Sam Adams has a story to tell. It is a story of love and tragedy. The story is so heart-wrenching that one cannot help but feel sorry for him.

Author Thomas William Simpson sends the reader down memory lane in “The Editor,” which is written in the form of a journal. The main character Sam Adams has come to the decision to review his past and reflect on the future.

Adams has recently undergone a major tragedy. His wife and son have been brutally murdered. Adams decides living in his old house would cause too much pain, so he rents a cottage outside of town.

Evelyn Richmond, Adams’ new landlord, now becomes a major part of his life. Richmond has been blind from birth. Adams finds that he is strangely attracted to this woman. He soon learns that Richmond is a talented cello player and often performs at large parties. A mysterious attraction starts to form between the two.

At first, Adams tries to deny his feelings for Evelyn Richmond. He tries to lose himself in his work. He even spends some nights in his office instead of going back to the cottage. As an editor of novels, Adams was often able to get emersed in a good story. The power he commanded as he wielded his red pencil was a great feeling.

After living in the cottage for a few months, Adams starts to notice Evelyn Richmond more. Even though he tries to avoid her, he cannot. Suddenly, he finds himself intertwined in a strange game of seduction. A game that has no rules except for those made by Richmond. Will Sam Adams fall victim to her game? Or does he have a secret red pencil that he can use to edit the story to his liking?

“The Editor” is structured in a very unique way. Most novels are linear. They have a clear beginning, middle and end. Simpson does not do this. The story often jumps from the past to the future and then back to the past. In a way, multiple stories are being told at once. However, by turning the book into a large journal, the plot is easy to follow. As the book jumps from story to story another underlying plot enters.

Adams’ emotional state and writing styles develop in a linear form. This trend goes unnoticed until about half way through the novel when the first change occurs. Simpson does a fair job of story telling. It is difficult to get hooked on the book immediately. The story line is weak and confusing.

The book does get better, though. Once Sam Adams starts to open himself more, the book picks up. However, a connection does eventually form between the reader and the characters. When Adams feels depressed, the reader feels depressed. When he is happy, the reader shares that feeling as well. What really makes this book rewarding are the last 50 pages. Things are starting to pan out and the full story is being told. The last 20 pages are shocking. The ending is a culmination of Adams’ emotions and honesty. Nothing can prepare you for the shock that comes.

“The Editor” is a well-written novel and the ending of the book is clearly the highlight. Simpson’s use of the journal form is interesting but awkward at times.

About a 10th of the journal entries were not needed and just seem to take up space. Much of the content dealing with Adams’ and Richmond’s relationship is hard to get through. The reader will be satisfied if they can make it through the whole book.