The Hanging Tree

Starvation Lake Mystery #2

by Bryan Gruley

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.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Sports, Thriller

314 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2010

About the author

Bryan Gruley's sixth novel, BITTERFROST, tells the story of Jimmy Baker, a former minor league hockey player who quit the game after almost killing an opponent in a fight. Thirteen years later, he's the Zamboni driver for an amateur team in his hometown of Bitterfrost in northern lower Michigan--and the prime suspect in a brutal double murder. Meg Gardiner, #1 New York Times bestselling author, “Visceral, vivid, and suspenseful, Bitterfrost immerses readers in a chilly—and chilling—world of lost dreams and deadly feuds. I was instantly and completely engrossed. Masterfully done.”

Gruley is also the author of the Starvation Lake trilogy, including his Edgar-nominated debut, STARVATION LAKE, as well as two novels set in Bleake Harbor, Michigan. A lifelong journalist, he shared in The Wall Street Journal's Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He lives in northern Michigan with his wife, Pam.

Reviews

[James Thane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bryan Gruley returns to Starvation Lake, a small Michigan town that's clearly seen better days, in the second Gus Carpenter novel, The Hanging Tree. As was apparent in Gruley's debut novel, Starvation Lake, Gus has seen better days as well. One of the great goalies ever to come out of a hockey-crazed town, Gus failed the team at a critical moment years earlier and neither the town nor Gus have ever forgotten. Gus once left Starvation Lake to become a hotshot reporter at a major Detroit newspaper, but that job ended ignominiously as well, and so Gus is now back home, living with his mother, and working as the executive editor of the local newspaper. The paper is owned by a media company that cares almost nothing for traditional journalism; it publishes only twice a week, and it is most often scooped on any major story by the local television station.

Gus is now dating a deputy sheriff, the almost ex-wife of another former Starvation Lake hockey great who has now left town. Gus and the deputy, Darlene, are interrupted one night when Darlene is called to the scene of a tragedy. As the town's intrepid reporter, Gus follows her to the scene only to find a woman named Gracie McBride hanging from a tree limb. Gracie was once Darlene's best friend. She was also Gus's second cousin, though they really didn't get along. Gracie recently returned to Starvation Lake after a long and mysterious absence.

The coroner rules Gracie's death a suicide, but neither Gus nor Darlene is convinced of the verdict. Gus decides to trace Gracie's mysterious past in an effort to discover what lay behind her death. At the same time, he's caught up in an investigation of the town's effort to build a new hockey rink. The rink is a tremendously popular project, but Gus uncovers problems with the development that no one else in town apparently wants to hear about.

Gus's investigations entangle him with a number of shady and very scary characters, and there's obviously a lot going on below the surface of this placid little town. Before his investigation is finished, both Gus and the reader will be in for a very wild ride.

These two books are the start of what promises to be an excellent series with an unusual and engaging protagonist. More than that, Gruley, who is the Chicago bureau chief of The Wall Street Journal, has brilliantly captured here the dynamics of a small town that is obviously on the ropes and desperate to recapture some of its former glory. In relating Gus's struggles as the editor of the Pine County Pilot, he also makes some very telling comments about the state of contemporary journalism.

Readers who might be attracted to this series would be well-advised to begin with the first book, Starvation Lake, which introduces Gus Carpenter and describes in some detail his history in Starvation Lake.

[Tabi34 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping the second Gruley book would be more streamlined, but once again, I plowed through a convoluted story that half the time I didn't know what was going on or why. I read and re-read parts of the book so I could figure out how everyone was connected. I still don't.

Gus, the protagonist, has another mystery to solve. This time his second cousin, who he doesn't like, hangs herself, but did she really? It's suicide, no it's murder, no it's suicide. Why did she do it? I'm still questioning that. Gruley's reasoning makes little sense to me. Gracie gave up a son, she followed the adoptive parents (the husband is actually the kid's father and had gotten Gracie pregnant while she was working in a kinky sex scheme into which she was lured with a scholarship to college(umm...do you see how confusing this is?)) Anyway, as an adoptive child, I met my birthmother and never once did she ever tell me that she wanted to kill herself because she couldn't see her child.

The ending was just as confusing as the rest of the book. The premise is good, but there are too many subplots and twists. If you want to keep a scorecard and map out your reading, then you will probably like this book.

