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Jenny Cooper #3
The Redeemed
“Dad, what happened to Cousin Katy?”
“You remember, Smiler. You killed her.”
Coroner Jenny Cooper doesn’t just have an accusation of murder hanging over her head…
The discovery of a dead man lying outside a Bristol church with a sign of the cross gouged into his flesh looks to her like another grisly, routine suicide. But the unexpected arrival of an enigmatic Jesuit priest reveals deeper levels of mystery.
Father Lucas Starr is protesting the innocence of a convicted prisoner who made a doubtful confession to the murder of Eva Donaldson, a former adult-movie actress turned world-renowned anti-pornography campaigner. Persuaded by him to look at Eva’s death afresh, Jenny uncovers a sinister series of connections between her killing and the body at the church.
As her investigation links to yet another tragic death, Jenny’s suspicions turn towards a powerful new global phenomenon: the politically ambitious and intoxicatingly charismatic Mission Church of God.
Answering to no one but the dead, Jenny’s lone quest for justice takes her to the heart of the fight between good and evil, sex and the supernatural, and on a dark inner journey to confront ghosts that have haunted her for a lifetime.
“You remember, Smiler. You killed her.”
Coroner Jenny Cooper doesn’t just have an accusation of murder hanging over her head…
The discovery of a dead man lying outside a Bristol church with a sign of the cross gouged into his flesh looks to her like another grisly, routine suicide. But the unexpected arrival of an enigmatic Jesuit priest reveals deeper levels of mystery.
Father Lucas Starr is protesting the innocence of a convicted prisoner who made a doubtful confession to the murder of Eva Donaldson, a former adult-movie actress turned world-renowned anti-pornography campaigner. Persuaded by him to look at Eva’s death afresh, Jenny uncovers a sinister series of connections between her killing and the body at the church.
As her investigation links to yet another tragic death, Jenny’s suspicions turn towards a powerful new global phenomenon: the politically ambitious and intoxicatingly charismatic Mission Church of God.
Answering to no one but the dead, Jenny’s lone quest for justice takes her to the heart of the fight between good and evil, sex and the supernatural, and on a dark inner journey to confront ghosts that have haunted her for a lifetime.
12 pages, Audible Audio
First published April 1, 2011
58 people are currently reading
641 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 97 reviews
February 20, 2013
I wonder why I like M.R. Hall’s books starring Severn Vale District Coroner Jenny Cooper. The general setup of the three novels I have read so far (“Coroner”, “The Disappeared”, and the current one, “The Redeemed”) is heavily implausible - in each of them Ms. Cooper embarks on a personal crusade to uncover truth, fighting against the overwhelming evil forces of corporate greed, government abuse of power, religious fanaticism, etc. I doubt this is the usual working mode of British coroners in real life. I also doubt there are people so selflessly devoted to truth and justice. Furthermore, because of her traumatic experiences in the past, Ms. Cooper is a psychological wreck, barely functioning without constant excessive intake of Xanax and temazepam. Again, I doubt in real life a person with emotional and psychological problems this deep would keep her appointment as the coroner for very long. Yet, somehow, I have been enthralled by the novels.
“The Redeemed”, another “coroner procedural”/court drama, begins with Ms. Cooper working on establishing the cause of death of Alan Jacobs, a psychiatric nurse. Soon, she is convinced by a mysteriously persuasive Catholic priest to look into the recent death of Eva Donaldson, an ex-porn star, and now a born-again Christian. The plot is complex and well constructed and the denouement does not feel excessively artificial. I do not particularly care for the thread connected to the events in Ms. Cooper’s distant past, but it plays a role in the overall structure of the plot.
Mr. Hall writes well, without mannerisms and histrionics. The narrative and the dialogues are well crafted. The fundamentalist Mission Church of God and its ministers are portrayed skillfully and convincingly. The ending is too good to be true (I hope it is not too much of a spoiler). Obviously, in real life rich and powerful people almost always succeed in perverting and obstructing justice.
If not for the utter implausibility of a crusading coroner, guzzling anti-depressants, this would be a great novel. It is still pretty good.
Four stars.
