Elena Franklin never existed. She is a fictional character created by Thomas H. Cook. In this amazing book, Mr. Cook follows Elena from her birth to her death through her older brother's eyes. The premise is that Elena's biography has just been published but William, her brother, doesn't think it captures Elena's true essence, so he writes his own biography of Elena. A writer himself, he had long ago accepted the fact that his contribution to the world would merely be as a footnote in Elena's life. Elena wanted only to be true to her intelligence and at whatever cost. She realized that she missed out on passion and companionship, but she lived the life that she felt was necessary. And I think she died having peace of mind.

This is an incredible book. I was lucky enough to buy it when it was first published and this is one book that I will not lend to anyone. I've probably read ten times and I will be reading it again. It's a book to read when you are at a point in your life when you have to reassess your priorities and think about the life that you have lived. While it is not a fun book, it is ultimately uplifting.

Having known and worked with the author for many years, I can say first hand that this story would be enjoyable for the young, the old, the adventurous and politically minded. It is both educating and quite entertaining.

Read it!

Unfortunately, this one doesn't have any "heart" in it. The story is interesting, but there is such gloom and pessimism throughout, that one knows the happy ending is not going to come. I also found the characters of Cal and Billy, while vastly intriguing, to be stereotypical and predictable.

Dora March is another character who displays so little soul, one has to wonder why either brother falls in love with her.

As we venture with Cal throughout the story to find out if Dora murdered Billy, we meet some interesting characters, but all of them are mainly depressing and heartless, too. Even the boys' parents behave in a rather ridiculous manner, never really dealing with why they got married if they were so different.

The ending is also one of Cook's weakest. It's like he threw it together because he didn't know who else to pin the "murder" on.

I like Cook, but this book is average fare, and certainly not up to Cook's Edgar-winning standards.

This is my first Thomas H. Cook novel, but it won't be my last. He has a real gift for getting to the heart of what matters and for telling a story in such a way as to pull the reader right into the middle of his beautiful tales!

In PLACES IN THE DARK, green-eyed Dora March arrives in a small town in Maine in the autumn of 1937, bringing with her a host of secrets and the air of seduction.

She works as a live-in caregiver for the town's richest man, and contrary to gossip, turns down the entire estate after the man dies.

She then begins to work for the town newspaper, entrancing the romantic young editor and confusing his older brother.

While the mystery of Dora and her past is central to the story, the book is actually about the two brothers and their different destinies. The story is reminiscent of 'A River Runs Through It' because, try as he might, the older brother cannot save his beloved sibling from his destiny.

I read this book in one sitting, and was completely blown away by the ending. It's that good.

What puzzles me is why the title isn't on every best seller list in the country.

Enjoy!

As Cal searches for Dora who he believes has murdered his brother the reader is given the story little by little. Billie is presented as a reckless soul who follows his heart but is always flirting with disaster. Cal sees himself as his brother's protector. Cal is an aloof man who has learned to face life without the need for love.

It is a moving story of love and betrayal. As the tale unfolds we begin to learn more about Dora, but she always remains a shadow figure.

This is a recommended book for readers of mysteries and modern fiction

But this atmosphere drenched, big city noir is a perfect example of the genre. A free lance photographer is determined to solve the mystery of a beautiful woman who jumped from a high rise to her death. As he becomes obsessed with the case, he is determined to prove that she did not commit suicide.

The City When it Rains is to noir novels what "Laura" and "Vertigo" are to the movies. This is a masterful book about the risk of chasing a dream. About the balance of risking too much through negligence and of risking too little in the name of love.

Thomas Cook's popularity has risen with his terrific books like "Breakheart Hill" and "The Chatham School Affair." Someone should take that opportunity to reprint this, his finest work.