Hurting Distance

By Sophie Hannah

Praise for Sophie Hannah:

“What does motherhood mean? What should a mother do if her child is in danger? . . . It’s those choices and their consequences that make Little Face compelling.”—The Washington Post

“As . . . Agatha Christie gleefully trampled on that sacrosanct rule of the mystery novel to ‘play fair with the reader,’ the power this novel packs derives from narrators who play fast and loose with what they know. . . . The solution is a stunner.”—The Boston Globe

“Spine-tingling.”—Romantic Times (top pick)

“A tautly claustrophobic spiral of a story.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Clever and original. . . . She has a brilliant new career ahead of her.”—BookPage

“A splendid crime-psychological thriller. . . . A book so well-plotted and so well-written deserves to have its surprises kept intact.”—St. Louis-Post Dispatch

“Riveting reading.”—Mystery Scene

A serial rapist relies on successful career women’s shame to insulate him from punishment. Then one of them sets out to find her missing lover, a married man, and in so doing exposes a sinister plot.

Sophie Hannah is an award-winning, best-selling poet in England. Her previous psychological thriller, Little Face, was an acclaimed bestseller in the United Kingdom, as was Hurting Distance.


From the Hardcover edition.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Oct 1, 2008
• ISBN: 9781569477120

Sophie Hannah

Sophie Hannah is the internationally bestselling author of 9 psychological thrillers, which have been published in more than 20 countries and adapted for television. Her novel The Carrier won the 2013 Specsavers National Book Awards Crime Thriller of the Year. Sophie is an Honorary Fellow of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge, and as a poet has been shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize.

Reviews for Hurting Distance

[froxgirl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The second of ten in the Waterhouse-Zailer mystery series finds Detective Sergeant Charlie still smarting from her rejection by Detective Constable Simon, her still-a-cypher-about-women co worker. The primary PoV is that of rape victim Naomi Jenkins, a sundial maker (!) whose lover disappears unexpectedly. I saw the critical connections in a brief flash of prose but the entire winding plot, filled with coincidences that seemed remarkable rather than created, is excellent. The characters, especially the rude and despised Superintendent Proust, fill the novel with humor and with the travails of everyday life for those who encounter some of the most venal and the stupidest people in Brit crime fiction.

[tina1969_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Naomi Jenkins had something terrible happen to her three years ago. Now she has another secret, shes seeing a married man. When he doesn't show up Naomi thinks something has happened to him. The police however are not too worried so Naomi takes things into her own hands.This is the second book in the Spilling detective series. DS Charlie Zailer and Simon Whitehouse feature and obviously have a history of some sorts. I do prefer to read books in order as I like to get to know characters. On this occasion it hasn't made a lot of difference. I really enjoyed this book. I was drawn into the story straight away and was hooked. The crime in the story is the rape of women so isn't for the faint hearted but the book also has a lot more going on too. The story is certainly compelling and I wanted to find out how things were going to go. At times I did think whats going on here but it all comes together.This is my first Sophie Hannah crime book and because of how much I enjoyed it I will read more in the future. A very twisty, sometime disturbing, but a very satisfying read.

[qofd · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Found this quite a gripping read from start to nearly the finish where I found it started to fall apart.

[brittanylyn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An arresting psychological thriller. When the man she's been having an affair with fails to show for their regular rendezvous, Naomi takes it upon herself to find him. Convinced her lover is in terrible danger, or has already been harmed, she sets out to uncover the truth. Little does she know that she will have to face the demons that haunt her past, and she finds out not everyone is who they appear to be.

[sandra.k.heinzman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I like her books. They're weird, but read quickly and always have unexpected endings. I'm sure I'll look for her other books to read.

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Hurting Distance by Sophie Hannah is a perfect example of a book that has a very annoying main character yet I was absolutely spellbound by the story. Naomi Jenkins was, on the surface, a total nut case, overly obsessed with her married lover and ready to deliver the most outrageous lies in her desperate need to be with him. But as the story develops and Naomi’s biggest secret is revealed the reader comes to realize this is a seriously twisted, creepy thriller that is both disturbing and gripping.The second of her Spilling Detective series, this psychological suspense story certainly kept me on the edge of my seat. The author expertly weaves her twists and turns around each character, until all the lies, and coincidences have affected everyone. “Circles within circles, that is what it is”, one character correctly muses. The author is able to develop a real sense of menace as the plots builds momentum and the secrets of both victims and perpetrators are revealed. Hurting Distance is a stylish, original story dealing with obsessive love, the aftermath of rape, and ultimate betrayal. Excellently crafted, this book kept me riveted to it’s pages, but I offer a slight warning, this is a very dark tale and certainly isn’t for everyone.

[daftboy1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book had really good potential. I really liked the idea of the man Richard leading 2 double lifes, one with his wife and the other every thursday with Naomi. Naomi reports him missing the police investigate his wife says he isnt missing then he is found close to death in his own house. The police investigate don't know who to believe meanwhile Inspector Charlene Zailer goes to Scotland on holiday stays at some chalets meets a man called Graham she falls for him. He turns out to be Richards evil brother who has raped women in the past and had men to pay to watch this. Richard feels guilty and tries to make it up to these women. When Richards wife finds out about the affair she hits him over the head with a rock. This book is just to strange for me.

[foreigncircus · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novel was a disturbing read, not one to read when you are alone in the house. Though I initially found Naomi quite irritating, as the story unfolded, some of the more bizarre quirks in her personality were explained. It is difficult to review this thriller without revealing too much of the plot, so I'll just say that I was truly caught off guard by the big twist in the plot, and was riveted once I sank into the story. Hannah has a true gift for the unexpected and this books did not disappoint. A great read if rather disturbing in its depiction of violence again women.

[coolmama_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A deeply dark and pyschologically twisting tale.Naomi Jenkins is having an affair with Robert for 3 hours every Thursday. When he doesn't show up for one of their encounters, she knows some harm has come to him.I found the beginning of this book to be gripping - I just didn't care for the contstant re-hashing of the rape scenes - which were brutal enough the first time.

[candyh_64 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This was a very strange book.

[claudiachernov · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Held my interest, but the ending was not what I could believe

[sugarcreekranch · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This dark psychological thriller has a very weird opening -- a woman reports her married is missing, the police assume he's just avoiding her, and she makes very strange allegations to get the police to pay attention. The author intentionally makes it unclear whether the woman is nutso, or just extremely desperate. It turns into a more straightforward crime mystery novel, but there are issues of doubt throughout, and the reader is not quite sure whose version of events to trust. And the crime is truly creepy.

[writestuff_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Naomi Jenkins is having an affair with a married man and harboring a dark secret she has not shared with anyone, including her moody lover, Robert. But, when Robert inexplicably disappears, Naomi begins to feel a bit desperate. Her desperation escalates when she goes to Robert’s home and peers through one of the windows – something she sees causes her to have a full blown panic attack, and then Robert’s bitter wife Juliet confronts her. Fearing the worst and certain the police are doing nothing to find Robert, Naomi decides to reveal her secret but hide it within a lie – she tells the police that Robert is a sick psychopath who raped her. What Naomi doesn’t know is that Robert also is hiding something – and the truth is darker and more frightening then anyone could imagine.Sophie Hannah’s novel is a twisty, dark, psychological thriller that kept me reading long into the night. Naomi Jenkins is a damaged, obsessed woman. Naomi’s path crosses that of Police Sargent Charlie Zailer, a woman whose bad luck with men has made her cynical about relationships and the two of them begin to unravel the truth as the novel moves forward. Nothing about this story is predictable – even when I thought I knew where the plot was going, it would suddenly take a sharp turn and go somewhere else. Hannah gives her readers just enough information to make them think they understand the characters, and then takes them in another direction. The effect is unsettling.If the book has a weakness it is the voice of the male characters who come off a bit stunted and stereotypical. I did not particularly like any of them. Luckily, it is Naomi and Charlie who carry the novel, and it is their female perspectives which give the story its strength.This was my first Sophie Hannah book and it has made me curious about her previous work. Her writing is shocking and suspenseful. She dares to go to the darkest corners of the human psyche and explore the unthinkable. Many readers may be put off by the graphic nature of The Truth-Teller’s Lie, but mystery and thriller buffs will find it hard to put down.Recommended for readers who like their thrillers dark, scary and unpredictable.

[bhowell_35 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Hurting Distance is a brilliant psychological thriller about obsessive love and the power of terror. Something terrible happened to Naomi Jenkins three years ago and now her married lover has disappeared. Her search for him will lead her into her dark past but will she even survive. Wonderful plot.

[murdermysterymayhem · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What is worse the rape of a mind, a body, or a soul? A disturbing tale of obsession, physical, and psychological torment The Truth - Teller's Lie by Sophie Hannah will leave you bleary eyed after nights of suspenseful page turning. Naomi Jenkins reports her lover Robert Haworth as missing. The police don't take her seriously, after all she's the other woman, and Haworth's wife insists he isn't missing. Consumed with her desire to find him Naomi goads the local police force to action by telling a lie based on a truth about herself she has never revealed. Forced to investigate Naomi's accusations, detective constable Waterhouse and sergeant Charlie Zailer start to untangle the facts from the fiction Naomi has woven to reveal a truth more awful than her lie.

[picardyrose · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The crime should have been horrifying -- maybe it was just too elaborate.

[maneekuhi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There are many novels tagged "psychological" "Hurtful Distance" should be tagged with the word in caps, perhaps proceeded by "ultra". It is not a beach read. Rather you might find yourself going back to re-read certain passages. You may read it a bit slower, to savor it word by word. You might read a bit longer into the night. In the end, you will feel richly rewarded, a bit drained, and eager to read the next Sophie Hannah. The story focuses on the crime of rape and its motivations, not only in the physical sense of the word, but expanded to include rape of the mind, of the spirit; but it's also about survival, moving on, the ability of the human spirit to overcome. And there is a murder, the timing of which is perfect.

[docliz_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A gripping read - reminding me of a good Grisham. So horrifying I wondered whether I should be reading it. I am looking forward to getting hold of the next one.

[kraaivrouw · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sophomore efforts often misfire - even sophomore years tend to be sort of mildly dreadful and a letdown after all the discoveries of being a freshman. This book, however, is really good and redeems the author for me after the utter disaster of Little Face.Hannah's device of alternating perspective from first-person to third-person by chapter is still here, but as in The Wrong Mother, it is much less distracting as a device than it is in Little Face. The difference is that the story utterly compelling and distinctive as are the characters. This novel kept me reading and reading on the edge of my seat as I waited for her to play out all the strings. I found the story and the characters believable and convincing and interesting psychologically. The story is definitely disturbing, but it's well-written and doesn't cut corners or shy away from the complexity of human relationships.This was a great read and redeemed Hannah for me. I look forward to her fourth novel.

[jackybushell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very entertaining read about a rapist and how he is tracked down. Easy to get into but kept my interest throughout. Very cleverly thought out.

[brokenangelkisses · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an excellent novel: well plotted, engaging, disturbing and convincing.The ‘secret’ mentioned in the blurb is revealed in the email printed before the start of the first chapter and is key to the novel, but not in the way you would expect. Naomi Jenkins was raped three years ago but has decided that she is a survivor; she has told no one of her ordeal and has found herself a lover, albeit a married man. The email suggests a very individual response to feelings and situations, which is bourne out as soon as the reader hears her voice. Naomi’s first person narrative, which is interspersed throughout the dominant third person narrative, is addressed to a ‘you’, her missing lover, and engages the reader immediately as she seeks to explain why she has broken the only promise she ever made him. Initially an unsympathetic character – obsessive, devious, imperious – she gradually evolves into a heroine of sorts as the novel develops and she responds more personally to her past.Detective Charlie Zailer initially dismisses Naomi’s worries as unfounded and ridiculous, thinking she is just another woman who can’t accept that her lover has returned to his wife. In fact, Charlie goes on holiday, a fact which may seem irrelevant but, in this tightly plotted novel, becomes anything but. This leads to Naomi’s daring act: she confesses her truth, twisted into a lie, and forces the police to investigate this ‘disappearance’ fully. Their subsequent initial discovery creates more questions which neither Naomi nor her lover’s wife seems willing to answer. All three women endure emotional difficulties, although they often seem firmly in control of what they choose to reveal to others. This creates a more engaging plot as the reader tries to identify with their feelings and actions.The baddies are also carefully developed. Although not initially obvious, their earlier actions and dialogue allow the reader to think ‘of course’ when their role is revealed. The casual attitude some of them take towards their action is terrifying, far more so than if they reveled in their own evil; they do not seem to recognize their actions as wrong and respond to mundane points in typically mundane ways: here is evil made appallingly human. Ultimately the novel is not about what has been done to Naomi, but what is being done to her and the lengths that one person can stretch to hurt another.Revelations are gradual and always believable, supported by relevant dialogue which fleshes out the characters and relevant history. Even the seemingly obligatory (for this genre) showdown in which the criminal confesses his motives to the potential final victim is largely believable. Twists continue until the final few pages, making this compelling reading. Even those twists which you can predict are thoughtfully unfolded, revealing more than anticipated in their execution. Chapters typically end, James Patterson style, on a dramatic cliffhanger that you need resolved.Dialogue forms a large part of the novel and flows neatly, perhaps due to the author’s practice in poetry. This contrasts sharply to the chapters narrated by Naomi, where her thoughts often seem clipped by contrast, consisting of largely simple sentences beginning with ‘I’. This helps to create a distinct voice for the character but also slows the pace slightly.A surprising but very enjoyable element of the novel was the occasional flashes of comedy. Proust, in particular, seems to be the focus of much humour as he over-reacts to situations, although his character is far from one-dimensional. The humour never detracts from the seriousness of the situations, but does provide a welcome respite from the often emotionally draining atmosphere.Overall, this is a compelling read in which the author rarely hits a wrong note. As soon as I had finished I reread key sections of the narrative to fully appreciate the skilful storytelling. Be prepared to set aside a large chunk of your day to read it in one sitting!

[smithsj01_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I wish there were more stars availabe as this book has left me chilled. I was captivated! I read the second half of the book alone last night and I wish I hadn't; my heart was racing. Although there are a few bits I'd like to discuss with someone to clear up; this has got to be the best thriller I've read this year and possibly one of my top ten books of the year. I've not read `Little Face' therefore I have no preconceptions of this writer's style. If it's as good as this I'll wait until I have company thank you very much! I did partially struggle with the how Sophie Hannah had Naomi addressing Robert as `you' as this made the reading somewhat challenging. However, when the plot runs away from about Chapter 9, I was able to switch off from this. We are introduced to quite a few characters over the space of the novel but the main one is Naomi Jenkins. Having suffered a traumatic experience (and I mean traumatic, it is quite horrific) three years ago, she hasn't really got over it in my opinion. Having never told anyone she decides to describe it in detail when her married lover, Robert Haworth goes missing. She figures that by saying Robert committed the crime in question against her the police will take her concerns seriously, as opposed to presenting herself as a jealous mistress. I've not carried out any research into this book so I don't know how Sophie Hannah has been able to write with such clarity but my goodness it is disturbing and gripping. You will like Naomi one minute and despise her next; then there comes along her flat mate, the detective and other characters. Be prepared for one huge rollercoaster. Cancel your plans and turn on the fire; this is a read you need to be ready for.

[eleanor_eader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is one of those satisfying books that begin by seeming to be pedestrian, with nasty events overwritten for predictable schlock value, and then unfolds into a deeply layered and involving story, complete with theme and a title that does more than apply two attention-grabbing buzz-words from within the text to the front cover. Characters that threatened to be cardboard stereotypes revealed themselves as disturbing and compelling, relationships that could have died on the page proved scratchy and irresistible, the plot twisted like a hurt thing, and a book that I could easily have put down within the first thirty pages became one that I will probably re-read, just to be sure I picked up on all the elements that were there to be noticed. Not as immediately engrossing as ‘Little Face’, but more rewarding; Hannah does credit to hard themes, disturbing the reader by turns subtly, and in-your-face, without overdoing either.