“The Redeemed”, another “coroner procedural”/court drama, begins with Ms. Cooper working on establishing the cause of death of Alan Jacobs, a psychiatric nurse. Soon, she is convinced by a mysteriously persuasive Catholic priest to look into the recent death of Eva Donaldson, an ex-porn star, and now a born-again Christian. The plot is complex and well constructed and the denouement does not feel excessively artificial. I do not particularly care for the thread connected to the events in Ms. Cooper’s distant past, but it plays a role in the overall structure of the plot.
Mr. Hall writes well, without mannerisms and histrionics. The narrative and the dialogues are well crafted. The fundamentalist Mission Church of God and its ministers are portrayed skillfully and convincingly. The ending is too good to be true (I hope it is not too much of a spoiler). Obviously, in real life rich and powerful people almost always succeed in perverting and obstructing justice.
If not for the utter implausibility of a crusading coroner, guzzling anti-depressants, this would be a great novel. It is still pretty good.
Four stars.
April 20, 2019
Coroner Jenny Cooper gets caught up in her past. Not only through nightmares but also physically and understanding, she has to realize that there is a dark secret from her past that her brain is trying to repress. This does not make the investigation of various current deaths easy. On the contrary, she does not only have to fight against rich lords and wannabees, no, she also has to realize that the police are corrupt.
The authorities forbid her to investigate the cases connected with a free church, but she defies her power as a coroner. At the same time she is under heavy pressure and her witnesses are being murdered.
It was a captivating quick read. I love this series.
(4½)
The authorities forbid her to investigate the cases connected with a free church, but she defies her power as a coroner. At the same time she is under heavy pressure and her witnesses are being murdered.
It was a captivating quick read. I love this series.
(4½)
October 7, 2016
I'm a huge fan of M.R. Hall's Jenny Cooper "The Coroner" series, and this third book definitely doesn't disappoint. Jenny is investigating three deaths - one murder, two suicides - which on their own seem unrelated, but the fact that all three people were members of a new evangelical church, and in the same prayer group, suggests there may be a link between the deaths. However, some extremely powerful people, including a member of the House Of Lords, are involved in the church, and are intent on passing a "Decency" bill, which is anti-pornography. Into the middle of all this steps Jenny, who, no matter how shambolic her private life, certainly isn't afraid of anyone in her quests for justice. In this book the mystery she's trying to solve with the help of her psychiatrist comes to a head - will this give Jenny peace at last? Tbh, the thing I'm most frightened of is Jenny making it safely to and from work daily - the rate she swallows benzodiazepines, it's a miracle she doesn't have an accident! Another triumph for M.R. Hall - this series is definitely one of my favourites in crime fiction!
April 18, 2013
This should have had a higher rating. The writing is good but there are fundamental flaws in the plot. There are references to characters out of nowhere, so unless the book is a follow on it makes absolutely no sense . Even then we should except some info or backstory to bring new readers up to date. The bigger flaw though is in the denouement: the killer is revealed in the most amateurish and unconvincing way. I felt very cheated, jaw droppingly aghast that I could have invested so much time in a novel that cheated me so badly at the end. Regarding the other plot threads: these seemed unnecessary and didnt lead very far.
As I write this I am becoming more convinced that heroine Mrs Cooper's adventures carry on from previous novels, leaving new readers bewildered. That said though, it does not forgive the author the dreadful conclusion to the novel.
As I write this I am becoming more convinced that heroine Mrs Cooper's adventures carry on from previous novels, leaving new readers bewildered. That said though, it does not forgive the author the dreadful conclusion to the novel.
December 29, 2019
I think I read this a bit too quickly for my own good and lost track of some of the characters, the lawyers especially. I was pleased that Jenny uncovered her blocked childhood memories as drawing that storyline out further would have been annoying. I didn't like the way that the final revelations in the plot suddenly appeared neatly from some dude abroad who just wrote up everything and said "here you are". How did that happen? Am thinking these books are becoming a bit samey with the injunctions and "is she fit for office?" themes, but a good read nonetheless.
February 2, 2014
I've been struggling to get through this book. I should have set it aside and moved on. I did not like the protagonist, the plot was muddy and all over the place. I didn't care about any of the characters. I had hoped the ending would be the big payoff. It wasn't.
April 10, 2021
Muddled
To many characters, muddling up the plotline. There was no time to become invested in the people Jenny was fighting for, much to muddled.
