Cape Disappointment

Thomas Black #12

by Earl Emerson

The bomb that nearly killed Thomas Black went off in a school gymnasium after a Senate candidate had spoken. When Black—widower, hero, and private investigator—is released from the hospital, he must face the fact that his wife, Kathy, who died in a plane crash weeks before the bombing, is really gone for good. Or is she? Black believes he sees Kathy in a passing truck. Her cell phone, which should be on the bottom of the sea, calls his in the middle of the night. And the explanations investigators give for the crash just don’t make sense. Now Black is interested in what a former CIA hit man has been trying to tell him about the plane crash. Suddenly, Black is on the run, caught in a web of personal and political lies and a plot that is killing everyone it touches.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller

353 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Earl Emerson is a lieutenant in the Seattle Fire Department. He is the Shamus Award-winning author of Vertical Burn, as well as the Thomas Black detective series. He lives in North Bend, Washington.

Reviews

[Jason Freeze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this book up on a lark at the gift shop of the Cape Disappointment lighthouse last summer. I didn't realize it was book 13 in a series, but whatever. It was a good read overall and rife with conspiracies and crooked politics. It also had a very human element that made it easy to feel for the characters. I look forward to checking out the rest of the series when I have the opportunity.

[Bill Yarbrough · Rating 5 out of 5]

9 out of 10 stars. This book was written eleven years after his previous Thomas Black book (published in 2009), and it showed changes in the author. I usually finish a series, but this book seemed too real even though I knew it was fiction and took me a little longer to finish. Too me, it seemed like the book was written between 2016 and 2021.

[Jim Thomsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There comes a time in every series when the author loses interest and as a result, the stories lose their special crackle. Earl Emerson had a good run with Thomas Black, but probably carried it a book or two past his actual interest in Black, and I wouldn't have been upset if the wisecracking Seattle private eye had faded from the scene with 1999's "Catfish Cafe." Once Thomas and Kathy Birchfield, his longtime best friend turned lover, got serious and got domestic, the pilot light slowly faded out of this snarky mystery series.

But, 10 years later, Emerson and Black are back in "Cape Disappointment," and while it was nice to see old friends in action once more, this felt more like Black Emeritus than Classic Black. The book is darker than previous efforts in this series, with a stretch into geopolitical-thriller territory that doesn't rest easily on the shoulders of this traditional Seattle-centric formula-mystery series. The humor seems subdued, even perfunctory, and the laughs that should have come from the sleazebaggery of the Slezak brothers simply aren't there.

Frankly, everybody seems tired.

Nonetheless, the final act delivers some surprises (but not the ones you'd expect — come on, you didn't REALLY think Kathy had been killed in that plane explosion, did you?) — and the political machinations do give one at least a little pause.

That said, this was second-rate Emerson and second-rate Black, and it felt like one long somber, sluggish post-concert encore from both.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is part of Emerson's Thomas Black series. Very complex story that takes a while for you to understand what is going on. Comes to a good resolution. Conspiracy, with murder and dirty politics are the order of the day. You are not quite sure which characters are on Black's side at different times in the book. Emerson's books have gotten more complex story lines over the years. I am ready for his next book.

[Eleanor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've waited for something like 10 years for a new Thomas Black novel from Earl Emerson, and was very happy when this one landed in the store.

Fans of multi-layered conspiracy theories will find this one an intriguing read, but I'm not a big fan of those so I can't rank it among my favorites.... but I also couldn't put it down, so there ya go.

Here's hoping Thomas Black is back for good.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this locally set conspiracy theory book. It' my first by this author and I'll look for others. Husband sees wife's small plane crash into the ocean, all on board died. Then her cell phone which should be at the bottom of the sea calls him. He has twin brothers helping him on his quest to get to the bottom of what happened and trying to keep him alive.

[Viccy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Black is back and in great form. I love Thomas, more than Mac, who is a little too laconic for my taste. I prefer more action in my action hero. You will cry, you will laugh, vintage Earl Emerson!

