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The Drowning
234 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1972
14 people want to read
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September 25, 2021
I have been in process with a lengthy biography that has not been holding my attention, so I keep picking up other books for interstitial entertainment. This was on my pile of pending mystery/thrillers, so I picked it up.
Bill Cook is a clamming man, but not your usual Clam Town resident. He has a four year degree, played football, worked in business, and has worked hard to keep his son in school. He clams, we hear, because it's peaceful, and he likes the life. But one day, a group of Albanians bring a renowned award-winning photographer - the same photographer known to be writing an expose' of communist life - to the area from New York City to take photos, and she disappears from their rented boat while Bill is clamming. Suddenly Bill's name is everywhere, including on a witness subpoena; personal rivalries between newspaper reporters, between district attorneys, and between newspaper editors and the district attorney grow to the level of battles amongst rabid dogs, and everyone wants to know what happened to stunning young Gretchen Voelke and when will the Albanians be punished. Meanwhile, Bill knows much more than he is saying, and he shouldn't be underestimated.
The characters might have been original in 1970, but here and now, we've seen them again and again, and the story is slow moving. The atmosphere could have been a fine setting had more been invested in the process and background of Clam Town - but we heard about it largely in relation to the protagonist, which no doubt helped keep the book to its 234 pages. A few interesting, and one or two implausible, twists - but not a keeper for me.
Bill Cook is a clamming man, but not your usual Clam Town resident. He has a four year degree, played football, worked in business, and has worked hard to keep his son in school. He clams, we hear, because it's peaceful, and he likes the life. But one day, a group of Albanians bring a renowned award-winning photographer - the same photographer known to be writing an expose' of communist life - to the area from New York City to take photos, and she disappears from their rented boat while Bill is clamming. Suddenly Bill's name is everywhere, including on a witness subpoena; personal rivalries between newspaper reporters, between district attorneys, and between newspaper editors and the district attorney grow to the level of battles amongst rabid dogs, and everyone wants to know what happened to stunning young Gretchen Voelke and when will the Albanians be punished. Meanwhile, Bill knows much more than he is saying, and he shouldn't be underestimated.
The characters might have been original in 1970, but here and now, we've seen them again and again, and the story is slow moving. The atmosphere could have been a fine setting had more been invested in the process and background of Clam Town - but we heard about it largely in relation to the protagonist, which no doubt helped keep the book to its 234 pages. A few interesting, and one or two implausible, twists - but not a keeper for me.
Displaying 1 of 1 review