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Cloudland
A stunning literary thriller set in rural Vermont from the much praised author of Nightswimmer and Clara's Heart
Once a major reporter for a national newspaper, Catherine Winslow has retreated to the Upper Valley of Vermont to write a household hints column. While out walking during an early spring thaw, Catherine discovers the body of a woman leaning against an apple tree near her house. From the corpse's pink parka, Winslow recognizes her as the latest victim of a serial killer, a woman reported missing weeks before during a blizzard.
When her neighbor, a forensic psychiatrist, is pulled into the investigation, Catherine begins to discover some unexpected connections to the serial murders. One is that the murders might be based on a rare unfinished Wilkie Collins novel that is missing from her personal library. The other is her much younger lover from her failed affair has unexpectedly resurfaced and is trying to maneuver his way back into her affections.
Elegant, haunting and profoundly gripping, Cloudland is an ingenious psychological trap baited with murder, deception and the intricacies of desire.
Once a major reporter for a national newspaper, Catherine Winslow has retreated to the Upper Valley of Vermont to write a household hints column. While out walking during an early spring thaw, Catherine discovers the body of a woman leaning against an apple tree near her house. From the corpse's pink parka, Winslow recognizes her as the latest victim of a serial killer, a woman reported missing weeks before during a blizzard.
When her neighbor, a forensic psychiatrist, is pulled into the investigation, Catherine begins to discover some unexpected connections to the serial murders. One is that the murders might be based on a rare unfinished Wilkie Collins novel that is missing from her personal library. The other is her much younger lover from her failed affair has unexpectedly resurfaced and is trying to maneuver his way back into her affections.
Elegant, haunting and profoundly gripping, Cloudland is an ingenious psychological trap baited with murder, deception and the intricacies of desire.
294 pages, Hardcover
First published April 10, 2012
14 people are currently reading
821 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Olshan
18 books79 followersJoseph Olshan is an award-winning American novelist. His first novel, Clara's Heart, won the Times/Jonathan Cape Young Writers' Competition and went on to be made into a feature film starring Whoopi Goldberg. He is the author of eight novels, the most recent of which, The Conversion, will be published in 2008.
In addition to his novels, he has written extensively for newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times, the New York Times Magazine, The Times (London), The Guardian (London),The Independent (London), The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, the New York Observer, Harpers Bazaar, People magazine and Entertainment Weekly. During the 1990's he was a regular contributor of book reviews to the Wall Street Journal. For six years was a professor of Creative Writing at New York University where he taught both graduate and undergraduate courses.
Joseph Olshan's other novels include Nightswimmer and Vanitas, as well as The Waterline, A Warmer Season, The Sound of Heaven and In Clara's Hands, a sequel to his acclaimed first novel, Clara's Heart.
Joseph Olshan is published in the U.S. by Saint Martin's Press and Berkley Books; and in the United Kingdom by Bloomsbury publishing and Arcadia Books. His work has been translated into sixteen languages.
In addition to his novels, he has written extensively for newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times, the New York Times Magazine, The Times (London), The Guardian (London),The Independent (London), The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, the New York Observer, Harpers Bazaar, People magazine and Entertainment Weekly. During the 1990's he was a regular contributor of book reviews to the Wall Street Journal. For six years was a professor of Creative Writing at New York University where he taught both graduate and undergraduate courses.
Joseph Olshan's other novels include Nightswimmer and Vanitas, as well as The Waterline, A Warmer Season, The Sound of Heaven and In Clara's Hands, a sequel to his acclaimed first novel, Clara's Heart.
Joseph Olshan is published in the U.S. by Saint Martin's Press and Berkley Books; and in the United Kingdom by Bloomsbury publishing and Arcadia Books. His work has been translated into sixteen languages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
May 30, 2012
I'm not sure where the recommendation came from to read this book, but it had a long waiting list at the library, so I expected it to be much better than it was. It all seemed flat to me--characters that didn't really gel, conversations that led nowhere, investigators improbably revealing all aspects of the case to the first person narrator, a pot-bellied pig that lived with the narrator indoors in her house in Vermont (for no particular reason except that a friend of the author apparently had one), the intelligent narrator making stupid decisions against advice, putting herself in jeopardy, descriptions of nature that didn't quite become vivid, and worst of all for a whodunnit, the introduction of important characters in the last 60 pages. If I hadn't wanted to see whodunnit, I don't think I would have stuck it out.
February 11, 2014
Thank you Arcadia!
Catherine Winslow, taking a walk during an early spring thaw, discovers the body of a woman leaning against an apple tree near her house in the Upper Valley of Vermont. From the corpse’s pink parka, Winslow recognizes it as the latest victim of a serial killer, a woman reported missing weeks before during a January blizzard. Once a major reporter for a national newspaper, now a household hints columnist, Catherine is disturbed and galvanized by her discovery and with the help of her neighbor, a forensic psychiatrist, as well as a local detective, starts to research the River Valley murders.
So many years ago I read “Clara’s Heart” and it was an amazing book – made into a very good film starring Whoopi Goldberg which I also enjoyed. Then in the way that happens, I never picked up another novel by the author until now.
Cloudland is a very different kettle of fish – a crime and mystery story – but done with the same lovely style and flow and with a keen eye towards characterisation and ambience. When Catherine discovers a body up on Cloudland – an area where she lives in isolation surrounded as she is by only one or two other households – she finds herself drawn into the search for a serial killer. But all is not as it appears and it is possible that danger is closer to home than she realises.
The most intriguing aspect of this one for me was the setting – Vermont is beautifully described and the community spirit is strong – but as is the way of these things there are a lot of secrets buried beneath the surface. Mr Olshan does a terrific job of giving an underlying sense of unease as we follow Catherine on her journey, learn about her and those around her and discover a heart of darkness.
Do not be mistaken – this is NOT a Serial Killer Thriller – even though there is an aspect of that – this is very much character driven and a tale of human failings. Catherine is a fascinating and compelling character – a lot of the beauty of this one is in her hidden layers, her reality revealed as it is over the course of the book along with the other characters who inhabit her world.
All in all a wonderful novel. A well drawn intriguing mystery alongside some beautiful descriptive prose and sense of place make this a must read.
Happy Reading Folks!
Catherine Winslow, taking a walk during an early spring thaw, discovers the body of a woman leaning against an apple tree near her house in the Upper Valley of Vermont. From the corpse’s pink parka, Winslow recognizes it as the latest victim of a serial killer, a woman reported missing weeks before during a January blizzard. Once a major reporter for a national newspaper, now a household hints columnist, Catherine is disturbed and galvanized by her discovery and with the help of her neighbor, a forensic psychiatrist, as well as a local detective, starts to research the River Valley murders.
So many years ago I read “Clara’s Heart” and it was an amazing book – made into a very good film starring Whoopi Goldberg which I also enjoyed. Then in the way that happens, I never picked up another novel by the author until now.
