What do you think?
Rate this book
Along Comes a Stranger
The summer of 1995 marks Kate Colter's fifteenth year in the small town of Hayden, Wyoming. She is a woman who is generally happy in her marriage and with her now predictable day-to-day life as wife, mother, and part-time breadwinner. Even though she is a New Englander at heart, Kate has reached a point where rodeos, summer heat, sharp light, and the vast, desolate beauty of the West have become almost second nature to her. She loves her husband and daughter, is fond of her neighbors, and enjoys the company of her mother-in-law. Yet, privately, she longs for the conversations and stories of her past, and she can't help but feel disconnected from the people around her. In walks Tom Baxter, Kate's mother-in-law's new suitor from "back East." Kate is immediately drawn to Tom—his gentle charm and engaging conversation spark an unusual companionship. Tom seems like the little piece of home that Kate so misses. She's curious about him and about his story, but finds unexplained gaps and inconsistencies that pique her interest to a new level. Then a series of peculiar and seemingly suspicious events leads Kate to a terrifying conclusion—a conclusion that could forever shatter her life and the lives of those she loves. In this debut novel, Dorie McCullough Lawson vividly captures a familiar American landscape. Filled with unforgettable characters and written in eloquent yet suspenseful prose, Along Comes a Stranger is a darkly humorous novel that examines the depth of identity and family life.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published April 24, 2007
10 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
January 10, 2010
An auspicious debut. Looking forward to her next novel. "Along Comes a Stranger" is typical of great works: it commences with a brief fragment of an idea and then becomes a work of imagination. Original. Non cliched. Almost deceptively pedestrian. Readable font. Occasional brief attractive short chapters. Lovely flawless gentle effortless prose without pondering exhausting small print detail. Yes, an auspicious debut. More please.
November 8, 2015
Kate Colter tells about her town of Hayden Wyo. in mediocre terms. She tells about her daughter, husband and mother-in-law. Everything has a sameness to it. Then a stranger comes to town. Kate is very suspicious. He is seeing her mother-in-law. When she sees his pearl handled knife, all is made know to her.
September 1, 2008
I suspect this book was supposed to be intense, but it certainly fell short. The assumptions that Kate makes to uncover Tom's true identity are rather akin to throwing a dart into a pitch black room and hitting the target...unlikely. Truthfully, I was bored for most of the book.
April 13, 2009
Wow.... I've never been so bored. Seriously, never. I mean, I completely understand the day to day life of a stay-at-home mome, I am one, but I'm not crazy enough to think people would want to READ about the day to day life of a stay-at-home mom! (Hence my blogging about things OTHER than daily life in my house!)
This one starts out with major hints about a HUGE event happening in the life of the main character... of course, nothing happens until the last 10 pages of the book. Frankly, by that point, I really didn't care anymore. As a mom, I vaguely felt for the little girl, but it was hard to care much when it didn't seem like the main character cared!
Blah, I don't even want to spend any more time writing about it. I would say, don't waste your time. Obviously, though, not everyone agrees with me. The quotes on the book jacket say things like "I couldn't put it down" and I noticed on the sign posted at the library that at least a couple of people had voted "loved it".
This one starts out with major hints about a HUGE event happening in the life of the main character... of course, nothing happens until the last 10 pages of the book. Frankly, by that point, I really didn't care anymore. As a mom, I vaguely felt for the little girl, but it was hard to care much when it didn't seem like the main character cared!
Blah, I don't even want to spend any more time writing about it. I would say, don't waste your time. Obviously, though, not everyone agrees with me. The quotes on the book jacket say things like "I couldn't put it down" and I noticed on the sign posted at the library that at least a couple of people had voted "loved it".
April 17, 2012
It was almost laughable how absurd this was. I felt like a 4th grader came up with the story idea and just ran with it. I didn't know Whitey was an actual real person. But the plot, her aunt mentions him and what do you know, he's here hiding as Tom!
It was a lot of build up for something that happened in 2 pages and was over with.
It was a lot of build up for something that happened in 2 pages and was over with.
Read
July 22, 2008hmmmmm... honestly, it was an okay book. I read it in a day, as it is ver elementary. The author spend most of the book developing characters and they all converge so quickly at the end that you are left feeling rushed.
