For some reason this book popped into my head during the week and seeing it on the shelf this morning, realised I had to read it. (This is despite the huge pile of new books I've recently bought.) I've been reading Jonathan Carroll for a number of years and some of his novels I adore and some dont quite fit with me. This is one of the former. Exquisitely written in a wonderfully readable style. Essentially this is a murder mystery, a whodunit, yet somehow as you’d expect with Carroll, it never quite fits into that box. ( )

The bestselling author Sam Bayer is frustrated with how his latest book is turning out. Going back to his childhood roots in the small town of Crane's Village, he comes up with a much better book: he's going to tell the story of Pauline Ostrova, Crane's View's teenage beauty and oddball who was murdered when Bayer was a teen.

Bayer wants to tell her story, find out what really happened. He gets support from Frannie McCabe, the former juvenile delinquent, the current Crane's View police chief (he appears in other Crane's View books as well, so if you like him, read The Wooden Sea where he is the main character) and Veronica Lake, his fan and soon his lover. Veronica appears to be a perfect woman, exactly what Bayer needs - but that is just the first impression.

There are no supernatural elements this time, but plenty of suspense and surprising twists to hold the reader tight. This is some sharp writing. The plot is excellent and the characters are interesting and deep. In my opinion this is one of Carroll's very best works.

(Original review at my review blog) ( )

The most "mainstream" of all Carroll novels. A murder mystery told as only Carroll can tell it. Unique characters, interesting observations, and an appropriatley revealing climax. As with all Carroll novels the women are almost more interesting then the men. Good to see the start of Frannie. ( )