Cloudland is a very different kettle of fish – a crime and mystery story – but done with the same lovely style and flow and with a keen eye towards characterisation and ambience. When Catherine discovers a body up on Cloudland – an area where she lives in isolation surrounded as she is by only one or two other households – she finds herself drawn into the search for a serial killer. But all is not as it appears and it is possible that danger is closer to home than she realises.
The most intriguing aspect of this one for me was the setting – Vermont is beautifully described and the community spirit is strong – but as is the way of these things there are a lot of secrets buried beneath the surface. Mr Olshan does a terrific job of giving an underlying sense of unease as we follow Catherine on her journey, learn about her and those around her and discover a heart of darkness.
Do not be mistaken – this is NOT a Serial Killer Thriller – even though there is an aspect of that – this is very much character driven and a tale of human failings. Catherine is a fascinating and compelling character – a lot of the beauty of this one is in her hidden layers, her reality revealed as it is over the course of the book along with the other characters who inhabit her world.
All in all a wonderful novel. A well drawn intriguing mystery alongside some beautiful descriptive prose and sense of place make this a must read.
Happy Reading Folks!
September 4, 2016
When I read this book was described as a psychological thriller I was drawn to the story. However, I found it to be more of a traditional who-dun-it. The reader follows the investigation through the narration of Catherine Winslow who writes a household hints column and who, in the book's opening sentence, has discovered a woman's body near her home. The body is only one of a series of women who are believed to be victims of a serial killer. There were quite a few things about this novel that just didn't work for me. Foremost among them was the way Catherine was involved in the investigation. I wanted to like it but sadly it just didn't grab my interest.
I have a couple of other books by Olshan that I still want to read in hopes it is only this story that missed the mark for me.
I have a couple of other books by Olshan that I still want to read in hopes it is only this story that missed the mark for me.
July 9, 2012
This story was set in Vermont which is what attracted me to it. However, there was very little about the state save for a few references to spring mud and winter snow, rolling hills, and a split rail fence. There was nothing much that distinguished the characters as "Yankees" or even as interesting individuals. The story was good enough to keep me reading, but not very believable. I guess after thinking about it, I was quite disappointed.
June 28, 2012
My first exposure to Joseph Olshan was his novel, The Conversion. I heard about that book through a review on NPR in 2008 that used adjectives like “spark” and “glisten.” The review concluded by noting that Olshan in The Conversion created a “world that’s quite fascinating to inhabit.” I read the book and was disappointed in neither the plotting nor the writing.
In 2012, when I saw Olshan’s name on Cloudland I didn’t hesitate to add this work to my reading list. This second work, however, didn’t quite “glisten” for me. The Conversion dealt with a young expatriate writer in Europe (first France, then Italy), chronicling his struggles with art and life. Cloudland was a crime novel set in New England, in the Upper Connecticut River Valley. The primary focus was on the mysteries surrounding the murder of a young woman who appeared to be the latest victim of a serial killer. It was in many ways a traditional “who-done-it” with an array of characters swirling around the victim and the book’s major protagonist.
That protagonist, Catherine Winslow, was female and the novel’s narrator. Her struggles as the story unfolded were diverse, centered on relationships. There was Catherine’s boyfriend, 15 years her junior and with whom she was estranged—maybe. There was her university relationship, severed because her once boyfriend was also her once student—permanently broken apparently. And there was her daughter whose lifestyle impeded their communication—occasionally. And now she had a dead body just down the road that added complexities to her relationships with her neighbors as well as more uncertainty to her life.
All of that could have been molded into a highly engaging plot but somehow the narrator’s voice does not seem authentic enough to carry that task off. In creating his protagonist, Olshan did not seem to quite hit all of the right notes. Catherine Winslow comes off as a bit plastic, mechanical—more caricature than real. There is woodenness to her that undercuts her humanity and in the process the reader’s sympathetic connection.
That is not to say that the work lacks spirit. It just lacks enough spirit to catapult the novel to lasting value. It was a quick and easy read—perfect for the beach or a plane journey--and well-enough written. Indeed, in regard to the writing, there are truly gorgeous sections. Here is one example describing the Vermont landscape in spring:
We went outside and began strolling down the driveway. The mid-May sun was out and New England was weakly warm, a breeze stirring the tall, lanky grasses, the blooming larkspur farther off in the meadows. Spring cranks itself out in fits and starts in Vermont, and the desolate brown arduously trades itself in for greening weeks after New York and Boston and even Portland, Maine. That day, on the surrounding hillsides, the trees were mostly budded, but the leaves were still that light electric green that set the darker, coniferous trees in relief. My lilacs were just barely blooming, the apple trees decked out in luxurious boas of white and pink flowers, beset by loops of honeybees, the air graced with the sweet smell of pollen. (p. 75)
Olshan captures a Vermont May with certainty. Overall, however, and particularly in terms of character development, Cloudland simply did not “spark.” There is not here a world that the reader will want to inhabit as was the case with the rarefied world of The Conversion.
In 2012, when I saw Olshan’s name on Cloudland I didn’t hesitate to add this work to my reading list. This second work, however, didn’t quite “glisten” for me. The Conversion dealt with a young expatriate writer in Europe (first France, then Italy), chronicling his struggles with art and life. Cloudland was a crime novel set in New England, in the Upper Connecticut River Valley. The primary focus was on the mysteries surrounding the murder of a young woman who appeared to be the latest victim of a serial killer. It was in many ways a traditional “who-done-it” with an array of characters swirling around the victim and the book’s major protagonist.
That protagonist, Catherine Winslow, was female and the novel’s narrator. Her struggles as the story unfolded were diverse, centered on relationships. There was Catherine’s boyfriend, 15 years her junior and with whom she was estranged—maybe. There was her university relationship, severed because her once boyfriend was also her once student—permanently broken apparently. And there was her daughter whose lifestyle impeded their communication—occasionally. And now she had a dead body just down the road that added complexities to her relationships with her neighbors as well as more uncertainty to her life.
All of that could have been molded into a highly engaging plot but somehow the narrator’s voice does not seem authentic enough to carry that task off. In creating his protagonist, Olshan did not seem to quite hit all of the right notes. Catherine Winslow comes off as a bit plastic, mechanical—more caricature than real. There is woodenness to her that undercuts her humanity and in the process the reader’s sympathetic connection.
That is not to say that the work lacks spirit. It just lacks enough spirit to catapult the novel to lasting value. It was a quick and easy read—perfect for the beach or a plane journey--and well-enough written. Indeed, in regard to the writing, there are truly gorgeous sections. Here is one example describing the Vermont landscape in spring:
We went outside and began strolling down the driveway. The mid-May sun was out and New England was weakly warm, a breeze stirring the tall, lanky grasses, the blooming larkspur farther off in the meadows. Spring cranks itself out in fits and starts in Vermont, and the desolate brown arduously trades itself in for greening weeks after New York and Boston and even Portland, Maine. That day, on the surrounding hillsides, the trees were mostly budded, but the leaves were still that light electric green that set the darker, coniferous trees in relief. My lilacs were just barely blooming, the apple trees decked out in luxurious boas of white and pink flowers, beset by loops of honeybees, the air graced with the sweet smell of pollen. (p. 75)
Olshan captures a Vermont May with certainty. Overall, however, and particularly in terms of character development, Cloudland simply did not “spark.” There is not here a world that the reader will want to inhabit as was the case with the rarefied world of The Conversion.