July 12, 2018
This book was interesting but pretty predictable. It was a fast read though and would be a great vacation read. Nothing stellar to report but decent enough.
December 24, 2025
five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
i absolutely devoured this book. like blinked and it was over because i read the whole thing in one sitting. the slow-paced western life pulled me in immediately and honestly made me so nostalgic for my time in wyoming — that quiet, wide-open, nothing-ever-happens-here feeling that somehow makes everything feel more real. and then… along comes the stranger. 😬
what i loved most is how patient this book is. it doesn’t rush, it lets you sit with the people, their routines, their trust, their conversations. watching the relationships develop and the interactions slowly shift was genuinely fascinating and also lowkey unsettling in the best way. the psychological side of it is so well done — you can totally see how charm and normalcy blur the warning signs, which makes it even more chilling because it feels so real.
a lot of true crime can feel sensational, but this one feels human. i kept thinking about how this book will stick with me — it’s not about shock, it’s about how easily lives can be changed when you least expect it. quiet, creepy, thoughtful, and impossible to put down. i’m still thinking about it and probably will be for a while. highly recommend if you like true crime that sneaks up on you instead of screaming for attention.
i absolutely devoured this book. like blinked and it was over because i read the whole thing in one sitting. the slow-paced western life pulled me in immediately and honestly made me so nostalgic for my time in wyoming — that quiet, wide-open, nothing-ever-happens-here feeling that somehow makes everything feel more real. and then… along comes the stranger. 😬
what i loved most is how patient this book is. it doesn’t rush, it lets you sit with the people, their routines, their trust, their conversations. watching the relationships develop and the interactions slowly shift was genuinely fascinating and also lowkey unsettling in the best way. the psychological side of it is so well done — you can totally see how charm and normalcy blur the warning signs, which makes it even more chilling because it feels so real.
a lot of true crime can feel sensational, but this one feels human. i kept thinking about how this book will stick with me — it’s not about shock, it’s about how easily lives can be changed when you least expect it. quiet, creepy, thoughtful, and impossible to put down. i’m still thinking about it and probably will be for a while. highly recommend if you like true crime that sneaks up on you instead of screaming for attention.
September 23, 2017
I rated this higher than the average, because I read it for what it seemed, a type of "cosy mystery." It was a quick read and other than the now ubiquitous misuse of "brought" for "took" I didn't find any awkward grammar or plot inconsistencies. Also, considering that during the time of the story (and at the time of publication) Whitey Bulger was still a fugitive, the climax and resolution was realistic and well handled. The author does not appear to have written anything else in this line, but perhaps could have made a series of Kate Colter stories (especially featuring her spunky mother-in-law.)
April 27, 2020
I found this book in a Little Free Library kiosk in Seaside, Oregon. “Along Comes A Stranger” is readable and moves along, but the story is not credible. Some chapters are oh-so-short and indicate that maybe a ruthless editor took an axe to a boulder in an attempt to find a diamond in the rough. The fact that this debut novelist got a hardcover book deal with Harper Collins (for such mediocre work) speaks to the weight of her father’s reputation—what a drag for great writers who have paid their dues and deserve major book deals.
May 20, 2017
A quick read. If you are looking for suspense, this isn't the best choice. However, I felt the characters were well developed and liked the connection of a real historical crime figure in a fiction book. I always enjoy a book that makes me search further into a subject I know little or nothing about. Not on my top 10 list for the year, but worth the time invested.
April 26, 2020
I’d give this book 3.5 stars. It wasn’t a suspenseful book like the blurb on the back cover suggests, but it was more of an observation into small town family life. One major event happens, but most of the story is one woman’s life and inner dialogue. There were some interesting insights and for the most part, I enjoyed the story.
September 26, 2022
Wasnt a thriller but a good story none the less. I dont know what these reviewers expect in a novel, a heated car chase, with murder and mayhem? Books are about life and all lives are different and take different turns. This was actually the resonance of the book. I thought it was sweet and endearing and human. My thanks to the author.
December 30, 2018
A little slow at times. Easy read- disappointing overall as far as content
May 17, 2019
I liked this book! Had a great ending.
