Red Leaves by
Thomas H. Cook
hbk out May 06
Published by Quercus
at £12.99
A terrific story which focuses on the corrosive effects of suspicion on an
average family and maintains an almost unbearable level of suspense from
start to finish. I read this in two sittings and was completely bound up in it.
When a young girl goes missing from her family home, police want to talk to
teenage babysitter, Keith Moore. Keith's father, Eric, realises his son has lied
to the police and, from that point on, the tangle of mistrust and dread grows
and corrupts any vestige of normal family life. Doubts and fears multiply in
the mind of Eric as in the small town community the consequences build
inexorably towards heart-breaking tragedy. Cook is a masterly writer and his
rendition of close relationships is acutely perceptive. Highly recommended.
(
Cath Staincliffe
author of the popular Sal Kilkenny mysteries and the series creator of TV Blue Murder)