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172nd out of 3,394 books
—
7,825 voters
The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter (Ballad #2)
Everyone in Dark Hollow, Tennesee, knew that old Nora Bonesteel had "the Sight." So naturally she was the first to know about the murder-suicide. Four members of the Underhill family lay dead on a run-down farm, and the two children who survived had no one left. Only the minister's wife, Laura Bruce, was willing to be their guardian.
The grisly case was supposed to be "open
...morePaperback, 384 pages
Published
April 1st 1993
by Onyx
(first published 1992)
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This is my second book by Sharyn McCrumb, and I liked this one best. She has such a way of transporting me to backwoods Tennessee. I feel like I'm sitting on somebody's porch, listening to Uncle Asa tell stories. This story just meanders on down the hill, taking its own sweet time. In this book, there are actually several tales being told, each a complete story on its own, but woven together to create a fascinating tapestry. There are plenty of diversions and side trips, just to keep things inte...more
Although there is a mystery with things not really being as they appear, this book is more a collection of Southern story-telling with a fey old woman who sometimes sees the future. It's almost a series of short stories, tied together in the framework of a quilt the old woman is creating.
Two parents and a young boy are murdered by an older son who commits suicide, leaving two siblings behind. The minister's wife, in his absence because of being deployed as a chaplain to the midEast, is a connec...more
Two parents and a young boy are murdered by an older son who commits suicide, leaving two siblings behind. The minister's wife, in his absence because of being deployed as a chaplain to the midEast, is a connec...more
This book is an odd one. Sharyn McCrumb obviously does a great deal of research to make her books authentic to the Appalachian people. It was an interesting read, as far as details go and learning something new about an unfamiliar culture.
The story/stories were well-told. None of the stories ever actually had a point, which in this book wasn't really a problem. I enjoyed it anyway. It was like listening to somebody tell a story about something that happened to them, just because they liked to ta...more
The story/stories were well-told. None of the stories ever actually had a point, which in this book wasn't really a problem. I enjoyed it anyway. It was like listening to somebody tell a story about something that happened to them, just because they liked to ta...more
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McCrumb does a wonderful job in describing the mountains and people. I adore her use of old-time folk lore to enhance the story. In this tale, two brothers and the parents are brutally murdered by the oldest son, who also takes his own life. The story has other tragedies besides this: the burning death of a young mother, the environmental cancer death of an old man, the stillborn death of the preacher's wife. But, amid all this heartbreak is inspiration and hope; and a sense of renewal. I thorou...more
I expected to really like this book, but was a little disappointed. I found myself skimming over some of the story lines to get back to other story lines. Speaking of story lines, as far as I could tell, there were three main story lines, and two minor story lines. At least two were left unanswered/openended when I finished the book... perhaps I missed some things while skimming a bit, but I don't think so.I closed the book wondering what happened in some of the story lines -- and, then I wonder...more
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I read "the legend of Tom Dooley" by this author.Enjoyed it very much,but the forgot to look up more of her books.Saw a blurb abt.her and her stories,set in Appalachia,so I got this one.Well,I just loved this story.It puts you in the mountains,among the poor people,who don't know they are poor,add a nice mixture of local characters and each of their stories,and murder.I had to read it straight through. I will read more by MsSharyn McCrumb,already looking for "If Ever I return,Pretty Peggy-O".Can...more
Mar 05, 2010
Werner
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans of general fiction, and of fiction set in Appalachia
Shelves:
general-fiction
Modern/contemporary general fiction hasn't formed the largest bloc of my reading --not because I don't like it, but just because, at the specific times when I've picked books to read over the years, selections from the other genres have usually happened to overshadow anything from this one. And I greatly enjoy both the supernatural (as well as other speculative) and mystery genres. So it's perhaps not surprising that when I do read general fiction, some of what I'm attracted to has elements of o...more
“The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter” is the second installment of her Appalachian Ballad series, and was the third of said series that I’ve had the pleasure to read (while several characters are re-occurring, these ballads need not be read in order, and are all easily enjoyable as stand-alones).
McCrumb deftly displays both the beauty and the hardship of the Celtic heritage, prevalent in the Appalachian area. In this particular tale, McCrumb weaves several storylines simultaneously: we are acquaint...more
McCrumb deftly displays both the beauty and the hardship of the Celtic heritage, prevalent in the Appalachian area. In this particular tale, McCrumb weaves several storylines simultaneously: we are acquaint...more
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This story is as odd as the several mountain stories that are told within it. Nora Bonesteel has the second sight and she often has the coffee poured and plates of cookies out arleady when the visitor comes up the road. She is the character around whom the story is told although she is not the main character. There is a terrible tragedy and four members of the Underhill family are dead and the remaining two children are dazed and left without kin to take them in. There are several more stories w...more
The sense of place in this book is so real you can feel the mountain shadows lengthen. I identify with the characters so much I can almost feel their pain. Loved Maggie and was so angry at those who failed to help her and Mark when they needed it. Nora Bonesteel is a wonderful character you'd love to meet in life. The only criticism would be that I thought the Justin Warrren camp of wanna-be soldiers didn't serve much purpose. They seemed extraneous. Overall a great read.
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Another one that could do with a half star. However, what I loved about this book was that it wove in Shakespeare, the Irish heritage of Appalachia, and the ballads that nurture the area so beautifully. In a lot of ways it reminded me of "Christy" - it's not necessarily a compelling story, but a compelling setting and characters. The mystery is, quite frankly, a sideline.
I look forward to reading more of her novels.