April 2, 2012
I have always loved thriller/mystery novels but for some reason I have been shying away from them in recent years. When I saw this book listed as a Goodreads giveaway I decided to take a chance on a thriller. I was disappointed in the story, but also enjoyed the suspense so it wasn’t a total loss.
What bothered me most is what I perceive as a lack of reality. The main character, Catherine, was previously a reporter for a major newspaper but hasn’t been in that field for some years. However, her neighbor and the detective assigned to this murder mystery confided in her crime scene secrets and suspect information. I found this highly unlikely in this day – it didn’t appear that she had ever carried a badge professionally and never worked as a detective, just a reporter. I had anticipated her being more of a detective in the story, but instead she just sort of circled those in the investigation and tossed in her unprofessional opinions and observations.
Some of the side plots seemed a bit underdeveloped (for example, her relationship with her daughter) while others seemed overdeveloped (her pet pig that lived inside her house). This was a bit of a turn off. Her history with her ex-boyfriend seemed just…there. Catherine talked a lot about him and their past but it just seemed a bit like page filler for most of the story.
The murder mystery aspect was suspenseful – leaving me guessing until the end at who was the responsible culprit. This aspect saved this novel for me because without it I would have entertained quitting it but instead I kept reading if only to find out whom the murderer was. The writing was decent – not horrible, but the dialog was off for me. I couldn’t put my finger on it exactly but it just didn’t seem realistic.
I think there must be better murder mysteries out there for me to read. This one just fell flat as an overall experience.
What bothered me most is what I perceive as a lack of reality. The main character, Catherine, was previously a reporter for a major newspaper but hasn’t been in that field for some years. However, her neighbor and the detective assigned to this murder mystery confided in her crime scene secrets and suspect information. I found this highly unlikely in this day – it didn’t appear that she had ever carried a badge professionally and never worked as a detective, just a reporter. I had anticipated her being more of a detective in the story, but instead she just sort of circled those in the investigation and tossed in her unprofessional opinions and observations.
Some of the side plots seemed a bit underdeveloped (for example, her relationship with her daughter) while others seemed overdeveloped (her pet pig that lived inside her house). This was a bit of a turn off. Her history with her ex-boyfriend seemed just…there. Catherine talked a lot about him and their past but it just seemed a bit like page filler for most of the story.
The murder mystery aspect was suspenseful – leaving me guessing until the end at who was the responsible culprit. This aspect saved this novel for me because without it I would have entertained quitting it but instead I kept reading if only to find out whom the murderer was. The writing was decent – not horrible, but the dialog was off for me. I couldn’t put my finger on it exactly but it just didn’t seem realistic.
I think there must be better murder mysteries out there for me to read. This one just fell flat as an overall experience.
April 8, 2012
Catherine Winslow is retired. She used to work for a major newspaper as a reporter. Catherine lives on a quiet street on Cloudland. Nothing is supposed to happen there. Well nothing like a dead body of a woman.
Catherine recognizes the woman, once she gets a good look at her. Her name is Angela Parker. She is the latest murder victim. Poor Angela, her body was dumped and not found until the snow started thawing.
Catherine didn’t plan on getting involved in the murder case but she can’t help it. It is her reporter instincts kicking in. She calls on help from her friend, Anthony, a forensic psychiatrist.
I thought that Mr. Olshan did a good job with this book. While, I was expecting more drama in the form of edge of my seat, nail-biting moments, I didn’t get this but I did get more character involvement and development.
I agree with another reader that I did find it took a long time for the story to progress and the killer’s identity to be revealed. It seemed like Mr. Olshan really wanted the reader to connect with the characters as I am sure they will appear again in a future book or series. I would classify this book as more of a classic who-dun-it novel than a gruesome murder mystery thriller. Cloudland is a poetic, mystery read that is filled with intriguing characters!
Catherine recognizes the woman, once she gets a good look at her. Her name is Angela Parker. She is the latest murder victim. Poor Angela, her body was dumped and not found until the snow started thawing.
Catherine didn’t plan on getting involved in the murder case but she can’t help it. It is her reporter instincts kicking in. She calls on help from her friend, Anthony, a forensic psychiatrist.
I thought that Mr. Olshan did a good job with this book. While, I was expecting more drama in the form of edge of my seat, nail-biting moments, I didn’t get this but I did get more character involvement and development.
I agree with another reader that I did find it took a long time for the story to progress and the killer’s identity to be revealed. It seemed like Mr. Olshan really wanted the reader to connect with the characters as I am sure they will appear again in a future book or series. I would classify this book as more of a classic who-dun-it novel than a gruesome murder mystery thriller. Cloudland is a poetic, mystery read that is filled with intriguing characters!
April 25, 2012
Cloudland, a dazzling debut in crime fiction, is set in Vermont’s rural upper Connecticut River valley, a place that is normally safe for its residents. But then the peace is disturbed by a serial killer who murders young women, leaves them by a tree and is very careful to hide all traces of his identity.
Enter Catherine Winslow, CLOUDLAND’S narrator, a divorced woman, former journalist and teacher whose life is falling apart. She has lost her teaching job for having had an affair with a student, her daughter won’t speak to her, and she lives with her dogs and pot-bellied pig. She earns a living as a household hints columnist and teaching writing to prison inmates. One day she sets out for a walk and finds a woman sitting under an apple tree. At first it seems that the woman is enjoying the sunshine. It turns out that she’s dead, and Catherine can’t resist getting caught up in the investigation.
Although this is a mystery novel with quite a few twists and turns, it’s a magnificent character study as well. All of Olshan’s people are consummately well drawn. They leap off the page with their vividness. The novel’s writing is lush and descriptive but not overly so. You can easily read it in a day, or you can savor it the way I did. Highly recommended.
Enter Catherine Winslow, CLOUDLAND’S narrator, a divorced woman, former journalist and teacher whose life is falling apart. She has lost her teaching job for having had an affair with a student, her daughter won’t speak to her, and she lives with her dogs and pot-bellied pig. She earns a living as a household hints columnist and teaching writing to prison inmates. One day she sets out for a walk and finds a woman sitting under an apple tree. At first it seems that the woman is enjoying the sunshine. It turns out that she’s dead, and Catherine can’t resist getting caught up in the investigation.
Although this is a mystery novel with quite a few twists and turns, it’s a magnificent character study as well. All of Olshan’s people are consummately well drawn. They leap off the page with their vividness. The novel’s writing is lush and descriptive but not overly so. You can easily read it in a day, or you can savor it the way I did. Highly recommended.
