The Hanging Tree: A Starvation Lake Mystery

Bryan Gruley

Aug 2010 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

WHEN GRACIE McBRIDE, the wild girl who had left town eighteen years earlier, is found dead in an apparent suicide shortly after her homecoming, it sends shock waves through her native Starvation Lake. Gus Carpenter, executive editor of the Pine County Pilot, sets out to solve the mystery with the help of his old flame and now girlfriend, Pine County sheriff deputy Darlene Esper. As Gus and Darlene investigate, they can’t help but question if Gracie’s troubled life really ended in suicide or if the suspicious crime-scene evidence adds up to murder.

But in such a small town it’s impossible to be an impartial investigator—Gracie was Gus’s second cousin; Darlene’s best friend; and the lover of Gus’s oldest pal, Soupy Campbell. Yet with all the bad blood between Gus and Gracie over the years, Gus is easily distracted by other problems. His employer is trying to push him out, the locals are annoyed that his stories have halted construction on a new hockey rink, and Darlene’s estranged husband has returned to reclaim his wife.

When Gus tries to retrace Gracie’s steps to discover what happened to her in the eighteen years she was away from Starvation Lake, he’s forced to return to Detroit, the scene of his humiliating past. And though he’s determined to find out what drove Gracie back home, Gus is unprepared for the terrible secrets he uncovers.

The second book in Bryan Gruley’s irresistible Starvation Lake series, The Hanging Tree is a compelling story about family and friendship, sex and violence, and the failure of love to make everything right.

Ratings and reviews

I liked this book. It is the second book in the series with Gus Carpenter, writer for his hometown small newspaper. He doesn't just report the news, he solves the mystery before the police do. In the two books I have read he has been personally involved with the victims. You don't need to read the first one but I think it adds to it when you read a series in order. I like Bryan Gruley's style of writing. Gus Carpenter is a Hockey player in a small town where hockey is important to the whole town. That aspect ends to get dull for me after awhile. Only because I'm not an avid hockey fan. His books have a lot of twists and turns. Hanging tree keeps you guessing until the end. I was disappointed his books are not available in nook book. Printed book was not in book store. I had to order on line. I would have liked to get a sample chapter of the next book in the series or at least a list of the books in order in the series in the printed book. Many times it seems difficult to get the order of a series. I think it would be wise for any author to use their book as advertisement to the other books they have written. The hockey theme has gotten a little old for me but I'd be interested in reading other books written by Bryan Gruley.

I enjoyed The Hanging Tree novel as much as his first, Starvation Lake. I did find all of the hockey details a little too intense for my taste, but for people that enjoy hockey, I'm sure this would only enhance this read. Gus is a very likeable character and I was left wondering if he and Darlene would find lasting love.

About the author

Bryan Gruley is reporter at large for Bloomberg News and the former Pulitzer Prize-winning Chicago bureau chief of The Wall Street Journal. He has won the Anthony, Barry, and Strand Awards and was nominated for an Edgar Award for best first novel. He lives with his wife in Chicago. Visit BryanGruley.com.