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Jenny Cooper #5
The Chosen Dead
Coroner Jenny Cooper investigates . . . An unlikely suicide or a deadly conspiracy? When Bristol Coroner Jenny Cooper investigates the fatal plunge of a man from a motorway bridge, she little suspects that it has any connection with the sudden death of a friend’s thirteen year old daughter from a deadly strain of meningitis. But as Jenny pieces together the dead man’s last days, she’s drawn into a mystery whose dark ripples stretch across continents and back through decades. In an investigation which will take her into the sinister realms of unbridled human ambition and corrupt scientific endeavour, Jenny is soon forced to risk the love and lives of those closest to her, as a deadly race to uncover the truth begins . . .
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
55 people are currently reading
500 people want to read
About the author
M.R. Hall
23 books196 followersM R Hall, otherwise known as Matthew Hall, lives and works in the Welsh borders near Monmouth. Born in London in 1967, he was educated at Hereford Cathedral School and Worcester College, Oxford, where he graduated in law.
After several years as a criminal barrister in London, Matthew started writing TV drama, beginning with epsiodes of ITV's Kavanagh QC. He was nominated for a BAFTA for his first original series, Wing and a Prayer. He has since written over 60 hours of prime time drama including the recent BBC hit series, Keeping Faith.
His debut novel, The Coroner (2009) was shortlisted for the CWA's Gold Dagger, as was his fourth, The Flight. The Jenny Cooper coroner series has now been adapted for television. 'Coroner' is made in Toronto for CBC and distributed internationally by Cineflix.
Series:
* Jenny Cooper
After several years as a criminal barrister in London, Matthew started writing TV drama, beginning with epsiodes of ITV's Kavanagh QC. He was nominated for a BAFTA for his first original series, Wing and a Prayer. He has since written over 60 hours of prime time drama including the recent BBC hit series, Keeping Faith.
His debut novel, The Coroner (2009) was shortlisted for the CWA's Gold Dagger, as was his fourth, The Flight. The Jenny Cooper coroner series has now been adapted for television. 'Coroner' is made in Toronto for CBC and distributed internationally by Cineflix.
Series:
* Jenny Cooper
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
August 19, 2021
Much more entertaining as a book compared to the bland tv series. Published in 2012 it was fascinating to see a key plot factor concerns dangerous viruses.
Coroner Jenny Cooper is a strong woman, it’s great to see her stand up to many self important people here. Set in the Severn Vale, we tour madly around many parts of nearby UK, Oxford in particular.
Coroner Jenny Cooper is a strong woman, it’s great to see her stand up to many self important people here. Set in the Severn Vale, we tour madly around many parts of nearby UK, Oxford in particular.
March 12, 2020
I absolutely love this series and I am now at the point where I panic because there are not too many books left in the series. Does anyone else have that issue?
This was quite a topical book for the moment what with the Corona Virus being at the forefront of everyone's thoughts. In this book, Jenny Cooper is investigating the death of a man who apparently committed suicide, but our savvy coroner soon sees through the crap that is being fed to her. It soon becomes apparent that his death is connected to a couple of cases of deaths from meningitis that is immune to all medication. When witnesses that she has spoken to suddenly start dropping like flys, and government departments are all up in her face, the case gets even messier.
Jenny Cooper is at her best in this book and the more I read the more engrossed I became. Jenny goes above and beyond in this book and with each book I read to skirts even closer to the wind, and this one may have horrendous consequences. I absolutely love this series, and am even more excited now I've seen this has been made into a TV series, albeit only in Canada for the moment. If you know how the UK can view it, please let me know.
This was quite a topical book for the moment what with the Corona Virus being at the forefront of everyone's thoughts. In this book, Jenny Cooper is investigating the death of a man who apparently committed suicide, but our savvy coroner soon sees through the crap that is being fed to her. It soon becomes apparent that his death is connected to a couple of cases of deaths from meningitis that is immune to all medication. When witnesses that she has spoken to suddenly start dropping like flys, and government departments are all up in her face, the case gets even messier.