February 29, 2012
Cloudland by Joseph Olshan is a murder mystery with strong psychological twists and turns. The setting of Vermont (with wee bits of New Hampshire) highlights the rural landscape. The story opens quickly as the main character, Catherine Winslow finds a body while walking up her road. For most people this would have been the end of the story, but not for Catherine. Her neighbor, a forensic psychiatrist as well as other characters in the rural area slowly ramp up her involvement. She begins to recognize too many coincidences as the story webs out and then tightens.
I found the book an easy read that slowly wound itself into my subconscious. I did wonder about who was guilty and who was the red herring. I had many questions and found myself reacting strongly to the violence that Catherine had been exposed to that intertwined with the story.
According to information from Goodreads, this book is based on a true crime story that was never solved - six women murdered by a serial killer in the Connecticut River Valley between Vermont and New Hampshire.
I found the book an easy read that slowly wound itself into my subconscious. I did wonder about who was guilty and who was the red herring. I had many questions and found myself reacting strongly to the violence that Catherine had been exposed to that intertwined with the story.
According to information from Goodreads, this book is based on a true crime story that was never solved - six women murdered by a serial killer in the Connecticut River Valley between Vermont and New Hampshire.
March 12, 2012
3.5 Interesting character based mystery, set in Vermont, a body is found down the road on Cloudland, a street with only three residents. The reader becomes acquainted with a narrow group of suspects, one of which is Catherine, who had been a journalist and teacher. Facts are disclosed about her life and she is a very interesting character, as is her life and the lives of the other characters. They all have great back stories, this is not a wild ride of a mystery but rather a slow unveiling of the people involved. Liked it though and liked the Vermont area it was set in.
November 7, 2015
I struggled with Cloudland. The plot described something that would be right up my alley. The cover is beautiful. Unfortunately, I was left feeling quit disappointed. The main problem was my inability to connect with any of the characters including the main character retired reporter, Catherine Winslow.
I would normally give up on a book that didn’t interest me after one-hundred or so pages, but I stuck with this one because I was at work and didn’t have a back-up book (I know how shameful of me). The plot was flat and about as suspenseful as a turtle taking a nap. Blah!
I would normally give up on a book that didn’t interest me after one-hundred or so pages, but I stuck with this one because I was at work and didn’t have a back-up book (I know how shameful of me). The plot was flat and about as suspenseful as a turtle taking a nap. Blah!
April 2, 2012
Meh. Not literary, not a thriller, not very suspenseful. Wooden characters, stilted dialogue, too many plot lines and backstories, dopey deus ex machina events to move the plot along, and a half-ass ending.
November 22, 2017
This one had such potential and it fell flat, too much soap opera not enough mystery. Nothing felt fully developed and yet it was draggy as can be. Catherine Winslow was once an investigative reporter who ‘retired’ for reasons that were barely clear and now she’s doing home help tips, and is doing well with that. She was also an adjunct teacher who had an affair with a twenty-four year old student, Matthew who was half her age and ended terribly. She finds a frozen woman by a fallen tree with seventh day adventist literature in her pocket (and trees have special meaning for that branch of Christianity). This murder victim matches a pattern of killings.
Catherine, with her reporter past, is kept looped into the investigation by Detective Prozzo and the psychiatrist working up a profile, Anthony, someone she already knows. Together they work on the mystery with a truly interesting link to a rare obscure unfinished mystery by Wilkie Collins. There was an interesting cast of suspects from an old friend of Catherine, a knacker/butcher named Hiram and her old boyfriend, Matthew who had attacked her once (when their affair ended). On top of this we have Catherine’s semi-estranged daughter, Breck (they’re trying to work it out).
If they had kept it to the mystery this could have been so interesting. But no, we have Anthony’s life imploding as his wife leaves, Prozzo’s life’s a mess, Catherine claims she wants to fix things up with her daughter but won’t even visit her and her girlfriend (you get the hint she doesn’t quite approve). There is just far too much of the soap opera especially of Catherine and Matthew who’s romantic overtures were creepy (He shows up while she’s out eating back when he was her student, upsetting her and she goes from that to going to bed with him in the span of five minutes because his ‘persistence was charming.’ Nope, it was weird and gave me cold chills.
The ending was very contrived, infuriating and really ruined any good will I might have felt for Catherine. I might have gone one star higher until this ending. Here’s a spoiler for why (so look away).
******************************
Yeah so spoiler. Matthew strangled Catherine when she broke it off two years ago so badly she has a scarred neck. She still meets with him in spite of the protests of her friends and her daughter. She is utterly crappy and judgmental to her daughter through the whole book. In the end she’s like yeah I know he strangled me (and was accused of hurting another girl) but I love him and I’m going back with him. I cannot respect this glorification of an abusive relationship. If this is not a one off (I think it is) I would never read another with Catherine in it.
Catherine, with her reporter past, is kept looped into the investigation by Detective Prozzo and the psychiatrist working up a profile, Anthony, someone she already knows. Together they work on the mystery with a truly interesting link to a rare obscure unfinished mystery by Wilkie Collins. There was an interesting cast of suspects from an old friend of Catherine, a knacker/butcher named Hiram and her old boyfriend, Matthew who had attacked her once (when their affair ended). On top of this we have Catherine’s semi-estranged daughter, Breck (they’re trying to work it out).
If they had kept it to the mystery this could have been so interesting. But no, we have Anthony’s life imploding as his wife leaves, Prozzo’s life’s a mess, Catherine claims she wants to fix things up with her daughter but won’t even visit her and her girlfriend (you get the hint she doesn’t quite approve). There is just far too much of the soap opera especially of Catherine and Matthew who’s romantic overtures were creepy (He shows up while she’s out eating back when he was her student, upsetting her and she goes from that to going to bed with him in the span of five minutes because his ‘persistence was charming.’ Nope, it was weird and gave me cold chills.
The ending was very contrived, infuriating and really ruined any good will I might have felt for Catherine. I might have gone one star higher until this ending. Here’s a spoiler for why (so look away).
******************************
Yeah so spoiler. Matthew strangled Catherine when she broke it off two years ago so badly she has a scarred neck. She still meets with him in spite of the protests of her friends and her daughter. She is utterly crappy and judgmental to her daughter through the whole book. In the end she’s like yeah I know he strangled me (and was accused of hurting another girl) but I love him and I’m going back with him. I cannot respect this glorification of an abusive relationship. If this is not a one off (I think it is) I would never read another with Catherine in it.
July 18, 2020
I've been a long time fan of Olshan. This wasn't his best work. I found myself much more interested in the lead character than I did in the murder mystery that attempts to drive the novel. Olshan has created a very interesting character in Catherine Winslow who probably deserved a different conflict. She lives out on a desolate road, writes a syndicated column, teaches at the prison, lost her professional teaching job after having an affair with a student, has artsy neighbors, has a couple of dogs and a pot-bellied pig, and she has a lesbian daughter. Throw Catherine into a serial killer mystery that isn't really the main concern of the novel after you've made it about halfway through, and you can forget a surprise whodunnit in the end, and that's basically it. It's almost as if Olshan loved his character so much, but he even got bored with penning a mystery for her. He and Catherine both wanted to go do something else and probably should have.
