You Can't Catch Me

by Rosamond Smith

Tristram Heade is a reclusive, repressed Virginia bachelor and antiquarian book collector who has traveled to Philadelphia to keep an appointment with a fellow dealer. But when he arrives, his life takes an unexpected and dizzying turn. A train porter returns his lost wallet, but the identification inside belongs to a man named Angus Markham, a gambler and real estate prospector. When Tristram returns to his hotel, he’s greeted by staff as Markham, and in his room, he finds Markham’s suitcase and clothes—as well as Fleur Grunwald, a woman who certainly knows her lover, Markham, when she sees him. And she seems to desperately need his help. At first baffled, then intrigued, Tristram decides to play along—only to discover that he’s not in control of the game. Especially when he takes on Fleur and her sadistic husband and finds himself lost in a conspiracy of madness and murder. If only Tristram could be certain whether he’s to be the killer—or the victim.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Novels, Crime, American

Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Rosamond Smith is a pseudonym for Joyce Carol Oates.

Reviews

[Always Pouting · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tristram Heade is a shy heir to old Virginian money, taking one of his rare outings to travel to Philadelphia. On his way to the his hotel however he changes his mind about where he will be staying and ends up at The Moreau. Things begin to get strange as the man at the front desk their addresses him as Mr.Markham. Though Tristram corrects the man and registers under his own name at the hotel he soon finds that a man named Angus Markham's things have been delivered to his room. Soon Tristram begins to play the part of Angus Markham, becoming committed to the act after being visited by Angus's lover, who ropes him into helping her escape her current husband.

There will be spoilers ahead.

This one was more of a 2.5 stars for me. I liked most of the other Joyce Carol Oates books I've read and this is definitely better than Snake Eyes was but it was a little much for me. I usually appreciate the hazy mood she sets up and the way characters seem to disassociate with reality or black out. Here though it felt a little hard to suspend disbelief. Especially the whole Zoe/Fleur double personality, maybe it's because I know some what about the whole multiple personality disorder controversy and it ended up making me roll my eyes.

And that ending, what the heck, it's implied that Angus is actually Tristram, and he had thought this whole time that he was Tristram, or that Tristram had begun to believe he was actually Angus now. The first theory seems to be the one that's implied more strongly since Trsitram remembers someone in the train that dies, or that he actually kills. That leaves huge gaping holes in the plot though because how does Angus have this complex history of Tristram's life and family. Maybe he had talked to him at first? But also when we find out Angus's past he tends to seduce the widows and murder them but then he doesn't seem to do anything to Fleur which seems to be at odds with who his character is supposed to be.

If it's is Angus the whole time, dissociated and believing he is Tristram, then I guess he may have not killed Fleur because he still thought himself Tristram at that point? The whole thing is just so convoluted. Also what the fuck is with both Angus and Grunwald seeming to have multiple wives, remarrying after their young wives die mysteriously multiple times. Why doesn't he go after Hans at least if not Fleur? Oates may have intended to make it confusing but even if she did I'm still annoyed because it felt nonsensical.

Also Grunwald's blatant misogyny and then Tristram doubting Fleur's account of his abuse, in fact thinking that by being weak she may have invited it onto herself, it really made me feel ill and angry. It's not the reason I disliked the book but it really didn't help to through that in there when I was already annoyed with the whole thing.

[mark monday · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joyce Carol Oates writing as Rosamond Smith, in one of her more appealing yet perverse outings. rather oddly, this time there is something wonderfully light and stylized in the usual depiction of doubles and deception and murder. the regular heaviness is absent; was Oates in a good mood when she wrote this and so only feeling slightly brutal? maybe someone did something nice for her that afternoon.

still, the traps she sets for the protagonist and the reader are cruel and plentiful, and the depths and perversity to which the characters must descend are morbidly fascinating and almost tragically inevitable. so, yeah, standard Oates. yet there is a playfulness and irony that brings the tale to a place of near-satire. perhaps it is the archness of language and the stylization of character; perhaps it is in the use of tattooing as a signifier for all that threatens and subsumes. maybe it is just in the fun of reading such a byzantine series of feints and charades, featuring well-to-do and mysterious characters with names like "Tristram Heade" and "Fleur Grunwald" and "Angus Markham".

