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Cloudland

Cloudland
A Crime Novel
by Joseph Olshan
Published in USA Apr 2012,
304 pages.

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Rated 3 of 5 of 5 by Anne
Cloudland
When I read this book was described as a psychological thriller I was drawn to the story. However, I found it to be more of a traditional who-dun-it. The reader follows the investigation through the narration of Catherine Winslow who writes a household hints column and who, in the book's opening sentence, has discovered a woman's body near her home. The body is only one of a series of women who are believed to be victims of a serial killer. There were quite a few things about this novel that just didn't work for me. Foremost among them was the way Catherine was involved in the investigation. I wanted to like it but sadly it just didn't grab my interest.

Rated 4 of 5 of 5 by Diane S. (Batavia, IL)
Cloudland by Joseph Olshan
I love books that are based on true events, which apparently this one was. This was more of a character based mystery than a plot based one, so I felt the story moved slowly. Loved the details in the setting, really got the feeling of how it was to be one of only three people living on a deserted road. Liked the character of Catherine, enjoyed reading about her life, problems with her daughter and career. Thought his writing style was a little different but once I became used to that I just kept reading away. This book really held my interest and I look forward to what the author will be writing next. Also liked the title and felt the cover really fit with the story.

Rated 3 of 5 of 5 by Gerald R. (pompton lakes, NJ)
Slow Moving Rural New England Murder Mystery
If you're looking for a fast paced, action filled and non-stop suspense thriller, look elsewhere. At times this book moves as slowly as Vermont maple syrup in the Winter. The only things that kept me hanging in there were the seemingly accurate depiction of the down home flavor of New England life, and the desire to see how it all ended up. If you're in the mood for a laid back, easy-going serial killer mystery, this would work for you. It didn't work for me.

Rated 3 of 5 of 5 by Kathy H. (Richmond, VA)
Cloudy with a chance of murder
I'd torn between giving Cloudland a 3.5 - 4. I was compelled to finish it, because I was invested and curious as to the identity of the murderer. Yet by the time "he" was revealed, I felt a little deflated, and I'm not sure why. I found Olshan's writing to be very good...descriptive, evocative and with great imagery...his dialogue and even storytelling, not so much. I imagine it must be difficult to write from the perspective of the other sex, but I think he succeeds quite nicely. I liked Catherine very much...appreciated her candor and self-awareness. I didn't find the other characters to be as fleshed out, particularly Paul, Breck, Prozzo and Matthew. I did, however, like Henrietta and Hiram. Overall, a good read but not sure I would recommend. And I feel bad about that, if it makes sense! Thanks for the opportunity to review.

Rated 4 of 5 of 5 by Barbara F. (Saint Louis, MO)
Henrietta the Hero
With so few prominent characters, you knew immediately that you would be suspicious of everyone in this "who-dunnit" taking place in rural Vermont. Complex relationships also play predominately in this easy read, and I know you will understand the title of my review once you given this book just a few days of your attention. A fast, fun read.

Rated 5 of 5 of 5 by Elizabeth K. (Dallas, TX)
Cloudland - Mysterious Until the Very End
I really enjoyed this book. The main character was likeable but far from perfect - she felt like a real person, someone I might know - a woman whose choices were not always the best. She's surrounded by a multitude of plausible suspects, multidimensional people, which kept the story suspenseful. I wasn't sure until almost the very end who the "bad guy" really was. I like stories that have values, like this one, but that still acknowledge the shades of gray that we live with - everything isn't black and white. I liked this book well enough that I'm going to read others by this author. I think you'll enjoy his storytelling, the clarity with which he uses language, and his believable characters.
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