February 7, 2024
This was a great and short Thriller that really does leave you guessing up to the end. Olshan does a great job and giving multiple flawed characters, all of whom could potentially be the killer. I enjoyed trying to figure it out along with Catherine, although to be honest she's not the most likeable character. Her blase attitude towards her daughter was annoying, and the way she consistently put herself into situations where she was alone with all of the suspects that even she was unsure about, was reckless to say the least. But all in all it was an interesting and fun read and I thought a surprising twist in the end. Read this if you like whodunits and putting together the puzzle with the protagonist.
March 23, 2020
Meh. Like another reviewer said, introducing a major character close to the end, main characters never really fleshed out, it just never grabbed me. I was glad it wasn't longer. The author seems very proud of his ability to use fancy words to describe mundane things.
November 1, 2020
This is an excellent mystery. From the title and the rather bland cover, I didn't know what to expect, but I was very pleasantly surprised by this story. It had a great setting, great characters, and a great plot with a surprise ending. I will read more books by this author!
November 13, 2018
OK, didn't quite hang together in a satisfying way for me, although an interesting mix of characters and ideas.
October 17, 2020
Good, but slow moving until the last quarter. Lovely descriptions of Vermont.
May 5, 2024
The writing is good, but the book drags for the most part, then the ending is rushed.
November 21, 2024
I loved the character development in this book! Part 3 of this book had unwinding twists that left you feeling on the edge!
Recommend this book!
Recommend this book!
April 22, 2012
I received this book in an Advanced Read Copy giveaway at Goodreads.
There seems to be a trend in book descriptions. The word thriller is frequently used, especially in conjunction with mysteries. This book is beautiful and elegant, but definitely not what I consider a thriller. In my opinion, it's more about relationships than it is about murder and mystery. There are more words devoted to relationships than actual murders and solving of murders. The inclusion of a character who is a psychiatrist doesn't ipso facto make a book a psychological thriller or mystery, either.
While taking a walk near her home, Catherine Winslow finds the body of a woman who has been missing for several months. Unfortunately, for all the prose and elegance of the book, you'll finish this mystery knowing more about Catherine's relationship and subsequent breakup with Matthew, a younger man who was her student, than you will about the murder victim or even the murder itself. A phone call to Catherine from the victim's husband felt like a throwaway to me; it was disconnected from the story being told (Catherine and Matthew, really, more than Catherine and the victim). It was like the author was making a rather feeble attempt to give the reader some connection to the victim, but didn't really care that there was a connection.
The pacing of the story is slow, not exactly what I'd expect from a book described as a thriller. The actual investigation of the murder takes a second seat to Catherine's relationships - with Matthew, with her daughter, with her neighbors - and I began to doubt at times that I was even reading a murder mystery. While I didn't guess the actual murderer and motivation before it was revealed, I also didn't find the other suspects believable; hence, not much suspense for me. There are so many words devoted to the relationship of Catherine and Matthew - their affair, their breakup, how Catherine misses Matthew, how Catherine feels about Matthew, Matthew and Catherine, Catherine and Matthew - I felt all the other characters lacked in development and paled in comparison. There was no shocking surprise at the revelation of the killer because the character was barely there. I also felt it was a bit of a cop-out. It would have been more thrilling and psychological if the killer had been one of the more (slightly more) developed characters, someone Catherine knew well.
All in all, an enjoyable read because of the undeniably elegant writing, but not exactly a thriller, at least by my definition. I've rated it a 3 because of the prose but it got downgraded based on not exactly being what the description claims it is, and because of the price. At $11.99 for both the e-book and the hardback, it should be no mystery what I think about the price of this book. Save your money if you're a fan of fast-moving, thrilling mysteries that actually focus on the murder and the mystery. Check it out at the library if you like elegant writing and relationships with a tincture of murder mystery.
There seems to be a trend in book descriptions. The word thriller is frequently used, especially in conjunction with mysteries. This book is beautiful and elegant, but definitely not what I consider a thriller. In my opinion, it's more about relationships than it is about murder and mystery. There are more words devoted to relationships than actual murders and solving of murders. The inclusion of a character who is a psychiatrist doesn't ipso facto make a book a psychological thriller or mystery, either.
While taking a walk near her home, Catherine Winslow finds the body of a woman who has been missing for several months. Unfortunately, for all the prose and elegance of the book, you'll finish this mystery knowing more about Catherine's relationship and subsequent breakup with Matthew, a younger man who was her student, than you will about the murder victim or even the murder itself. A phone call to Catherine from the victim's husband felt like a throwaway to me; it was disconnected from the story being told (Catherine and Matthew, really, more than Catherine and the victim). It was like the author was making a rather feeble attempt to give the reader some connection to the victim, but didn't really care that there was a connection.
The pacing of the story is slow, not exactly what I'd expect from a book described as a thriller. The actual investigation of the murder takes a second seat to Catherine's relationships - with Matthew, with her daughter, with her neighbors - and I began to doubt at times that I was even reading a murder mystery. While I didn't guess the actual murderer and motivation before it was revealed, I also didn't find the other suspects believable; hence, not much suspense for me. There are so many words devoted to the relationship of Catherine and Matthew - their affair, their breakup, how Catherine misses Matthew, how Catherine feels about Matthew, Matthew and Catherine, Catherine and Matthew - I felt all the other characters lacked in development and paled in comparison. There was no shocking surprise at the revelation of the killer because the character was barely there. I also felt it was a bit of a cop-out. It would have been more thrilling and psychological if the killer had been one of the more (slightly more) developed characters, someone Catherine knew well.
All in all, an enjoyable read because of the undeniably elegant writing, but not exactly a thriller, at least by my definition. I've rated it a 3 because of the prose but it got downgraded based on not exactly being what the description claims it is, and because of the price. At $11.99 for both the e-book and the hardback, it should be no mystery what I think about the price of this book. Save your money if you're a fan of fast-moving, thrilling mysteries that actually focus on the murder and the mystery. Check it out at the library if you like elegant writing and relationships with a tincture of murder mystery.
July 22, 2012
I received this as a First Readers giveaway from Goodreads, and was very jazzed about it because I never win anything! I do wish that I could give this a better review though, but quite honestly, I didn't enjoy it at all, though I did manage to finish it.
The main problem with this novel is the narrator, Catherine. I don't know if the author intended for her to be so... thoroughly unlikable, snippy, narcissistic and cold? - but that's how she came across to me from the first few pages on, and I very quickly got irritated with her. I suspect this was more a result of the author possibly not being able to effectively connect with his 'inner tough gal with good heart way waaayyy down there' than an actual desire to create such a thoroughly unpleasant character, because it's a rare author who can pull off writing in the first person as the opposite gender. Most of her dialog is described as ' I snapped,' or snarked, or she even admits a few times, 'I'm sure I sounded snippy.' She's also terribly distant and even cruel with her daughter, who, as her relationship seems to suggest, runs screaming to an older woman in search of the love she never received from her mother. The poor girl's father, whom Catherine was married to a for a number of years, doesn't even get a name in the novel, yet Catherine moons and moans endlessly over her much younger boyfriend, who she treats equally coldly, and it's never really clear why this damaged young man is so enthralled with her in the first place.