To many characters, muddling up the plotline. There was no time to become invested in the people Jenny was fighting for, much to muddled.
June 15, 2011
First Sentence: Jenny was drinking cordial by the stream at the end of her overgrown garden, watching a school of tiny brown trout flick this way and that, quick as lightning.
District Coroner Jenny Cooper is asked by Father Lucus Starr to look into the death of Eve Donaldson, an ex-porn star who professed to be born again and became a crusader against pornography and as a spokesperson for the Mission Church of God. When Jenny discovers two other recent deaths also have links to the church, she becomes more determined to find the truth; even though there are those who do everything they can to prevent it. In her personal life, it seems the blank spot in the memory of her childhood may not remain blank much longer. The question is whether Jenny will be able to deal with what she finds there.
There are definite strengths and weaknesses here. For me, Hall’s strength is in writing the inquest scenes. A good courtroom scene, with its questioning and working to find the truth through verbal exchange, can be as gripping and exciting as any chase down a dark alley. Hall writes these scenes very well. I also find it fascinating to learn the way in which a British court of inquiry works and its scope of power and responsibility.
The story itself, seemed a bit cliché. The powerful politicians, the obstructive lawyers and even the missing memories which cause Cooper’s dependence on anti-anxiety drugs become a bit worn out. Yes, there was a good twist at the end, but it didn’t provide the dramatic “ah, ha” moment one would hope as it seemed a bit convenient. I, for one, am please that the character’s “dark secret” has finally been revealed. I should love to see that be the end of that and Jenny grow into a stronger character. But that’s just me.
Altogether, it is a good read with some very strong moments. I am actually curious to see where the series goes from here, which is a recommendation in itself.
THE REDEEMED (Legal Mys-Coroner Jenny Cooper-UK-Cont) – Good
Hall, M.R. – 3rd of series
Simon and Shuster, ©2011, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9781439157121
District Coroner Jenny Cooper is asked by Father Lucus Starr to look into the death of Eve Donaldson, an ex-porn star who professed to be born again and became a crusader against pornography and as a spokesperson for the Mission Church of God. When Jenny discovers two other recent deaths also have links to the church, she becomes more determined to find the truth; even though there are those who do everything they can to prevent it. In her personal life, it seems the blank spot in the memory of her childhood may not remain blank much longer. The question is whether Jenny will be able to deal with what she finds there.
There are definite strengths and weaknesses here. For me, Hall’s strength is in writing the inquest scenes. A good courtroom scene, with its questioning and working to find the truth through verbal exchange, can be as gripping and exciting as any chase down a dark alley. Hall writes these scenes very well. I also find it fascinating to learn the way in which a British court of inquiry works and its scope of power and responsibility.
The story itself, seemed a bit cliché. The powerful politicians, the obstructive lawyers and even the missing memories which cause Cooper’s dependence on anti-anxiety drugs become a bit worn out. Yes, there was a good twist at the end, but it didn’t provide the dramatic “ah, ha” moment one would hope as it seemed a bit convenient. I, for one, am please that the character’s “dark secret” has finally been revealed. I should love to see that be the end of that and Jenny grow into a stronger character. But that’s just me.
Altogether, it is a good read with some very strong moments. I am actually curious to see where the series goes from here, which is a recommendation in itself.
THE REDEEMED (Legal Mys-Coroner Jenny Cooper-UK-Cont) – Good
Hall, M.R. – 3rd of series
Simon and Shuster, ©2011, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9781439157121
December 18, 2015
PROTAGONIST: Jenny Cooper, Coroner
SETTING: UK
SERIES: #3 of 3
RATING: 2.75
In the UK, a coroner has a function that is quite different from that in the US. The coroner is an independent official who is entitled to investigate the circumstances of a death independent of the judicial and police systems. The coroner has complete authority to summon witnesses and interrogate them under oath in a courtroom. After being approached by a prison chaplain who believes that a man who confessed to the killing of a porn actress named Eva Donaldson is innocent, Jenny takes on a review that ends up much more complicated than originally anticipated.
Donaldson had given up her porn career and was serving as a speaker on behalf of the Mission of God which she felt had turned her life around. As Jenny investigates further, she finds that several people related to the church have committed suicide. Of course, that raises her suspicions; and she goes on an all-out search for the truth.
