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The Hanging Tree: British Detectives (Rafferty & Llewellyn Book 4) Kindle Edition

by Geraldine Evans (Author), Bookbrush-Evans (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 81 ratings
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Fourth in the critically-acclaimed Rafferty and Llewellyn mystery series.

‘The original crossroads used to run by here,’ Sam told Rafferty. ‘Legend has it that this was the old Hanging Tree.’

When Inspector Rafferty first hears the report that a bound and hooded body has been seen hanging from a tree in Dedman Wood, he dismisses it as a schoolboy hoax, especially when police at the scene find nothing out of the ordinary.

But his anxiety rises sharply when the witness turns out to be a respectable local magistrate, who identifies the corpse as Maurice Smith, a man once accused of four child rapes. Thrown out on a legal technicality, Smith’s case had become a cause-celebre which had generated much ill-feeling within the community.

Rafferty and Sergeant Llewellyn visit Smith’s home – to discover he has mysteriously disappeared. And in his flat they find a threatening letter, and fresh bloodstains…

Then the body turns up again in the woods. Could there be a self-appointed executioner at work, meting out his own form of justice on the legendary Hanging Tree?
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  1. Book 4 of 22
    Rafferty & Llewellyn British Mystery Series
  2. Print length
    270 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    January 11, 2014
  6. File size
    1931 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

'Great book! A wonderfully entertaining read. All the clues are there, set out honestly and fairly, yet the identity of the killer still comes as a surprise. I got one of those "of course - I should have known!" moments at the denouement. Crime writing at its best.' Writer James Gracie

From the Author

I'd been reading about a number of cases in the newspapers about justice gone wrong and the terrible tragedies such denial of justice brought in their wake before I wroteThe Hanging Tree, the fourth novel in my Rafferty & Llewellyn procedural series.

I thought it a fitting subject to tackle for a murder mystery, particularly as, at the time of the miscarriage of justice depicted in this novel, the British justice system was experiencing great changes, with the prosecution of offenders removed from the police force (as they then were. Now they are referred to as the Police Service. The word Force being regarded as not Politically Correct) and handed over to the newly-formed Prosecution Service.

This changeover, as can be imagined, created a certain amount of chaos, as well as requiring the speedy employment of many prosecutors; some, perhaps young and untried and, maybe not sufficiently supervised by their superiors.

It was a time ripe for injustice.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004XJ6Q7U
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amazon Digital Services; 4th edition (January 11, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 11, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1931 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 270 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 81 ratings

About the author

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Geraldine Evans

Geraldine Evans

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Geraldine Evans writes the 18-strong Rafferty & Llewellyn Mystery Series; funny, family orientated mysteries that are brilliant at taking you out of yourself, and which have earned her several awards and some wonderful reviews.

She was born in London and brought up on a south London council estate. Even though, like her three older siblings, she left school in her mid-teens, she found a love of life-long-learning shortly after. Why not before? Ah, there’s a tale for another time!

She turned to writing in her twenties, but it was hitting thirty that gave her the grit to endure six years of rejections. And then, after being plucked twice from slush piles (Hale and Macmillan), she spent eighteen years as a traditionally published author. Her previous publishers include Macmillan, St Martin’s Press, Worldwide, Hale, Thorpe (large print), Severn House, and Soundings (audio).

She took control of her own destiny and turned Indie in 2010. Since becoming an Indie, she's gone on to publish all of her back-list, including Reluctant Queen, about the little sister of Henry VIII, the Casey & Catt Mystery Series, and various new works.

Since the heady day of learning her first novel was to be published, she's experienced the usual switchback ride of the average writer's life, but she says becoming an Indie, and having control of her writing career and destiny, is the best thing ever. She hopes her story will encourage other working-class people to take their lives by the scruff of the neck and go for it!

Geraldine moved to a market town in Norfolk (UK) in 2000, with George, her late husband. She wouldn’t move back.

She is a member of Mystery People, the Crime Writers Association, and The Alliance of Independent Authors.