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oates, in a career spanning from 1964 to 2025, penned 58 or 59 novels and numerous short story collections. Eight of her novels were published under the pen name Rosamond Smith. Characteristically atmospheric, her crime novels always have an odd oft-putting feel, including this one.

Set nominally in Philadelphia, “You Can’t Catch Me” follows the story of one Tristam Heade, an antiquarian bookseller, ostensibly in town on business, but who finds from the minute he disembarks from the train that he is mistaken for someone else, a frequent visitor to the town who is treated first-class by every taxi driver, doorman, and hotel clerk. Angus Markham is the other man’s name and Tristam repeatedly tries to explain that he has his identity apart from this doppelgänger, but to little avail as Markham’s luggage, champagne, and even his mistress arrive at Tristam’s hotel room. Intrigued by this mysterious Markham, Tristam even stone point engages a private detective to track him down.

The mistress, one Fleur Grunwald, is utterly convinced that Tristam is Markham and entreats him to rescue her from years of savage abuse at the hands of her wealthy husband. Tristam, who has never dated, is taken by Fleur who has the looks and figure of none other than Helen of Troy. He tells her he is in love with her and will do anything for her, knowing sickened that there is one thing she wants from him and he has few qualms about striking the one blow which will free her from her husband’s evil clutches, particularly when Tristam discover that Fleur’s entire body is covered head to toe in intricate designs, and later when he finds the husband’s torture chamber.

Oates leaves enough clues that the real story isn’t exactly a mystery and offers up an intense noir tale of psychological discovery. What Oates does do well here is she lets it all play out through Tristan’s eyes as he slowly but surely sees the curtain rise and reveal to him who is pulling all the levers. The atmosphere is dark and shadowy and there seems to be little to no daylight anywhere in this novel.

[Siobhain · Rating 4 out of 5]

You Can't Catch Me was eerie, maniacal, and yet I couldn't put it down. The main character, Tristram Heade, went through a change mentally and emotionally; surprising himself by his actions along the way. One trip from Richmond to Philadelphia made him question his existence and way of living. Joyce Carol Oates made a mystery so much more thrilling than normal. Her ability to write so effectively and continue to keep readers guessing is nothing short of fascinating.

Tristram Heade was a man who lived life as simply as possible. He liked following the rules and holding others accountable when they didn't stay inside the lines of the rules. This story follows him as he travels to Philadelphia on business. This is where they mystery begins. His wallet is misplaced and has the I.D. of an Angus Markham. How does everyone know him as Angus? Did they know he was really Tristram? Do they look alike?

If you thought those were a lot of questions, just wait. Tristram gets lost in the world of Angus from the clothes he wears, relationships both professional and personal. On top of this, he has a dilemma. Is he a murderer or the victim of confused identity. It was thrilling to read this book and see the evolution of Tristram and Angus.

This book will remind you of the movie Split in some ways, at the same time feeling like you just watched a scary movie at night. Be prepared to read one of the creepiest mysteries.

[Larry Bassett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joyce Carol Oates occasionally hides behind the name Rosamond Smith. Her characters often come in twins in those times. In You Can’t Catch Me, Tristram Heade is mistaken for Angus Markham so thoroughly that his personality changes as he lives his life. Is Tristram enjoying his transformation into Angus? “Who is who, what is true and good and what false and evil, and where will it all lead?”

I enjoyed being captivated by the words of JCO as she accomplished the metamorphosing of the one character into the other in a way that was part calm and subtle and part horrific and obvious. JCO is mesmerizing in this short intense tale of two men and two women. Four stars!

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This pains me to leave a negative review because Joyce Carol Oates is one of my long-time favorite authors, but I could not finish this novel. The style of conversation seemed to place the characters in the 1950s or '60s; however, at times the language felt more like present-day, leaving this reader lost in space. It was enough to distract from the plot and while I really wanted to see it through to the end, because the main character was certainly creepy, I couldn't. I'm not going to say anymore because perhaps I wasn't in the right frame of mind or her writing style as Rosamond Smith just isn't for me. Thank you to Net Galley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Need2read]

Overuse (she has long earned that right!) of commas aside, I've always had a thing for Joyce Carol Oates and her writing style, and this book is among my favorites.