[Yvette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fabulous thriller by a writer no one ever heard of. This guy should be
world famous, he's that good. Private eye Thomas Black is back after
a very long hiatus - Hooray! Emerson is a Seattle firefighter and a helluva
writer.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Earl Emerson/Thomas Black I've read. Without giving away any spoilers, I was very touched by the despair of the main character. IMHO, it was extremely well written. I am anxious to go back to the beginning and read much more of this author.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hard to put down. It shows the evolution of a generation exclusive to this 60 year period of the US. Before a woke, or political correctness started jarring people a part. We were all just people, Americans doing the best we knew how, and giving people the benefit of the doubt.
This book clearly captures the starting's of a propaganda press of whoever the" powers that be" will allow.
A naiveness in the over-all population toward political manipulation, or if there was overt cover-up of foul play for gain. There were a few people that threw incidents, or questions about. They were tolerated. Interesting. To each their own. That is how America was. Now, people can hardly tell what is a genuine conspiracy, or an over active imagination due to lack of transparency leading to all sorts of theories. That's what makes this book so readable.
A few years ago, if I had read this book when it was first written, I may have thought it was a good book but I would not have been ready for the experience I now feel while reading this book.
Although the book is older, because of modern technology, there's no secrets out there. A federal agency, should they actually decided to paint whatever picture they want the public to believe about injury or tragedy, it's nearly impossible to do it the same way they could have 40 years ago. Because even when let say the media might report like political activists rather than reporters, or perhaps hunting something online depending on which search engine one uses, as different services allows certain searches. Freedom of informed speech requires some work, but it's become a lot harder to suppress truth. Someone (usually more than one) else has caught it on their phone, or information in hidden PDF files are revealed right in your own home due to FOIA requests, etc. Living through all of the events referenced that actually did happen during this timeframe of American history that the author mentioned, now shows how brilliant, yet sad the reality of a fictional book could be.
I love the touchable characters. I love that party lines did not destroy friendships as happens too often these days. I give kudos to the author for a story well written.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series for quite awhile. It is a bit quirky at times and the main character, Thomas Black, can be quite sarcastic in serious situations but always gets the job done. This story bounces back and forth between his current situation and what happens shortly before to get him to where he is now.
Thomas is working for a politician trying to get elected to the Senate, his wife, Kathy, is working for the incumbent. They are at odds at she can't understand why he is doing this job and he is basically paying back a debt. He doesn't really believe in the guy but feels he has to do this job anyway. He doesn't like the people working for his candidate and he also doesn't like some of the ones on the other side. When his wife is "dies" in a plane crash with the Senator and he witnesses it he is having a hard time believing it. After several other things happen he starts thinking it may not have been an accident and sets out to find out the truth. He is aided by Elmer (Snake) and Bert Slezak, identical twins who at times he is not sure if they are helping or hindering. Kalpesh Gupta who worked with Kathy seems to be hiding things and Thomas doesn't trust him. Deborah Driscoll who Thomas works with also has some secrets and she seems to have the hots for Thomas. They combine along with others to play dirty politics. The FBI, NTSB and other law enforcement agencies are involved in the plane crash investigation and there are conspiracy theories being thrown around and some others end up dead.
Thomas goes through lots of mood swings and it highlighted what a person experiences when a loved one suddenly and unexpectantly dies. The conspiracy in the story is a bit convoluted and Bert is definitely a bit out there. You want to believe some of the things he comes up with but at the same time you think he is a wacko. Thomas is injured in a bombing and the descriptions are pretty amazing. He goes thru a lot and doesn't exactly pop out the other side as a super hero. He is battered and bruised and it shows. He figures things out in the end but you are still left hanging a bit.

[Elliot Weeks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a readable thriller with moments of ‘good,’ but not ‘great.’ The protagonist came off as unlikeable, which Emerson freely admits in the prose but still makes him a hero that can do no wrong. I found that strangely off putting for some reason. I found the conspiracy intriguing and definitely went hard into the losing-grip-on-reality aspect that the main character was feeling. The ending was predictable though...I called it in the first third of the book. Since this is a series (one I haven’t read until this book) I know it had to return to the status quo somehow. It would have been cool if that wasn’t the case here though.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

The tone of this one marks a significant change from the rest of the series; Emerson's heroes, Thomas and Kathy, are caught up in a government conspiracy, and by the end of the book they're buying into rank-and-file conspiracy theories about the 9/11 report, among other things. I suppose Emerson expected the reader to sympathize with them, and with others who spout anti-government paranoia, but I sure didn't. I've followed these characters for a long time, and it was disappointing to see that brand of politics creep into their personalities. Here's hoping the next installment is a return to form.

