Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
Hangman (Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus #19)
Murder, a missing woman, and a sociopath from the past sweep Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus into a labyrinth of mystery and danger in this electrifying new tale of suspense from "New York Times" bestselling author Faye Kellerman. . . .
Fifteen years ago, high school senior Chris Whitman went to jail for murdering his girlfriend, Cheryl Diggs. Propelled by a misguided sense o...more
Fifteen years ago, high school senior Chris Whitman went to jail for murdering his girlfriend, Cheryl Diggs. Propelled by a misguided sense o...more
Hardcover, 432 pages
Published
August 3rd 2010
by William Morrow & Company
(first published January 1st 2010)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
3,000)
I really enjoy Faye Kellerman's novels about detective Peter Decker. She combines the seamy grind of his policeman's job with the softer side of his personal life with wife, children, and friends combining Jewish and American culture. Both police and private sides feels authentic. A policeman's job is full of tedious tracking down of details and finding connections. And family life is not all smooth sailing either, needing work and give-and-take. In this story, the wife of a sociopathic killer d...more
What a delightful pleasure to read this book by Faye Kellerman, I read it in the Hareperluxe version, if you have not tried larger print books, go ahead you will love it, great for better reading in bed not just for "old fogies"
The story is great, interesting stories about Peter Decker "The rabbi" and his family in this case expanded by another person Gabe, whose' parents need to do a lot of relationship solving, money is no problem with Gabe's Father ( or is it his Father at one poin Christ (th...more
The story is great, interesting stories about Peter Decker "The rabbi" and his family in this case expanded by another person Gabe, whose' parents need to do a lot of relationship solving, money is no problem with Gabe's Father ( or is it his Father at one poin Christ (th...more
Fifteen years ago, high school senior Chris Whitman went to jail for murdering his girlfriend, Cheryl Diggs. Propelled by a misguided sense of chivalry, he confessed, determined to save another classmate, the beautiful and vulnerable Terry McLaughlin, from having to testify at his trial. When the truth came out, Chris was released from prison, married Terry—pregnant with his child—and changed his last name to Donatti. He also became a professional killer.
Peter Decker was the detective on the ca...more
Peter Decker was the detective on the ca...more
Fifteen years ago, high school senior Chris Whitman went to jail for murdering his girlfriend, Cheryl Diggs. Propelled by a misguided sense of chivalry, he confessed, determined to save another classmate, the beautiful and vulnerable Terry McLaughlin, from having to testify at his trial. When the truth came out, Chris was released from prison, married Terry—pregnant with his child—and changed his last name to Donatti. He also became a professional killer.
Peter Decker was the detective on the cas...more
Peter Decker was the detective on the cas...more
I've read most of the Deckers in order - the first one was out of order (Cold Case, as sold in Europe, or Mercedes Coffin elsewhere) but since then mostly in order. More enjoyable that way as most of the main characters grow and age in them and life changes them. This one seems to gain a new member for the Deckers (at least for a book or two ahead), and the next one should introduce a few more (and maybe get some of the current ones to the background).
This one as expected was overall enjoyable (...more
This one as expected was overall enjoyable (...more
I've read all of Faye Kellerman's Decker/Lazarus books and they never disappoint, but this one is better than average. She twists together the brutal murder of a nurse with the reappearance of hit man Chris Donatti and his wife, Terry.
