Cape Fear (novel)

"Cape Fear" is a suspenseful thriller novel by John D. MacDonald, originally published in 1957. It follows Sam Bowden, a lawyer whose family is threatened by Max Cady, a menacing ex-convict seeking revenge after Bowden failed to testify in his favor years earlier. As Cady terrorizes Bowden's family, the story explores themes of justice, morality, and the impact of past choices. The novel delves into the intense psychological conflict between victim and predator, ultimately raising questions about the nature of fear and the lengths one might go to protect loved ones.