Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Stephanie

No one in the quiet community of Sterling, New Hampshire would have guessed that in nineteen minutes on a cool March morning, their whole world could be turned upside down, and their town could be national news. A judge, her daughter, a midwife, her murderous son, a detective, a defense attorney and his family--these are just some of the lives that cross paths in this very touching story of what drives a poor, bullied victim to commit such a terrifying act of violence.

This is a typical Jodi Picoult novel: touching, tender, and real, with no definitive answers. It also has an equally unsatisfying Picoult-like ending, which was the only part of this book that I didn't enjoy. Nevertheless, I would read it again, for her pitch-perfect portrayal of different people.