Decker first met the pair as teens in Justice, one of the best books in the series, and later confronted Donatti in Stone Kiss. Kellerman's talent for revealing the complexities of her characters shines in this novel as she untangles the mysteries, and the pacing...more
Decker first met the pair as teens in Justice, one of the best books in the series, and later confronted Donatti in Stone Kiss. Kellerman's talent for revealing the complexities of her characters shines in this novel as she untangles the mysteries, and the pacing...more
Yet another page turner by Faye Kellerman. I really enjoy reading the Peter Decker/Rina Lazrus mystery novels and the way Kellerman weaves the intensity of Peter's job with the soft side of his personal life as he relates to his wife, his children, and the outsiders he takes in. In this particular story Kellerman captures your attention as you try to figure out "who dunnit"; were there several serial killers? were they related? It's a fantasy world, but I like to believe Peter Decker's team is r...more
Faye Kellerman to me is pretty hit and miss. I will pick up one of her books when I know that I won't have much time to concentrate fully on a non-fiction (my preference.) This was a true MISS. Four and five stars -- really folks? It was slowwwwwwww and boring. The details are often irrelevant and trivial (i.e. who cares what Marge is wearing. Faye tells us repeatedly anyway. It doesn't move the plot forward to include those words. It's padding. As is her repeated reference to her claustrophobia...more
There are two mysteries in this one. First, Peter goes to help Terry when she meets up with her sociopath husband, Chris Whitman (seriously. Guy's a sociopath). The meeting goes well, but a few hours later, he gets a call from their son, Gabe. Terry's missing. Peter and Rina agree to let Gabe stay with them while they find Terry. (And if Chris is responsible, they'll probably never find a body.)
To make matters worse, a woman is found dead, hanging in a construction site. That's not a normal caus...more
To make matters worse, a woman is found dead, hanging in a construction site. That's not a normal caus...more
I have to say that this just wasn’t my favorite Faye Kellerman book. I usually enjoy the Decker/Lazarus characters that she writes about. The editing of the book was pretty poor, just to be a bit picky. For an author that has this many books out I would think that the editing of one of her books would be a bit more carefully done.
I think there were about 3 different stories going on throughout the book. Decker first goes to be a liaison between Terry and her hit-man/husband Chris. A few days aft...more
I think there were about 3 different stories going on throughout the book. Decker first goes to be a liaison between Terry and her hit-man/husband Chris. A few days aft...more
The last few Faye Kellerman books I've read have been somewhat disappointing... more procedural and less of what I really love, which is the interaction of all the characters that make up the story. In this new entry into the series, however, Kellerman returns to the format that made me start reading her novels in the first place -- lots and lots of interaction between Peter and Rina and the kids, along with the new addition of Gabe Donatti. I knew I vaguely remembered the Donatti family from pr...more
We’ve read every one of the Rina Lazarus / Peter Decker stories to date; and hate to say this was probably our least favorite. The 420 page book sees the first 50 pages set the scene, then the clues ever so painfully and slowly appear for 350 pages, followed by an intense 20-page ending that reveals all with little or no further work on the part of the detectives. Our high school English teacher would never have approved that outline !!
As usual, “Hangman”, mostly about a young female nurse hung...more
As usual, “Hangman”, mostly about a young female nurse hung...more
I have been a fan since day one and I have read all the Decker/Lazarus books so I did come to this one with a full background on all the recurring characters. Bear this in mind if you are new to the series.
