Ray Mason is working for the National Crime Agency (NCA) investigating a vicious organised crime gang, responsible for torturing and killing numbers of women. In parallel the organised crime boss is well aware of the NCA investigation and Ray's part in it. A cat and mouse game between the two ensues before all the pieces fall into place, leaving a long trail of dead bodies. Not for the squeamish reader but as usual for Kernick, fast-paced plot and plenty of action. ( )

Technically this is the second book in the Bone Field series, although it works well standing alone; don’t be put off by not having read the first one. It certainly intrigues you to the first one however, so if you think you might like it, you’d get more out of it if you reached for book one first and extended the enjoyment!
There’s an awful lot going on in this book, plenty to get emotionally involved in and of course there are plenty of twists along the narrative to keep the pages turning. You have a dodgy lawyer running for his life, a string of murders of women stretching over time with a police officer giving everything to find the truth from, a prominent gangster who seems untouchable by law, a domestic violence refuge and a makeshift burial site in a Welsh farmhouse. I loved the complexity of the story, especially as it all came across so accessibly and easy to follow. It’s predominantly a police procedural, told from the perspectives of various characters including the criminals, but mainly ruthless DI Ray Mason as his off-the-record style of police work lets us cheer and feel anxiety for him in equal measures.
The best bit of this book is the climax towards the end, which left me really excited about the third book and where the case will go on from here, how many more layers will be torn away then? I can’t wait to find out!

This book is the second in the Bone Field series. The first was responsible for making me a fan of Simon Kernick's work and this one has given me no reason to change my mind.

If you haven't read The Bone Field it would probably be a good idea to do so before diving into this one as the story in The Hanged Man is a continuation of what happened in The Bone Field.

This book is a page-turner with lots of action along the way. It is full of twists and turns and heartstopping moments where it seems disaster is about to strike but is averted at the last moment.

It isn't all about fast-paced action and Ray Mason (the main character) isn't the only one to indulge in fighting the enemy.

Often when a story concentrates so much on the action it is at the expense of character. However, Simon Kernick takes the time to make sure his two main characters are fully developed, fleshed out real people that we can believe in. This makes it easier to care about them and their fate. The relationship between Ray and Tina is tender and complicated and very, very real.
​
Tina isn't just a female love interest designed to keep readers happy by having a nod towards equality and feminism. She is a strong character in her own right. Fully developed with her own backstory that gives the reader insight into her personality and helps explain why she does what she does, Tina is integral to the story, not just a replaceable side-kick.

Ray is a complicated man, life hasn't been easy for him. Personal loss and tragedy have dogged his footsteps and had their effect on his character. Because so much information is given about him and his background it is easy to understand his actions. Not approve but understand. Perhaps faced with similar circumstances we would choose to do the same as Ray. Perhaps not. Let's hope we are never tested in that way.

There is another book waiting in the wings to finish this trilogy. I have to admit I am waiting impatiently to read it. I really need to know what happened next and if there is any possibility of a happy ever after. ( )