I look forward to reading more of her novels.
In Dark Hollow, Tennessee, it was accepted within the community that Nora Bonesteel had "the Sight". And so she understood before anyone else that a tragedy had occured in the Underhill family. Sharyn McCrumb uses the mountain setting of eastern Tennessee to tell a story that seamlessly mixes Appalachian legends with the reality of modern America.
I think this is the book I read, many years ago. It was very haunting and disturbing. It bothered me so much that I've never read another one of this author's books. There also was some kinda psychic aspect to the story that I had a hard time following. I usually like mystery/suspense books, but this one was not one I enjoyed.
Perhaps I am cynical, but I knew the reason for the murder from the first pages. Waiting for everyone else to figure it out was nerve wracking to say the least.
THe subplot involving the minister's wife and her baby felt tacked on me, it served no real purpose except to jack up the tears quotient for the reader.
THe subplot involving the minister's wife and her baby felt tacked on me, it served no real purpose except to jack up the tears quotient for the reader.
This is the 2nd novel in the "Ballad" series. The story revolves around Nora Bonesteel, though she is not the main character. She has what is known as the "second-sight" in Appalachia and she knows things before they happen. What I like about this series is the characters and their developement throughout the books. The plots in this book revolve around the murder-suicide of four members of a family, a pregnant woman, whose husband is overseas, and a man dying of cancer, caused by pollutants in...more
Of this series, this is my favorite, McCrumb weaves the ordinary with the eerie in a manner that grips her reader. While the characterizations were wonderful, the stereotypical tortured Vietnam veteran loner portrayal, who was more of a caricature than a character, kept this book from earning 5 stars.
Another really good book from Sharyn McCrumb. I started reading this one as I spent the weekend in the Appalachian hills near the setting of her books. It isn't a typical 'whodunnit' mystery, but rather explores several issues that affect several lives in the aftermath of a tragic shooting. There is plenty to think about, and to me the most interesting issue was the one not overtly explored: how otherwise good, honest, and caring people can still be self-absorbed enough to miss the tragedies bre...more
I'd read one of her books ages ago, it was about some other characters and I wasn't all that enthralled. This one was different- apparently a series based on old Appalachian balads. It was very good - I don't know whether it is truly classifiable as a mystery, but a very good story, and very well written.
Really 4.5 stars.
Genre: Suspense
I listened this book.
This is the first book by Sharyn McCrumb that I've read. I loved it! She is a great storyteller.
Sally Darling narrates the story. She is incredible; I feel that she loved every moment she spent recording the book.
Genre: Suspense
I listened this book.
This is the first book by Sharyn McCrumb that I've read. I loved it! She is a great storyteller.
Sally Darling narrates the story. She is incredible; I feel that she loved every moment she spent recording the book.
Sharyn McCrumb is one of the few writers that I can think of whose characters are so very real to me. If you ever get a chance to hear McCrumb speak, jump on that chance. She has a wicked wit, a great imagination, and a great ability to weave stories around songs and events and places.
Apr 30, 2010
Susan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone who likes suspense in Appalachia
I really enjoyed this book! It was well-written and a fast read. I love books that are set in Appalachia and this one did not leave me disappointed at all. This book was suspenseful with a surprise ending. It was rich in character and I would recommend it to all.
Less mystery than character study, but that's why I liked it. Most mysteries I find tedious, and honestly I'm lazy about trying to figure out who the killer is. The characters here are very realistic and sympathetic; the modern Appalachian setting is likewise clear-eyed and honest - not a hokey romantic's visions.
Jan 04, 2012
Valerie Kite
added it
This book had nice style,but seemed to ramble. I was in a library discussion group that could not establish who the Hangman's Daughter was. I can only conclude this author has written multiple related books. McCrumb must be her real name. No one would have selected as pen name.
Mystery isn't my normal thing, but the ballad elements woven through this series (okay, this one is Hamlet, not a ballad) has endeared it to me.
This particular story really isn't a mystery. The case is open and shut, though everyone wonders a the motivations of those involved.
What this book does do is take several stories related to death and grief and faith occurring in the same town during the same season and interweave them. It also introduces Nora, an old woman with the Sight who sees but d...more
This particular story really isn't a mystery. The case is open and shut, though everyone wonders a the motivations of those involved.
What this book does do is take several stories related to death and grief and faith occurring in the same town during the same season and interweave them. It also introduces Nora, an old woman with the Sight who sees but d...more
Sharyn McCrumb is one of my favorite authors. This series is good, but I loved the lighter series more, as well as her non-series books. When the NASCAR books appeared, I was wooed away by other writers.
McCrumb may be worthy of my top 10 favored authors. However, since this is the first novel I have read - I hesitate to make that statement with utmost sincerity. Enjoyed the twists and turns in the plot; as well as the constant tugging of my heart for several characters. Well done, Ms. McCrumb!
Good, inasmuch as the setting itself is a "character." Her writing is very good. I'm glad I read it but I don't feel compelled to seek out more of her works. Too many books, too little time!
Verisimilitude?
I have never read one who does is better than Sharyn McCrumb. If you love Appalachia, you must read her.
I have never read one who does is better than Sharyn McCrumb. If you love Appalachia, you must read her.
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Sharyn McCrumb is an American writer whose books celebrate the history and folklore of Appalachia. Educated at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Virginia Tech, she has also taught Appalachian studies. She is married to David McCrumb, a corporate environmental director, and has two children, Laura and Spencer.
-Wikipedia
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-Wikipedia
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