I had been a little disappointed with a couple of the recent offerings; but this one kept me enthralled from start to finish. I have to also say that a lot of the reviews out there complain about the editing on the Kindle version. I can honestly say I was not bothered by it. I have come to rea...more
I had been a little disappointed with a couple of the recent offerings; but this one kept me enthralled from start to finish. I have to also say that a lot of the reviews out there complain about the editing on the Kindle version. I can honestly say I was not bothered by it. I have come to rea...more
Decker is asked to be present when Terry McLaughlin meets with her husband Chris Donatt, little does he know what he is in for. Decker and the couple have a long history and Chris having a reputation as a hit man and having a temper make the meeting contentious, but it comes off reasonably well. The next day however, Terry comes up missing and their son 14yo Gabe calls Decker for help. With Terry missing and Chris not available the Deckers end up taking Gabe home with them. In addition to this D...more
This long time fan of both Faye Kellerman and her husband Jonathan is over the top thrilled to have read yet another Decker/Lazarus novel. Peter is always the epitome of honor and strength, and when he feels the world bearing down on him, his beautiful wife Rina is there to support, encourage, and keep him humble. Your heart totally goes out to young Gabe, because no matter how smart or talented he is, no child deserves what he has gone through. Peter’s age may be catching up with him, but he an...more
I enjoyed this page turner. I am reading this series out of order but I don't care. This is the Decker/Lazarus series, a husband and wife team. The wife isn't
really a detective and didn't play that rol this time. This time she was left to
concentrate on being a wise mother. There is something comfortable about meeting the detectiuves in another book. You already know a lot about them but it is fun to learn more details. I didn't find anything disappointing in this book. The turn of events were co...more
really a detective and didn't play that rol this time. This time she was left to
concentrate on being a wise mother. There is something comfortable about meeting the detectiuves in another book. You already know a lot about them but it is fun to learn more details. I didn't find anything disappointing in this book. The turn of events were co...more
Hangman by Faye Kellerman is her 21st Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus mystery. Professional hit man, Chris Donnatti, has been mistreating his wife, Terry, so she has fled to L.A. with her son Gabe. She agrees to a meeting with Donnatti only if Decker will attend to protect her. Shortly afterwords Terry disappears, so Decker and family take in 14-year-old Gabe, while trying to locate Terry, not to mention Chris. Meanwhile, there is a homicide case to solve that is growing serial killer characterist...more
I used to enjoy this series, been reading it since the beginning. This one was poorly written, giving plugs to her other books, which was as tacky as you can get. And not only that she repeated 3 times the same reference to Madge's claustrophobia. The book needed editing. I listened to it on books on cd and the writing did not flow or sound normal.
The characters of Decker and Rina and family are great and learning about Orthodox Judiasm interesting. In the beginning of the series Kellerman wasn...more
The characters of Decker and Rina and family are great and learning about Orthodox Judiasm interesting. In the beginning of the series Kellerman wasn...more
I'm very fond of the Kellerman family - I've read so many books written by them (Faye Kellerman, Jonathan Kellerman, and now their son, Jesse Kellerman) that I feel like they're part of my family - or at least their characters are. I'm particular fond of Pete Decker and Rina Lazarus and their enormous extended family and I've learned a lot about all kinds of things from reading Ms. Kellerman's books. I especially like how focused these books are on family and on sharing rituals and food - lots a...more
Lieutenant Peter Decker and his wife, Rina Lazarus, are caught up in yet another criminal adventure. This is a good thing. Faye Kellerman is a brilliant crime writer. She has created a 'serial husband and wife couple' who have had incredible staying power. Decker is getting older - he turns 60 in Hangman, his eldest daughter is pregnant, his sons are at university. Youngest daughter, Hannah, is about to leave for Israel, and to be with her boyfriend. However, the Deckers are not the Deckers with...more
Oct 21, 2011
Purple Iris
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mysteries-policiers
I really enjoyed reading this, although I felt like the ending was rushed. It's like Kellerman suddenly realized the book was too long and had to end it. And there are a few loose ends that weren't tied up. Oh, and I can't forgot the lack of good copyediting. Still, this was a good read. I was immediately drawn into it and it was wonderful to visit these characters again -- to see how the kids have all grown up, Rina and Peter looking forward to being grandparents, and retirement, etc. The actua...more
I have enjoyed both Faye & Jonathan Kellerman. Him I am getting a little bored of, same old stories different names. She however manages to keep it fresh by binding together the murder mystries with the family stories and what a family. Peter, his daughter Cindy, Rena, her sons Sammy & Jacob and their share progeny Hannah. Now there is a new add on to the family. Chris Donati and his wife Terry come out of Peters past with their son. Talk about a strange family, mother a doctor, father a...more
I liked this book mainly for the update on the regular "family" as well as the interesting connection between Gabe Whitman & "The Loo" and Rina. Not sure what to make of him -- think there are some interesting hints of what is to come.