[John Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went back and caught up on some Earl Emerson that I had missed. Once again I missed one, this one, and ended up reading the two that came after this first and, as a result, it took away one of the biggest unknowns of the book. Still, I thought it was a terrific book, a really good story. I thought it could have been a little meatier at the end but still it was still a very, very enjoyable read.

[Debra Walden Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emerson not only weaves a great story, but does his research. In Cape Disappointment, he brings into play the actual deaths of Missouri's Governor Mel Carnahan and Senator Paul Wellstone from Minnesota. Both men, like the politician in Cape Disappointment, died in plane crashes as they campaigned for office. As usual with Emerson, you will laugh and cry, but most of all you will identify with Black as he struggles to accept himself. For like all of us, he is flawed.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kathy and Thomas are working for competing candidates for the Senate. Thomas watches as Kathy and her candidate's plane plummets into the ocean. Weeks later Thomas is caught in a bomb that detonates at a rally of his candidate. Elmer Slezak's twin brother Bert is certain that these events are due to a government conspiracy of epic proportions.

[Chris Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is June's Mystery Book Club entry. I like Emerson and the puzzles he poses in this. Plotting is ok, characters are generally good, and he winds up with a lulu of a misstep, but overall a quick, enjoyable read and worthy of the time.

[Ron Nurmi · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a waste of time!!!! The only saving grace it did not take too many hours to read this so-called book.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed. This is generally my favorite type of book. Sadly not this one.

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read Earl Emerson in a long time. This was as good as I remembered.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read all of the books in Earl Emerson's Thomas Black series. I have to admit that it's been so long (Catfish Cafe in 1999), that I didn't remember much about the character when I started this book. But, I knew that I liked this author and that I would probably like this book. This was, however, a very different read from Earl. The flashbacks (and foreshadowing) kind of threw me at first. As I was saying, I was just trying to remember Thomas Black and the back and forth between past, present, and future was confusing. When I finished the book, I realized what Earl was trying to accomplish (finally), but I have to say that it wasn’t my favorite format. That said, when I got to the “good stuff” at around page 239 I was so happy to finally be sucked into this story (as I had been in previous Earl Emerson books). He caught me off guard – maybe that was his intention? – and I jumped on the roller coaster story line that he had crafted. I’m still not sure this story needed so much of the conspiracy stuff, but I’ll let that go (I don’t want anyone to come after me). I have a place on the Long Beach peninsula, so I truly enjoyed the parts of the story that were set there. Interesting that he never mentioned the town of Long Beach, but he did speak of Ilwaco, Naselle, and Astoria, where I have spent a lot of time. I also loved that he integrated our Coast Guard buddies at Cape D –we have interacted with them on many occasions and those guys really are amazing. Glad to hear a shout out to the best Coasties on the west coast! Cape Disappointment can be a haunting place, stuck out there on the cliffs overlooking the mouth of the Columbia River and, along and its sister lighthouse (North Head), watching over the “graveyard of the Pacific.” North Head lighthouse is supposedly the windiest place in the U.S., in case you care! Both are worth visiting and I’m glad that Earl chose this venue as a setting for his latest adventure. All in all, I would say that I liked this book. Not the best from Earl, in my opinion, but worth reading.

[Kallierose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it would be almost to describe my feelings about this book without revealing spoilers, so needless to say I'm checking the "contains spoilers" ticky-box.

I did like this book, although it took me to some uncomfortable places. I'm not sure that the conspiracy-theory wielding brothers were the author's way of making his reader think more about the world around them, or whether he was just using it as a plot device. Either way, it did make a little uncomfortable about how rarely I look behind the headlines at what is really going on in the world. Sure, I read the news and do my best to understand it, but when you only have so many media outlets, and they're all saying pretty much the same thing, how do you know if you're getting the whole story? That's Thomas's dilemma, and mine as well. Who do you believe, and how much should you really trust them?

