HANGMAN by Faye Kellerman
Faye Kellerman’s latest novel HANGMAN is her best to date. This suspenseful tale of murder gives the reader a step by step procedural into how to solve a crime; but it also humanizes the story by giving us details into the lives of those persons doing the investigation, chief of whom is Pete Decker. He is the head detective in the LAPD police department and has been a central character in most of Kellerman’s books.
Pete’s wife Rina is also a character known to Faye Kellerman’s fans. She maintains the home front while Peter does his detective thing. When Rina and Pete married she had two sons from a previous marriage and he had a daughter. They have had one child together named Hannah who is a teenager and lives at home. The other children are all grown.
As soon as Hannah is out of the house and in college Pete plans to retire and enjoy his life. Things get complicated however when the son of a long time friend of his is foisted upon them when the boy’s mother and father disappear. Gabe is fourteen years old and a good kid. Rina’s maternal instincts take kicks in when she sees that he needs somewhere to live if only temporarily.
Kellerman handles both stories with skill and does not let one overshadow or intrude upon the other. Gabe moves in with the Deckers after his mother disappears, and shortly thereafter Pete is called to a crime scene where a woman has been hanged. Is there a connection between the two occurrences? It takes the rest of the book to find out.
The story of the murder and its investigation is a gritty look at some of the worst aspects of society. Kellerman doesn’t flinch from describing it the way it is. Still she balances this with descriptions of the Decker’s home life and the warmth and compatibility that exist there. Pete and Rina are not perfect people or perfect parents but they make a valid effort to be and that makes all the difference.
HANGMAN is a book you don’t want to end. You certainly want to find out who committed the murder of the hanged girl, but you don’t want to end Gabe’s story concerning his relationship with the Deckers. Hopefully it will be continued in a later book.
Faye Kellerman is the wife of Jonathan Kellerman, author of the “Alex Deleware” series. In the past she has been somewhat in his shadow. However with this novel her career moves front and center. They are an equally talented writing couple.
You might be drawn to HANGMAN for its murder mystery theme, but you will remember the book for its depiction of a good family taking in a teenager in need. This “heart of the story” is what makes the book special.
HANGMAN is published by William Morrow. It contains 422 pages and sells for $25.99.