George Gate’s son has been murdered by a killer who was never captured. Now he finds himself intrigued by the story of a woman who disappeared from a street in his hometown never to be seen again. There can't possible be any connection between the two crimes-or could there?
The Storyline
Journalist George Gates begins to investigate the vanishing of Katherine Carr. It is believed that she was either abducted and murdered or committed suicide. As he studies her story he begins to catch glimpses of a mysterious woman—is it Katherine?
The narrative unfolds in layers. Katherine Carr’s story is told in a series of tantalizing installments of writing she left behind that might provide clues to her disappearance. As he delves into her personal thoughts by means of her fiction, he finds purpose to his own life and closure about his son’s death.
George’s Relationship With Alice, Who Suffers From Progeria
George begins to share the mystery with a girl he is supposed to profile for the paper. Alice Barrows, who loves mysteries, has progeria, a disease in which the aging process is rapidly accelerated. Children with this rare condition usually do not live to adulthood, and Alice’s time is short. George, who was unable to comfort his own son and who blames himself for his being kidnapped, finds solace in comforting this isolated and neglected child, who because of her difference is also very alone and alienated.
Theme of Defining Evil
Many of Cook's novels, including this one, have an underlying theme about evil—why it exists, is it part of human nature? Within the book, there is a particularly vivid scene about a pack of dogs that for some unexplained reason spare the life of a blind and helpless kitten. This poses the question: Is there some unexplained moral law to the universe that even primitive animals somehow sense and once in a while adhere to?
Prose and Characterization – Cook’s Strengths as Novelist
Cook puts his literary background to good use. There is no sloppy writing in his novels. His prose is reflective, and contains sentences and observations worthy of going back and underlining. This is rare in a market that seems to value the quick and easy read.
Though seemingly complex, the storyline is not difficult to read or follow and all comes together in the end. Because of his tragic experience, the hero starts out with a grim view on life, but always looks for that one glimmer of hope, and he finds it in unexpected places, in the friendship of a doomed child and in the mystery of what happened to Katherine Carr. Readers who enjoyed this book might also likeThe City When it Rains, which has a similar theme.
Cook, Thomas H. The Fate of Katherine Carr. Houghton Mifflin NY NY 2009
ISBN139780151014019
About the Author:
Thomas H. Cook is the author of the Edgar-winning The Chatham School Affair. He has written many psychological mysteries, including Breakheart Hill and Master of the Delta. He also has made a name for himself in the field of true crime.
Click here to read a biography of Thomas H. Cook
Review: Master of the Delta
Review: The Cloud of Unknowing
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