The one plus, in the first half of the book, there was a lot less reference to Gus's missed save in the hockey game of 1981 in which the whole town blames him for. But it comes back again and again. We get it - Gus is a loser. He can't hang onto a puck, he can't hang on to his job, he can't hang on to a woman. His best friend is a drunk. He lives with his mother and no one in town really likes him.

[Miss Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to get back to Starvation Lake. We meet back up with Gus, who is now working at the small local newspaper. After his cousin commits apparent suicide (or is it?), he at first is not surprised, but then begins to have doubts about what really happened. Through a lot of nosing there and downstate, where he meets some interesting characters, he tries to unravel the mystery of his cousin who may not have been all she had seemed.

I really enjoyed this and the first book in this series, especially because I live in Michigan, and also have a cabin in the northern part of the state. There were so many references to places, even little hole-in-the-wall bars that I am familiar with, that it was a special treat.

Thanks Mr. Gruley for another great mystery! Keep them coming.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific book! The best thing about this book is that there are no slow spots.

The book begins as Gracie McBride, a resident who had been away many years and finally returned, is found dead hanging in a tree with quite a history in the small town of Starvation Lake. Is it murder or is it suicide? The characters are very likeable and as you read, you find yourself really rooting for Gus Carpenter to get to the bottom of this mystery.

Although the book has a heavy emphasis on hockey, it doesn't interfere and adds much to the story. In other words, don't let that scare you away!

I loved "The Hanging Tree" and highly recommend it for readers who enjoy Harlan Coben's books and Tana French's work. You will really enjoy this novel as well. I'm already looking forward to the next in the series!

[Suspense Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the moment Gracie McBride tied her pretty, pink sneaker to that of her boyfriend’s black, football cleat and hung the mismatched pair over the branch of an old, oak tree, the majority of other teens from the small town of Starvation Lake, Michigan, adopted her action. Meant as a sign of childhood love, lust, lost virginity or even freedom, The Shoe Tree was born.

Now, twenty years later, The Shoe Tree is popular once again, but not for the hundreds of shoes adorning its sweeping branches. This time, the old tree receives attention for the body of Gracie McBride hanging amongst the hundreds of time-worn tokens.

Gus Carpenter, executive editor of the Pine County Pilot, sets out to discover the events leading to Gracie’s death, for it soon becomes clear it was no suicide. However, one curse of living in such a small town is the toil of never running an impartial investigation. Gracie was Gus’s second cousin and best friend to his now girlfriend and police Deputy, Darlene Esper.

With the residents of Starvation Lake unhappy with Gus for halting construction of a new hockey ring with his scathing article written for the paper, he is met with uncooperative forces. However, as he delves deeper into tracing the steps leading the Gracie’s death, Gus is unprepared for the many horrible secrets he uncovers.

Full of mystery, romance, intrigue and violence, “The Hanging Tree” is a must read for any fan of suspense!
Reviewed by Dawn Hullender for Suspense Magazine
www.suspensemagazine.com

[Steve Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Hanging Tree" is the second book in Gruley's "Starvation Lake" series and it is even better than the first. It is a solid mystery novel with all of the typical conventions of that genre, but what is really interesting about "The Hanging Tree" is the way that Gruley uses small details about each of his characters to guide the reader away from the kinds of stereotypes that tend to infest stories of small-town life.
Gruley's Starvation Lake is a small town with a very dark side. The families here feel like the family in Steinbeck's "The Winter of Our Discontent." There is an edge to them and more than a hint of violence. Is it a coincidence that hockey is the most consecrated sport here?
His protagonist, a newspaper reporter, and former hockey goalie has the potential to be a cartoon, but Gruley balances the neuroses of the goalie personality with an intelligence and dilligence that makes him a credible and sympathetic character.
I liked "The Hanging Tree" and think you will too.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Gruley's second Starvation Lake mystery we explore more of Gus's past when an old family friend is found dead in a near by shoe tree. Gus's tenacity and hunger for the truth are seriously put to the test as he uncovers some ugly truths about the people he loves and thinks he knows. The characters in this second novel are even more solid than the first and the mystery is way more complex. Gruley knows how to weave a story. In his first novel it is not difficult to divine what the outcome will be, but the way it all unfolds makes the journey worthwhile. In this sequel the mystery remained quite hidden until the final moments (to me at least) and packed the double punch of being both a satisfying read and a twisted mystery. After two books set in a small town in Northern Michigan I feel like I know these characters, like I could drive an hour south and run into Gus or Soupy on the streets of Starvation Lake. I already eagerly await the next chapter of Gus's life!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hockey, suicide, kinky sex, hockey, Michigan, hockey.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first read by author Bryan Gruley, but his second book of fiction featuring newsman Gus Carpenter and the small town of Starvation Lake. Like many small towns, Starvation Lake’s economy needs something new to revive the town. Gus’ cousin, Gracie, is found hanging from a rope in a tree known as the hanging tree, the moniker meant to describe the tradition of hanging shoes from branches. Is it murder or suicide?

