Thomas H. Cook's 1991 book, "Night Secrets" certainly doesn't indicate the vastly talented writer he was to become. His later books, including "Chatham School Affair," and "Places in the Dark" are outstanding examples of his expertise in writing the mysteries that involve incidents from the past and their effect on the present.
However, "Night Secrets" is a meandering, slow-paced yawner involving a burned out PI named Frank Clemons who takes on a "day case" involving a mysterious woman whose husband suspects an affair; his "night" case involves a mysterious gypsy accused of murdering an old woman. Frank's daughter committed suicide, his wife divorced him, and his lover married somebody else. No wonder; Frank is one boring guy. His insane desire for the mad gypsy woman is completely unfounded and preposterous; the denouement is really overwrought and unsuspenseful. A real sleeper, indeed. Beats Sominex.

This was a very good book, it picked up where "Flesh and Blood" left off. Frank Clemons is now working and living out of his office where he sleeps on the sofa if he ever goes to sleep! He is working two cases at once, one at night and one during the day. The one at night involves a beautiful Gypsie girl who has confessed to a murder Frank knows she didn't do. It has a supprise ending that leaves you wanting more. I hope Mr. Cook writes another book that will continue the story.