The Carnivore

by Mark Sinnett

Book Overview

The Carnivore is a historical novel of disaster and betrayal, set in the Toronto of both 1954 and 2004.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Hazel, a young cop, Ray Townes, emerges as a hero. There are numerous accounts of his bravery, of the way he battled all night to save those who were trapped in houses swept away by the raging Humber River. His story is featured prominently in the newspapers, thrusting him into the spotlight as a local...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1550228986
• ISBN13: 9781550228984
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Misfit Book
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Captivating

The Carnivore is a story of love, marriage, and infidelity that begins at the time of the devastating hurricane and subsequent floods that stormed through Toronto in 1954. Ray Townes, a police officer, is in the eyes of the public a hero. Mary Townes, a nurse, takes care of the dying and wounded at St. Joseph's Hospital in the chaotic aftermath of the storm. The depiction of the storm, and especially the chaos in the Emergency Room was very realistic. The book is also a profound look back over the marriage of Ray and Mary, a loving couple whose lives are changed by the events surrounding the storm and Ray's infidelity. Mary knows that something is not right with her husband, and she does not rest until she knows the truth. The story is told from both of their perspectives. There are so many surprises to the story that just when I thought I knew what was coming next, the story twisted to another direction. The story has an emotional draw as you watch the couple, the mistakes they make, and the secrets that they keep. The Carnivore is an interesting, thoughtful and exciting story written with a historic event angle.

The Carnivore

Mark Sinnett has written an amazingly good book in "The Carnivore". Set in 1954 Toronto, Hurricane Hazel is wreaking havoc, Ray Townes, a policeman, is having an affair. Mary, his long suffering wife is doing her best to hold things together. When Ray is proclaimed a hero and is featured in the newspapers, but Mary has her doubts. Yes, Ray did warn people and possibly even saved a few, but he also committed a terrible act against another human being. 50 years later, when a reporter comes to their home to write another story about the hurricane, and its heroes, everything is churned up once more. Ray is ill, Mary is tired, and as the stories unfold to the reporter, memories are brought to the forefront, and feelings and actions of that awful night are nearly too much to bear. Will they be able to get through this terrible time? Will the dredged up memories end a marriage, hanging on by a thread? Will Rays evil deed become known? Will the truth set them free or will it ruin them? So many questions, but all is answered in the end. The exploration of a disaster and a marriage, is so well written, I felt like a fly on their wall, eavesdropping. This book was wonderful! I received this book from Shelf Monkey for review. Thanks so much!