Although Jenny is good at her job, she is not very well equipped to handle life in general. Professionally, she is very prickly and antagonizes others easily. Personally, her relationships are a mess, with the exception of her devoted lover, Steve. She is quite unstable and relies on various pills to make it through the day. She is also possessed by the fact that her father, who is suffering from dementia, has stated that she killed her 5-year-old cousin when she was a child.
Despite the fact that the plot of this book is very complex, I found it boring. There was a scene at the church that dragged on for pages, and the various courtroom forays were overly long as well. It was interesting to see the various threads coming together, but the overall impact was diminished by having a character
I never got a feeling for who Eva Donaldson was, and the focus on the religious authority figures was quite limited. And then there’s Jenny, who is battling so many demons but who is very hard to like.
SETTING: UK
SERIES: #3 of 3
RATING: 2.75
In the UK, a coroner has a function that is quite different from that in the US. The coroner is an independent official who is entitled to investigate the circumstances of a death independent of the judicial and police systems. The coroner has complete authority to summon witnesses and interrogate them under oath in a courtroom. After being approached by a prison chaplain who believes that a man who confessed to the killing of a porn actress named Eva Donaldson is innocent, Jenny takes on a review that ends up much more complicated than originally anticipated.
Donaldson had given up her porn career and was serving as a speaker on behalf of the Mission of God which she felt had turned her life around. As Jenny investigates further, she finds that several people related to the church have committed suicide. Of course, that raises her suspicions; and she goes on an all-out search for the truth.
Although Jenny is good at her job, she is not very well equipped to handle life in general. Professionally, she is very prickly and antagonizes others easily. Personally, her relationships are a mess, with the exception of her devoted lover, Steve. She is quite unstable and relies on various pills to make it through the day. She is also possessed by the fact that her father, who is suffering from dementia, has stated that she killed her 5-year-old cousin when she was a child.
Despite the fact that the plot of this book is very complex, I found it boring. There was a scene at the church that dragged on for pages, and the various courtroom forays were overly long as well. It was interesting to see the various threads coming together, but the overall impact was diminished by having a character
I never got a feeling for who Eva Donaldson was, and the focus on the religious authority figures was quite limited. And then there’s Jenny, who is battling so many demons but who is very hard to like.
March 6, 2020
I must admit, I am devouring this series and find the whole subject matter fascinating. At first, Jenny Cooper's personal issues annoyed me, but as the books have gone on, I love that we are seeing her vulnerable side which shows she is just human. I love her tenacious attitude, even if it is to her own detriment as far as her job is concerned. jenny Cooper will leave no stone unturned even if the higher-ups try to stifle her investigations and stymie her at every turn. This case covers a few topics including, politics, pop up churches and corrupt lawyers doing everything in their arsenal to avoid the truth. Huge cover ups where the truth doesn't matter as long as certain people do not have their name smeared. Absolutely loved this one, now onto book 4.
May 16, 2019
I did not love this plot, featuring an evangelical mega-church and a porn star turned anti-porn crusader. And some mentally ill young people. There is some casual stereotyping in all three Hall books I've read and that was true here, as well. Again, lots of melodrama in Jenny's personal life. And yet I blasted through this audiobook in 2 days and it was a good distraction when I needed one, so I'm not going to complain too much. My library has no more audio in this series, so my binge is over, but I might read more one day.
October 14, 2014
I found The Redeemed very satisfying. It is the first of what I'm sure will be all the other Jenny Cooper mystery series. I am thoroughly fascinated with everything about Jenny Cooper and look forward to getting to know her better. It's frustrating and disappointing to me that after I get to know a character personally, I often never read another word about them. Thankfully, I just purchased The Disappeared and will be able to continue my friendship with Jenny.
September 5, 2017
Note:
M. R. Hall’s books have no connection to the Coroner TV series.
Plot summary:
Cooper is asked to investigate the murder of a young porn star-turned-Born Again Christian, despite the confession made by another man, while also investigating the deaths of a psychiatric nurse and a young adherent of the church. She meets strong resistance to her investigation, resistance which stretches all the way to the top of the British Establishment. Jenny finds the three deaths are linked but only when she finds unlikely allies does the truth emerge.
