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Breakheart Hill
From the author hailed as "an important talent, a storytelling writer of poetic narrative power" ( Los Angeles Times Book Review ) comes a dazzling novel of psychological suspense. "This is the darkest story I've ever heard." With these haunting words, Thomas H. Cook begins a tale of love and its aftermath, of a town sent reeling from a moment of passionate betrayal. At its center was Kelli Troy and the town of Choctaw, Alabama. And on one hazy summer afternoon decades ago, a searing burst of violence engulfed Breakheart Hill. For one man who knows the truth about those shattering events, it is a memory that would become his awful secret.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1995
55 people are currently reading
778 people want to read
About the author
Thomas H. Cook
96 books354 followersThere is more than one author with this name on Goodreads.
Thomas H. Cook has been praised by critics for his attention to psychology and the lyrical nature of his prose. He is the author of more than 30 critically-acclaimed fiction books, including works of true crime. Cook published his first novel, Blood Innocents, in 1980. Cook published steadily through the 1980s, penning such works as the Frank Clemons trilogy, a series of mysteries starring a jaded cop.
He found breakout success with The Chatham School Affair (1996), which won an Edgar Award for best novel. Besides mysteries, Cook has written two true-crime books including the Edgar-nominated Blood Echoes (1993). He lives and works in New York City.
Awards
Edgar Allan Poe – Best Novel – The Chatham School Affair
Barry Award – Best Novel – Red Leaves
Martin Beck Award of the Swedish Academy of Detection – The Chatham School Affair
Martin Beck Award of the Swedish Academy of Detection – Red Leaves
Herodotus Prize – Fatherhood
Thomas H. Cook has been praised by critics for his attention to psychology and the lyrical nature of his prose. He is the author of more than 30 critically-acclaimed fiction books, including works of true crime. Cook published his first novel, Blood Innocents, in 1980. Cook published steadily through the 1980s, penning such works as the Frank Clemons trilogy, a series of mysteries starring a jaded cop.
He found breakout success with The Chatham School Affair (1996), which won an Edgar Award for best novel. Besides mysteries, Cook has written two true-crime books including the Edgar-nominated Blood Echoes (1993). He lives and works in New York City.
Awards
Edgar Allan Poe – Best Novel – The Chatham School Affair
Barry Award – Best Novel – Red Leaves
Martin Beck Award of the Swedish Academy of Detection – The Chatham School Affair
Martin Beck Award of the Swedish Academy of Detection – Red Leaves
Herodotus Prize – Fatherhood
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
July 30, 2013
Well, I definitely liked the last few pages. What I didn't like was the plodding, repetitive first 18 chapters. Because I'm stubborn, I kept reading because others liked the book and I didn't want to let it get the best of me! Some of the writing was good, but some of the characters and their actions and thoughts did not not ring true to me for 16 and 17 year olds. In chapter 17 a few of the characters attend a children's play and the author writes, "The play was a modern contrivance, fractured and remote, and all of us were weary by the time it ended." Funny, that's just how I felt about this book.
March 25, 2014
This is a tale of unrequited love and the ripple effect on a small, Southern community after a moment of passionate betrayal. Thomas H. Cook is a master of suspenseful, dark and cerebral crime fiction. Shocking final pages!
January 8, 2009
This is a fabulous, heartbreaking mystery that unfolds as a reminiscence. Cook's first-person narrator is selective in the way he reveals information, slowly unraveling moments from his past.
The result is a snapshot of high school life in the South in the '60s, a very-real unrequited love story and a shattering conclusion.
To me it's better than Cook's Edgar Winning The Chatham School Affair, well worth a few hours.
The result is a snapshot of high school life in the South in the '60s, a very-real unrequited love story and a shattering conclusion.
To me it's better than Cook's Edgar Winning The Chatham School Affair, well worth a few hours.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2011
Absolutely breath-taking.
A wonderful lyrical novel of depth, that delicately sketches beauty and the darkest of human pain. The prose is intoxicating and the plot has you holding your breathe. It tears you up to read it and it left me gasping at the end.
This is literary crime fiction of such power that it deserves its own sub genre. One of the most profound and moving books I've ever read in any genre.