Jenny Cooper is at her best in this book and the more I read the more engrossed I became. Jenny goes above and beyond in this book and with each book I read to skirts even closer to the wind, and this one may have horrendous consequences. I absolutely love this series, and am even more excited now I've seen this has been made into a TV series, albeit only in Canada for the moment. If you know how the UK can view it, please let me know.
May 18, 2013
The only other M.R. hall I have read is The Coroner, his first novel. The Chosen Dead is much slicker and realistic. It is a complex tale of seemingly normal death leading to extraordinary circumstances. Hall attacks topics of high tech medical research and the underworld of international aid with the compulsive investigation of the coroner, Jenny.
Jenny has developed personally and professional dramatically since the start of the series. Her personal life has largely been sorted out and her courage in facing down political and industrial intrigue has grown.
I was on the edge of my ability to follow the science of disease and medical research at times.
The main problem I have with the book is that, though the tension and action build nicely and the pace accelerates in the last third, the climax fizzles out and dies.
Jenny has developed personally and professional dramatically since the start of the series. Her personal life has largely been sorted out and her courage in facing down political and industrial intrigue has grown.
I was on the edge of my ability to follow the science of disease and medical research at times.
The main problem I have with the book is that, though the tension and action build nicely and the pace accelerates in the last third, the climax fizzles out and dies.
March 2, 2013
The Chosen Dead, the latest from M R Hall is a great addition to the Jenny Cooper series. A taut conspiratorial plot and well crafted characters. The back story, The Innocent, provides an interesting and worthwhile introduction. Well worth a download. Can't wait for the next installment of Jenny Cooper battling against her superiors in search of the truth.
Definitely 5* +.
Definitely 5* +.
April 4, 2017
The fifth book of The Coroner series and a less formulaic than the way the first four had developed, although Jenny Cooper is still determined and resolute and willing to take on the central government agencies to find the truth. She is less psychologically stressed (I only counted 3 Xanax) but still has a messy personal life as a backdrop to the story.
This tale starts with a tragic death from meningitis and an apparent suicide and gradually morphs into a complex biological mystery - all I can say with being a spoiler. This book had the same effect as the others, a slow build up to the 50 or 60% point followed by a rapid canter to the finale and then a short post-event epilogue. I definitely read the second half of these books much quicker than the first half. Still not quite at 4 stars yet.
This tale starts with a tragic death from meningitis and an apparent suicide and gradually morphs into a complex biological mystery - all I can say with being a spoiler. This book had the same effect as the others, a slow build up to the 50 or 60% point followed by a rapid canter to the finale and then a short post-event epilogue. I definitely read the second half of these books much quicker than the first half. Still not quite at 4 stars yet.
July 30, 2023
Got off to a slow start with the first couple of chapters giving a background story. I thought I'd made a mistake and downloaded the wrong book! An exciting, complex case for the coroner to solve exploring biological weapons and posing many topical questions post-covid. The author mentioned reading 'A Higher Form of Killing' by Robert Harris and Jeremy Paxman. Might read this but not sure how much more I want to know!
July 3, 2019
An edge of the seat story.
April 20, 2020
This is the first book I've read in this series and it was very good so I might read the previous ones if I get my hands on them...
Quite realistic.
Quite realistic.
December 6, 2012
I should declare at the outset that I am a fan of M R Hall's series of books featuring Jenny Cooper, the Coroner for Severn Vale (and also that the publisher kindly gave me a copy of this book to review).
Cooper is one of those awkward types - not unfamiliar in crime fiction - who uses every last bit, and more, of the licence allowed by her job to investigate deaths that the powerful would prefer were quietly forgotten, always getting into deep trouble but generally finding out the truth despite everything.
At the start of this, Hall's 5th book, she has, though, calmed down a bit. After confronting traumatic events in her own past, she no longer needs sessions with Dr Allen, or anti anxiety drugs, to cope with life, and she is also trying to mend her relationship with her son.
That's something I think that the fans of Hall's dauntless coroner had been hoping for - I know I have - given that in the previous four books she has been variously arrested, threatened, suspended from her job and had her troubled past, and her mental condition, used to try and control her. And even when things are going well, there is always the odious Simon Moreton at the Ministry of Justice, her status-seeking consultant ex husband David and various families desperate for the truth. Jenny's only support has often been her officer, Alison. It soon becomes clear, though, in this book that Alison has problems of her own and this time she can only give limited help as Jenny gets caught up in another quest - I don't think this is too strong a word - not for justice, but simply for the truth - the only thing she can give a bereaved family. After a young girl does of meningitis Jenny sets off again, inspired by, of all people David, to expose, if she can a hospital cover up. At the same time she is investigating the perplexing suicide of an aid worker, recently returned from Africa.
Of course, more emerges. Of course, Jenny goes after the facts like an angry terrier, and of course, odium descends on her from assorted smug Government agencies who would prefer a more nuanced presentation of the facts (or perhaps, a more nuanced presentation of a few facts).
And as we have come to expect, even when she doesn't have a clue what is happening, Jenny digs away anyway, following every lead, reckless of the consequences, ignoring - pushing away - anyone who tries to stop her. That may sound like the template for many a crime novel, but what sets Hall's series apart is Jenny herself - a magnificent protagonist, well portrayed, infuriating, deeply human, brave, intense. And she never gives up, to a degree that makes the book painful to read at times, times when I found myself (nearly) wishing that Jenny would ease off, turn the whole thing over to the proper authorities, get in a pizza and a bottle of wine and give herself a quieter life. And throughout this she's berating herself for being a bad mother or accusing herself
of being cowardly (as if!)
In the end, Cooper unravels a chain of events stretching from Eastern Europe at the fall of the Berlin Wall to modern Africa to a 1980s biotech start in the US, and, finally, to Bristol. She does what she has to do to get answers, and there is a cost. Might there actually have been fewer deaths if Cooper had stood back and let others take over? By the end I'm afraid some relationships may have been broken beyond fixing, and that that will lead to more anguish and guilt for Cooper. We'll see.
This book has great verve (only slowing, perhaps, during a late stretch of exposition in the courtroom), a likeable, exasperating, central character, a disturbing and all too convincing premise and a real sense of danger. It's a worthy sequel to the previous Jenny Cooper books, possibly even a bit pacier than they were, and a thoroughly good read. Strongly recommended.
Cooper is one of those awkward types - not unfamiliar in crime fiction - who uses every last bit, and more, of the licence allowed by her job to investigate deaths that the powerful would prefer were quietly forgotten, always getting into deep trouble but generally finding out the truth despite everything.
At the start of this, Hall's 5th book, she has, though, calmed down a bit. After confronting traumatic events in her own past, she no longer needs sessions with Dr Allen, or anti anxiety drugs, to cope with life, and she is also trying to mend her relationship with her son.
That's something I think that the fans of Hall's dauntless coroner had been hoping for - I know I have - given that in the previous four books she has been variously arrested, threatened, suspended from her job and had her troubled past, and her mental condition, used to try and control her. And even when things are going well, there is always the odious Simon Moreton at the Ministry of Justice, her status-seeking consultant ex husband David and various families desperate for the truth. Jenny's only support has often been her officer, Alison. It soon becomes clear, though, in this book that Alison has problems of her own and this time she can only give limited help as Jenny gets caught up in another quest - I don't think this is too strong a word - not for justice, but simply for the truth - the only thing she can give a bereaved family. After a young girl does of meningitis Jenny sets off again, inspired by, of all people David, to expose, if she can a hospital cover up. At the same time she is investigating the perplexing suicide of an aid worker, recently returned from Africa.
Of course, more emerges. Of course, Jenny goes after the facts like an angry terrier, and of course, odium descends on her from assorted smug Government agencies who would prefer a more nuanced presentation of the facts (or perhaps, a more nuanced presentation of a few facts).