Overall:
I enjoyed this long and meaty yarn, which is full of conflicts between the army of characters, and the forces they represent. The author seems hell-bent on throwing in as much drama and conflict as possible within 480 pages.
Plotting:
The plotting is straightforward and emerges much as I anticipated, although the ending is somewhat of a let-down as it relies on a surprise confession by a character we haven’t met beforehand. Jenny is an investigator in the great mould of the Golden Age detectives - principled, persistent and not put off by threats and fears - a woman with her own moral code and determination to see things through. The local police of course have the wrong suspect and have given up looking. Inter-church rivalry adds spice to the case.
Characterisation:
An excellent feature of the book. We meet a rich collection of characters ranging from Lords of the Realm through to the down-and-outs and psychopaths. The characters include also evangelists, lawyers and priests, all convincing. Jenny is a well-drawn character, though she stretches credulity at times - on the one hand a hard-nosed professional, on the other a woman who relies on medication to get through the day (and abuses that medication as well) - a modern-day version of the hard-drinking, hard-living PI of yesteryear, a loner stricken by dysfunctional relationships.
Setting and Description:
Set in or near Bristol and also Monmouthshire. At times her description is very powerful: ‘ancient yews clung implausibly to the rocks, their gnarled roots strangling boulders like the slow moving tentacles of sea monsters.’
Readability:
I found it very readable as a story. However the book is surprisingly poorly produced, considering it comes from Pan Macmillan. Typos abound eg ‘Can you here me?’
Sub-plots:
The principal sub-plots involve Jenny and her new love interest Steve, along with her dire relationships with the ex-husband and teenage son. She is also dealing with repressed memories of a tragic event in her childhood while coping with her dementing father. A further sub-plot involves Jenny’s stressed relationship with her assistant.
Read another by same author?
Quite likely
Rating
8.5/10
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2023
This is the third book in Matthew Hall's "The Coroner" series, and is my personal favourite of this series. But I find myself in a conundrum where there are reasons why I could give this book five stars, and reasons why it's possibly lower than a four star review. I will say this though. I don't think it is a standalone book. To understand this book, you probably have to read the first two books in the series. This pays credit to Hall's writing style, in the way he is able to weave different plotlines into a cohesive whole, especially in Jenny's relationships with Steve and Alison in the series. No more explanation of that! This skill to my mind is demonstrated well in this book. Hall really gives the reader a chance to invest in Jenny's story. Personally, a major contributing factor to why I love this series is that it is predominantly set in Bristol and the Wye Valley, and given where I live in Chepstow, it really brings the story to life. Personally I think I've been to Chepstow Hospital just as many times as Jenny Cooper if not more, so how's that for local knowledge!
This book in particular has some very challenging themes when it comes to the Christian faith, political change and mental health. Jenny investigates three deaths, which all have a link to a church based near Bristol. To my Christian mind Hall seemed to be portraying it as a mega church in terms of size and while it was seemingly doing good works with young people and the local community, there are issues that Jenny discovers at the end of the book which prompt some challenging questions within Christian circles. But in credit to Hall, Jenny is purportedly aided by a Jesuit priest. I've been reading CS Lewis' mere Christianity recently, and the way Hall organises the book in this regard reminds me of Lewis' visual metaphor of Christian denominations as sharing a house, but there being different rooms.
I would recommend reading this book, but if you do not want to see swearing or drug taking addressed in novels, I completely understand why this book is not for everyone. To my mind in this book, there is swearing and smut, but overall it does not distract from the storyline. I just think there are better ways of expressing anger and love.
This book in particular has some very challenging themes when it comes to the Christian faith, political change and mental health. Jenny investigates three deaths, which all have a link to a church based near Bristol. To my Christian mind Hall seemed to be portraying it as a mega church in terms of size and while it was seemingly doing good works with young people and the local community, there are issues that Jenny discovers at the end of the book which prompt some challenging questions within Christian circles. But in credit to Hall, Jenny is purportedly aided by a Jesuit priest. I've been reading CS Lewis' mere Christianity recently, and the way Hall organises the book in this regard reminds me of Lewis' visual metaphor of Christian denominations as sharing a house, but there being different rooms.
I would recommend reading this book, but if you do not want to see swearing or drug taking addressed in novels, I completely understand why this book is not for everyone. To my mind in this book, there is swearing and smut, but overall it does not distract from the storyline. I just think there are better ways of expressing anger and love.