Her Website: https://geraldine-evans.com/

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
81 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Sylvia V
5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific series
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2013
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The Hanging Tree is a great 4th book in the Rafferty and Llewellyn series. The team is called in when a body is seen hanging from a tree in the woods. It disappears but later is found hanging again. The murdered man had done unspeakable evils in life. Rafferty struggles in his mind a bit about finding the killer. I found this human side of him added realism to the story.
Geraldine Evans does a great job with the plot. It's detailed and the characters are well-developed. She has been criticized (unjustly, I think,) for references to the Catholic church. They aren't derogatory or overbearing; they create a lifelike Rafferty.
If you enjoy a thought provoking mystery without gore, I think you'd enjoy this one. It can stand alone however the series is exceptional. You may want to start with book 1 if you haven't already read it. All Evans' books are numbered in their titles which makes reading order easy.
4 people found this helpful
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Anne Hill
4.0 out of 5 stars Clever twist in this tale
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2013
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I would recommend anybody who is into books set in England and enjoys police procedural stories. I find the contrast of the two main characters very entertaining - especially Llewellyn who never smiles..

The only thing I do not like about all the Rafferty and Llewellyn books is the emphasis on the Roman Catholic church. I realise this is part of the story, but too much of it is a bit boring, but can just skip those bits.

I have been reading these books one after the other to get a bit of continuity in the character's relationships.
4 people found this helpful
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MJ
3.0 out of 5 stars Just okay
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2017
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I liked this series but found this book not as good as the others.
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Broom Rider
5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2016
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Loved it. The contrast between the two policemen is fun. Raferty's problems with his family prove that you can't chose your family but you do have to live with them. Geraldine Evans is wonderful.
One person found this helpful
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janet howard
4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining As Always
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2014
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An engrossing plot which explores some complex issues surrounding the murder of a serial rapist. Rafferty finds himself confronted with serious moral ambiguities as he and Llewellyn try, somewhat relectantly, to catch the murderer(s). On a lighter note, the Rafferty clan continues in their attempts to get Llewellyn and Cousin Maureen to tie the knot. About to start the next book in the series. Looking forward to the continuing adventures of Rafferty And Llewellyn.
2 people found this helpful
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amelia
5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing New Series
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2012
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I did not discover this series until I got my Kindle. I think it is a very good series; a good blend of drama and comedy. Rafferty and Llewellyn remind me a bit of Inspector Lewis and Sergeant Hathaway from the BBC series.
10 people found this helpful
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Suzanne Young
5.0 out of 5 stars A good read - recommended series
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2015
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I'm enjoying this series. Good characters, unpredictable plot and well written.
One person found this helpful
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Hanoverian
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2016
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A good read in this series.
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Top reviews from other countries

EdnaJones
5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner from author Geraldine Evans
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 6, 2016
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Up to the usual high standard for this author. An entertaining and clever story with believable characters and a convincing plot. Always a good read from this author and value for money. .
One person found this helpful
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Ginette Benoit
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on September 16, 2014
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Good
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M Dixon
4.0 out of 5 stars Another good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2013
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I like this series and would recommend anyone to read these in sequence as the the back stories run through them chronologically. As with all fictional senior murder detectives, you wonder how the ever got there if they are that bumbling, damaged and maverick (which they all are). Still Rafferty is a likeable character and the Evans tells a good lightweight yarn. Its not really literature or even clever writing, but the suspense is good and the people believable. Good entertainment.
One person found this helpful
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Lin
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 23, 2016
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The story was excellent and had many twists and turns. The ending was very different from any expectations. Also the continuing story of the main characters make it even more interesting
One person found this helpful
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Jim
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 20, 2011
Verified Purchase
A wonderfully entertaining read. All the clues are there, set out honestly and fairly, yet the identity of the killer still comes as a surprise. I got one of those "of course - I should have known!" moments at the denouement. Crime writing at its best.
3 people found this helpful
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