Long listed for the 2008 Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award.
Little Face was one of the best thrillers I’ve ever read, so I was very keen to try another one of Sophie Hannah’s books. Hurting Distance is the second book in series. I think you can understand it without having read the first, but you would miss out on a few of the small plot lines that continue from one book to the next. If you want to follow the lives of the police officers then I recommend that you read them in order.
Hurting Distance is much darker than Little Face. The whole book revolves around a serial rapist, so it is quite disturbing in places. The story is told through the eyes of Naomi who was raped three years ago and didn’t report the crime. Robert, her lover, vanishes but the police don’t believe it is worth investigating. In a desperate attempt to get them to take her seriously Naomi accuses Robert of rape, using the details of the crime that was committed against her all those years ago.
The book then became a fast paced investigation, packed with unexpected twists and turns. There were a few too many unlikely coincidences for my liking, but on the whole it was an enjoyable read.
I don’t think it was quite as good as Little Face, but I remain a big fan of Sophie Hannah and look forward to reading the rest of her books.
I was totally gripped. Novel Insights
Despite its plot implausibilities, HURTING DISTANCE is a gripping tale. Euro Crime
There is suspense and a lot of twists without it being over complicated….. Savidge Reads
Sophie Hannah’s new book A Room Swept White
Have you read any of Sophie Hannah’s books?
Which one did you enjoy the most?
21 replies on “Hurting Distance – Sophie Hannah”
I’m the other way round to you – I thought Hurting Distance better than Little Face. It was very dark, and very nasty, and totally compulsive!
Annabel, I think the reason I loved Little Face was because I identified with the mother – switching children is such an emotional subject for me. Hurting Distance was much darker, but I didn’t have that same connection with the subject matter. It is good to know you preferred Hurting Distance – I think that just shows the quality of her writing.
I really need to read these. I love crime thrillers (good ones anyway), and have heard you talk about Little face many times. I may need to see if these are on the Kindle! (Yes they are, and I just bought them! Woo hoo! Now I just have to find time to read them!)
Sandy, Sorry for causing you to impulsively buy some books for your kindle! I hope enjoy reading them.
I have just started The Point of Rescue and I’m only a few chapters in.
It has proved to be a page turner from the start due to the mystery element – what will be the consequences for Sally whose work trip is cancelled, but still treats herself to a secret holiday where she meets someone who says he is Mark Bretherick? Sometime later, Sally, watching the news with her husband hears a familiar name – Mark Bretherick – his wife and daughter are dead. All the details given by the man she knew as Mark are the same, but the man on the news is someone Sally has never see before…..disturbing things are happening to Sally.
I haven’t read anything else by Sophie Hannah. I’m not sure about the subject element of the latest. However, I might try the earlier Little Face and Hurting Distance.
Linda, It is great to hear that you are enjoying The Point of Rescue. I hope to get round to all her books at some point as they all sound good to me. I think that if you enjoy one then you’ll like them all.
I´m currently reading Hannah´s The Other Half Lives, it´s the first time I´m reading a book by her. And it´s really gripping! Pretty sure I´ll read her others as well 🙂
Bina, I will be interested to hear if you feel you are missing out on a few things by not starting from the first one, but it is great to hear you are enjoying it.
I didn´t realize it was some kind of series, but I had no problems reading it in this order. Finished the book last night, wow! Will probably post the review tomorrow.
Thanks for the link! I think reading the first book will always have a bigger impact anyway because of the element of discovery. I did love Little Face alot, and probably will continue to read her new books anyway because I feel like I can count on a good read. 🙂
Novel Insights, Perhaps you’re right – we will always love the first one we read most. I’m sure all of her books are great.
I love a good thriller with a twist!
Me too!
Hannah is an author I’ve just started to hear quite a bit about and I’m really intrigued. She sounds somewhat similar to Tana French, whom I love, so I would really like to try something by her soon. I will remember not to read this one first though! I’m a stickler for reading series in order…
Steph, I imagine her as being similar to Tana French, but haven’t read any of her books yet. I have a copy of In the Woods here, so will hopefully read it soon. Let’s hope we both enjoy these new-to-us thriller writers.
I have Little Face, but I didn’t realize it was part of a series (I picked well since it’s the first!). It looks good–I love those thriller-ish sorts of books that keep you on the edge of your seat. As long as the story is good or I like the characters I tend to be fairly forgiving if the plot is a little weak. I’ve never heard of that crime award by the way–I’ll have to check it out and see if there are other titles worth noting.
I never heard of this author but I’ll have to look for her!
Not sure if this is for me. I don’t really like the book’s theme. But I am very glad that you enjoyed it so much!
I loved Little Face and I have just ordered this one, thanks for the review, I’m looking forward to it even more now!
I thikn I have enjoyed this series the more I have read and actually will be starting The Point of Rescue later in the week, so lets see how that one goes, Polly told me it was just as brilliant as the other two (she read some of them the wrong way round I think) I keep forgetting the new one is out!
I’ve added Little Face to my wish list.