A Hard Death (Book Two, The Edward Jenner Series) by Jonathan Hayes

Last line in the book:  In the golden light of the sinking sun, huge black vultures floated over the dense canopy of leaves, sometimes breaking away to drift off over the marsh, but always coming back to settle in the high branches and wait.

My first introduction to New York forensic pathologist, Dr Edward Jenner, brings me to understand that he has survived his last case by eliminating a serial killer and subsequently been suspended from his job and his reputation at stake.  When his mentor, Dr Marty Roburn, needed work cover so he could go on vacation, Dr Jenner jumped at the chance when he realized he needed to do something about his dwindling financial reserves.  His solitude is interrupted when two bodies in a car are pulled out of the canal and a late-night phone call sends him into the quiet backwater of the Florida Everglades where he finds a further four putrefying bodies hanging from a tree.  There is no such thing as a coincidence.  Is it possible the murders are related?  When another body of a young man is discovered on a stretch of road, can Jenner stop further killings and find answers to the executions?  

I particularly like the setting of the Everglades in Southwest Florida - for a travelbug like me - which I think sets the perfect tone for the build-up to a chilling and edge-of-the-seat finale.  In particular, it is hard not to like Jenner, who has the heart of a hero even when he is shot down repeatedly.  I reckon he is one of the strongest and realistic characters in the world of crime fiction today.  This book ticks all the boxes for me and I highly recommend it.  Am just a touch disappointed that there is no Book Three but understand that the author works as a full-time senior medical examiner in New York City and only writes in the evenings.  Anyway, who knows?  There may be something in the pipeline.  However, I hope there will be more to come from this fairly unheard-of author.


A Hard Death was published in April 2011.  His first book, Precious Blood, was debuted in October 2008.  More information about the British-born author and his works can be found on www.jonathanhayes.com

Rating:  6/5