Just beautiful.
Gotta go now and buy EVERYTHING Cook's ever written...10/10.
A wonderful lyrical novel of depth, that delicately sketches beauty and the darkest of human pain. The prose is intoxicating and the plot has you holding your breathe. It tears you up to read it and it left me gasping at the end.
This is literary crime fiction of such power that it deserves its own sub genre. One of the most profound and moving books I've ever read in any genre.
Just beautiful.
Gotta go now and buy EVERYTHING Cook's ever written...10/10.
August 20, 2025
Томас Кук показва, че криминалният жанр може да бъде издигнат до високо литературно ниво. Неговите книги навлизат в най-важните човешки теми и успяват да ги разнищят , а не само да загатнат за тях, отърквайки се в повърхността им. В наши дни Крис Уитакър и Уилям Кент Крюгър се доближават до това ниво.
Брейкхарт Хил е не само неповторим съспенс,трилър или криминален роман (не зная как да го определя), но и голямо писателско постижение. Няма как да останете безлични към героите, обстановката и събиращите ги връзки на съдбата.
Жалко, наистина жалко, че няма нито една негова книга преведена на български език. Идея си нямам дали се дължи на някакви проблеми с авторските права или на нещо друго. Но, действително, огромен пропуск.
Брейкхарт Хил е не само неповторим съспенс,трилър или криминален роман (не зная как да го определя), но и голямо писателско постижение. Няма как да останете безлични към героите, обстановката и събиращите ги връзки на съдбата.
Жалко, наистина жалко, че няма нито една негова книга преведена на български език. Идея си нямам дали се дължи на някакви проблеми с авторските права или на нещо друго. Но, действително, огромен пропуск.
July 30, 2021
Magistral! Un roman noir dans la plus pure exécution. J’aime comment Thomas H. Cook nous imprègne. Lentement, il prend le temps de bien créer son atmosphère, il laisse le temps au sentiment de se développer, ce qui les rends plus vrais, plus forts. Ce livre est essentiellement une histoire d’amour, qui tourne assez mal en fait, un amour impossible et la mauvaise perception des sentiments amoureux. C’est sans doute le plus beau livre que j’ai lu sur la jalousie. D’une beauté tragique. La fin m’a également surprise, car bien que tout était là, je n’avais absolument rien vu.
February 2, 2011
"You’ll think you know who (and maybe you do) and you’ll think you know why (and I suppose it’s possible); but trust me, you won’t have guessed everything. Breakheart Hill is one of the best written and most marvelously crafted books I’ve read in a long, long time. It’s dark and it’s sad and it’s very, very good. Read it.” – Mystery News
I picked up Thomas H. Cook’s 1995 novel Breakheart Hill at the second hand store. On the cover was the tagline “a mesmerizing tale of love and betrayal” and I thought, okay, good Sunday afternoon book and bought it. The opening line is one of the most intriguing I’ve read in recent memory: “This is the darkest story that I have ever heard, and all my life I have labored not to tell it.”
The narrator of this dark tale is Ben Wade, a respected doctor in Choctaw, Alabama. As a teenager, Ben grows to love the beautiful Kelli Troy who has moved to Choctaw from the north. It is 1962. The story expertly weaves Ben’s memories of high school with present day, dropping ominous clues about just what happened the afternoon Kelli’s battered body was discovered on Breakheart Hill.
I suppose in some ways, I’ve been spoiled by mystery/thriller/suspense novels which unfold at breakneck speed; I was often impatient reading this book. Sometimes it seemed to take forever to get anywhere, but ultimately that’s one of the book’s many charms.
Breakheart Hill is a leisurely southern gothic novel, filled with a real sense of place and time. The characters are interesting and flawed and I was 100% surprised by the ending - which wasn’t a cheat even though it felt like it should have been.
If you like an intelligent mystery - that will break your heart - this is the book for you.
I picked up Thomas H. Cook’s 1995 novel Breakheart Hill at the second hand store. On the cover was the tagline “a mesmerizing tale of love and betrayal” and I thought, okay, good Sunday afternoon book and bought it. The opening line is one of the most intriguing I’ve read in recent memory: “This is the darkest story that I have ever heard, and all my life I have labored not to tell it.”
