Butchers Hill

Tess Monaghan, Book 3

By: Laura Lippman

Narrated by: Deborah Hazlett

Tess Monaghan has finally made the move and hung out her shingle as a PI-for-hire, complete with an office in Butchers Hill. Maybe it's not the best address in Baltimore, but you gotta start somewhere, and Tess' greyhound Esskay has no trouble taking marathon naps anywhere there's a roof.

Then, in walks Luther Beale, the notorious vigilante who five years ago shot a boy for vandalizing his car. Just out of prison, he says he wants to make reparations to the kids who witnessed his crime, so he needs Tess to find them. But once she starts snooping, the witnesses start dying. Is the Butcher of Butchers Hill at it again?

Like it or not, Tess is embroiled in a case that encompasses the powers that-be, a heartless system that has destroyed the lives of children, and a nasty trail of money and lies leading all the way back to Butchers Hill.

Investigate more of Tess Monaghan's cases.©1998 Laura Lippman (P)2007 BBC Audiobooks America

I guessed part, but part surprised me; love that

I liked this one (No. 3) better than (No. 1) Baltimore Blues, which I read in the past year (I'd read some later ones (e.g., No. 8 By a Spider's Thread - which is great! -- before joining Audible). Tess seemed a lot smarter in this one than No. 1. (I have Charm City (No. 2) yet to read.I liked Jackie and felt as if Tess had found a kindred spirit, even if she didn't seem to know it - I'd want Jackie as my sister. I couldn't help trusting Luthor Beale from the get go. I couldn't believe the bad things the police said. The ultimate slight intertwining of the cases at the end was expected and enjoyable. I sure wouldn't want Tess's grandmother in my family but LOVE her Uncle Donald and many of her other relatives. Envious. Jackie was right - Tess has a super safety net.
Surprised that they mentioned (in a book from 1998) benches made to prevent the homeless from sleeping on them. I thought this was a fairly recent development. Sad. Remember the Red Skelton show. Freddie the Freeloader slept on park benches. Not the best place but preventing people from using them is truly deplorable.

Not her best

Laura Lippman has done better. Tess juggles two unrelated cases and so instead of sinking deep into one story, I just skimmed two. One case is inspired by a real Baltimore case of an old man who shot at a bunch of kids for throwing rocks at his house. In the book, he asks Tess to find the now teenagers. The weak spot was the other case of a woman wanting to find the daughter she gave up for adoption. Of course neither case is as simple as is seems. The happy ending felt insincere to me. Although, a mediocre Laura Lipppman is still worth a credit.

A great read

I loved the story pace and twists. It was a really unusual plot from my experience. Also it was free. There are 2 more of her books free and I’m going to listen to all. Great narrator.

Another Amazing Tess Book!

I loved everything ab this third Tess Monaghan Book.
Very great writing and surprising twists and turns, especially at the end when we find out what really happened. It was there all along, but not out in the open!

Poignant and memorable

So far, this is my favorite Tess Monaghan novel. Very thoughtful prose from different points of view. It provokes contemplation, laughter, hope and joy all while providing suspense and mystery. Kudos!