I don’t think I would class this book as a mystery, per se. Or, to be more
specific, it does not follow the normal patterns and conventions of the
genre. It isn’t exactly a thriller either, though my experience with that
genre is limited at best. I’d call it suspense. Hitchcock could have done
wonderful things with this book.

The story revolves around Rae Newborn who moves to an island off the coast
of Washington that she has inherited from her father. The island is not
inhabited having been turned into wildlife sanctuary of some sort years
before, but near its only navigable beach is the ruin of a log cabin flanked
by stone towers originally built in the 20’s or 30’s by her great-uncle. Rae
is a world famous woodworker/artist who also happens to suffer from severe
chronic depression and suicidal ideation. She comes to the island to try to
recover something of her life after losing her beloved husband and young
daughter in a car accident, sparking off yet another breakdown and long path
back up from the pit. She has also suffered an attempted rape while still
on the mainland, leaving her shaken and paranoid and only that much more
depressed. She also comes to the island to rebuild the house. The work,
the fresh air and mostly the solitude are her prescription for therapy
over drugs and doctor’s offices. And she’s doing
well beating back her paranoia and fears when she finds a footprint near
the spring she is piping her water from.

The book really showcases King’s own interest in building and woodworking.
You can tell this woman has actually worked with tools and wood and building
plans before. It adds to the verisimilitude of the book. It also brings up
the mysterious element in the novel since Rae’s great-uncle vanished years
before with no further contact with the family and the house was burned to
the ground just after he left it. Rae uncovers clues about him while
salvaging the wreckage. And she begins to feel the presence of someone else
on the island. Ghostly, almost. Is it her paranoia or is it real? There is
the footprint, but she could have left it herself without knowing. Honestly,
until the end, I couldn’t figure out which. I didn’t see the ending coming
at all.

It’s an interesting read. Very different from the humorous mysteries she
normally writes. Actually, though, I found myself thinking about it, almost
hoping she would write a sequel so I can find out what happens to the house
and to Rae and the island.