The narrator of this dark tale is Ben Wade, a respected doctor in Choctaw, Alabama. As a teenager, Ben grows to love the beautiful Kelli Troy who has moved to Choctaw from the north. It is 1962. The story expertly weaves Ben’s memories of high school with present day, dropping ominous clues about just what happened the afternoon Kelli’s battered body was discovered on Breakheart Hill.
I suppose in some ways, I’ve been spoiled by mystery/thriller/suspense novels which unfold at breakneck speed; I was often impatient reading this book. Sometimes it seemed to take forever to get anywhere, but ultimately that’s one of the book’s many charms.
Breakheart Hill is a leisurely southern gothic novel, filled with a real sense of place and time. The characters are interesting and flawed and I was 100% surprised by the ending - which wasn’t a cheat even though it felt like it should have been.
If you like an intelligent mystery - that will break your heart - this is the book for you.
June 7, 2014
5 stars, definitely! I loved this book. Ben Wade is a high school kid, in love with the new girl, Kelli Troy. She is beautiful and mysterious, a smart girl, and someone Ben sees marrying later in life. And so, during the school year, he does what he can to win her favor and her heart. But, does her heart belong to another? Ben needs to know, and his strongest desire is to be the man she approves of and loves in kind.
It is set in the small town of Choctaw, during the 1960s, in a southern state, where some of the civil rights circumstances are finding a place in their small community. Is this a an opportunity for change, or an invitation for trouble for those who want to stand for the changing tides? Kelli is interested in much of what's going on, and Ben decides time climb aboard, hoping that she will see a good man in him, someone she can stand by. What will this bring to their young lives? From the very first sentence, this book draws you in, with beautiful descriptions of love, life, and heartache. Great book!
It is set in the small town of Choctaw, during the 1960s, in a southern state, where some of the civil rights circumstances are finding a place in their small community. Is this a an opportunity for change, or an invitation for trouble for those who want to stand for the changing tides? Kelli is interested in much of what's going on, and Ben decides time climb aboard, hoping that she will see a good man in him, someone she can stand by. What will this bring to their young lives? From the very first sentence, this book draws you in, with beautiful descriptions of love, life, and heartache. Great book!
December 19, 2019
I read this one for the journey not the destination! The main twist wasn’t really a secret as it was pretty obvious from day one, but getting to the end of the road was a great trip.
It was written 25 years ago but the theme lingers on today. The South will always be the South!! The author grew up in Alabama and again this seems semi-autobiographical - I’m sure these wonderful characters were based on people he knew, from the Southern Belles to your basic Rednecks and the maligned blacks.
How I have lived 80 years and never come across Thomas H Cook until the last month is beyond me, he writes so beautifully. I am now mowing through all his books as fast as I can read (well broken up with a few Agatha Christie’s).
It was written 25 years ago but the theme lingers on today. The South will always be the South!! The author grew up in Alabama and again this seems semi-autobiographical - I’m sure these wonderful characters were based on people he knew, from the Southern Belles to your basic Rednecks and the maligned blacks.
How I have lived 80 years and never come across Thomas H Cook until the last month is beyond me, he writes so beautifully. I am now mowing through all his books as fast as I can read (well broken up with a few Agatha Christie’s).
June 12, 2012
Wowww, this was SO good! I could hardly put it down, and finished it in two nights time. Definitely my favorite by Thomas H Cook that I've read thus far. Cook weaves a clever mystery, the setting is rich, and the characters are full of depth and intrigue. This all leads up to a shocking climax that I never saw coming. Just fantastic. Loved it!
October 17, 2012
I first read Breakheart Hill several years ago. I was a few chapters into when I took it with me to the hospital where my daughter was having surgery. I finished the first half in the waiting room and I finished the rest of it the next day. Two days later I read it again. I don't know how many times I've read it since, but when I received a Kindle Touch last Christmas the first thing I did was download Breakheart Hill.
February 7, 2010
This was so haunting and wrenching that after reading til 1:00 a.m. I couldn't sleep and had to take a sleeping pill! More later.
