics testing came along!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Carrie said...

That's great. I enjoy Tami Hoag's books. Thanks for the offer.

shanaelyse said...

Ooh! I love Tami Hoag--she writes great suspense.

shanaelyse@gmail.com

Zoë said...

I'd love a chance to read this, it sounds fantastic.

strandedhero at gmail dot com

linett said...

Love her books, thanks for the chance

Mary said...

I have never read any of her books but these seem like a great start.

mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bani said...

It would be nice to win them. I liked her book, A Thin Dark Line.

wakeupangel(at)gmail(dot)com

409cope said...

This looks like a great thriller for a cold winter evening.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

Maureen K. said...

I love Tami Hoag's books! I have all of them, and am eagerly awaiting this one. Please enter me in this contest.

maureen.kopper (@ gmail.com

CEB said...

My wife and mother both like Ms. Hoag's books, so I'd pass them to them.

Anonymous said...

Please enter me. I really enjoy Hoag but haven't read these. Thanks :)
stacybooks at yahoo

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Please count me in. I love free books and a Tami Hoag is what I need to cuddle up with in front of the fire.

Unknown said...

Add me to the list. I enjoy Tammy Hoag and would enjoy reading this.
Mike Draper

Terri Dell said...

My favorite type of book - murder detective stories. Please count me in.
Ziggywag at yahoo dot com

Ruthie said...

Love, love, love Tami Hoag! Please enter me, thanks.

ruthiekb72ATyahooDOTcom

Meredith said...

I haven't read either book, and just the cover of this one looks intriguing!

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I have just started reading her books and I am lookig forward to reading more


mellanhead74 at hotmail.com

Rosemary Simm said...

Tami Hoag's books are wonderful.
My bookclub loves when her books come out and they are always our next read.
OcalaRose@aol.com

Allison said...

Love your review!! Ive read some of Tami Hoag's earlier books..but have not started this one yet..would love to win this book (then i would HAVE to buy the first one!)..

Always love reading your blog!! ;-)

allisonsattic at gmail dot com

Aik said...

I'd love to read this book!

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Carol M said...

Her books are always good! Please enter me! Thank you!
Happy Holidays!
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Becca said...

So generous, thanks! sbcashortie at hotmail dot com

nicolesender said...

Tami Hoag's books are terrific!
I'd love to win this book!
nicolesender@yahoo.com

Rosemary Simm said...

Mysteries are my favorite genre of reading. Tami Hoag is the reigning queen of mystery

Benita said...

Please count me in. Many thanks.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

tlannan30 said...

I love Tami Hoag and would love to win!

tlannan30[at]yahoo[dot]com

rubynreba said...

Both of these books would be a truly awesome win! Love to read them.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

PatZ said...

I'm ready for a good book!

Anonymous said...

I would really like to win these books---I haven't read a good Tami Hoag book in a long time.

farrell@crosslake.net

Nancye said...

I would love to win a copy of this book! Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

janeh said...

I really am a Tami Hoag fan and would love to win these books. Happy New Year!

Kim (Randominities) said...

This sounds like the kind of book I love. I've written down her previous book to look up in the library.

Thanks so much for the giveaway!

wgbc1446 said...

This sounds really good. Thanks for the giveaway! wgbc1446[at]yahoo[dot]com

Unknown said...

The book sounds awesome! Thanks for the chance to win! Happy New Year!
janicecrespo@gmail.com

Nancy said...

Sounds like a good read. Happy holidays!

AEKZ2 said...

Tami Hoag is awesome. Please count me in.

annettekz2@yahoo.com

Maureen said...

It looks like a great story.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

grannyvon said...

Longtime fan of Tami Hoag's writing. I would love to win two of her books that I haven't read. Thanks ybutler@oppcatv.com

Anonymous said...

I've never read Tami Hoag's books but really want to since my friends say she's the best!







Bshaw75015@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I would like to read this book!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

loni broesch said...

Please enter me in to win

trippyjanet at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would love the chance to read this.
shawnac68 @ hotmail dot com

Rhonda said...

I am a huge Tami Hoag fan and would love to read this
rhondastruthers atyahoo.ca

beckytag said...

This is great, thanks so much!
beckytag618 at gmail dot com

Renee G said...

Would love to read these. Thrillers are my favorite.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

*~Dani~* said...

Sounds like a terrific read!

Colengal said...

Thanks for adding the 1st book for those of us really behind on their reading

Unknown said...

Not read either of these books. I do like a good mystery and a sequel makes it better!! Fun read for the winner! Thanks for the Giveaway!!


lknott@partnercom.net

tallcapp said...

I've been hearing quite a bit about Tami Hoag but have never read any of her books. Would like to start with this one.

Anonymous said...

I love a good book

jim.coyne2@verizon.net

Storm Safety Blog said...

These books sound really good, and I think it'll be really interesting to read a novel set 20 years ago to remind myself how far we've come in forensic investigation.

susansmoaks said...

i love to read would love this book
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

Dawn Reid said...

I love mysteries! Thanks for the chance
mightynaynay(at)cs.com

clynsg said...

It is so nice to see the chance to get both the books in a group--so often I end up with #2 or more and have to hunt to get the first one!

cgclynsg0 at gmail dot com

susan1215 said...

Sounds like a good book

s2s2 at comcast dot net

Kathy P said...

Thank you for the great giveaway please count me in :)
kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

This sounds like a very interesting book. Thanks. garrettsambo@aol.com

Andria said...

I would love a chance to win. Thank you.

Liz Mays said...

Sounds fabulous, like the kind you can't put down no matter how tired you are!

Grumpy Olde Krowe said...

sounds like a great book, enter me. :^)

Unknown said...

Count me in. I would like to read this book .

Jesskaufman at hotmail dot com

/\Heather/\ said...

This could be first on my list of 'to read' in 2011!
heatherpooh (hotmail)

Unknown said...

I like Tami Hoag - I have read a couple of her books - great suspense writer :)

misaacmom at gmail dot com

Deborah Wellenstein said...

I love suspense and mystery-count me in!

dwellenstein at cox dot net

Anonymous said...

After I lost my Husband to the horrible act of 911 I felt very alone and VERY depressed, that's when I bought my first Tami Hoag book, A Thin Dark Line and then I continued to read more and more of her, now I'm addicted and it did help keep my mind very much off of feeling such a lose. Hope I can be part of ur drawing. Thank Kerry