[Mary Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

The inimitable Ms Oates has done it yet another time: into the depths a human spirit can go, and out again.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Open Road Media Mystery & Thriller and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of You Can't Catch Me. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Veteran author Joyce Carol Oates has penned You Can't Catch Me under the pseudonym Rosamond Smith. Tristram Heade comes to the city for an appointment with a fellow antique book collector, but ends up in a bizarre game for which he feels was born of mistaken identity. Is he living a duplicitous lifestyle, despite his lack of memory of that fact, or has he been thrust into a situation that seems to have no end?

I had a hard time finishing You Can't Catch Me, as the psychological aspects and convoluted plot were confusing to follow at times. Whether it be a case of mistaken identity or a psychological issue, the fact that Tristram is an unreliable narrator does not allow for a true connection to the character. The time period is ambiguous, with a formality to the writing that points to a late 1800's as a setting, but with a modernity that calls that fact into question. Overall, I found it difficult to get into this novel and, for the reasons listed above, I would not recommend it to other readers.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tristram Heade is a loner, a bachelor, and a book collector. He is on a trip to Philadelphia to visit, relax, and keep his appointment at a favorite book store which deals in old and unique books. While leaving the train he was traveling on, the porter stops him and gives him his wallet which he had dropped. However, upon inspection, the wallet contains the usual cards and cash, but also a different ID...that of one Agnus Markham. And once Tristram gets into a cab, his life takes a curious and eventful turn.

Tristram is just as dumfounded and baffled by events that take place as you, the reader, will be. What happens to Tristram is horrible and unusual. He tries to figure out what is happening [as will you] but JCO keeps you guessing in her dark and mysterious ways.

While not one of my very favorite JCO books, still a good and decent read filled with twists, turns, surprises, and shocks.

[JoBerlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosamond Smith at her best: Kühn konstruiert und sehr, sehr gut geschrieben, hält dieser Roman die Spannung von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite, denn wir wissen lange nicht wer hier wen belügt: Die schöne Fleur, der brutale Ehemann, der unbedarfte Tristram, oder gar die Autorin? Wie immer bei Rosamond Smith (das ist Joyce Carol Oates) geht’s ausgesprochen drastisch zur Sache. Nichts für „Blümchenkrimi-Fans“.

[Kyri Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really interesting idea gets a somewhat mediocre treatment in this thriller, which features an odd sense of temporal dislocation... it's actually set in the 1980s but most of it reads as if it were the 1920s.

[Leo Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid thriller!

Agree with other reviewers that it reads like a 50s Highsmith novel or something—should have just set it then. Couldn't tell it was supposed to be 90s or whatever bar one or two telltale references that could have been cut!

Could have been like 1890s or something. Even cooler!

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eerie modern gothic thriller.

[Katarzyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some memorable, gothic artefacts. But such a slow execution.

[JimZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pen name of Joyce Carol Oates.

[Cindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book left me very confused. The main character obviously has some mental issues. Otherwise why would his Uncle be searching for him. A lot of this just didn't connect for me at all.

[Buchdoktor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tristram Heade kann seine bescheidenen persönlichen Ansprüche und seine Leidenschaft für antiquarische Bücher aus seinem Vermögen finanzieren und muss nicht für seinen Lebensunterhalt arbeiten. Nach einer Bahnreise nach Philadelphia zu seinem Stamm-Antiquar findet Tristram sich im Hotel plötzlich mit dem Gepäck und der Persönlichkeit eines Mr Markham wieder. Der Bücherliebhaber ist ein wohlerzogener Tagträumer, gutmütig und phlegmatisch, der häufig etwas verliert. Seine neue Identität wird ihm u. a. durch die fremde Brieftasche aufgedrängt, die der Schaffner im Zug ihm in die Hand drückt. Tristram erinnert im Aussehen und Gestus an einen verhuschten, aus einem anderen Jahrhundert übriggeblieben Gentleman mit der zu seiner Verschrobenheit passenden Sprache. Der Wein stammt von 1963, also leben alle anderen Figuren definitiv im 20. Jahrhundert. Das Hotel-Personal redet Tristram als Mr Markham an und er fügt sich seinem Schicksal. Irgendwer muss dieser Markham ja sein. Die Angelegenheit nimmt eine bedrohliche Wendung, als die junge Fleur Grunwald vor Tristrams Zimmertür auftaucht, die das sonderbare Spiel offenbar mitmacht. Ihr müsste wenigstens auffallen, dass sie den Mann nicht kennt. Doch sie klagt über einen gewalttätigen Ehemann, von dem Tristram als ritterlicher Kavalier sie nun befreien will. Eine höchst sonderbare Verknüpfung zum alten Grunwald besteht über ein Glasauge, das Tristram auf der Straße gefunden hat. Grunwald ist Sammler von Glasaugen und weiteren grenzwertigen medizinhistorischen Artikeln. Fleur erweist sich als gespaltene Persönlichkeit, die sich in der Gestalt von "Zoe" wie eine Anfallskranke benimmt. Es kommt zu mehreren Todesfällen, in die Heade einem neutralen Beobachter durch den Besitz des Glasauges verstrickt scheinen muss. Tristram, der sein multiples Gegenüber seit ihrer ersten Begegnung anbetete, hat sich hoffnungslos in einen höchst mysteriösen Fall mit mehreren Leichen und gespaltenen Persönlichkeiten verstrickt.