Oh, yeah, and the plot - the other problem. Totally implausible. Catherine gets involved in the investigation of possible serial killer because she found a body on her property and her neighbor happens to be the psychologist assigned to the case, who inexplicably tells her all kinds of confidential information, which she promptly blabs to anyone who'll listen. This would maybe *kinda* work if Catherine were a psychologist herself, or even an investigative reporter, but she writes a housekeeping column fer cryin' out loud! How to remove stains from your white shirts is her bag, not serial killers, so her involvement in the case made no sense whatsoever.
I hung in there though just out of curiosity as to who the mystery bad guy killer was, and I really shouldn't have bothered because oy vey - talk about out of left field, and the final paragraph is so ludicrous it actually made me laugh. If this were a first time effort by a debut novelist, I'd be cutting him a little more slack, and hey, better luck next time dude, but this just felt like a lazy writing experiment by an author who clearly seems capable of much better. A definite disappointment and I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. I'm also surprised by how many favorable reviews it has received - did I missing something??
The main problem with this novel is the narrator, Catherine. I don't know if the author intended for her to be so... thoroughly unlikable, snippy, narcissistic and cold? - but that's how she came across to me from the first few pages on, and I very quickly got irritated with her. I suspect this was more a result of the author possibly not being able to effectively connect with his 'inner tough gal with good heart way waaayyy down there' than an actual desire to create such a thoroughly unpleasant character, because it's a rare author who can pull off writing in the first person as the opposite gender. Most of her dialog is described as ' I snapped,' or snarked, or she even admits a few times, 'I'm sure I sounded snippy.' She's also terribly distant and even cruel with her daughter, who, as her relationship seems to suggest, runs screaming to an older woman in search of the love she never received from her mother. The poor girl's father, whom Catherine was married to a for a number of years, doesn't even get a name in the novel, yet Catherine moons and moans endlessly over her much younger boyfriend, who she treats equally coldly, and it's never really clear why this damaged young man is so enthralled with her in the first place.
Oh, yeah, and the plot - the other problem. Totally implausible. Catherine gets involved in the investigation of possible serial killer because she found a body on her property and her neighbor happens to be the psychologist assigned to the case, who inexplicably tells her all kinds of confidential information, which she promptly blabs to anyone who'll listen. This would maybe *kinda* work if Catherine were a psychologist herself, or even an investigative reporter, but she writes a housekeeping column fer cryin' out loud! How to remove stains from your white shirts is her bag, not serial killers, so her involvement in the case made no sense whatsoever.
I hung in there though just out of curiosity as to who the mystery bad guy killer was, and I really shouldn't have bothered because oy vey - talk about out of left field, and the final paragraph is so ludicrous it actually made me laugh. If this were a first time effort by a debut novelist, I'd be cutting him a little more slack, and hey, better luck next time dude, but this just felt like a lazy writing experiment by an author who clearly seems capable of much better. A definite disappointment and I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. I'm also surprised by how many favorable reviews it has received - did I missing something??
February 24, 2014
Cloudland is a thriller/mystery novel set in rural Vermont which centres on Catherine Winslow previously a reporter for major newspaper now living in a remote location and who writes a household hints column for a magazine. Out walking one morning during an early spring thaw she discovers a body of a woman leaning against an apple tree. The woman appears to be the latest victim of a serial killer who was reported missing some weeks earlier during a blizzard. Catherine discovers the killer appears to be modelling his murders on a rare unfinished Wilkie Collins novel a copy of which she has and finds is missing from her library. With the help of her neighbour a forensic scientist and a local detective she starts to research the River Valley murders.
Although well written with beautifully descriptive passages of Vermont and New England scenery I felt that this fell short on reality. I could not really accept that Catherine Winslow would be confided in and included in the process of police investigations given that she had no real criminal experience or expertise outside her job as a reporter some years previously. I couldn’t accept her recklessness in deliberately putting herself at risk despite advice not to, I couldn’t connect with her she seemed flat and not a good fit for a central character. There was something missing for me in this novel, it was good on suspense but just didn’t deliver on so many levels with underdeveloped characters, unanswered questions and an unfinished ending in so much as it was not made clear if the person was the serial killer or not. Then there were little things that I felt annoying and a distraction such as the pig she has living in the house – a bit off putting really and added no value to the storyline. Her character was confused, she was presented as an intelligent woman and yet she appeared to make silly decisions that put her in jeopardy.
Difficult to rate really as some of the descriptive writing was so beautiful but the plot and delivery were lacking in realism. I am glad I persevered with this and read it to the end but felt a bit cheated in the outcome so therefore could only give this a 3 star rating. I am not sure if I would read another novel by this author based on Cloudland.
Although well written with beautifully descriptive passages of Vermont and New England scenery I felt that this fell short on reality. I could not really accept that Catherine Winslow would be confided in and included in the process of police investigations given that she had no real criminal experience or expertise outside her job as a reporter some years previously. I couldn’t accept her recklessness in deliberately putting herself at risk despite advice not to, I couldn’t connect with her she seemed flat and not a good fit for a central character. There was something missing for me in this novel, it was good on suspense but just didn’t deliver on so many levels with underdeveloped characters, unanswered questions and an unfinished ending in so much as it was not made clear if the person was the serial killer or not. Then there were little things that I felt annoying and a distraction such as the pig she has living in the house – a bit off putting really and added no value to the storyline. Her character was confused, she was presented as an intelligent woman and yet she appeared to make silly decisions that put her in jeopardy.
Difficult to rate really as some of the descriptive writing was so beautiful but the plot and delivery were lacking in realism. I am glad I persevered with this and read it to the end but felt a bit cheated in the outcome so therefore could only give this a 3 star rating. I am not sure if I would read another novel by this author based on Cloudland.
November 29, 2013
VERMONT - when the snows recede......