June 24, 2025
This is a beautifully written, slow-burn literary mystery that lingers long after the final page. It's less about a single crime and more about the nature of memory, perception, and the quiet, sometimes dangerous currents running beneath the surface of small-town life.
The structure unfolds with a steady pace that’s deliberate but never dull. There's a twist at the end that genuinely surprised me and it felt earned, not gimmicky. The atmosphere is thick with tension, nostalgia, and a sense of something quietly unraveling beneath the polite exterior of 1960s Alabama. (Given I've never visited Alabama, I can only assume the author accurately reflected the setting.)
What really stood out to me was how well the characters are drawn, especially Kelli. Her strength and courage were a real emotional anchor in the story. I also appreciated how the novel leads the reader down subtle rabbit trails, gently testing assumptions and shifting our understanding of the characters as it goes.
My only minor critique is that the narrative voice sometimes feels older than the character at that point in his life. But perhaps that’s intentional. Ben reads like an old soul, someone already steeped in regret and reflection.
Overall, this was a strong and haunting read. Perfect if you're looking for something atmospheric, thoughtful, and quietly devastating.
The structure unfolds with a steady pace that’s deliberate but never dull. There's a twist at the end that genuinely surprised me and it felt earned, not gimmicky. The atmosphere is thick with tension, nostalgia, and a sense of something quietly unraveling beneath the polite exterior of 1960s Alabama. (Given I've never visited Alabama, I can only assume the author accurately reflected the setting.)
What really stood out to me was how well the characters are drawn, especially Kelli. Her strength and courage were a real emotional anchor in the story. I also appreciated how the novel leads the reader down subtle rabbit trails, gently testing assumptions and shifting our understanding of the characters as it goes.
My only minor critique is that the narrative voice sometimes feels older than the character at that point in his life. But perhaps that’s intentional. Ben reads like an old soul, someone already steeped in regret and reflection.
Overall, this was a strong and haunting read. Perfect if you're looking for something atmospheric, thoughtful, and quietly devastating.
April 17, 2017
Not my favorite of his, but it gives hints of his later, better work.
December 18, 2024
I did appreciate the ending of this tale. For a relatively short book, the rest of the book filled me with a great deal of dread. The dread definitely hampered my enjoyment.
August 3, 2023
My favourite book i've read to date! Reading this felt like watching a thriller. Ive never felt so attached to a book like this one and so invested in the story. The writing was so good and I loved the way the story was told. It kept me guessing right until the very end. It is such a well written and well paced mystery with things seemingly getting darker and darker throughout. My opinion on what I thought the outcome was going to be changed so many times which made it so fun and so engaging. Although I'm not sure one part of the ending seemed necessary, the rest of the book was so good that I didn't really care much. I had no idea it touched on racism so that was really interesting when that came to play quite a big role in the story.
March 10, 2018
I have been a fan of the mystery genre for 8 or 9 years now. I used to read detective/private eye series left and right. They were good, but none too memorable. I figured that 95% of mystery authors write the same book over and over with nothing to stand out from one another. You get the hero or heroine, you get a case, you get clues, you get shootouts or car chases or near death experience and then the twist. I was getting to the point of knowing what to expect from a mystery book and that got tiring and boring. I almost gave up on the genre until I stumbled on Cook. He saved the mystery genre for me when I picked up his Chatham School Affair. I loved that book so much that I ordered all his books and got them in a matter of weeks. This one in particular, stands out more than most of his and stands out more than any other book I have read over the years. I felt I was there observing the tragedy that happened. This book deals with doomed love, betrayal and revenge in a passionate manner. The characters all stood out and are full of flaws which brings the realism to Cook's characterization. The stories Cook weaves happen during some American history time period with this one being set during the Civil Rights Movement. The prose on this book is full of quotes, with some inspiring and some depressing. Cook's flow is poetic and lyrical where even if he wrote a book on how grass grows, I would still read it. The whole book is filled with emotion that I have never got from a story.There were parts where I was furious with some of the things that were happening to the characters I liked, and when I finished the book, I was in a depressed but satisfied mood. What I mean by that is, the book left me depressed because of the horrible things that happen to good people and satisfied because I felt the story was by far above all books I have read. This is definitely for people who like a story with immense depth more so than a clue by clue mystery. I have re-read this book 2 times and listened to it on audio 2 times as well because I cant get over this story. I will probably re-visit this book in some form or manner and I suggest to anyone that is a cook fan and has not read this, please do. Even people looking for something new to break from the standard mystery tropes should give this author a chance.