June 22, 2021
Easy read, took a turn towards the end that makes you want to keep reading. 4/5
Read
October 4, 2021did not finish.
August 15, 2022
3 - 3 1/2
February 2, 2011
Okay – so another book that sounded so promising and ended up being mediocre. What’s up!?
Kate Colter has lived in small-town Wyoming for 15 years. Her husband, George, is a paleontologist; her daughter, Clara, is just seven and suffers from MCADD, a disease that requires her to eat regularly or else her body runs out of glucose and starts to shut down.
What we’re expected to believe – because the author tells us , is that Kate is somehow dissatisfied with her beautiful family and lovely life, that she’s an East Coast girl at heart and has never really settled into life in the West. That’s why when she meets her mother-in-law’s new boyfriend, Tom Baxter, she’s immediately smitten. He’s from away and as far as Kate’s concerned, he’s exciting and intelligent and they have things to talk about.
About 50 pages in, Kate mentions her aunt Joanie. She’s clearly a plot device, so the author can tell us about Kate’s fascination with criminals.
"I can’t say Joanie’s and my interest in the underworld arises from a concern for something greater, like justice, nor does it come from something emotional or psychological within either one of us, like a deep-seated fear of evil, for instance. No, Joanie and I just like to talk about all these crimes and criminals because they make for good, fast-moving stories."
So, life ticks on. George goes off on a dig and Kate is required to fill her days – which she does. Maybe this is the reason why she doesn’t notice, at first, the huge red flags that something is not 100% square with Mr. Baxter. Oh no! Then, even the tiniest things start alarm bells ringing until the novel’s wholly ridiculous conclusion.
Look, I’ve read dozens of these stories – you have, too – lots of them are terrific. This one is not. The characters, every last one of them, are one-dimensional and the whole thing is contrived and lacks any sort of suspenseful momentum.
Kate Colter has lived in small-town Wyoming for 15 years. Her husband, George, is a paleontologist; her daughter, Clara, is just seven and suffers from MCADD, a disease that requires her to eat regularly or else her body runs out of glucose and starts to shut down.
What we’re expected to believe – because the author tells us , is that Kate is somehow dissatisfied with her beautiful family and lovely life, that she’s an East Coast girl at heart and has never really settled into life in the West. That’s why when she meets her mother-in-law’s new boyfriend, Tom Baxter, she’s immediately smitten. He’s from away and as far as Kate’s concerned, he’s exciting and intelligent and they have things to talk about.
About 50 pages in, Kate mentions her aunt Joanie. She’s clearly a plot device, so the author can tell us about Kate’s fascination with criminals.
"I can’t say Joanie’s and my interest in the underworld arises from a concern for something greater, like justice, nor does it come from something emotional or psychological within either one of us, like a deep-seated fear of evil, for instance. No, Joanie and I just like to talk about all these crimes and criminals because they make for good, fast-moving stories."
So, life ticks on. George goes off on a dig and Kate is required to fill her days – which she does. Maybe this is the reason why she doesn’t notice, at first, the huge red flags that something is not 100% square with Mr. Baxter. Oh no! Then, even the tiniest things start alarm bells ringing until the novel’s wholly ridiculous conclusion.
Look, I’ve read dozens of these stories – you have, too – lots of them are terrific. This one is not. The characters, every last one of them, are one-dimensional and the whole thing is contrived and lacks any sort of suspenseful momentum.
January 23, 2011
This was a very difficult book for me to "get into." It never quite captured my attention, it was only the mysterious stranger that kept me going, my curiousity. Everything else was like filling that I could've done without. I can't really say it was a BAD book, I think maybe I just wasn't in the right mood for it? Not really sure. It was only the last 15 or so pages that really held my interest and made me want to read faster to find out what was going to happen. The author is a good writer but I think I prefer a little more suspense and that's what I expected, but didn't get. I won't be recommending this to anyone, I don't think.
July 24, 2008
I read this book in 24 hours. It is an easy read and I was so drawn into the character's lives. You can't but help feel compassion for this woman on many different levels. I also learned many things about myself, while the main character was going through her journey of self discovery. The great thing about this novel, along with this woman's journey, is the mystery of the stranger that has come to town. The only warning, would be for those sensitive to cursing, though it is not excessive. This was an enjoyable story.
