Action slow.

The story is set in the suburbs of New York, Hollows, deemed small quiet and peaceful village, encircled by woods that should not be crossed, due to underground mines. Twenty years earlier, a woman disappeared, leaving her husband and two young children. It was the first major survey of Cooper Jones, now retired cop and occupying his days pampered gardens of his neighbors.

When Michael Holt is back in town to empty and sell the house of his parents, he also wants to reopen the case on the disappearance of her mother. He hired a private investigator, assisted by a medium, Eloise Montgomery, who had dreams of the dead in a tragic car accident. Without understanding why, she had a vision of Cooper and Jones comes to report it. The latter is intrigued, but has other fish to fry.

Indeed, Jones was asked by the very discreet Paula Carr, married housewife, who cares about the first wife of her husband. It sent his son Cole on holiday home, but has since been heard of. Kevin claims she set sail, but Paula is somewhat perplexed. No one should be aware of this investigation Cooper wishes to heart concluding, to reconcile with his old demons.

This reading is ultimately composed of only slow action and introspection, with a string of characters whose destinies will eventually cross, say or suspecting it, otherwise what use this interminable portrait gallery ? In short, the author held his lead on a leisurely pace, maintaining the idea that one has suspense, it is psychological, not splashing.

It was not until the second part, after 300 pages to finally provide early chill. It's a shame to have all sought to dissect, in the presentation of places, persons and analysis of their feelings, their secrets and thoughts is too thick, too long. The outcome ultimately is only a result of decompression after all the false perceived anxieties. I swear, just the prologue promised a more stressful story.

This is not a disappointment, just a frustration. This is less a thriller and more a dark story of ordinary lives changed by the love disorders and unsaid, with the perfect frame for small American town, fabulous theater of intimate dramas.