July 14, 2014
“A fascinating story of unrequited love, bigotry, tragedy and mystery”
“Breakheart Hill” was written by the master story teller, Thomas H. Cook. The novel is fictional literature in the mystery/love story genre. Mr. Cook has written a significant number of books, short stories and novels and has been nominated or won several literary prizes for his work. One of Cook’s most recent novels that have been reviewed at Amazon is “The Quest for Anna Klein”.
“Breakheart Hill” is narrated in the first person by a main character of the story. The prose is variously complex, richly descriptive and poignantly presented. Character dialog is conventionally introduced in accordance with the person speaking.
The story is told by the character of Ben Wade, a physician in the small town of Choctaw Alabama. It has been over 30 years since it all happened, when they were all still in high school. He first saw her when she was but a curly-haired little girl and he a little boy, she came hand in hand with her mother entering his father’s grocery store. Ben would be introduced to Kelli Troy again as a junior in high school, where he and Kelli were to be co-publishers of the school paper, the ‘Wildcat”. The relationship that grew between Ben and Kelli exploited a witlessness born of adolescence that haunts Ben now as he remembers that awful time in summer so long ago on Heartbreak Hill when Kelli was lost to him.
This is a terrific story told by a master of story tellers. It is brimming with the joys and agonies replayed by adolescent participants, whose fierce friendships, loyalties and love beguiles their future in unexpected ways. It is a sad tale too, as it will draw the reader into his own reminiscence of an earlier time, a memory of innocence lost to a young age and the horrible consequences that bigotry held for those smitten by it.
I highly recommend this novel be added to your reading list and rate it “Memorable”.
“Breakheart Hill” was written by the master story teller, Thomas H. Cook. The novel is fictional literature in the mystery/love story genre. Mr. Cook has written a significant number of books, short stories and novels and has been nominated or won several literary prizes for his work. One of Cook’s most recent novels that have been reviewed at Amazon is “The Quest for Anna Klein”.
“Breakheart Hill” is narrated in the first person by a main character of the story. The prose is variously complex, richly descriptive and poignantly presented. Character dialog is conventionally introduced in accordance with the person speaking.
The story is told by the character of Ben Wade, a physician in the small town of Choctaw Alabama. It has been over 30 years since it all happened, when they were all still in high school. He first saw her when she was but a curly-haired little girl and he a little boy, she came hand in hand with her mother entering his father’s grocery store. Ben would be introduced to Kelli Troy again as a junior in high school, where he and Kelli were to be co-publishers of the school paper, the ‘Wildcat”. The relationship that grew between Ben and Kelli exploited a witlessness born of adolescence that haunts Ben now as he remembers that awful time in summer so long ago on Heartbreak Hill when Kelli was lost to him.
This is a terrific story told by a master of story tellers. It is brimming with the joys and agonies replayed by adolescent participants, whose fierce friendships, loyalties and love beguiles their future in unexpected ways. It is a sad tale too, as it will draw the reader into his own reminiscence of an earlier time, a memory of innocence lost to a young age and the horrible consequences that bigotry held for those smitten by it.
I highly recommend this novel be added to your reading list and rate it “Memorable”.
Read
July 6, 2008Breakheart Hill, by Thomas H. Cook, A-plus. Narrated by George Guidall, produced by Recorded Books, downloaded from audible.com.
Ben grows up in a small southern town in the early 1960’s. He feels confined as a teenager and can’t wait to leave the town. Then a new girl comes to town, Kelly. She and Ben co-edit the highschool paper. We see the ins and outs of highschool life for a whole year. Then Kelly is killed by a blow to her head. The sheriff believes that Ben knows more than he’s willing to tell. Kelly, who came from Baltimore, had a northerner’s view of the south and its treatment of, what in the ‘60’s were called “Negroes”. The sheriff isn’t sure if Kelly is killed by jealousy because she started going with a boy that another girl thought was hers, or if her political views and her willingness to write them in the school paper led to her death. Ben leaves, goes to medical school, and comes back to spend his life as the town doctor marrying another girl from his class. For 30 years the murder remains unsolved and the town festers with it. Now, Ben must tell the truth and reveal what really happened the night she died. This is the best Thomas H. Cook I have read so far, and I have liked every book by this author. I think this will probably make my best of the year list.
Ben grows up in a small southern town in the early 1960’s. He feels confined as a teenager and can’t wait to leave the town. Then a new girl comes to town, Kelly. She and Ben co-edit the highschool paper. We see the ins and outs of highschool life for a whole year. Then Kelly is killed by a blow to her head. The sheriff believes that Ben knows more than he’s willing to tell. Kelly, who came from Baltimore, had a northerner’s view of the south and its treatment of, what in the ‘60’s were called “Negroes”. The sheriff isn’t sure if Kelly is killed by jealousy because she started going with a boy that another girl thought was hers, or if her political views and her willingness to write them in the school paper led to her death. Ben leaves, goes to medical school, and comes back to spend his life as the town doctor marrying another girl from his class. For 30 years the murder remains unsolved and the town festers with it. Now, Ben must tell the truth and reveal what really happened the night she died. This is the best Thomas H. Cook I have read so far, and I have liked every book by this author. I think this will probably make my best of the year list.
July 31, 2014
After thoroughly enjoying reading my first Thomas H. Cook book (Sandrine's Case) a few weeks ago, I was drawn to try one of his earlier works. I was not disappointed! Cook is quickly becoming one of my favorite "go-to" authors. I find him an amazing storyteller. Breakheart Hill will draw you in from the first sentence and if you're like me, you will have a hard time putting it down at night! This particular book does a beautiful job of describing small town life in the 1960's and the relationships and bonds that are created at a young age. Beautiful prose. (One of my favorite highlighted quotes from the book: "...some people are not merely brief points of life, but textures within life itself, and that when we take such a person from us, we take not just him or her, but some small piece of everyone they knew or might have known.") This book is a good mystery with well-developed characters. Thought-provoking. Surprise ending. Need I say more? I will definitely be reading another book by this author.
August 4, 2020
Si pudiese le pondria mas estrellas. El talento de Thomas H. Cook es increible, el plot twist me dejo en shock y tuve que volver hacia atras (casi al principio) y releer varias cosas para asegurarme de que lei bien.
Ben me parece un personaje tan real, tan humano. Todos vivimos un amor de la misma forma que el, sobre todo en la adolescencia, y es imposible no sentirte identificado al menos un poco con el, con su inocencia al principio, su afan por ser digno de alguien y al final, el resentimiento por el rechazo.
Y Kelli.. creo que es un personaje tan complejo, misterioso, maduro y atractivo pero que desde el punto de Ben hasta parece idealizado.
Me gusto mucho como muestra la vida de los personajes adultos, como un hecho los marco para siempre y los mantuvo estancados en el pasado, que muchos de sus actos fueron consecuencia de eso pese al paso de los años. Tambien me resulto asomboroso como muestra que todos somos capaces de generar un gran impacto en alguien.
Simplemente excelente.
Ben me parece un personaje tan real, tan humano. Todos vivimos un amor de la misma forma que el, sobre todo en la adolescencia, y es imposible no sentirte identificado al menos un poco con el, con su inocencia al principio, su afan por ser digno de alguien y al final, el resentimiento por el rechazo.
Y Kelli.. creo que es un personaje tan complejo, misterioso, maduro y atractivo pero que desde el punto de Ben hasta parece idealizado.
Me gusto mucho como muestra la vida de los personajes adultos, como un hecho los marco para siempre y los mantuvo estancados en el pasado, que muchos de sus actos fueron consecuencia de eso pese al paso de los años. Tambien me resulto asomboroso como muestra que todos somos capaces de generar un gran impacto en alguien.
