Woman in the Waves

Book Cover

CRIME MYSTERY

Contemporary

William J. Cook

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Logline

The Woman in the Waves is the story of a widowed psychology professor who uncovers a nexus of murder and deceit at the university where he teaches.

Genre

Crime, Mystery,

Short Summary

Peter Bristol sees a woman in a bridal gown swept out to sea. He embarks on a mission to discover who she was and how she got there. This leads him to discover that his colleague has murdered the dean of the biology department and is embroiled in other nefarious activity.

Setting

The coastal town of Driftwood, Oregon.

Based on a True Story

No

Plot - Premise

Overcoming Monster/Villain

Plot - Other Elements

Happy Ending, Philosophical Questions, Twist

Mature Audience Themes

Language/Profanity, Nudity, Sexual Abuse, Substance Abuse,Nudity, Language/Profanity,Sexual Abuse,Substance Abuse

Main Character Details

Name: Peter Bristol, widowed professor of psychology

Age: 55

Gender: Male

Role: Protagonist

Key Traits: Modest, Skillful, Honorable, Empathetic, Engaging, Insecure, Perseverance, Strong Moral Code, Educated

Additional Character Details

Name: Sterling Friese

Age: 42

Gender: Male

Role: Antagonist

Key Traits: Greedy, Masculine, Aggressive, Educated, Narcissistic, Power-hungry, Villainous, Aspiring, Confident, Criminal, Badass, Charming, Decisive, Manipulative, Seductive

Additional Character Details

Name: Charley Whitehorse

Age: 35

Gender: Male

Role: logical

Key Traits: Perseverance, Skillful, Strong Moral Code, Complex, Decisive, Engaging, Honorable

Additional Character Details

Name: Chloe Denhurst

Age: 39

Gender: Female

Role: mentor

Key Traits: Sophisticated, Educated, Empathetic, Flexible, Skillful, Gracious, Perseverance, Romantic, Charming, Confident, Engaging, Faithful, Complex, Honorable, Strong Moral Code

About The Author

William J. Cook is a Connecticut native transplanted to Oregon in 1989. He is a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, where he received a Master’s Degree in Social Work. Years of study in two Catholic seminaries and a long career as a mental health therapist have shaped (or warped!) his world view. He is the author of the literary novel Songs for the Journey Home, The Pieta in Ordinary Time and Other Stories, Catch of the Day, another collection of short stories, and The Driftwood Mysteries, including the novel, Seal of Secrets, the short story, Eye of Newt, and the novel, Woman in the Waves.

Target Audiences

Age: 35-54

Target Gender: Universal

Group Specific

The story showcases the Pacific Northwest, especially the rugged Oregon coast.

Publishing Details

Status: Yes: self-published

Year Published: 2018

Hard Copy Available

Yes

ISBN

9781724070326