Cloudland is a 'crime' novel – and that is probably its least satisfactory contribution. The plot seems contrived as detective Marco Prozzo turns from one suspect to another throughout the book, and the denouement is truly unexpected and unforeseen – largely I suspect because Olshan wants to shock us with an unpredictable conclusion. I prefer a book where the reader has the opportunity to work out the ending from implanted clues as the story goes along. Cloudland is not that book (or perhaps I’m just not clever enough…)
That said, the book is truly an excellent read. It is a beautifully written piece on the impact a serial killer has on an isolated rural Vermont community. It is told through the first person narrative of Catherine Winslow – an investigative journalist turned syndicated writer of a household hints column. She and her neighbour, forensic psychiatrist Anthony Waite, work together – and with the police – to solve the crimes. Justifiable suspicions are aroused about several of their close knit community – and about a former student / lover of Catherine’s. All have different reasons for lying about their whereabouts during the time the last murder was committed. The drawing of the characters and the involvement we feel with each of them is the work of a master…
As are the descriptions of Vermont and its countryside. The book starts as the snows are melting, and ends up as they come again. The detailed descriptions of intervening floral and plant life of the State are quite remarkable and well observed – we feel absolutely drawn into the environment of the book. We are sensitive to the raw cold of winter and the stifling heat of summer. I feel I now know what this part of Vermont is about – true praise for the author. I would recognise it if I visited…
So, as a crime novel, I felt ‘Cloudland’ was lacking. But as a finely observed work of a small community and the habitat in which it lives, it is anything but. This is where it really comes up trumps!
Cloudland is a 'crime' novel – and that is probably its least satisfactory contribution. The plot seems contrived as detective Marco Prozzo turns from one suspect to another throughout the book, and the denouement is truly unexpected and unforeseen – largely I suspect because Olshan wants to shock us with an unpredictable conclusion. I prefer a book where the reader has the opportunity to work out the ending from implanted clues as the story goes along. Cloudland is not that book (or perhaps I’m just not clever enough…)
That said, the book is truly an excellent read. It is a beautifully written piece on the impact a serial killer has on an isolated rural Vermont community. It is told through the first person narrative of Catherine Winslow – an investigative journalist turned syndicated writer of a household hints column. She and her neighbour, forensic psychiatrist Anthony Waite, work together – and with the police – to solve the crimes. Justifiable suspicions are aroused about several of their close knit community – and about a former student / lover of Catherine’s. All have different reasons for lying about their whereabouts during the time the last murder was committed. The drawing of the characters and the involvement we feel with each of them is the work of a master…
As are the descriptions of Vermont and its countryside. The book starts as the snows are melting, and ends up as they come again. The detailed descriptions of intervening floral and plant life of the State are quite remarkable and well observed – we feel absolutely drawn into the environment of the book. We are sensitive to the raw cold of winter and the stifling heat of summer. I feel I now know what this part of Vermont is about – true praise for the author. I would recognise it if I visited…
So, as a crime novel, I felt ‘Cloudland’ was lacking. But as a finely observed work of a small community and the habitat in which it lives, it is anything but. This is where it really comes up trumps!
August 25, 2015
Ah, spring (almost summer!)! Put away your cat sweaters, hike, bike‚ and let the bodies be revealed by snowmelt: And to think that each time I went for a walk I had passed within fifteen yards of this mother of two lying in a vault of snow that would entomb her for the rest of January and February and most of March. Awfuler: the murderer staged the victim to appear gradually like a budding flower. Unfortunately, this great, gruesome start leads nowhere. Readers get all the superfluous details of narrato Add Mediar Catherine Winslow’s small-time, S-L-O-W life on the titular Cloudland Road in Hartland, VT. Catherine ain’t no V.I. Warshawsky; she’s an ex-investigative journalist (she slept with Bob Woodward!) who owns an indoor potbelly pig and has a maddening penchant for pastoral blather: The forest had a sharp aroma of spring earth, and wildflowers were burgeoning‚ purple wood violets, Dutchman’s breeches, trillium and hepaticas. Trillium?* And good luck at keeping the male characters straight. There’s a painter, his son, her attacker, some gay guy…maybe these are all the same person. The final nail in the coffin is that the murders are based on an obscure Wilkie Collins book, The Widower’s Branch. Let me state for the record that Wilkie Collins sucks. And while I like occasional big words, amanuensis (some kind of assistant) and the like deliberately provoke impatience.cloudland
*In case you want more: Cloudland Road is flanked on either side by tall oaks that in the summer cast a lovely drape of cooling shade. Wide-open meadows and pastures gently undulate as they stretch far back to forest, the land itself slowly rising to and elevation of 1,900 feet, and opening to a view of the Green Mountains that to the north are framed by Mount Ascutney.
Find reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.
*In case you want more: Cloudland Road is flanked on either side by tall oaks that in the summer cast a lovely drape of cooling shade. Wide-open meadows and pastures gently undulate as they stretch far back to forest, the land itself slowly rising to and elevation of 1,900 feet, and opening to a view of the Green Mountains that to the north are framed by Mount Ascutney.
Find reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.
March 29, 2012
This is a free book from goodreads-first-reads.
"A stunning literary thriller set in rural Vermont from the much praised author of Nightswimmer and Clara's Heart
Once a major reporter for a national newspaper, Catherine Winslow has retreated to the Upper Valley of Vermont to write a household hints column. While out walking during an early spring thaw, Catherine discovers the body of a woman leaning against an apple tree near her house. From the corpse’s pink parka, Winslow recognizes her as the latest victim of a serial killer, a woman reported missing weeks before during a blizzard.
When her neighbor, a forensic psychiatrist, is pulled into the investigation, Catherine begins to discover some unexpected connections to the serial murders. One is that the murders might be based on a rare unfinished Wilkie Collins novel that is missing from her personal library. The other is her much younger lover from her failed affair has unexpectedly resurfaced and is trying to maneuver his way back into her affections.
Elegant, haunting and profoundly gripping, Cloudland is an ingenious psychological trap baited with murder, deception and the intricacies of desire."
I really enjoyed reading Cloudland by Joseph Olshan. I was intrigued by the synopsis and couldn't wait for the book to arrive so that I could start reading.
Joseph Olshan had me hooked with the first paragraph and I loved the descriptions of rural Vermont and surrounding area. Felt like I was actually there inhaling the fresh air.
Not sure that I would have called it a thriller...not enough adrenaline rushing moments for me. More of a mystery/whodunit.
It was an easy read. Not an overwhelming amount of characters which was nice.
I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author. I gave Cloudland a strong 4 out of 5 stars.
"A stunning literary thriller set in rural Vermont from the much praised author of Nightswimmer and Clara's Heart
Once a major reporter for a national newspaper, Catherine Winslow has retreated to the Upper Valley of Vermont to write a household hints column. While out walking during an early spring thaw, Catherine discovers the body of a woman leaning against an apple tree near her house. From the corpse’s pink parka, Winslow recognizes her as the latest victim of a serial killer, a woman reported missing weeks before during a blizzard.
When her neighbor, a forensic psychiatrist, is pulled into the investigation, Catherine begins to discover some unexpected connections to the serial murders. One is that the murders might be based on a rare unfinished Wilkie Collins novel that is missing from her personal library. The other is her much younger lover from her failed affair has unexpectedly resurfaced and is trying to maneuver his way back into her affections.
Elegant, haunting and profoundly gripping, Cloudland is an ingenious psychological trap baited with murder, deception and the intricacies of desire."
I really enjoyed reading Cloudland by Joseph Olshan. I was intrigued by the synopsis and couldn't wait for the book to arrive so that I could start reading.