And as we have come to expect, even when she doesn't have a clue what is happening, Jenny digs away anyway, following every lead, reckless of the consequences, ignoring - pushing away - anyone who tries to stop her. That may sound like the template for many a crime novel, but what sets Hall's series apart is Jenny herself - a magnificent protagonist, well portrayed, infuriating, deeply human, brave, intense. And she never gives up, to a degree that makes the book painful to read at times, times when I found myself (nearly) wishing that Jenny would ease off, turn the whole thing over to the proper authorities, get in a pizza and a bottle of wine and give herself a quieter life. And throughout this she's berating herself for being a bad mother or accusing herself
of being cowardly (as if!)
In the end, Cooper unravels a chain of events stretching from Eastern Europe at the fall of the Berlin Wall to modern Africa to a 1980s biotech start in the US, and, finally, to Bristol. She does what she has to do to get answers, and there is a cost. Might there actually have been fewer deaths if Cooper had stood back and let others take over? By the end I'm afraid some relationships may have been broken beyond fixing, and that that will lead to more anguish and guilt for Cooper. We'll see.
This book has great verve (only slowing, perhaps, during a late stretch of exposition in the courtroom), a likeable, exasperating, central character, a disturbing and all too convincing premise and a real sense of danger. It's a worthy sequel to the previous Jenny Cooper books, possibly even a bit pacier than they were, and a thoroughly good read. Strongly recommended.
September 18, 2014
The Chosen Dead is the fifth in the excellent series about a Coroner, Jenny Cooper. Each story is basically her search for the truth through her rigorous enquiries and formal Inquest and the opposition from vestited interest groups to suppress evidence and prevent full disclosure forr political, economical or self-serving interests.
In my opinion these books get stronger; some may argue you know what is going to happen as Hall engages his formulaic approach to post-mortums and a campaigning Coroner. However, the research and plot composition mean each book is fresh and new. We have been on a journey with these characters and their social lives take new twists and turns which feed into their ability to find truth as detectives solve crime. In Jenny Cooper's world the Police see no crime or suspicious death, quickly close cases, pressure is brought to bear to hold an inquest and find no misadventure or external influences.
The depth of character, clever storylines that work alongside the main plot make these great reads; journeys to share as the reader and coroner seek to resolve mysteries; reading the threats and dangers out to frighten and scare you but never seem to silence our main protagonist.
While it may pass easily as a stand-alone novel the quality and depth of the writing and the previous back stories mean as with all good series, reading these books in order is the best approach. What I like about his writing is the outworking of the plots; never seeking to mislead, as open as the evidence the coroner hears, that role lends itself wonderfully as a development of the plot and revelations to solve the mystery as in this case, of an untimely suicide.
Some books are confusing, forcing the reader back a couple of chapters to recap and understood a character, the plot direction. these books read so well you literally pick up the story as soon as you pick up the book again and resume reading. This speaks highly of the order and construction of these novels and leads one to comment that Matt Hall is an excellent storyteller and writer of crime fiction.
In my opinion these books get stronger; some may argue you know what is going to happen as Hall engages his formulaic approach to post-mortums and a campaigning Coroner. However, the research and plot composition mean each book is fresh and new. We have been on a journey with these characters and their social lives take new twists and turns which feed into their ability to find truth as detectives solve crime. In Jenny Cooper's world the Police see no crime or suspicious death, quickly close cases, pressure is brought to bear to hold an inquest and find no misadventure or external influences.
The depth of character, clever storylines that work alongside the main plot make these great reads; journeys to share as the reader and coroner seek to resolve mysteries; reading the threats and dangers out to frighten and scare you but never seem to silence our main protagonist.
While it may pass easily as a stand-alone novel the quality and depth of the writing and the previous back stories mean as with all good series, reading these books in order is the best approach. What I like about his writing is the outworking of the plots; never seeking to mislead, as open as the evidence the coroner hears, that role lends itself wonderfully as a development of the plot and revelations to solve the mystery as in this case, of an untimely suicide.
Some books are confusing, forcing the reader back a couple of chapters to recap and understood a character, the plot direction. these books read so well you literally pick up the story as soon as you pick up the book again and resume reading. This speaks highly of the order and construction of these novels and leads one to comment that Matt Hall is an excellent storyteller and writer of crime fiction.