December 7, 2024
Jenny Cooper #3. A body is discovered in a cemetery with a cross gouged into it. As Coroner Jenny begins her investigation, a priest comes forward requesting an inquest into the death of Eve Donaldson. Eva was a former "adult" actress turned born again Christian and anti-porn activist after suffering a disfiguring injury. The priest believes the man who confessed and was convicted of her murder is actually innocent.
Soon a couple more people associated with the Christian group are found dead. An anti-porn bill backed by the group will soon come to a vote. It turns out the group is something of a cult and some of the members are hiding dark secrets from before and after their involvement with it. In addition to the reputations of some important members, there are financial consequences to the anti-porn bill. Powerful people want secrets kept and the bill to fail. They also get wind of the secret in Jenny's past (that was hinted at in the previous book) and try to use it to stop her investigation. Of course, it only makes her more determined.
Several of the cult members have sketchy histories with various vices, giving Jenny plenty of theories to consider as well as making it easier for the cult to silence/get rid of them. This book was written in the UK in 2011 but it's still timely in the US.
The cult was originally started in DC, but as a DC local, I know that's pure fiction unless you think of Jerry Falwell in central VA as somehow local. Still, it's interesting for a British novel to give DC a mention for something other than government and spy stuff.
Soon a couple more people associated with the Christian group are found dead. An anti-porn bill backed by the group will soon come to a vote. It turns out the group is something of a cult and some of the members are hiding dark secrets from before and after their involvement with it. In addition to the reputations of some important members, there are financial consequences to the anti-porn bill. Powerful people want secrets kept and the bill to fail. They also get wind of the secret in Jenny's past (that was hinted at in the previous book) and try to use it to stop her investigation. Of course, it only makes her more determined.
Several of the cult members have sketchy histories with various vices, giving Jenny plenty of theories to consider as well as making it easier for the cult to silence/get rid of them. This book was written in the UK in 2011 but it's still timely in the US.
The cult was originally started in DC, but as a DC local, I know that's pure fiction unless you think of Jerry Falwell in central VA as somehow local. Still, it's interesting for a British novel to give DC a mention for something other than government and spy stuff.
April 4, 2022
I enjoying theses books about Mrs Jenny Cooper, the coroner for the Severn Vale District which straddles the borders of england and wales. Who knew that the life of a coroner could be so dangerous?
This is the third book in the series but I think they do need to be read in sequence if possible. In this book Jenny is up to her ears in cases which need to be dealt with in her coroner's court when a new body comes her way. That of an ex-porn star recently converted to a religious group and the leader of a campaign called Decency which intends to stop a lot of work in the porn industry. She is found dead in her kitchen, but the trouble is that a young not of sound mind man has admitted to killing her.
When Jenny investigates she isn't so sure that he had. Other murders and bodies turn up (as they do when she's around) and as usual she is fighting for their rights even when dead and doing it virtually alone, when her own mind is also in disorder.
She gets dragged more into the murky world of the porn industry, depraved men who want the industry to remain as it is as it is funding their lifestyles, politics and even in the inner world of the police force overlooking evidence.
Needless to say she gets there in the end, even discovering the meaning of her dreams of a young girl on a staircase and the behaviour of her demented father. These books are never an easy read but they are at least interesting!
This is the third book in the series but I think they do need to be read in sequence if possible. In this book Jenny is up to her ears in cases which need to be dealt with in her coroner's court when a new body comes her way. That of an ex-porn star recently converted to a religious group and the leader of a campaign called Decency which intends to stop a lot of work in the porn industry. She is found dead in her kitchen, but the trouble is that a young not of sound mind man has admitted to killing her.
When Jenny investigates she isn't so sure that he had. Other murders and bodies turn up (as they do when she's around) and as usual she is fighting for their rights even when dead and doing it virtually alone, when her own mind is also in disorder.
She gets dragged more into the murky world of the porn industry, depraved men who want the industry to remain as it is as it is funding their lifestyles, politics and even in the inner world of the police force overlooking evidence.
Needless to say she gets there in the end, even discovering the meaning of her dreams of a young girl on a staircase and the behaviour of her demented father. These books are never an easy read but they are at least interesting!
December 2, 2019
Overall this is a good series - Jenny Cooper is a coroner with a lot of personal demons to deal with. Addicted to tranquilizers, reeling from a cryptic comment from father about an event when she was young that she does not remember at all, plus a difficult relationship with her boyfriend, she is struggling just to keep vertical and functioning normally. She now has two deaths to consider - a former porn star who was involved with a charismatic church and a psychiatric nurse who has apparently committed suicide. A young man has confessed to the former murder.
Once again, Jenny refuses to be cowed by legal pressure and is determined to discover the truth about these deaths, risking her personal safety and professional career to do so. She finds links between these and other deaths and is insists on following the trail. It would be nice if for once her assistant Alison was vaguely supportive. And the reader does become a little sceptical that a coroner could function at this level taking the pills and wrestling the demons that Jenny does.
Interesting, pacy and enjoyable.
Once again, Jenny refuses to be cowed by legal pressure and is determined to discover the truth about these deaths, risking her personal safety and professional career to do so. She finds links between these and other deaths and is insists on following the trail. It would be nice if for once her assistant Alison was vaguely supportive. And the reader does become a little sceptical that a coroner could function at this level taking the pills and wrestling the demons that Jenny does.
Interesting, pacy and enjoyable.
May 5, 2024
Reading the first three books in the series so quickly, I began to see the author's tricks and tics. The character development is weak, personal complications are dropped whenever convenient, and a lot of the bureaucratic work that undergirds the book is implausible. And still, I like it — but I'm taking a break after this one. Again, it was just too typical of a mid-tier British crime TV show.
There's a dead body that appears to be a suicide. Of course, it's not. There's another death whose outcome has already been decided, but wait! The two might be connected.
The setting for this one is somewhat evangelical churches and the porn industry. The author shows little feel for either, but he doesn't need to because the plot steamrolls everything. It was a good enough book but nothing special. I enjoy the main character of Coroner Jenny Cooper and wish her personality drove the story rather than the needs of the plot.
There's a dead body that appears to be a suicide. Of course, it's not. There's another death whose outcome has already been decided, but wait! The two might be connected.
The setting for this one is somewhat evangelical churches and the porn industry. The author shows little feel for either, but he doesn't need to because the plot steamrolls everything. It was a good enough book but nothing special. I enjoy the main character of Coroner Jenny Cooper and wish her personality drove the story rather than the needs of the plot.
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April 12, 2021A mystery within mysteries
Sian Thomas is a favored narrator of mine, and again, “The Redeemed” proves why. Author M.R. Hall pens another complexellent and intriguing plot. I look forward to seeing more from this perfect pair. Investigating a murder and two suicides by Coroner Jenny Cooper, she is tripped and blocked by nefarious persons in this quick-paced and intricate thriller. Listen intently throughout; no multitasking here, at least not for me. This was a free Audible Plus offering. Narrative skills by Thomas are precisely presented. Didn’t expect this jaw-dropping ending. Wow! Thank you to all involved for making this available.
Sian Thomas is a favored narrator of mine, and again, “The Redeemed” proves why. Author M.R. Hall pens another complexellent and intriguing plot. I look forward to seeing more from this perfect pair. Investigating a murder and two suicides by Coroner Jenny Cooper, she is tripped and blocked by nefarious persons in this quick-paced and intricate thriller. Listen intently throughout; no multitasking here, at least not for me. This was a free Audible Plus offering. Narrative skills by Thomas are precisely presented. Didn’t expect this jaw-dropping ending. Wow! Thank you to all involved for making this available.
June 24, 2019
3/3 of the M R Hall "Jenny Cooper" set.
Another exciting enquiry for Coroner Jenny when she is approached by a Catholic priest & asked to look into what he believes to be the wrongful conviction of one of his flock for murder - even though the man has confessed to the killing the priest is sure his parishioner didn't do it.
Meanwhile Jenny's personal life is still in turmoil. A recently recovered memory of a childhood trauma is dug up by those who wish to silence her
Another exciting enquiry for Coroner Jenny when she is approached by a Catholic priest & asked to look into what he believes to be the wrongful conviction of one of his flock for murder - even though the man has confessed to the killing the priest is sure his parishioner didn't do it.