September 7, 2008
This was a mediocre read. I thought the plot fell apart about halfway through. Then the ending just sorta got sprung on you and nothing was there to back it up. However, I did read it fairly fast, so I have to give that some credit.
The setting was a year prior to when the narrator was narrating from and there were some inconsistencies. A murder in a small town, but no real connection to the story. And a large amount of mundane detail that I don't think anyone would recall a year later, no matter the circumstances.
Definitely not my favorite reader's choice pick.
The setting was a year prior to when the narrator was narrating from and there were some inconsistencies. A murder in a small town, but no real connection to the story. And a large amount of mundane detail that I don't think anyone would recall a year later, no matter the circumstances.
Definitely not my favorite reader's choice pick.
September 20, 2009
This book is a story about a stranger who comes to town.
Kate married her husband George (a paleontologist), who is away a lot of work, leaving Kate to raise their daughter. Her mother-in-law meets a “stranger”, Tom Baxter, who becomes her boyfriend and Kate and Tom have a common ground, New England, so they hit it off.
Kate’s curiosity is piqued when she starts to notice some inconsistencies in Tom’s story and she checks into the facts.
This was an okay read, a bit predictable, but still enjoyable. The last pages of the book were the “meat” of the story.
Kate married her husband George (a paleontologist), who is away a lot of work, leaving Kate to raise their daughter. Her mother-in-law meets a “stranger”, Tom Baxter, who becomes her boyfriend and Kate and Tom have a common ground, New England, so they hit it off.
Kate’s curiosity is piqued when she starts to notice some inconsistencies in Tom’s story and she checks into the facts.
This was an okay read, a bit predictable, but still enjoyable. The last pages of the book were the “meat” of the story.
July 19, 2010
A quiet, little book about a New England woman transplanted to Wyoming for her husband's job as a paleontologist. With her husband traveling for work, Kate is left alone outside a quiet country town with her daughter who has a medical condition that needs frequent management. Kate is happy to meet a stranger to town, her MIL's new boyfriend Tom who shares many of her interests but starts to get suspicious when things about him and his story don't add up. A bit slow-moving at times but I stayed with it to find out what happened as I liked the characters.
July 21, 2011
This book is "chatty". It's like sitting across the table from someone and listen to them tell a story. At times the story is a little boring and at times it's exciting and at times you just want them to hurry up and finish telling the story....that is what this book is like.
This book wasn't great. This book was ok. It didn't rivet me....but I wanted to hurry up and finish it so I could get to the end of her story.
This book wasn't great. This book was ok. It didn't rivet me....but I wanted to hurry up and finish it so I could get to the end of her story.
October 25, 2007
This is written by my friend Dorie who lives here in Rockport and with whom we share Ibby. She is the historian David McCullough's daughter. I liked the book, although much of what I liked about it was recognizing bits of their lives in the story. her husband is from Wyoming and they lived there before moving to Maine. She is a very cool and dear person!
April 25, 2009
This book didn't completely do it for me. I felt like it took half of the book to get going and then the climax was about 2 pages and then the book was over. I didn't feel like there was enough character development for some of the characters and it just didn't flow very well for me. It was a really quick read, and it wasn't bad, it just wasn't great either.
April 5, 2010
She's David McCullough's daughter and that's why I picked this one up. I really liked the nuances of the story. Simple story where a new person in a small town turns out to be who one dreaming housewife thinks he might be - someone on the lam. This books is about the connections between the characters and less about the mystery. It's a quick, but thoughtful read. Happy to lend this!
February 25, 2011
B.O.R.I.N.G. Seriously. I couldn't WAIT for this book to be over. Since I can't quit reading a book, I stuck it out. Something finally did happen, but not until around page 150. And then it was just plain weird. But for the first 150 pages, it describes - in tedious detail - the life of a woman in Wyoming. Yawn. Definitely skip this one.
December 4, 2012
Meh. I liked the setting (Wyoming) and the protagonist's descriptions of herself as an undeveloped person trying to interact with full-fledged adults. Her worries about her daughter's health issues also rang true. Those aspects were very believable and offered hope for the book. The story line took a corny turn, though, and went down the wrong road for my taste.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews