Helpful Score: 5
"Cloudland" is a suspense mystery with deep-seated psychological twists. The story is set in picturesque Vermont (and also a few parts take place in New Hampshire) . From the information I found online, this book is loosely based on a true crime about a serial killer in the Connecticut River Valley (between New Hampshire & Vermont) who killed 6 women, that the murders were never solved.
This mystery starts out quickly with the main character, Catherine Winslow. Catherine finds the body of a woman leaning against an apple tree, when she's walking up the road next to her home. Catherine was once a reporter for a national newspaper and a teacher who has been relieved from her professorship. She has since settled in Vermont and writes a household hint column for a local newspaper. She knows the dead woman is a victim of a serial killer from the dead woman's pink parka. She realizes that the woman was reported missing just weeks before, during a terrible blizzard. Slowly but, surely, Catherine starts to get involved with solving this crime with help from her neighbor who is a forensic psychiatrist. From then on Catherine starts to find a few astonishing connections to the serial murders. One thing she realizes is that the murders seem to be based on an unfinished novel that is missing from her own personal library. Also at this time her younger student & ex-lover (who was the cause of her losing her professorship) has resurfaced and he's trying to get back into her life.
"Cloudland" is not just a mystery about a serial killer. It's also about how we as humans lie to ourselves and the crimes we commit on a more personal level. This isn't a fast moving thriller it's more of a slow psychological suspense mystery which slowly exposes the characters involved and Catherine finds out that you never really know anyone.
This book was a simple read that I read in a few days. The plot builds very gradually as this is more of a suspense novel than an edge of your seat thriller. I did enjoy this book, and I'd recommend it to those who like suspense, psychological mysteries or literary mysteries.
This mystery starts out quickly with the main character, Catherine Winslow. Catherine finds the body of a woman leaning against an apple tree, when she's walking up the road next to her home. Catherine was once a reporter for a national newspaper and a teacher who has been relieved from her professorship. She has since settled in Vermont and writes a household hint column for a local newspaper. She knows the dead woman is a victim of a serial killer from the dead woman's pink parka. She realizes that the woman was reported missing just weeks before, during a terrible blizzard. Slowly but, surely, Catherine starts to get involved with solving this crime with help from her neighbor who is a forensic psychiatrist. From then on Catherine starts to find a few astonishing connections to the serial murders. One thing she realizes is that the murders seem to be based on an unfinished novel that is missing from her own personal library. Also at this time her younger student & ex-lover (who was the cause of her losing her professorship) has resurfaced and he's trying to get back into her life.
"Cloudland" is not just a mystery about a serial killer. It's also about how we as humans lie to ourselves and the crimes we commit on a more personal level. This isn't a fast moving thriller it's more of a slow psychological suspense mystery which slowly exposes the characters involved and Catherine finds out that you never really know anyone.
This book was a simple read that I read in a few days. The plot builds very gradually as this is more of a suspense novel than an edge of your seat thriller. I did enjoy this book, and I'd recommend it to those who like suspense, psychological mysteries or literary mysteries.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a great book. I had to keep checking to make sure the author was not a woman. I live in the area where this murders did take place and have never been solved. I loved this book. It is a real nail biter until the end. Than surprise
Ick, I should have known better, when I read a thriller I am not looking for great literature, for prose and words that flow like poetry. I am looking for thrills! For reading as fast as you can because you just cannot put the book down. This is not a thriller. It is a lyrical trip that may have thrills along the way, but I didn't hang around long enough to find out.
