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Matthew Hall
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The Coroner (Coroner Jenny Cooper Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Matthew Hall (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 1,978 ratings

Now a major television series on All4 and CBC, The Coroner is the first gripping installment in Matthew Hall's twice CWA Gold Dagger nominated Coroner Jenny Cooper series.

Death is her living . . .

When lawyer Jenny Cooper is appointed Severn Vale District Coroner, she’s hoping for a quiet life and space to recover from a traumatic divorce, but the office she inherits from the recently deceased Harry Marshall contains neglected files hiding dark secrets and a trail of buried evidence.

Could the tragic death in custody of a young boy be linked to the apparent suicide of a teenage prostitute and the fate of Marshall himself? Jenny’s curiosity is aroused. Why was Marshall behaving so strangely before he died? What injustice was he planning to uncover? And what caused his abrupt change of heart?

In the face of powerful and sinister forces determined to keep both the truth hidden and the troublesome coroner in check, Jenny embarks on a lonely and dangerous one-woman crusade for justice which threatens not only her career but also her sanity.

The Coroner is followed by the second book in the Coroner Jenny Cooper series, The Disappeared.

The Jenny Cooper novels have been adapted into a hit TV series, Coroner, made for All4, CBC and NBC Universal starring Serinda Swan and Roger Cross.

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  1. Book 1 of 7
    Coroner Jenny Cooper Series
  2. Print length
    366 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Pan
  5. Accessibility
    Learn more
  6. Publication date
    9 Jan. 2009
  7. Reading age
    18 years and up
  8. File size
    665 KB
  9. Page Flip
    Enabled
  10. Word Wise
    Enabled
  11. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Shop this series

 See full series
There are 7 books in this series.

Product description

Amazon Review

Many are the debuts in the crime fiction field that create a brief flurry of interest then sink without trace. It’s a fairly safe bet, however, that MR Hall’s The Coroner won’t suffer that fate – this is a fresh and original piece of work that is already gleaning a fair measure of praise. Hall has worked extensively in television on such successful series as Judge John Deed, Kavanagh QC and Dalziel and Pascoe, and the expertise gained there is parleyed into very impressive results here.

The beleaguered heroine, Jenny Cooper, is not in the best of shape. She has been recently divorced, and has suffered a nervous breakdown. But Jenny is hoping that her new job – Coroner for the Severn Vale -- will get her life back on an even keel. Living on a desperate diet of anti-depressants and downers, she finds herself involved in looking into something worrying: the deaths of several teenagers at local detention centres. Has her predecessor neglected some crucial information in this area? As Jenny digs deeper, she encounters a solid wall of bureaucratic resistance. But however screwed up her own life is, Jenny is not going to give up on the uphill task she’s set herself.

We have, of course, encountered the troubled, damaged protagonist before, many times – both in male and female form. But such is M R Hall’s skill that even in this over-familiar territory, cliché is kept firmly at bay. Hall has experience of the world of the coroner, and that gives the book (the first in a series) a pithy verisimilitude. But so compelling is the narrative voice in The Coroner, that readers will be keen to enter the messy, conflicted world of Jenny Cooper again. --Barry Forshaw

Review

'An outstandingly interesting first novel.'
-- Jessica Mann, The Literary Review

'M R Hall has created a wonderful heroine in a genre we haven't seen before.'
-- Lynda La Plante

'Big, well-executed debut novel...meaty characters and a chewy plot in the Lynda La Plante style'
-- Laura Wilson, The Guardian

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B003GK220M
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pan
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 9 Jan. 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 665 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 366 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780230709843
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0230739093
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 7 ‏ : ‎ Coroner Jenny Cooper Series
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Customer reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 1,978 ratings

About the author

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Matthew Hall

Matthew Hall

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Matthew Hall is novelist and multi-award winning screenwriter. He was educated at Hereford Cathedral School and Worcester College, Oxford, where he graduated in law.

He has written over 60 hours of prime-time drama and in 2018 won a BAFTA for his most recent hit series, Keeping Faith (BBC1/S4C).

He has written 7 novels and a novella in his Jenny Cooper Coroner series. The Coroner and The Flight were both shortlisted for the Crime Writer's Association Gold Dagger.

The Jenny Cooper novels have been adapted for television by the Toronto-based Back Alley Films. The series was CBC's highest ranking show of 2019 and Universal UK TV's highest ranking new drama release. 'Coroner' is distributed internationally by Cineflix/NBC Universal.

Seasons 1 and 2 premier in the US on The CW from August 2020.

He lives in Herefordshire with his wife Patricia Carswell and they have two sons.

Find out more at www.matthewhallbooks.com

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
1,978 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a good light holiday read with sufficient twists and turns to keep them interested throughout. Moreover, the writing style is easy to read, and customers appreciate its well-researched content and excellent insight. However, the pacing receives mixed reviews, with some finding it well-paced while others describe it as turgid. Additionally, customers disagree on the believability of the characters.

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ReadabilityPlotWriting styleSeries qualityInsightPage turnerBelievable charactersPacing
167 customers mention ‘Readability’158 positive9 negative

Customers find the book engaging and worth their time, describing it as a good light holiday read, with one customer noting it's a reasonably enticing page-turner.