This story touches on corruption, maybe in the town council and maybe in the press. Gus finds himself at odds with the news editors, the sheriff, and the attorney who has promised to build a new rink for the local hockey team and help rebuild the town’s tattered image. But something foul is afoot, and Gus is fighting to learn the truth behind not just Gracie’s death, but those who have turned a blind eye 👁 to that truth. If you’re a hockey fan/former player, there’s no doubt you will enjoy the play-by-play commentary about the game that is an integral part of the story .

[Tien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gus Carpenter has settled into his life back in his home town. Some townspeople have not forgiven him for losing that hockey match back in his youth. And some, even now, are disparaging him for the news he printed. This still does not deter him to follow his nose to the truth even if it means he may lose everything he has left.

I had a question left after I finished reading the first book and it was partially answered in this book. It was the prologue of the first book and I'm thinking it should be fully resolved in 3rd book? I hope so because I'm not keen on this dragging out too long ;p Otherwise, completely engaging mystery, cleverly woven with enough complexity highlighting just how dark a person can be and yet, the truth usually lies beneath the surface.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent follow-up to Starvation Lake. However, the sexual descriptions and locker room talk get dialed up just a bit too much.

Favorite Passages:

Someone had scrawled six words across the page in red ink:
Build it and they will die
What the hell is this, a movie? I thought.
_______

I'd taken a stand at the Pilot the night before and wound up standing on my dick.
_______

"My uncle thinks he's smarter than everyone. I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?"
"He looked up at me. "For being a little bitch."
I wasn't sure what to say. I thought of saying I always knew his uncle was a fat ass, but that wouldn't have helped.

[Paul Edlund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twisty, intriguing, keeps you turning the pages. I recommend this author for a good old fun mystery.

[Larry H]

Write a review...For local reporter Gus Carpenter, the apparent suicide of Gracie McBride is more than just a news story that shakes up his sleepy hometown of Starvation Lake, MI. Gracie was Gus' second cousin, and while she had a wild past, and their relationship was fractious, she appeared to be on the verge of pulling her life together. But even many of those closest to Gracie think it could have been suicide, and Gus is dissuaded from pursuing the truth.



The Hanging Tree is Bryan Gruley's second mystery featuring Gus Carpenter, following last year's Starvation Lake. Gruley captures the desperation, anger and hurt of a small town on the verge of total collapse, as well as the frustrations Gus feels on a daily basis about his promising journalistic career in Detroit being derailed, forcing his return home. Couple that with the never-ending resentment of many Starvation Lake residents who still hold a grudge about Gus' letting the winning goal score in a state hockey tournament some 20+ years earlier, and you can understand it's not easy being home.



Gruley is a great writer and I definitely enjoyed the twists and turns this story took. I really like Gus' character and many of the supporting characters who have appeared in both books; I can visualize many of them in my mind's eye. I was a little frustrated with this book, however, for two reasons. First, I felt as if Gruley threw every possible plot device—the estranged husband, the boss who just doesn't understand, the townspeople angry over something that happened years ago, etc.—into the story, which detracted from my full commitment to it. And second, it always frustrates me when so much in a book (or in life, for that matter) could be solved if people would just talk to one another. But instead, we had people avoiding one another, not saying how they feel, not answering the phone, etc. That being said, however, these are more my pet peeves than actual flaws in the story, so I'd highly recommend both Starvation Lake books, and I eagerly await the next one in the series.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second of the Gus Carpenter and Starvation Lake mystery series, and it's every bit as good as the first outing. The eponymous tree is the place just outside of town where lovers of all types express their commitment by pairing off shoes and boots and skates and whatnot and hanging them from various branches. And then, one night, a woman is found hanging along with the footwear. A woman who grew up in the area and who fled her checkered past, only to return to Starvation Lake shortly before she ends up in the tree. Is it murder or suicide? Gus, the reporter for the small local newspaper, sets out to find the answers and, as was the case the last time around, has to do battle with people and special interests whose other concerns and priorities often clash with Gus's. I really, really like this series already, but I can't help but wonder how many stories Gruley can find in this small Michigan town. I suppose if half of Cabot Cove could be killed off during J.B. Fletcher's run, it's possible to imagine that there could be a long series here, as well; but while I would like to see that happen, I don't know how it can be done realistically. (And really, who *doesn't* laugh at the body count in Cabot Cove?) Beyond that, kudos to Gruley, as well, for making serious inroads into making me a hockey fan. I'm a baseball-football-hoops guy for the most part, and while I've been to a few hockey games over the years, they were more of an excuse on my part to drink beer, and my sheer ignorance of the game kept me from enjoying them very much on anything other than the most basic level. But Gruley's love of hockey is once again evident here and is interwoven into the story in a way that is very appealing. So if I ever find myself at a hockey game and see Bryan in the stands, I'll have to buy him a beer. :)