The other plot was cleverly done-- with some unexpected twists. Since I don't want to include any spoilers here, I will just say that one aspect of the "closure" was a huge surprise!
One thing I really like about Fay Kellerman is that she stays true to how old...more
The other plot was cleverly done-- with some unexpected twists. Since I don't want to include any spoilers here, I will just say that one aspect of the "closure" was a huge surprise!
One thing I really like about Fay Kellerman is that she stays true to how old...more
Sep 02, 2012
Selia
added it
I may have read a Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus novel in the past but it was so long ago I've forgotten the title. I recently read Hangman and was caught up in the plot and characters for the long and fairly detailed story. I liked it well enough that I'm now starting the sequel, Gun Games and so far, so good. I do like series with lead detectives and/or inspectors who are passionate about their work and also have a heart. The balance of Decker as detective with the strong support of his loving wife...more
If I could give half stars, this would likely be a 2.5. The dialogue sounds phony, especially that of a kid who is supposed to be 14 years old. Why does Kellerman have to tell me what the Dets. Marge Dunn and Wanda Bontremps are wearing each time they make an appearance. The storym-telling seems to be goin along well and then all of a sudden it's like Kellerman is thinking: "My gosh, here I am on page 360 and the publisher said to hold it to 368. Dialogue ends and the story is quickly wrapped up...more
Faye Kellerman has written a well crafted story that keeps the reader engrossed from the first page. All the usual characters are back and are in top form. A new character, 14 year old Gabe, appears and is taken in by the Deckers when his mother disappears and his father is suspected of killing her. Add to the plot an investigation by the LAPD homicide detail for a possible serial killer, Decker's 60th birthday, and important family news and the chapters just fly by. Hopefully Gabe will become p...more
This is a very complex murder mystery with more twists and turns than the Dooley Mountain Road. The book is one of the author's Decker/Lazarus series. I have read most of these and most of the books of a similar genre by the author's husband Johnathan Kellerman. I think it is a good thing to be familiar with and be able to relate to the main characters and I always look forward to the next book of the series being published. This one held my attention all the way through and I didn't have an ide...more
Slightly better entry in the recent novels of the series. This time, two major plots entwine together around a missing woman, and another woman who is found hanging in a half-finished home. Is a serial killer on the loose in Los Angeles? Return of two characters from previous novels, Chris Donati and Teresa McLaughlin, now in the middle of a turbulent separation. While I found this one interesting, the series is starting to show its age.
For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions....more
For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions....more
I started reading this series years ago. In fact, after the first book, Ritual Bath, I was turned off by the gore and did not read more books in this series until years later. I really enjoy the Jewish content and the story of the "Lou" and his family. It has been a few years since I read a book in this series, and I realized that the book had more obscene language (lot of the "F" word) than I care to read. The mystery, however, is a really good one, so for those who like a really good mystery t...more
To date Faye Kellerman has written 20 something mysteries in the Peter and Rina Decker series. She is a writer who entertains the reader with stories which have some substance. Generally, I like to read mystery novels, especially ones that star familiar protagonists. One of the reasons I find this series interesting is that the Deckers are Orthodox Jews who juggle the demands of a career in law enforcement and a life committment to the demands of their faith-- and seem to manage when that day ne...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Faye Kellerman was born in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in Sherman Oaks, California. She earned a BA in mathematics and a doctorate in dentistry at UCLA., and conducted research in oral biology. Kellerman's groundbreaking first novel, THE RITUAL BATH, was published in 1986 to wide critical and commercial acclaim. The winner of the Macavity Award for the Best First Novel from the Mystery Readers...more
More about Faye Kellerman...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Kids are like heroin -- an injection of pain when they're around, but even when they're not around it's like that next fix. You just can't stop thinking about it.”
—
5 people liked it
“What's the difference between a classical guitar and a pizza? A pizza can feed a family of four.”
—
4 people liked it
More quotes…
Jan 04, 2013 07:15am