"Excellent read" Read more

"...it or not but decided that given the low cost it was probably worth the risk...." Read more

"...I loved this book and will read my way through the series, hoping to discover the cause of Jenny's panic attacks and see her kick the temazepam..." Read more

"...I actually enjoyed the book and found it difficult to put down once the story was under way...." Read more

115 customers mention ‘Plot’107 positive8 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, describing it as a great crime drama with sufficient twists and turns to keep readers interested throughout.

"...The other great aspect of this account is it is seen from a fresh and original perspective that of a Coroner seeking facts in the mystery and..." Read more

"...in the way of 'action' as in the usual crime stories, the plot kept me on tenterhooks right the way through...." Read more

"This was a pretty good story in itself but with way too many errors in it for a paid-for book. I wasn't impressed in the least...." Read more

"...I absolutely loved the epilogue it is so nice to have an author wrap everything up as the author has in this book - too often they leave it open to..." Read more

48 customers mention ‘Writing style’39 positive9 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to read, with several mentioning they could finish it in one sitting.

"...M R Hall writes very well and carries you effortlessly into this less familiar world...." Read more

"...entails so it was good to have it explained in such an easy to understand interesting manner...." Read more

"...The main characters were convincing and well drawn - although if temazepam was a trade name I guess the author would get extra payment for product..." Read more

"...that Jenny gets a grip on her pill intake! This is a very well written account of a woman trying to get her life back together after a divorce..." Read more

18 customers mention ‘Series quality’18 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the series, with one noting that it gets better with each new book, and another mentioning that it's as good as the TV adaptation.

"...The best aspect of this book is it is the first of an established series which bodes well for the reader who continues to share the fall and rise of..." Read more

"...All in all a good book, encouraged me to read the series and I would like to see more to see how things develop...." Read more

"...those related to her son - however the book has the makings of a good series and I look forward to reading this author again." Read more

"I love the TV series, so thought I’d give the books a go, I am absolutely hooked...." Read more

15 customers mention ‘Insight’15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's well-researched content, with one customer highlighting its detailed forensic information and another noting its realistic portrayal of complex cases.

"...it is the most gripping book I have ever read but it is certainly educational...." Read more

"Although I agree with the 5* reviewers in that the book is credible, story line gripping, refreshingly English and a real page turner, I am finding..." Read more

"...Nice way to gain information. I am caertainly going to purchase the follow-up stories." Read more

"...A good insight into the legal issues with not only the criminal story running but also Jenny's personal life under scrutiny...a good read." Read more

9 customers mention ‘Page turner’9 positive0 negative

Customers describe the book as a real page turner.

"...Credulity-straining and melodramatic though it might be, it is a page turner and I did enjoy it in a slightly masochistic sort of way...." Read more

"...book is credible, story line gripping, refreshingly English and a real page turner, I am finding it, as a pharmacist, very aggravating! 1...." Read more

"...of corruption and a bit of kick start to her love life make it a real page turner...." Read more

"...MR Hall is a great writer, and the book is a real page turner, I have now bought the entire series, and I’m on to book 3, they are really good." Read more

63 customers mention ‘Believable characters’44 positive19 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the characters in the book, with some finding them believable and interesting to get to know, while others find the central character vile.

"...examination of her character and flawed nature means we have a wonderful female lead to drive the story which is always interesting and at times..." Read more

"...The main characters were convincing and well drawn - although if temazepam was a trade name I guess the author would get extra payment for product..." Read more

"I enjoyed the book, a bit obvious and quite a few cliched characters. However M R Hall is supposed to be British, isn't he?..." Read more

"...Excellent novel, great characters ... Need to find out why Jenny has a missing year of childhood memories!" Read more

16 customers mention ‘Pacing’8 positive8 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it well-paced while others describe it as turgid and marred by errors.

"...The story was fast paced and Jenny's character well formed and believable...." Read more

"This was a pretty good story in itself but with way too many errors in it for a paid-for book. I wasn't impressed in the least...." Read more

"...A cleverly written fast moving book which kept me totally engrossed." Read more

