A Hard Death: A Novel

Jonathan Hayes

Apr 2011 · Harper Collins

About this ebook

Forensic pathologist Edward Jenner survived the horrific ordeal of the Inquisitor serial slayings in New York, but not the political fallout. With his state medical license suspended, he hopes to repair his shattered life while working as a medical examiner in Douglas County, Florida. But evil is not confined to big cities alone.

Two corpses pulled from a sunken car—followed by the grisly discovery of four more bodies hanging in the Everglades—are evidence of an insidious rot infecting this quiet coastal resort community. Suddenly Jenner's investigation is turning up grim traces of a nightmarish conspiracy—and with no one to trust and nowhere to turn, his only hope of survival is to walk away . . . something Jenner could never do.

Ratings and reviews

“A Hard Death”, a novel of suspense by Jonathan Hayes is a good book. This is the second book about forensic pathologist Edward Jenner. I did not read that book, “Precious Blood”, but it was not necessary. “A Hard Death” is a great stand alone crime fiction book. The story line is action packed and thrilling from the first pages and becomes intertwined with old and new friends, Mexican migrant workers, and rich and poor people, all involved in murders and a lucrative drug business. Dr. Jenner goes to the small town of Port Fontaine, Florida, to fill-in as Douglas County pathologist, while Dr. Marty Roburn, his long time friend and mentor, takes a long awaited vacation with his wife. Shortly after arriving in town Dr. Jenner is faced with his first case. A car pulled up from the river containing the murdered bodies of Dr.& Mrs. Roburn. Next, Jenner is directed to the swamp and four decomposing bodies hanging from trees. Dr. Jenner becomes suspicious that these two murders are related in some way. He, along with a local detective, investigates and is forced to follow a twisted path to find the murderers. Along the way, Dr. Jenner finds romance with two women, the spoiled but confused daughter of the richest man in town and the sweet and caring park ranger. “A Hard Death” has a strong plot with characters who are well-defined. Dr. Jenner is the hero and I found myself cheering him on as he dealt with some unsavory characters. Jonathan Hayes has written a great forensic crime novel. I anxiously await the next adventure of Dr. Jenner.

About the author

Jonathan Hayes, a veteran forensic pathologist, has been a New York City medical examiner, performing autopsies and testifying in murder trials, since 1990. A former contributing editor at Martha Stewart Living, Hayes has written for the New York Times, New York magazine, GQ, and Food & Wine. He is also the author of Precious Blood.