February 21, 2018
The second book I've read in this series and this one really grabbed me. There are two between this one and the other one I've read and Jenny's life has moved along. Her psychiatrist has decided she's in control of herself and she is coming off the drugs he has had her on. Her son is doing reasonably well at university, but is moving further away from her, as young men do once they are in charge of their lives. She has linked up with two men, neither of whom seem to be quite right, although the way Jenny seizes on ideas and refuses to let go would probably make life difficult for any man.
A young aid worker, just returned home from the Sudan, commits suicide by jumping off a highway bridge and Jenny has to sit on the case. It should be straight forward, even though here seems to be no reason for his self destruction and he had his toddler son in the car with him at the time as well as leaving no note.
While she is trying to get to the bottom of this she gets a phone call from her ex-husband begging her to handle he death of a colleague's thirteen year old daughter from an aggressive meningitis with gentleness. Meningitis is a terrifying disease; we have had a couple of outbreaks of it and there have been urgent demands that teenagers be vaccinated so there must be vaccines now, although there don't seem to have been in 2013 when this book came out.
I was completely unable to put this book down and was astonished at the way Mr. Hall was able to make the laboratory science not only reasonably clear to this complete non-scientist but also to feel the urgency and danger involved in the whole situation.
We learn about aid work in Sudanese Africa, the drug trade, genetic experimentation, and the reasons for silence from laboratory people. Most people have heard of Porton Down and the military experimentation that goes on there so we're prepared to be dubious when agents of "the government" appear to assure everyone that they will clear everything up if they're just given a chance and everyone trusts them.
This was a fantastic and scary read.
A young aid worker, just returned home from the Sudan, commits suicide by jumping off a highway bridge and Jenny has to sit on the case. It should be straight forward, even though here seems to be no reason for his self destruction and he had his toddler son in the car with him at the time as well as leaving no note.
While she is trying to get to the bottom of this she gets a phone call from her ex-husband begging her to handle he death of a colleague's thirteen year old daughter from an aggressive meningitis with gentleness. Meningitis is a terrifying disease; we have had a couple of outbreaks of it and there have been urgent demands that teenagers be vaccinated so there must be vaccines now, although there don't seem to have been in 2013 when this book came out.
I was completely unable to put this book down and was astonished at the way Mr. Hall was able to make the laboratory science not only reasonably clear to this complete non-scientist but also to feel the urgency and danger involved in the whole situation.
We learn about aid work in Sudanese Africa, the drug trade, genetic experimentation, and the reasons for silence from laboratory people. Most people have heard of Porton Down and the military experimentation that goes on there so we're prepared to be dubious when agents of "the government" appear to assure everyone that they will clear everything up if they're just given a chance and everyone trusts them.
This was a fantastic and scary read.
September 21, 2015
A good story to begin with. This is the first time I have read this author. The story is so interesting that I will have to read the other earlier novels. Although I consider this an excellent read, I think I am influenced by the unusual, disturbing story content. It was frightening how plausible the ideas of biological weapon were.
The protagonist, Jenny Cooper is the coroner for Severn Vale. Her character is very challenging, sometimes I feel her frustration, sometimes I feel infuriated of her but I adore her steadfast commitment to uncover the truth.
Jenny's attention is caught by two deaths. The first was a suicide case by a young aid worker who jumped into traffic off a motorway bridge. The second is a sudden death of her husband's family friend's daughter from meningitis.
As the plot develops with well-paced twists, turns and tension, Jenny unravels a shocking chain of events. The story is exciting, credible and fast-paced with characters who are well portrayed and varied.
I will have to get all the previous Jenny Cooper series. If you are looking for a fast-paced crime novel, then this is it!
The protagonist, Jenny Cooper is the coroner for Severn Vale. Her character is very challenging, sometimes I feel her frustration, sometimes I feel infuriated of her but I adore her steadfast commitment to uncover the truth.
Jenny's attention is caught by two deaths. The first was a suicide case by a young aid worker who jumped into traffic off a motorway bridge. The second is a sudden death of her husband's family friend's daughter from meningitis.
