The first book was okay, but this second one was worse. There's very little character development, just people running from place to place, and the events felt like a considerable stretch. I just didn't enjoy it. ( )

Second book in Absalom Kearney series

Oh, boy, this book kept me up late, and kept me reading on my day off when I should have been housecleaning, getting ready for a visit from my in-laws! This second-in-series book, set in Buffalo, was a good thriller. The escape of the dreaded "Hangman" killer during transfer between Auburn and Attica State prisons sets off a full-scale manhunt involving police from Buffalo to Syracuse. But he manages to slip through the dragnet and return to his old killing grounds in North Buffalo, where Absalom "Abby" Kearney, second-generation Buffalo homicide detective, is assigned as lead detective when he strikes again. His target vicitms: teenage girls from the wealthy North Buffalo neighborhood.

This book was really suspenseful, and the end contained a stunning twist I didn't see coming. ( )

ARC provided by NetGalley

Abbie Kearney lives the tough Irish American stronghold known as “the County” and proudly wear her dad’s old badge as a homicide cop. Thankfully she never had to experience the horror of the serial killer known as the Hangman, Marcus Flynn, and he’s been safely locked up for a long time. Until now. Now a corrections officer lies dead on the ground, a prison van stands empty, and somewhere, out there...the Hangman hunts again. The city is being driven to its knees, paranoia and secrecy rise, and only Abbie can put a stop to it all...hopefully before the Hangman’s noose finds her.

This is the first time that I’ve read one of Talty’s books, but the comparison to Karin Slaughter, and the vibe of the book description drew me in. And this will not be the last book that I read by Mr. Talty. I love the character of Abbie and her strength and bullheadness at staying the case and trying to solve what happens. Its nice to see another female character in the vein of Slaughter’s and Kathy Reichs, that doesn’t cower to the darkness, but stands up to it. Its a fast moving, well paced book and I look forward to seeing more of Talty’s works. 4 out of 5 stars. ( )

"Hangman", Stephen Talty's second novel to feature Absalom Kearney, a young female (Abbie) cop. She is bright, honest and values her reputation for integrity. That's tough to hold on to in this book which is by turns dark, clever, emotional and very well written. I like Abbie. I look forward to seeing more of her. ( )

After reading "Black Irish", I knew two things: I really liked the character of Absalom Kearney & Mr. Talty writes a mean thriller. So began my wait for book #2.
In the first instalment, Abbie returned to her home town of Buffalo from Miami. She's a detective like her dad, a much admired cop & member of "the county", a largely Irish neighbourhood on the city's south side. It's a close knit community that protects its' own & regards outsiders with suspicion.
Abbie got a bit of a pass because of her father but has been away a long time. She's also part of a new wave of cops, better educated & less inclined to bend the rules. Her first case took a terrible personal toll & now she just wants to settle in & make a home for herself.
She bought an old victorian, drinks wine over the fence with neighbours Ron & Charles & is dating Mills, a fellow cop.
As this book opens, Marcus Flynn (a serial killer known as the Hangman) is being transported from Auburn Correctional Facility to Attica. But the trip hits a snag & Abbie's yard work is interrupted when she'd paged: officer down, Flynn on the loose.
The news shakes the city. Flynn is from Buffalo & used it as his hunting ground in 2007, abducting 4 girls. Three were found hanging from trees but the fourth, his cousin, was never recovered. The girls were brunette, teenaged & lived in the "north", the most affluent part of the city. Parents were frantic & cops went without sleep 'til he was found in a motel room with a bullet in his head. Since then, his recovery has been slow but steady in a solitary cell.
Every cop is called in for the manhunt but Chief Albert Perelli has a particular job for Abbie. He gives her the old case file. If Flynn evades the searchers, Perelli's biggest fear is that he'll return to Buffalo & pick up where he left off. So Abbie starts to dig.
Her interviews include Flynn's psychiatrist at Auburn, his ex-wife & Charlie McGonigal, a retired cop from the original case whose reputation is less than squeaky clean. She's barely begun when a girl is reported missing, a brunette teenager from the north. The clock starts ticking.
This is an engrossing read with plenty of twists & turns to keep you guessing. And for Abbie, it will be a test on several levels. After the last case, her relationship with Perelli is one of mutual tolerance. She's got a new partner, Det. Billy Raymond, who is cocky & ambitious. And when another girl disappears, her frustration will make her tempted to accept help from McGonigal. If she does, Abbie knows he'll expect payback at some point & she has to decide what's more important...her integrity or a girl's life. And crossing that line may risk her relationship with Mills.
The characters are well written & believable. Abbie is a compelling protagonist, smart, intuitive & likeable. You may not agree with some of her choices but you never doubt her intentions. Her strong work ethic & tenacity will come in handy as some of the people associated with the first investigation are holding tight to their secrets. The author uses subtle misdirection & red herrings that make you rethink what you thought you knew.
It's taut but well paced & we feel the tension as time starts to run out for the latest victim. With the exception of a few passages detailing history of the area, the story flows with unembellished prose & lean dialogue.
All in all, an entertaining & clever thriller that will keep you turning the pages. Hopefully, the introduction of a few new characters & unresolved situations are signs book #3 is in the works. Like McDermid's "Carol Jordan" & O'Connell's "Kathleen Mallory", Abbie is a compelling & complex character I'd like to read about again.
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