David Sears grew up in the shadow of his brilliant younger sister, Diana, convinced by their father that she would accomplish great things. Instead, she married and had a son, Jason, who—like David and Diana's father—is schizophrenic. Her husband, Mark, a geneticist, never made peace with Jason's condition.
Perhaps this is why, when Jason drowns, Diana will not accept the authorities' conclusion that his death was accidental. Or perhaps Diana is going mad. She begins to send David faxes and e-mails about ancient murders, driven by her growing belief that the earth is Gaia, a living witness to her son's murder who could give evidence in the case she is building against her husband. David soon fears for his own family's safety as the seductive qualities of Diana's manic energy become impossible to ignore.
In The Cloud of Unknowing, Cook explores the power of blood and family mythology.
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"This is a good psychological study involving mental illness inherited from father to siblings and a child of a sibling who mysteriously either commits suicide or is murdered. Of course this causes doubts and accusations. I have read several books by Cook some that I loved and some I didn't. I do think he is an excellent author."
— Lynette (4 out of 5 stars)
“Cook reveals all the pieces of the shocking story with an absolutely steady hand. It’s a bravura performance.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)A deeply compelling literary exploration of the effects of madness through several generations.
— Library Journal“Cook deftly juxtaposes the maddeningly complex Sears family and a straight-shooting detective ‘rooted in a world where crimes leap like fish from crystal streams of motivation.’”
— Booklist (starred review)" The only mystery I've ever read and enjoyed--maybe I'll branch out! "
— Leslie, 2/14/2014" engrossing, exhausting & excellent. "
— Renee, 2/12/2014" I read this book as The Cloud of Unknowing. "
— Maureen, 2/11/2014" I enjoyed the murmur of stones, however, I wasn't as gripped in the story as I would have liked to have been. Not terrible, but not brilliant either. "
— Kyleigh, 2/7/2014" I learned that I expect a book to "wrap it all up" in the end. I dont really appreciate books that leave me wondering at the end. That is just my personal preference. "
— Janis, 1/21/2014" Master of the Delta was heartbreaking and delivered a fine sucker-punch. This one telegraphs the sucker punch and feels gimmicky. "
— Matt, 1/6/2014" I too did not think the book was bad. It's just not my thing. I felt it was depressing, wandered around too much and just not interesting to me. "
— Dhaverma, 11/12/2013" Another wonderful Thomas Cook story. It is suspenseful and a bit eerie because you are never sure what is happening. A really good book. "
— Nancy, 9/5/2013" Another great read....... "
— David, 8/30/2013" Disappointing after the first of his that I read. It dragged on and never seemed to resolve. Oh well. I'll try another. "
— Bobbie, 8/16/2013" interesting story with a twist "
— Michelle, 8/10/2013" not one of my favorite novels by Cook "
— Betty, 12/28/2012" very slow read. Hard to read for long periods of time as well. "
— Nicole, 8/15/2012" Dark but clever suspense - pulls you in - try other by this author "
— Wendy, 6/11/2012" I thought this one drifted along and it seemed like there would be an inevitable and foreseeable twist at the end, as there was. Didn't see much suspense or hold much interest, the description of the book was better than reading it. "
— Kim, 6/6/2012" A clever, psychological thriller from the gifted pen of Thomas H Cook. He is on familiar ground, the suspicion, which wreck havoc on human relationships, told from the point of a small town lawyer, added with nail biting suspense, keeps you engaged and leads to a surprising climax. "
— Adithyajones, 3/1/2012" Another splendid Cook's work. Although this book was too heavy after reading children's books, the theme and the psychological descriptions were superb. Whenever I want to read mystery, I choose Cook without hesitance. "
— Hirosasazaki, 12/23/2011" The writing style didn't really appeal to me but the story was really interesting nonetheless. I understood what the author was trying to convey with mental disorders but it didn't really draw me in. "
— Janice, 9/24/2011" I love Thomas H. Cook. I have read all of his books and enjoyed this one, too...Another great study of the mind coming undone. "
— Claudia, 9/5/2011" good- as always, but not a stunner like Red Leaves or Mortal Memory- but still very worthwhile! "
— Laurelei, 7/8/2011" This book might not be everyone's cup of tea as it's not a typical suspense novel;. It's psychological suspense and the writing is so beautiful, sometimes it is enough to savor Cook's use of language. I found it to be a great story, character study and I was gripped from the opening page. "
— Martine, 12/12/2010" Another splendid Cook's work. Although this book was too heavy after reading children's books, the theme and the psychological descriptions were superb. Whenever I want to read mystery, I choose Cook without hesitance. "
— Hirosasazaki, 10/22/2010" This was my least favorite of the Thomas H. Cook books I have been reading. Maybe I need to take a break from his books for a while and come back to them later. I've been listening to "Breakheart Hill," and it's pretty good, but I'm not loving it like the first three of his books I read. "
— Becky, 5/3/2010" I had a love/hate relationship with this book. I thought it was boring, but then I kept needing to know what the heck it was getting at - and then all of a sudden a fantastic plot twist at the very end - made me quite satisfied with! "
— Christy, 9/24/2009" I thought this one drifted along and it seemed like there would be an inevitable and foreseeable twist at the end, as there was. Didn't see much suspense or hold much interest, the description of the book was better than reading it. "
— Kim, 10/5/2008" Mr. Cook once again hooks the reader into this painful drama wrapped around mental illness. Well paced and well written right up to the last word! He does a great job of letting suspicion take hold of you, (as in Red Leaves) making you want to turn each page. "
— Linda, 9/23/2008" Disappointing after the first of his that I read. It dragged on and never seemed to resolve. Oh well. I'll try another. "
— Bobbie, 8/22/2008" This book was my first read by this author and I had to go back and read more. He writes so beautifully! His earlier ones are not as good but you can tell he got better and better over time. "
— Kelly, 8/12/2008" It kept me interested and guessing as to how things were going to turn out. But I felt a little let down at the end. Looking forward to talking about it at book club on Monday!! "
— Magaly, 5/30/2008" Amazing hooks, couldn't put it down until the last page. Didn't see the outcome until the very end. Suspenseful and intriguing without being gorey or gruesome. Very good and quick summer read. "
— Amanda, 5/15/2008" I learned that I expect a book to "wrap it all up" in the end. I dont really appreciate books that leave me wondering at the end. That is just my personal preference. "
— Janis, 3/31/2008" The only mystery I've ever read and enjoyed--maybe I'll branch out! "
— Leslie, 3/21/2008Thomas H. Cook was born in Fort Payne, Alabama, in 1947. He has been nominated for the Edgar Award seven times in five different categories. He received the best novel Edgar for The Chatham School Affair, the Martin Beck Award, the Herodotus Prize for best historical short story, and the Barry Award for best novel for Red Leaves, and has been nominated for numerous other awards.
Stephen Hoye has worked as a professional actor in London and Los Angeles for more than thirty years. Trained at Boston University and the Guildhall in London, he has acted in television series and six feature films and has appeared in London’s West End. His audiobook narration has won him fifteen AudioFile Earphones Awards.