As the plot develops with well-paced twists, turns and tension, Jenny unravels a shocking chain of events. The story is exciting, credible and fast-paced with characters who are well portrayed and varied.
I will have to get all the previous Jenny Cooper series. If you are looking for a fast-paced crime novel, then this is it!
August 7, 2013
I have read every book with Jenny Cooper. I think they are well written and well researched. I like Jenny Cooper as a character she is different and neurotic at times, quite refreshing. There is one thing that is starting to annoy me though and that is that books all follow the same course. There are some deaths which seem unrelated at first then there is a conspiracy and Jenny Cooper is alone and everybody thinks she is crazy. Simon Moreton and her trusted assistant Allison do not help and try to get her to move on. Jenny keeps struggling and lo and behold she was right all along! It is testimony to the author's writing skills that I keep coming back for more but please next time change the plot.
February 14, 2016
Having given 'The Flight' an enthusiastic four stars I had no hesitation about picking this up for 70p in Kirkwall's Red Cross shop. Within fifty pages of the end I was glad that's all I paid. I'm not sure what the difference was but I found Jenny Cooper profoundly irritating, and increasingly unbelievable in the way she conducted her life. Add to that the convolutions of a microbiological plot and her haring all over the country to speak to an increasingly hard-to-tell-apart set of potential villains and, for me, it was too much.
I have much admiration for anyone who can construct, and argue, such a multi-stranded plot, but I'm afraid it bogged me down.
I have much admiration for anyone who can construct, and argue, such a multi-stranded plot, but I'm afraid it bogged me down.
February 17, 2013
Particularly enjoying this author, The Flight was scary believable stuff and The Chosen Dead is another book that has themes I suspect are in progress as we speak. Coroner Jenny Cooper, is asked to look at the case of a friends child who has died from meningitis. She soon uncovers what looks like a hospital cover up, while investigating this, another death links to the unlikely suicide of an African aid worker.
April 18, 2013
Fifth in the Coroner Jenny Cooper series, another intelligent and intricate thriller that cleverly combines the personal life of a brilliant driven woman perplexed by the complexities of normal relationships and her professional,almost uncanny, acumen.
April 12, 2013
This series continues to intrigue me and makes both enjoyable but upsetting read. It tackles difficult subjects and you know Jenny Cooper will not let go until the truth is out.
March 24, 2024
I have to be honest that this is one of MR Hall's best written Coroner books. All of the values of justice, truth and accountability come to the fore in this book. Jenny Cooper, the Coroner, is challenged in more ways than one and that is one of the more interesting concepts and aspects of the storyline in this book. What does she value, how does she react to challenges professionally and personally. And she faces some great challenges in this book. From the high and lofty challenges of seeking justice in the face of those who would see it hidden, to the deeply personal and painful challenges of living with those she loves. One of the more interesting additions in this book is the character of Michael, a would-be suitor. I really appreciated the way he challenged and supported Jenny, and I can understand the ending in regards to their relationship. No spoilers! It's a classic ploy by MR Hall and Jenny and Michael's relationship really contributed well to the storyline.
When it came to the pacing of the storyline it was absolutely perfect in regards to the subject material. It read like a Tom Clancy/Jack Higgins style read. The pages flew by.
When it came to the pacing of the storyline it was absolutely perfect in regards to the subject material. It read like a Tom Clancy/Jack Higgins style read. The pages flew by.
January 2, 2018
Another in the series but I found myself impatient for the resolution. Our Ms Cooper really gets herself in a pickle again; how does one person experience so much intrigue?
Instead of some nefarious serial killer or some such this time it is altogether more subtle, maybe more believable and as such quite a terrifying tale. Get on board with Jenny and see how her professional life, her family life and love-life fare or often as not come into conflict. Somehow you cannot help but root for her as she walks the some times self-induced tightrope of life.
Instead of some nefarious serial killer or some such this time it is altogether more subtle, maybe more believable and as such quite a terrifying tale. Get on board with Jenny and see how her professional life, her family life and love-life fare or often as not come into conflict. Somehow you cannot help but root for her as she walks the some times self-induced tightrope of life.
