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ttolbert915's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
killmoore_'s review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
sierrainstitches's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wowwwwwww how could you end like that 🥲 I am distressed.
somojones's review against another edition
4.0
There are so many twist and turns in this mystery I couldn't put the book down. The ending is so unexpected and keeps you guessing. If you liked "Gone Girl" put this on your must read list.
bgg616's review against another edition
3.0
A very annoying narrator. I disliked her children and teen voices and all the men sounded alike. The story involves two estranged sisters - both dysfunctional. One is a police officer and it's hard to decide which of the sisters is more messed up. I have enjoyed reading Mo Hayder so maybe my problem with this story was the narration.
leelah's review against another edition
4.0
3,5
Mo, unflinching as always.
If you read her before, you are probably familiar with the fact she takes her characters (and reader along the way) places not many writers in genre dare to. Hanging Hill is not the exception, but pushing boundaries is more subtle in some places, just enough to lure you into thinking she will go soft on you... and then it's not.
So bare bones: Entire story is told in alternating chapters following two characters: Zoe, ambitious police detective, a career woman, on a track to be promoted. Other is her sister, Sally, recent divorcee, who has no idea how to earn money and take care for bills and her teenage daughter. Main thing to note is the fact that sisters are not in contact and are not close, but with one murder their path became unavoidably intersecting.
I admit, I was continuously surprised by Sally. Sally at the beginning is just one big mess at life. Her daughter is a teenager used to living a life where money is not a problem; she wants to go to concerts and have pretty things. But her father is having another family and her mother just doesn't have money to give her and can't earn that much. Which doesn't prevent her from trying to get it by other means. Stupid means... But,considering she is a teenager, she is selfish and self-absorbed by default, so of course, it's up to Sally to clean up her messes. And boy does necessity and desperation make Sally's character development interesting. You read it chapter by chapter and Sally's actions are just reactions to awful things that keep happening to her, people who are influencing her, think she is stupid and naive, up until that one turning point where just flips around and surprises you. On the other hand Zoe is everything Sally is not and everything Sally needs to be. Despite of it all, I kind of liked Sally more because Zoe had different kind of insecurities, which she hid better (she felt so threatened by psychologist woman it was ridiculous), but Sally was the soul of this book. I kept thinking how if you would take one character from the book would the story still stand- with Zoe, that answer is yes, but without Sally it would definitely fall apart.
Plot is twisty enough to keep you guessing just what the hell went down, and even when you think you figured out everything, ending reveals you haven't.
Now, Mo's writing is perfect, spine-tingling and beautiful at the same time, but plotting was messy in places, especially when it comes to Zoe. Her motivations clashed which didn't add to her complexity, but rather took from her character. And, wow, that ending when it comes to Zoe disturbed me. Mo is one author, not specifically tied to horror genre whom I keep throwing with that lot when someone wants to discus horror because she managed to disturb me and creep me out more often than some horror writers. There is a scene in this book and it's a massive trigger, so be sure to check if it's of importance to you.
All in all, if you know Mo's work ,you know what you can expect.
Mo, unflinching as always.
If you read her before, you are probably familiar with the fact she takes her characters (and reader along the way) places not many writers in genre dare to. Hanging Hill is not the exception, but pushing boundaries is more subtle in some places, just enough to lure you into thinking she will go soft on you... and then it's not.
So bare bones: Entire story is told in alternating chapters following two characters: Zoe, ambitious police detective, a career woman, on a track to be promoted. Other is her sister, Sally, recent divorcee, who has no idea how to earn money and take care for bills and her teenage daughter. Main thing to note is the fact that sisters are not in contact and are not close, but with one murder their path became unavoidably intersecting.
I admit, I was continuously surprised by Sally. Sally at the beginning is just one big mess at life. Her daughter is a teenager used to living a life where money is not a problem; she wants to go to concerts and have pretty things. But her father is having another family and her mother just doesn't have money to give her and can't earn that much. Which doesn't prevent her from trying to get it by other means. Stupid means... But,considering she is a teenager, she is selfish and self-absorbed by default, so of course, it's up to Sally to clean up her messes. And boy does necessity and desperation make Sally's character development interesting. You read it chapter by chapter and Sally's actions are just reactions to awful things that keep happening to her, people who are influencing her, think she is stupid and naive, up until that one turning point where just flips around and surprises you. On the other hand Zoe is everything Sally is not and everything Sally needs to be. Despite of it all, I kind of liked Sally more because Zoe had different kind of insecurities, which she hid better (she felt so threatened by psychologist woman it was ridiculous), but Sally was the soul of this book. I kept thinking how if you would take one character from the book would the story still stand- with Zoe, that answer is yes, but without Sally it would definitely fall apart.
Plot is twisty enough to keep you guessing just what the hell went down, and even when you think you figured out everything, ending reveals you haven't.
Spoiler
After some time, I realized resolution was in a way foreshadowed- Sally's daughter kept putting herself into all kinds of trouble and Sally can't save her from herself.Now, Mo's writing is perfect, spine-tingling and beautiful at the same time, but plotting was messy in places, especially when it comes to Zoe. Her motivations clashed which didn't add to her complexity, but rather took from her character. And, wow, that ending when it comes to Zoe disturbed me. Mo is one author, not specifically tied to horror genre whom I keep throwing with that lot when someone wants to discus horror because she managed to disturb me and creep me out more often than some horror writers. There is a scene in this book and it's a massive trigger, so be sure to check if it's of importance to you.
All in all, if you know Mo's work ,you know what you can expect.
owlribbon's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Rape, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Kidnapping, Misogyny, and Self harm
Minor: Alcohol and War