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've heard it said that it takes a lifetime to write your first book and you only have six months to get the next one out, well that is exactly how this one felt after reading the first Starvation Lake mystery, waiting expectantly for this one and being disappointed in the slow pace and real lack of plot.

Once again, the readers are back in Starvation Lake with Gus Carpenter, editor of the Pine County Pilot, where Gracie McBride, the girl who left town eighteen years earlier is found hanging from the said "Hanging Tree". The tree where the local teens hang shoes to mark memorable moments in their lives.

The problem is that Gus does not see Gracie's death as a suicide. Things just are not adding up and with the influence of a new resident in town and Gracie's less than savory past, the new owners of the newspaper want to quickly put Gracie's death to rest and move on with the new goings on in town.

Overall, the book was flat to me. No real climatic moment, nothing that really stood out as a redemption moment that would have made the whole reading experience worthwhile.

Very much a disappointment after I had so enjoyed the first book in this series.

[Carla Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mystery, and really didn't see the ending coming. There were some great characters, and even though I have no knowledge of hockey whatsoever, I enjoyed the hockey action. Actually, I enjoyed the hockey and the way it was woven into the story quite a bit. Reading about the small town of Starvation Lake, and the close knit community, where everyone knew everyone felt kind of warm and fuzzy, and hockey added to the closeness. As Gus, the town reporter, tries
to get to the bottom of his cousin Gracie's death, he learns some things about some of the people in the town that surprise him, and he learns some things about himself and Gracie, also. Pick this book up when you want an easy read that will reach out and grab your attention quickly, and hold your attention till the last page.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dear Goodreads,

First, let me just say, I love when you give me books to read and review. Not only is it incredibly generous of you, but it's kinda cool that you help expand my horizons and provide books I wouldn't normally choose. (I know, I entered the contest, but let's not kid ourselves...if it wasn't free, I probably never would have picked it up on my own.) With that being said, I wasn't entirely happy with this one. But to be honest, it was me...not you. I was a bit confused with a lot of the references and definitely should have read the previous book in this series first. Another is that I'm just not that into hockey. And finally, between the holidays, other books begging my attention and life in general, I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more had I read it in a sitting or two.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was so much build up to the final 'who dunnit' and then it just kinda fizzled and ended. However, I do like how Gruley spins his tale and enjoy the characters. And the little turns in personalities is interesting (like I though Philo would be a complete douche but was pleasantly surprised). I did not like the premise of why Gracie died, or how she died for that matter - some people need to check their moral codes - but that's story telling I guess. I definitely like Gus as a main character and am looking forward to reading the next available - Skeleton Box.

[Lori Tatar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hanging Tree is a most excellent suspense novel. It is great for readers who love mystery, murder and crime...and hockey! Take a walk on the dark side and, really, as The Hanging Tree illustrates, never judge a book by its cover. I would recommend this story to everyone, regardless of age, gender, hobby or profession.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this one may suffer from one too many plotlines as it is somewhat challenging to keep things straight in the middle going, Gruley does nice work with his Michigan setting and the contrast between upstate and down. He also has a gift for creating morally complex characters, particularly ones who make bad decisions for good reasons.

[Melodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one kept me up part of the night and made me late to work, but it was worth it. I truly enjoyed STARVATION LAKE last year, and liked this one even more! Keep 'em coming, Bryan! I always welcome a read as good as this one!