July 28, 2024
An original storyline in a reasonably good series which follows Coroner Jenny Cooper as she investigates suspicious deaths.
This time we find her tackling 2 seemingly unrelated deaths of an unknown antibiotic resistant Meningitis variant & the apparent suicide of an aid worker recently returned from Africa.
My only real dislike is that as a man writing with a woman heroine he does a disservice to women in general with how he views & interpretates her emotions & behaviour. As he has written her aged 46 I am wondering how he will have her negotiate the menopause? 😳
This time we find her tackling 2 seemingly unrelated deaths of an unknown antibiotic resistant Meningitis variant & the apparent suicide of an aid worker recently returned from Africa.
My only real dislike is that as a man writing with a woman heroine he does a disservice to women in general with how he views & interpretates her emotions & behaviour. As he has written her aged 46 I am wondering how he will have her negotiate the menopause? 😳
September 9, 2017
Personally I found this book really hard to get into initially however the second half of the book was faster and easier to get into. However as I was worried about reading this without knowing the others in the series I am glad that this is a good stand alone book.
I did like that you got all the answers for questions you were wondering throughout the book however and felt like the case in question was closed and not left with answers you are left thinking about afterwards
I did like that you got all the answers for questions you were wondering throughout the book however and felt like the case in question was closed and not left with answers you are left thinking about afterwards
October 22, 2019
Oh dear, 5 books into the series and the only plot line that has progressed is Jenny's panic attacks have stopped (or have they?). Things still the same; endless, repetitive anguishing over parenting skills, inabilty to stand up to bullying from ex-husband, constant rushing around the countryside solving ever increasing convoluted and unlikely conspiracies,, if you don't stop you'll be stood down/fired/arrested etc..............
August 4, 2021
Coroner Jenny Cooper’s inexplicable adventure!
Both author Matthew Hall and narrator Sian Thomas are a perfect combination. As Coroner Jenny Cooper takes on her next case, this flawless, complexellent thriller, there are numerous twisty turns, surprises. The ending, though, is a bit over-the-top and too drawn out. Sian Thomas proves again why she has always been a favorite narrative performer of mine. I paid $9.93 (I save my cherished credits for pricier audiobooks).
Both author Matthew Hall and narrator Sian Thomas are a perfect combination. As Coroner Jenny Cooper takes on her next case, this flawless, complexellent thriller, there are numerous twisty turns, surprises. The ending, though, is a bit over-the-top and too drawn out. Sian Thomas proves again why she has always been a favorite narrative performer of mine. I paid $9.93 (I save my cherished credits for pricier audiobooks).
March 9, 2022
First book by this author and I really got hooked into the story and loved it. Quite different to anything I have read before and I would be keen to read other work by M R Hall .
Intricate twists throughout the storyline kept me guessing to the end, it was a riveting book and will be enjoyed by anyone who reads mysteries. A lot of characters to get to know but some great detective work and interesting scientific details made this an excellent read.
Intricate twists throughout the storyline kept me guessing to the end, it was a riveting book and will be enjoyed by anyone who reads mysteries. A lot of characters to get to know but some great detective work and interesting scientific details made this an excellent read.
August 24, 2021
This is the first Jenny Cooper book I have read. An intriguing, entirely plausible story and scary about biological warfare and corruption which kept me turning the pages until the end.
A good "lockdown" distraction.
A good "lockdown" distraction.
June 8, 2022
As I said before these novels are centered around big topics. This one is around antibiotic resistant infections and the current problems this is causing in hospitals and how they may have developed. Very interesting, a mystery to solve and the continuing backstory of Jenny.
December 7, 2025
another excellent book in the Jenny Cooper series. Mr. Hall's storytelling is superb, even if the plot on this book gets a little bit far-fetched. for that reason I give it four instead of five stars, but I still enjoyed it immensely.
June 12, 2017
M. R. Hall never fails to disappoint ,what a very good read.
September 3, 2017
Another good read from the Jenny Cooper series, this time about biological weapons.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews