Shortlisted for the 2006 Duncan Lawrie Dagger. A real page turner with a surprising twist in the tail. Set in small town America the book explores dysfunctional families and the difficult subject of a missing child. Although a tricky theme Cook injects it with both suspense and pathos. It is beautifully written and full of good characterizations. If you enjoyed this then do try some of his earlier novels including Evidence of Blood and Interrogation.
Eric Moore, a prosperous businessman, watches his safe world disintegrate. When eight-year-old Amy Giordano, whom Eric's teenage son, Keith, was babysitting, disappears from her family's house, many believe Keith is an obvious suspect. This is an exploration of the corrosive power of distrust, and one man's fight to save his family from it.
“…this is a splendid if painful destruction of the American dream by everyday evil. It makes for a most bitter but powerful tale, guaranteed to leave a bad taste in the mouth; you won't be able to put it down.” Maxim Jakubowski, The Guardian
“Red Leaves is a brilliant description of how a seemingly perfect life can fall apart all because of one phone call. Outstanding, and so very melancholic.” Independent on Sunday
“Red Leaves is one of the best novels you’ll read this year – gripping, beautifully written, surprising and devastating.” Harlan Coben