Meanwhile Jenny's personal life is still in turmoil. A recently recovered memory of a childhood trauma is dug up by those who wish to silence her
November 13, 2021
PROS...
-Best thing about this book is that it moves. So many stories drag on with pages and pages of the investigator's thoughts or narrator's descriptions, but here, we get those as the story progresses. Excellent.
-Refreshingly, for the most part, it has clean rather than crude vocabulary.
-Three mysteries going at once.
-Great locations.
CONS...
-The beginning was so gory, I almost tossed the book.
-I didn't read the first two in the series first, so felt a bit lost.
-Worst of all, Jenny didn't act as wise/smart as you would expect someone of her experience to be. Always SUPER annoying.
Still, am looking forward to reading the others, in order this time. We haven't checked out the film version yet. Hopefully they didn't make it as soap opera-ish as 'Keeping Faith', which, other than the mellow drama, we pretty much liked anyway.
Oh, and we found a great quote on pg 54.. "We all suffer from our contradictions." Good one.
-Best thing about this book is that it moves. So many stories drag on with pages and pages of the investigator's thoughts or narrator's descriptions, but here, we get those as the story progresses. Excellent.
-Refreshingly, for the most part, it has clean rather than crude vocabulary.
-Three mysteries going at once.
-Great locations.
CONS...
-The beginning was so gory, I almost tossed the book.
-I didn't read the first two in the series first, so felt a bit lost.
-Worst of all, Jenny didn't act as wise/smart as you would expect someone of her experience to be. Always SUPER annoying.
Still, am looking forward to reading the others, in order this time. We haven't checked out the film version yet. Hopefully they didn't make it as soap opera-ish as 'Keeping Faith', which, other than the mellow drama, we pretty much liked anyway.
Oh, and we found a great quote on pg 54.. "We all suffer from our contradictions." Good one.
November 16, 2017
To me, this was the best of the three Jenny Cooper novels. Perhaps because I know her better. I really didn’t understand how this train wreck of a person could possibly function as a coroner in Book 1, thus making the whole story unbelievable for me. Now I see her differently as a strong and determined woman carrying a burden and coming to terms with her emotional insecurities.
September 2, 2022
I decided to read this author based on the fact that one of the television shows I really like, The Coroner, was based on her novels. There was nothing wrong with this book--it just paled in comparison to the television series, and I found it an effort to read. The book is interesting and well-written, so this really is a case of "it's me, not you".
November 27, 2022
I'm afraid this one was not for me started well it just doesn't have the same qualities as police procedures or Private Eyes. I did get a bit bored at one time as it seemed to lag behind a bit and I think if it was shorter would not be quite so bad.
Jenny Cooper, I could not take too and she was the main protagonist, this is book 3 so I won't bother with the others.
Jenny Cooper, I could not take too and she was the main protagonist, this is book 3 so I won't bother with the others.
April 2, 2023
I really like this series I really do but this one while it was good and I enjoyed it to a point it was just lacking a little. Seemed very rushed at the end and I’m not quite sure that the ending with Craven was needed. Maybe it’s just me? Overall I like the writing style and detail in his books I just wanted more from this. Still a decent read.
August 18, 2017
Set in Bristol, related to the TV series The Coroner, but oh so much better than that. It's a lot more complex, gritty world here. Teeny bit much legalise at times but overall a very entertaining read.
August 25, 2017
A very captivating work of fiction. I have read some of these he comments about it he book being implausible or unrealistic. It is fiction! It is a good story. It held my interest from beginning to end. The author's use of language was masterful.
February 3, 2020
The connections were not obvious
Reading this one just as the second series of the CBC show begins. Both versions of Jenny are interesting. I hope we haven’t seen the last of Steve.
Reading this one just as the second series of the CBC show begins. Both versions of Jenny are interesting. I hope we haven’t seen the last of Steve.
September 1, 2021
Really enjoying this series, she’s such a complex character full of fight and yet so totally vulnerable. Now she has sorted out her blocked year hopefully still got her man and off the drugs…let’s see what Jenny’s next chapter brings ..
November 12, 2021
I have read the 3 of the books in this series, this has been my least favorite. Very slow read- I almost did not finish but I stuck with it but really didn't pick up much. Unsure whether I will attempt the next book in the series.
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