Joseph Olshan had me hooked with the first paragraph and I loved the descriptions of rural Vermont and surrounding area. Felt like I was actually there inhaling the fresh air.
Not sure that I would have called it a thriller...not enough adrenaline rushing moments for me. More of a mystery/whodunit.
It was an easy read. Not an overwhelming amount of characters which was nice.
I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author. I gave Cloudland a strong 4 out of 5 stars.
September 7, 2016
Cloudland. Think snow instead of clouds. Think murky… unclear.
After an arduous Vermont winter, Catherine Winslow decides to get some fresh air and goes for a walk along her rural Cloudland road. She finds an incongruous spot of colour amidst the white snow patches and dark areas of spring melt. When she investigates she realizes that she has just discovered the body of a woman who has been missing for months. It was assumed that the woman was the victim of a serial killer - as other woman had met similar fates.
Catherine, once an esteemed reporter is now semi-retired and works from home writing a household hints column. The investigative reporter part of her is not completely dormant however and the facts of this case pique her interest, particularly after some of her neighbours become involved in the case, either as advisors to the police or… as suspects. A true bibliophile, Catherine recognizes some of the facts of the case seem to mirror those contained in a rare, unfinished novel by the famous novelist Wilkie Collins. A book that Catherine owns but seems to be missing…
“Cloudland” is the first novel I have read by Joseph Olshan. I particularly enjoyed the sense of place that the novel evoked. I was intrigued by Catherine’s character and found her to be likeable, intelligent, and quite gutsy. The fact that she loved books was appealing to me. Some levity was added to the plot by the addition of Catherine’s two dogs and pet house-pig, Henrietta.
The story was fast-paced and kept me interested. And no… I didn’t guess ‘who dun it’.
A great read for cold winter’s nights...
After an arduous Vermont winter, Catherine Winslow decides to get some fresh air and goes for a walk along her rural Cloudland road. She finds an incongruous spot of colour amidst the white snow patches and dark areas of spring melt. When she investigates she realizes that she has just discovered the body of a woman who has been missing for months. It was assumed that the woman was the victim of a serial killer - as other woman had met similar fates.
Catherine, once an esteemed reporter is now semi-retired and works from home writing a household hints column. The investigative reporter part of her is not completely dormant however and the facts of this case pique her interest, particularly after some of her neighbours become involved in the case, either as advisors to the police or… as suspects. A true bibliophile, Catherine recognizes some of the facts of the case seem to mirror those contained in a rare, unfinished novel by the famous novelist Wilkie Collins. A book that Catherine owns but seems to be missing…
“Cloudland” is the first novel I have read by Joseph Olshan. I particularly enjoyed the sense of place that the novel evoked. I was intrigued by Catherine’s character and found her to be likeable, intelligent, and quite gutsy. The fact that she loved books was appealing to me. Some levity was added to the plot by the addition of Catherine’s two dogs and pet house-pig, Henrietta.
The story was fast-paced and kept me interested. And no… I didn’t guess ‘who dun it’.
A great read for cold winter’s nights...
March 11, 2015
Cloudland was really nice! It was a different and refreshing book, written not from a policeman's POV, nor a victim's, nor a detective's, but from an external witness. This was a novel about a character who stumbled on a corpse and got caught amidst the chaos of a crime, PDs, and investigations so the personal ups and downs, life, work and current reality is done in really good doses just as it would be in real life. It was really interesting to see how the involvement in a crime changes the life of a person and the life of a neighbourhood.
If you are thinking on a PD investigation book, this isn't it.
Having read so many crime novels, I thought that Mr. Olshan did a good job with this book changing the cliché crime novel plot and playing with your mind. While, I was expecting more drama, crude suspense and nail-biting moments - which btw didn't come- I did get more character involvement and quite nice development. I began to relate to the main character, her normal life, her problems and goals and the shock of discovery. Most of the book just plays with your mind, making the final twist in the story a good one! I also saw a bit of lacking reality in the sense that
Although it's not entirely what I expected, I liked Cloudland and would recommend it for a different crime POV.
If you are thinking on a PD investigation book, this isn't it.
Having read so many crime novels, I thought that Mr. Olshan did a good job with this book changing the cliché crime novel plot and playing with your mind. While, I was expecting more drama, crude suspense and nail-biting moments - which btw didn't come- I did get more character involvement and quite nice development. I began to relate to the main character, her normal life, her problems and goals and the shock of discovery. Most of the book just plays with your mind, making the final twist in the story a good one! I also saw a bit of lacking reality in the sense that
Although it's not entirely what I expected, I liked Cloudland and would recommend it for a different crime POV.
April 3, 2012
Cloudland
by
Joseph Olshan
My Speedy Summary...
Women are found stabbed and strangled and left dead in various spots. They all have religious literature stuffed in their pockets. No one has a clue who the killer might be.
My Thoughts After Reading...
Whew...this book is complicated but in a very good and intense way. There are lots of characters and lots of reasons to suspect quite a few of them. This novel is beautifully written...takes place in a lovely part of the country and the main character is deliciously flawed. She is a former investigative reporter who spends her time in her farmhouse writing a column about household hints. Living with her are a pig...the lovely Henrietta and two huge dogs. She teaches at a prison and has a collection of off friends. She is a former college teacher and a reader and has a very analytical mind. She is recuperating from an affair with a younger man...a former student...the affair did not go well and she is still a bit damaged.
This is one of those mysteries that is not just about the mystery. It happens while we learn about the lives of everyone involved. This is spectacular. I love books that have all of these fascinating characters and side stories. It just adds to the relaxed reading experience I had with this book. I had no clue who the murderer was until the last few pages and it was quite a surprise.
Totally loved the way this story unfolded. It was meandering, well thought out and absorbing.
I wish I knew if there were more of these to come...it could be a wonderful series.
by
Joseph Olshan
My Speedy Summary...
Women are found stabbed and strangled and left dead in various spots. They all have religious literature stuffed in their pockets. No one has a clue who the killer might be.
My Thoughts After Reading...
Whew...this book is complicated but in a very good and intense way. There are lots of characters and lots of reasons to suspect quite a few of them. This novel is beautifully written...takes place in a lovely part of the country and the main character is deliciously flawed. She is a former investigative reporter who spends her time in her farmhouse writing a column about household hints. Living with her are a pig...the lovely Henrietta and two huge dogs. She teaches at a prison and has a collection of off friends. She is a former college teacher and a reader and has a very analytical mind. She is recuperating from an affair with a younger man...a former student...the affair did not go well and she is still a bit damaged.
This is one of those mysteries that is not just about the mystery. It happens while we learn about the lives of everyone involved. This is spectacular. I love books that have all of these fascinating characters and side stories. It just adds to the relaxed reading experience I had with this book. I had no clue who the murderer was until the last few pages and it was quite a surprise.
Totally loved the way this story unfolded. It was meandering, well thought out and absorbing.
I wish I knew if there were more of these to come...it could be a wonderful series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews