Rating: 
Summary: Good story, confusing plot, surprise ending!
Review: The book had the feeling of old town America, yet the characters were somewhat confused about their roles. It was, to me, very slow, yet some parts were very good and moved at a reasonable pace. I was depressed, yet I kept on reading. I think mostly to see if things would improve, and they did. The ending is great, and quite surprising.
Rating: 
Summary: Full scope of love affair tragedy is revealed 70 years later
Review: The initial chapters are slightly confusing with story line jumps back and forth across generations and references to characters not yet introduced. Past that, the compelling narrative seems blatantly to reveal the eventual outcome with quotes from the courtroom and reminiscences about the lovers. But when the full detail and extent of the actual tragedy unfolds, it is unexpected and agonizing. Two months later, I vividly recall scenes from this book and heartily recommend it for an excellent read
Rating: 
Summary: Cook goes to the well once too often
Review: The two star rating may be a bit unfair, because if I had read 'The Chatham School Affair' before I read 'Breakheart Hill' I probably would have liked it much more. As it was, I was disappointed because I felt like I was reading 'Breakheart Hill' all over again.Thomas H. Cook is an extremely gifted writer, and this book should probably not be missed. Unfortunately, I think the book was unoriginal.
Rating: 
Summary: skip this one
Review: This book appears a bit premature - it seems to be still in outline form. The author starts right in creating an atmosphere heavy with portent: 'had I known then what I know now', 'were it possible to turn back the hands of time','had she forseen when she arrived at the train station what she came to know later on', etc. etc. -from which he never manages to extricate himself or his story. It may have had a great ending, but I never found out, having long since thrown it across the room.
Rating:
Summary: The Chatham School Affair
Review: This book is very hard to follow. I am really sorry I wasted my time on it.
Rating:
Summary: The best, most haunting mystery I have read in 20 years
Review: This is more than a mystery, more than crime fiction. It is a poetic novel of the slow dissolution of a soul following an unresolved, unspoken crime. One of the first lines of the book is a quote from John Milton: "Be careful what you do, for evil on itself doth back recoil." This is proven true throughout this mystery, love story, passion play, and finely written novel.
Rating:
Summary: Story is boring but end is shocking
Review: This novel is mostly rather dull. But as you get closer to the end of the story, things are not as you thought. Not a memorable read. All in all not a book I would recommend.
Rating:
Summary: The Chatham Affair
Review: This sensitively written book is one of Thomas Cook's finest. He introduces not only the characters with a flourish - but embraces the entire surroundings of the community, thus, creating an atmosphere conducive to relaxing. The reader enters a world of slower living in a beautiful location. I, myself, have frequented just such a place and have considered it to be the first step into heaven. In fact, in reading this, I was able to once again hear the ocean breeze rustling through the scrub pines. It created a certain nostalgia in my soul and reminded me, once more, that people are similiar - no matter what period in time they exist.
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully written but too much like his Breakheart Hill
Review: This was my introduction to the author, his second major book. He writes so beautifully unfolding the story in a series of flashbacks giving both the child's and the adult's perspective, until you think you have all the answers, except you don't. I naturally wanted more Cook, so I read his first bestseller, Breakheart Hill. Unfortunately the format was exactly the same. Both dealt with unrequited love, told in flashback, an unsolved or missolved mystery in a small town, etc. So for that reason I felt let down. I'd like to see this fine author take a different approach next time.
Rating:
Summary: Another good read from Mr. Cook
Review: Thomas Cook appears to use a similar theme in many of his psychological mysteries: the conflict between passion/impulse and the need to do good for others and society. His books also present the theme of what irrevocable damage can be done by a particular deed or behavior. His technique of telegraphing inward, working from the future to the present is very interesting as a literary technique. I enjoy his novels immensely. They are intelligent and page-turners.
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