Hard Light, Elizabeth Hand
Hard Light, Elizabeth Hand
List: $19.95 | Sale: $13.97
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Hard Light
A Cass Neary Crime Novel

Author: Elizabeth Hand

Narrator: Carol Monda

Unabridged: 10 hr

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/19/2016

Synopsis

As her passionately devoted fans know, Elizabeth Hand is a uniquely gifted storyteller. Readers were introduced to her iconoclastic crime novels, featuring offbeat photographer Cass Neary, in the underground classic Generation Loss, which was followed by the brilliant Available Dark. In Hard Light, the third book in the series, Cass makes a remarkable discovery that could change our understanding of human history—if she lives long enough to share it.As the story opens, Cass arrives in London where she’s arranged to meet her long-lost lover, Quinn O’Boyle. When Quinn fails to show at their rendezvous point, Cass meets the eccentric couple Mallo and Morven Dunfries. When Mallo catches Cass rifling his medicine cabinet in search of drugs, he threatens to turn her in to the authorities, then puts her to work as a runner for his illegal goods. Cass makes a delivery to Poppy Teasel, a famous singer from long ago. Cass leaves Poppy’s flat but returns a short time later to find the place ransacked and Poppy dead. Fearful she’ll become the next victim, Cass goes on the run.

About Elizabeth Hand

Elizabeth Hand is the author of more than nineteen cross-genre novels and collections of short fiction. Her work has received the Shirley Jackson Award three times, the World Fantasy Award four times, and the Nebula Award twice, as well as the James M. Tiptree Jr. and Mythopoeic Society awards.

About Carol Monda

Carol Monda is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and accomplished voice-over artist. She is also an award-winning actor known for her work in Out of Season, After You Left, and The Gentlemen.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Jennifer on January 01, 2021

With a voice resonant of Humphrey Bogart, Cass Neary continues her adventures in London. Here, rather than murder with music and photography, we have murder with film and artifacts. I don’t usually read two books in a series one after another like this, I’m more likely to leave years in between. And......more

Goodreads review by aPriL does feral sometimes on May 31, 2021

In the first two books in the Cass Neary mystery series, 40-ish year old Cass preferred to live a life blurred by staggering amounts of drugs and alcohol. Such heavy addictions predictably meant she was involved with the most utterly depraved and insane people who normally inhabit the lower rungs of......more

Goodreads review by Paul on December 27, 2015

Goddamn brilliant book. 2016 will be hard pressed to publish a book that is as smart, thrilling, dark, and thought-provoking as Cass Neary's descent into the under-underbelly of British photography and avant garde art.......more

Goodreads review by Jack on August 09, 2016

Elizabeth Hand just keeps getting better and better, and Hard Light is powerful evidence of her mastery in the noir field. The third novel about Cassandra Neary--after the groundbreaking Generation Loss and the edgy Available Dark--Hard Light brings Cass to England, where she immediately falls into......more

Goodreads review by Ellis on June 13, 2019

I did not particularly care for Cass Neary in Generation Loss, to the point where I audibly groaned when I opened this & realized I'd somehow picked up another book about her, but I pressed on and found myself not too terribly disappointed in the end. I find it ridiculous when characters drink const......more

Quotes

“In Hard Light, Hand has created another fascinating puzzle—and another instant classic.” Jeff Vandermeer, New York Times bestselling author

“There’s intelligence and style [and] Cass’ voice, as deep as a dungeon and as dark as a grave, is addictive.” New York Times Book Review

“Part of [this novel’s] power derives from the sheer exuberant strangeness of Hand’s storytelling…The spooky finale of Hard Light leads readers deep into a macabre murder scene—courtesy of Edgar Allan Poe—that holds clues to the beginning of the art of photography itself. It’s a bravura ending that both lays some questions to rest and exhumes even more.” Washington Post

“The imagery is dark and intense, pushing readers to the edge of their comfort level, and it’s not for the faint of heart. Despite Cass’ drug and alcohol addictions, she has a brilliant mind, and her immense knowledge of art history catches readers by surprise…Fans will be longing for the next installment of this dangerous and warped story.” RT Book Reviews (4 stars)

“This great adventure story starring a troubled but intriguing protagonist will please Cass fans, those who like their kick-ass heroines north of 22, and readers who fancy a walk on the wild side.” Library Journal (starred review)

“Cass conveys an expert’s knowledge of the 1970s East Village punk scene, Iron Age rituals, Paleolithic icons, and the intricacies of photography and film noir…Gripping.” Publishers Weekly

“[A] gripping urban suspense novel…One of the strengths of Hand’s mystery is her incredible rendering of the dark side of London…The other great strength is Cass herself…[who] still maintains a sense of compassion that elevates the mystery and increases its resonance.” Kirkus Reviews

“Elizabeth Hand writes like an angel, and Carol Monda has a beautiful cello-like voice, used with impressive skill here…Monda’s supple performance finds the emotional truth in every scene and makes you feel it. AudioFile

“Hard Light is noir at it’s very best…This novel will haunt your dreams.” Cara Hoffman, author of So Much Pretty

“An addictive novel that brings the sordid glories of the seventies’ arts scene into the hard light of today.” Keith Donahue, author of The Boy Who Drew Monsters

Awards

  • Library Journal Editor’s Pick
  • Slate Magazine Pick
  • Bram Stoker Award
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