"...Slow going to start and with her welsh home bits but enough to make me download the second and keep reading. You will not be disappointed." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Blue and white
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant...I was hooked from the beginning.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 April 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Well, I never knew a Coroner's profession was so demanding, and that they wielded so much power.
    This book is certainly different to the normal crime books I read, and I must say I am well hooked, and I will definitely be reading all the others in this series. Although there was little in the way of 'action' as in the usual crime stories, the plot kept me on tenterhooks right the way through. The prologue at the end giving the details of charges made and any other points relating to the case, cleared up any queries.
    Jenny Cooper herself comes across as a teense bit flaky with a boorish self centred ex-husband trying to wear down her confidence. I'm sure though, if any normal person took as many tablets as she does, they'd be comatose before they reached their mid morning coffee break!. She certainly knows her stuff though, and keeps going at it until she gets the result she wants.
    The TV series which I enjoyed immensely, was a lot lighter in content than this book, which really gets to the nitty gritty of a Coroner's working life. I hope the others in the series are as good as this one.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Addicted to books
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good first book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 June 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This book had mixed reviews so was a bit undecided whether to order it or not but decided that given the low cost it was probably worth the risk. I cant say with all honesty that it is the most gripping book I have ever read but it is certainly educational. At 55 years old I have never given much thought to what a Coroner's job entails so it was good to have it explained in such an easy to understand interesting manner. The book covers many topics including Jenny's struggle with mental health problems. Some reviewers described her as a 'flawed character' 'pill popping main character' was another but I disagree with both what I gleaned from the book is that Jenny was dealt a rough hand in ending up tied to a controlling manipulating philanderer which ended up being detrimental to her physical and mental well being. Those of us who have been in similar situations can relate to her struggle to find 'herself' and prove to herself and her critics that she could become a successful Coroner. It is to her credit that she managed this against all the odds and saw justice done and brought closure to bereaved parents. I absolutely loved the epilogue it is so nice to have an author wrap everything up as the author has in this book - too often they leave it open to provide book clubs with discussion topics not being a 'book club' person I find this a little bit annoying

    I have given this book 4 stars as there were a few typos/misprints etc which marred it just a little and I also want to save something to reward the subsequent books in the series that I will be reading as soon as I have purchased and downloaded them and I cant wait. I am sure M.R.Hall is a name we will be hearing a lot of in the book world.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • maggiefb
    5.0 out of 5 stars justice with temazepam
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 February 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I love fiction which mirrors real life events: in this case the death of 15-year-old Gareth Myatt in a privately run secure training centre in 2004. Before discovering this series I had always imagined a coroner, if I thought about the subject at all, as a serious, respectable 50+ male presiding over his court making earnest judgements. I certainly never envisaged an attractive, neurotic 40- something female with a grass-smoking boyfriend. Of course Jenny doesn't partake herself, though I can't help thinking it might be a more pleasant alternative to all the temazepam and bottles of red wine which fuel her increasingly dangerous investigations.
    On starting her new job as Severn Vale coroner, Jenny Cooper feels duty bound to reopen two cases dealt with by her deceased predecessor: those of Danny Wills, a 14-year-old boy, and 15-year-old Katy Taylor, both of whom had been held in the privately-run Portshead Farm Secure Training Centre - a prison for children. I have always felt uncomfortable about private companies running such places for profit, and Jenny's investigation doesn't cast good light on this fictional one, its staff and government supporters.
    Jenny's doggedness and persistence are impressive - we feel sure she will get to the bottom of this if her opponents don't manage to silence her one way or another. Her personal relationships are interesting: her assistant Alison, helpful Welsh policeman, judgmental ex-husband, gardener/new boyfriend. I can't help feeling sorry for her son Ross, the same age as the young people whose deaths are being looked into, who barely gets a mention as his mum is too busy searching for the truth (and swallowing tranquillisers and wine).
    I loved this book and will read my way through the series, hoping to discover the cause of Jenny's panic attacks and see her kick the temazepam habit for good!
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  • scratchetta
    3.0 out of 5 stars Melodramatic thriller
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 April 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Coroner Jenny Cooper, newly appointed to the post, finds two recent cases dealt with by her late predecessor were not investigated satisfactorily. She smells a rat and sets out to find the truth.

    There follows a series of increasingly melodramatic events which after a while begin to stretch the bounds of credulity. Jenny herself is drinking too much, popping sleeping pills during the day as tranquillisers (not entirely incredible as you can build up tolerance to them), and struggling with the aftermath of her broken marriage and some repressed traumatic event in her childhood. However it's the machinations of those she believes are covering up two murders that require much suspension of disbelief. In the end, of course, the truth is discovered by our brave heroine and all ends well, though not everyone gets the come-uppance they deserve, and some of Jenny's opponents have clearly been lined up to reappear in the next book.

    Credulity-straining and melodramatic though it might be, it is a page turner and I did enjoy it in a slightly masochistic sort of way. A good light holiday read for those who don't mind heaps of OTT melodrama ladled over the plot.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • joy m johnson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
    Reviewed in Australia on 14 June 2024
    Verified Purchase
    First time author for me and what a story, so well worth reading.
    Report
  • Sabyasachi De
    5.0 out of 5 stars ALL DETECTIVE AND SUSPENSE NOVEL FANS...GO FOR IT
    Reviewed in India on 20 January 2017
    Verified Purchase
    GOOD,,,SEEMS THE AUTHOR WAS A DETECTIVE HIMSELF
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Coroner review
    Reviewed in the United States on 31 May 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This was a very good book! Well written with interesting characters!
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  • GJFree
    3.0 out of 5 stars Debut with promise
    Reviewed in Germany on 2 May 2014
    Verified Purchase
    For the first book in a potential series, it's a reasonable start. I found that the story dragged a bit, and Jenny, the coronor, wasn't a very likeable character. But that could change as Jenny becomes more adept at her job and looses her dependance on drugs to get her through the day. She's been through a lot lately - recently divorced, changed jobs, had a breakdown and suffers from panic attacks. She has a lot to deal with .
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars No
    Reviewed in Canada on 5 February 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent book and excellent CBC TV series.
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