Stephen Whalby views himself as the sovereign observer of the local moorland, spending his days charting the desolate landscape of Dartmoor. His isolation is shattered when he discovers the body of a young woman with her hair shorn off, an act that marks the beginning of a serial killing spree. As the police investigation intensifies, Stephen’s intimate knowledge of the terrain makes him a primary suspect. The narrative follows his psychological unraveling as his obsession with the soil clashes with the reality of the predatory violence occurring in his territory.
This book is for readers of psychological suspense who prefer internal character studies over fast-paced action. It appeals to those interested in the connection between a person's identity and their physical environment. Readers walk away with a portrait of how social detachment and deep-seated fixations can distort a person's perception of guilt. It is a study of a man whose inability to relate to other people leads to a total loss of control when his private sanctuary is invaded by crime.
Balanced in tone; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Curious Generalist. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1982
- Language
- EN