I did find the first part of the book a little disorienting, and in the beginning I didn't see why this was necessary. As we delved deeper into what happened to Kathy I began to understand the reasoning behind author's choice. Thomas's confusion and pain were so much more real and palpable this way.

I'd probably give this book 3.5 stars if that was an option. I liked it, but I didn't quite "really like it."

[Stefan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cape Disappointment was a gripping thriller. The characters were interesting, the setting of the Pacific North-West was vividly described, the plot was intelligent, and the tension was constant. I enjoyed how Emerson wrote the novel using flashbacks and memories. The conspiracy theories were not used so outlandishly or implausibly that I became disinterested. In fact, the conspiracy theories added substance to the plot. I wish the conclusion had been a bit more satisfactory. I wanted to know the public reaction to Thomas and Ruth’s article; also, I wish the author had been a little less vague saying who the bad guys actually were. The Thomas Black series is definitely worth reading more of.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little disappointing. (har, har)

Emerson's stories and writing style are somewhat derivative of other top rated crime and suspense authors.

In this tale, Private Eye, Thomas Black, is nearly killed by a bomb that went off in a school gymnasium. After almost bleeding to death, he spends days in a near delerious, surrealistic state before being released to mourn his wife's death in a mysterious plane crash.

It is then he begins to experience wierd events relating to his wife and others as well as himself. He becomes a target but manages to survive, solve the puzzle and experience a happy ending, a too neat and slightly unbelievable one.

As I implied above, after a while I thought, I may have already read this book or one very much like it. Still, I'm glad I did finish it.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally Earl Emerson has written a new Thomas Black mystery! This isn't my favorite Thomas Black mystery but it is so great to read a new one at last. This one happens mainly in the Long Beach & Cape Disappointment area, which makes it fun. Thomas and his wife, Kathy, are both working for opposing political campaigns. As the book begins,Thomas is near death from injuries he received in an explosion, & we discover that Kathy died in an intential airplane crash. Or, is it all an illusion? There are more conspiracy theories than I could count, and lots of action. You'll go crazy trying to second guess what is happening next. I enjoyed this read.

[John Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad to see Earl Emerson is back writing Thomas Black mysteries. Lately, he's been writing thrillers based around men and women of fire departments, which are also very entertaining, but it's great to see Mr. Emerson back writing around the series that launched his career.

This one isn't so much a straight up mystery, though there are certainly classic elements of the mystery. This one is a little bit more suspense and thriller oriented. The time shifting in the book was a bit jarring, but as long as you paid attention, you could figure out what was happening in his overal plot.

Hoping he continues writing about Thomas Black and look forward to his next book.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I was slogging through the suthor's conspiracy theories, I almost put this book down. Then I read a review here stating that the book got interesting sa page 239 so I continued on. I'd say the book became interesting a coouple pages before that, but is slow going up until then. I really don't like reading a novel where the author writes a story to serve up his conspriuacy theories; Earl Emerson should stick to "fire" stories. If this had been my first Earl Emerson, I would never read anything by him again

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#12 in the Thomas Black series. This 2009 entry in the private investigator Thomas Black series arrives after a gap of 11 years filled with a half dozen firefighting thrillers from author Emerson, a Seattle firefighter.

Thomas Black is working for a Senate candidate when he is impaled by a metal rod in a bomb blast. Wife Kathy was working for the incumbent opponent who died in a suspicious plane crash. As he recovers in the hospital, the backstory is revealed in a series of disjointed flashbacks.

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book should be a heaven for conspiracy theorists. It's been a long time between Thomas Black & Kathy tales. This one is exciting, tense and has a plot twist almost every chapter. The only problem I see is where does Emerson go with his characters now that they know what they know? They obviously cannot go back to being the new Nick and Nora combination. Recommended, especially to fans of unusual dramas.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read all Earl Emerson's books, and this is the best. I like his character Thomas Black for his quirky slightly off balance way of investigating things. This book is more in depth than any of his previous books, deals with current issues we are all familiar with, and really makes one wonder if "Fox News" is an oxymoron.