Simplemente excelente.
August 19, 2013
After reading several of his much later works, I have come back now to read his earliest.
Although highly gifted in his expression and especially within his core revelations of teen-age male souls, all their perceptions and all their self-identity and angsts- he did get BETTER with the years and practice. FOR SURE.
Because I totally agree with another poster that this beginning and middle were plodding and redundant to a point of near stagnation.
But a good base story and town feel here, and his excellent telling of cross perceptions made it at least a 3.
He got better at pacing over the years, that's for sure. Thomas H. Cook is an excellent writer- his mystery reads also have more depth than nearly anything else in his genre. Better than average psychological knowledge of personality disorders, as well.
Although highly gifted in his expression and especially within his core revelations of teen-age male souls, all their perceptions and all their self-identity and angsts- he did get BETTER with the years and practice. FOR SURE.
Because I totally agree with another poster that this beginning and middle were plodding and redundant to a point of near stagnation.
But a good base story and town feel here, and his excellent telling of cross perceptions made it at least a 3.
He got better at pacing over the years, that's for sure. Thomas H. Cook is an excellent writer- his mystery reads also have more depth than nearly anything else in his genre. Better than average psychological knowledge of personality disorders, as well.
March 20, 2015
I'm one of the people who forced myself to finish the book even though I was done with it before I was halfway through. I wanted to discover what all the five star reviews were about.
This might have worked better as a short story about the cost of a decision taken in childhood. The narrator tells us again and again about doomed love and guilt and secrets. It didn't take too long before I was clear that no secret was worth wading through the rest of the tortured and slow revealing of the story.
The end was interesting and surprising. Even so, I think I'm done with Thomas Cook.
This might have worked better as a short story about the cost of a decision taken in childhood. The narrator tells us again and again about doomed love and guilt and secrets. It didn't take too long before I was clear that no secret was worth wading through the rest of the tortured and slow revealing of the story.
The end was interesting and surprising. Even so, I think I'm done with Thomas Cook.
March 31, 2009
What I learned from this book is not to recommend it to people, because they either like it or hate it, and there's no predicting.
Me, I reread the entire book immediately upon finishing the last page - and you'll note the number of 5-star reviews here.
My friend Joe, however, who shares much of my taste in reading, threw it against the wall (since my head wasn't around as a target) - he hated it and couldn't believe that I liked it.
Me, I reread the entire book immediately upon finishing the last page - and you'll note the number of 5-star reviews here.
My friend Joe, however, who shares much of my taste in reading, threw it against the wall (since my head wasn't around as a target) - he hated it and couldn't believe that I liked it.
May 10, 2013
I think I was one of the few who read this book and was genuinely confused as to what happened at the end. I still find myself searching for a spoiler or an explanation, so if anyone is willing to provide, please let me know! Other than this, I do enjoy Cook's writing style and character development and will definitely read another novel from this author.
January 19, 2019
If you are expecting a fast paced twisty crime thriller then move away. This is a book of great depth and beauty, a book about feelings and how a single act, a single word can twist those feelings and send them to the darkest of places. Fans of literary horror wold probably enjoy this more than those who love crime and thrillers.
January 12, 2023
A Southern country doctor recalls how a teenage infatuation with a socially conscious female classmate led to tragedy. A murder mystery, of sorts, but not of the traditional procedural type. It definitely keeps you guessing until the end, however.
January 3, 2017
J'hésite entre 4 ou 5 étoiles. Avec le temps, mon ressenti va évoluer ! Hâte de vous en parler sur mon blog.
Une lecture surprise avec une tension permanente et croissante et une fin surprenante = un drame psychologique et basé sur les sentiments, quand l'amour tourne à la haine ..
Une lecture surprise avec une tension permanente et croissante et une fin surprenante = un drame psychologique et basé sur les sentiments, quand l'amour tourne à la haine ..
November 5, 2019
A story in which you are certain there will be a plot twist and there is, in the final pages. A story of reflection on teenage unrequited love from an adult who never really moved on. It is the story of a life lost, a girl who deserved to have it all.
November 11, 2009
Compelling mystery about a first love gone wrong. Suspenseful.
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