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd mystery book by Bryan, sequel to Starvation Lake and just as captivating... you don't have to read Starvation Lake to get this or the characters. I love when a writer has that ability

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this just as much as the first book in the series, Starvation Lake. I loved the Michigan setting, and Gus is a great protagonist. A really solid mystery.

[Roberta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much hockey!

[Deanna King · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I was not a fan of the first Starvation Lake Mystery, I liked this one better. I am still not keen on all the hockey-it's not that I dislike hockey-I just don't want to read Sports Illustrated-on that note though, I loved the movie Mystery Alaska, a movie about a "hockey town." It was a movie had it been a book, I would not have read it. The one thing that gets a bit tiring is the fact that the protagonist missed a goal that lost his team the State Championship 18 years ago-I feel it is time to let that go-and move forward for the sake of the protagonist, Gus Carpenter. The town needs to get off his back-and the story needs to stop being retold. There were a lot of stories going on in this novel, and some of it lent not a lot to the main guise of the story- (this is only my opinion- maybe I missed something)-Not to give a spoiler alert, but the reasons for the 'murder' got weaker as the story was coming to a close- the buildup was good though and I find the humor Mr. Gruley scatters about making me laugh out loud. I enjoyed his character 'Belly'- he gave a stellar description and I could see this man in his restaurant stains on his apron and all. The character that was my fave was Philo-I enjoy watching a character 'come into his own'. Philo did just that, and it was fun to watch him grow. All-in-all it took me a shorter time to read this novel than the first one, because I was honestly more intrigued with the story line this time. The ending was perfect with the two shoes he put together to put in the hanging tree.

[Paige Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading the first book in this series and finding it boring, I had hoped the next two in the series would be better. Alas, this second one is just as boring as the first one. I am not sure where all the accolades for this author come from, because I just don't see it. The writing isn't bad, per se, but some people act like he is in the company of many great mystery writers and I can say that is definitely not true. This book not only bored me, I was irritated as well. What is with almost everyone in town giving Gus such a hard time about damn near everything? I get that a lot of them are disappointed he blew a save as the team's goalie that cost them the state championship. But that was 18 years ago! Everyone treats Gus with disdain and disrespect, anger and impatience....even his mother and so-called girlfriend. I didn't hate these books, but I don't much like them either. In fact, if I had anything else to read right now (library day is tomorrow and I am in need of replenishment of my reading material), I wouldn't even bother reading the third installment in this disappointing series. But since it is the only book I have, I will be starting it later today. *sigh*

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I like about mystery novels is that it makes my mind work. I am able to become a little detective myself. I love how trying hard I am to discover the killer in the story as the plot is unfolding. This mystery novel The Hanging Tree, was left unread in my bookshelf for years (there are many more unread books tbh) but not until now. I was very hooked (starting at the end of the first chapter!). I love all the twists and turns!

I really thought so much about who the killer is in this story. But damn, I got it all wrong! Really, I was amazed how the author played the words.

I do not want to say much but all I can say is that Gracie planned it out very well. I don't like her at first because I think of her as a selfish bitch but I changed my opinion of her when the truth comes out in the end.

[Karry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, the second in a series. I really like these books so far. It takes place in Michigan where hockey is king and small towns are insulated from the outside world, however, the outside world sneaks in and brings corruption to the citizens doorsteps. I think that the only negative with this series so far, is that the author can get a little overboard with gratuitous violence and sex. By the time I was nearing the end, those problems disappeared and the ending was darned good. I would still recommend this book with that one caveat. Always have fun reading and think about adding this series to your TBR shelves.

[Laraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the second in Gruley's Starvation Lake mystery series and it was a good 4 star read. Journalist Gus Carpenter is on the case of the apparent suicide of his cousin Gracie, a former wild child who has returned home. Gus doesn't believe that Gracie would kill herself so starts to investigate where Gracie had been and what she had been doing. And he discovers a different side to her. Lots of hockey talk and skullduggery with a new hockey rink in town make an interesting read.

[audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's rare to find a sequel that's actually better than the original, but here we are. Starvation Lake continues to be fully realized as a town peopled with troubled and struggling characters, but the plot here is tighter, with a more complicated and ambiguous resolution, with dim and flickering light at the end of the tunnel.

tw: animal harm (skip all of the 3rd chapter, where Gracie's wondering about a deer).