Mit Tristram Heade hat Rosamond Smith eine faszinierende Person geschaffen, die sich durch Requisiten und das entschiedene Verhalten anderer in die Rolle eines Mannes drängen lässt, der er offenbar selbst gern wäre. Seine Begegnung mit einer weiteren gespaltenen Persönlichkeit hat mich weniger begeistert, so dass ich den letzten unter dem Pseudonym Rosamond Smith geschriebenen Psychothriller nur der Vollständigkeit halber gelesen habe.

[Ronsens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wollt dann mal JC Oates ausprobieren, hatte so das Gefühl, dass zumindest thematisch (Vorliebe für "Gothic" etc) das ja passen könnte und einfach mal mit zwei Genrebüchern "Thrillern" angefangen, las sich wie nix weg und war auch amüsant, vor allem, weil das mir relativ furchtlos geschrieben scheint, d. h. keine Furcht vor Loopholes oder "peinlichen" Stilmitteln, so ists zwar auch ein bisschen hirnrissig und over-the-top manchmal, andererseits eben auch ein hübscher Schmarrn gewesen (gilt für beide Bücher), ich glaub, ich pick mir noch welche.

[Philippe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un thriller psychologique ayant pour personnage principal un vieux garçon Tristram Heade qui se découvre une deuxième identité sous les traits d’Angus Markham aux antipodes de la première. J’ai bien aimé ce livre même si sa lecture m’a semblé troublante, surtout le dénouement !

[Marianna F Wynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love JCO’s work. It is always interestingly weird. With masterful writing. I agree that it did become a bit tedious but was a very fascinating story. I am afraid I missed something when the ending just happened before I thought it would end

[Mariette T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it a case of mistaken identity? Is it dissociative identity disorder? Or is it just a case of man denying the existence of his true base desires? It seems that Tristram will never tell. I found this book a fairly quick read. The cloak and dagger nature of the storytelling really sucked me in.

[Shane F · Rating 3 out of 5]

hc but no pic for it

[Erin Pieronek]

I got the wrong book. I was looking for the same title by a different author. I thought, oh well, I’ll try it anyway. It was horrible. I couldn’t finish it.

[Drpsychorat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very well written psychological thriller. Loved it!

[Astrid Falkenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely unsettling to watch Tristram become more and more unhinged 🤪. Great writing, as usual!

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

A phantasmagoria that goes too long but also loops back into reality and into JCO's common themes too much to remain compelling.

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While an interesting and entertaining read, I will have to admit that it's not my favorite effort from the author. I spent most of the book knowing what the "plot twist" was and wondering if there was any addition to it. Overall, still an enjoyable read although there are others in her catalogue I would recommend over this.

I did receive a copy of this book free from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in modern times (not sure exactly when but I'm guessing mid-1980's or so - there is a mention of an investigation "dating back to 1981") this book could easily be set around the late 1800's to early 1900's. It's written in a very proper, overly formal, somewhat stilted kind of style.

You Can't Catch Me starts out very promising with a gentleman being mistaken everywhere he goes for someone else. When he corrects people as to his identity they give him a sort of wink and a nod response as though such eccentric behavior is completely expected from the gentleman in question. The whole thing has an Alfred Hitchcock (both the old TV series and the mystery magazine) or Twilight Zone flavor to it.

As the story progressed the initial promise just fizzled and the book became a chore to finish. It seemed inconsistent and things began to make less and less sense serving to remove the overall story from any sense of reality.

You Can't Catch Me by Joyce Carol Oates was a disappointment. I don't recommend it.