The Caretaker [Mass Market Paperback]

Thomas William Simpson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2, 1999

A slightly twisted and wholly terrifying thriller in which the only sin is a wish come true....

Samantha Henderson is a devoted wife and mother.  But life as she knows it is about to change.  Sam's about to have her every dream fulfilled--but, in return, she and her family will pay a price, a very high price, for all this love and luxury....

It all starts when Sam's smooth-talking husband accepts a once-in-a-lifetime job.  The perks seem too good to be true: an extravagant salary, a country club membership.  Even a seaside mansion, complete with a cook, a limo driver, and the perfect caretaker, Brady.


Brady is thoughtful and honest.  He's eager to please.  But there's more to Brady than meets the eye.  He will cater to Sam's most intimate needs.  Then he'll teach her the true meaning of terror.

For Sam and her family have fallen into the hands of a psychopath.  Their lives will be cruelly sliced open.  Their deepest secrets will be exposed for all to see.

Why?

The answer lies within.  The answer lies with... The Caretaker.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Gunn Henderson Jr. is a salesman with loads of personal charm, a lovely wife, and a son and daughter. Then he receives an offer from Creative Marketing Enterprises, which includes use of an estate on Long Island. Though the setup seems bizarre, Gunn takes the job. Little does he know that he's taken the first step in the destruction of himself and his family. Gunn goes on the road trying to work up enthusiasm for a new product, the Disk, something along the lines of the old pet rock phenomenon, while his family settles into life in East Hampton. The caretaker of the title is an enigmatic man named Brady, who does much more than take care of the grounds of the estate. Brady has an elaborate plan of revenge directed toward the Hendersons, but what is the motivation for this baroque scheme? Simpson (The Fingerprints of Armless Mike, LJ 3/15/96) has fashioned a slick, clever thriller out of an intriguing premise. Simpson's narrative voice makes the book sound at times more like a documentary: the emotional impact is often muted, and the characters never come completely to life. Still, the ending has some great surprises, and readers out for a good time will enjoy the story. Recommended for large fiction collections.?Dean James, Murder by the Book, Houston
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gunn Henderson was born to be a salesman, so it's no surprise when he's recruited by Arthur James Reilly of Creative Marketing Enterprises, who lures Gunn away from his current job with promises of a "sky's the limit" future. Neither Gunn nor his wife, Sam, can believe their good fortune, especially after Reilly shows them the rent-free company mansion that will be theirs and promises to make Gunn a millionaire within a year. In the blink of an eye, the Henderson family has sold their comfortable home in Virginia and taken up residence in Creative's mansion, complete with cook, caretaker, and amenities galore. Trouble is, Gunn's under terrific pressure, on the road seven days a week, and Samantha is left at home with the two bratty Henderson kids and Brady, the handsome, sensitive, thoughtful, intelligent caretaker. It's not long till things get out of control, and soon thereafter, the Hendersons' dreams turn to ashes in a violent and cataclysmic climax guaranteed to leave readers gasping. Simpson writes a malevolently menacing thriller with a plot that, as far-fetched as it may be, grabs readers by the throat and doesn't let go until the suspense has ratcheted out of the stratosphere. Superbly entertaining. Emily Melton --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (March 2, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553578057
• ISBN-13: 978-0553578058
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.2 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,237,889 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Waste Of Time And Money, November 29, 1999

By 

Jenn - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Caretaker (Mass Market Paperback)

This book was ridiculous! Not only was the plot far fetched, but it was dull, dull, dull. If "Brady" was so obsessed with revenge, he did a poor job of showing it; it's hardly considered revenge when you put your enemy into an expensive luxury home while paying for his children's private school tuition. Some parts of the book were just plain perverse. As a whole, the novel was unbelievable. Save your money. Buy something else.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Caretaker, August 13, 2001

By 

maria (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Caretaker (Mass Market Paperback)

A masterpiece! I read this book a year ago and I am still raving about how wonderfully written and seductively suspensful this was to read. Mr. Simpson is an extremely gifted storyteller and has one deeply devoted reader at his fingertips! Hope to see him out with a new one soon. A devoted fan.....and many friends.....The Caretaker ROCKS!!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An interesting, original story in need of a good editor, July 12, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Caretaker (Hardcover)

This is a rare book in that it may be equally enjoyed by both male and female readers. Maybe it would have been bettter if the central theme had been kept more of a secret. Possibly it would have been better if the husband of the protaginist had more positive character traits. Certainly it would have been a better read if the author had used more complex sentences; the narritive did not flow, style was an obstacle to enjoyment. Simpson can write well sometimes,the editor could have helped him write well throughout the book.