The Cave: A Novel of Suspense

Taking the serial killer formula to one of its logical extremes, Matthews places her heroine in the hands of a vicious captor for the bulk of her first novel, generating a cat-and-mouse game between kidnapper and victim that will rivet readers ready for thrills. More discerning readers, however, may find this the written equivalent of a snuff film. Helen Myrer is a widowed psychologist in her 40s. A high-level administrator for the state of New York, she decides to vacation at the rural New Hampshire cabin where she once spent an idyllic time with her husband. Her nostalgic getaway quickly turns into a nightmare when she's imprisoned in the cabin by Kevin McCallum, the caretaker for the units who stalks her after she signs the rental agreement. The situation goes from bad to worse when Myrer realizes that McCallum is no garden-variety kidnapper but rather a profoundly disturbed and experienced serial killer who's an expert in both physical and psychological torture. Slowly, McCallum breaks his victim down, eventually tossing her into an underground pit that leads to the cave of the title. Overcoming the insularity of the one-dimensional plot, Matthews turns in a high-wire character study, although Helen's relentless tendency to analyze her captor seriously hobbles the proceedings, and the introduction of several hackneyed entries from Kevin's diary foreshadows an already predictable climax. While Matthews's flair for suspense is beyond doubt, this manipulative novel seems tailored to readers hardened to the sensationalism that distinguishes much of the current crop of thrillers. (Feb.)