On a hot August afternoon in 1977, Regina Clayton caught her husband with his secretary. She sent him to his Maker with the help of a Colt .45, the...
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reviews
Aug 05, 2011
Debdanz
rated it: 
This book had such potential but fizzled out at about page 200 when the perspective changed to the main characters. It was better and more interesting when told from the outside in. Usually I like for "the mystery" to be solved and those 2 chapters explained a lot. But I enjoyed the book more when it was all about other's perspectives rather than 'first person.'
Mar 15, 2010
Vikki
rated it: 
This book is a novel in stories. The author took a fact: there is a prominent couple in town and the wife shot the husband. Each chapter was someone in town talking about that and how that event affected them. It was a great book. I can't wait to read more by this author. This was a first novel by this author.
Sep 02, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
eh, it was okay. the conceit was okay for the most part, but by the end i was really tired of hearing about the claytons. it was a novel told in short story form, which i like the idea of. and it wasn't terribly written, i just got sick of the "hook" after a while.
Nov 02, 2010
~mad
rated it:
It took me awhile to finish this book - stuff, like Gustav and doctors, got in my way.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading (and finishing) it - do I say that about most every book I review? Good writing, kept me "engaged" - trying out a new word here.
It started with a startling event - you don't know the characters tho. And then each chapter is a a commentary of the event by members of the small town - some poignant, some funny - all lively).
They all tie to More...
I thoroughly enjoyed reading (and finishing) it - do I say that about most every book I review? Good writing, kept me "engaged" - trying out a new word here.
It started with a startling event - you don't know the characters tho. And then each chapter is a a commentary of the event by members of the small town - some poignant, some funny - all lively).
They all tie to More...
Jan 10, 2011
Lori
rated it: 
I struggled through this book. The stories within a story are not usually hard for me to deal with but there were sooo many characters to keep up with, along with jumping between decades. Not to mention the fact that you never get the real story. Not hilarious as I had been told either. I'm lucky I made it through.
Apr 11, 2008
Alice
rated it:
I was expecting a traditional murder mystery but this is something entirely different. Yes, there is a murder, but it happens "offstage" and there is no mystery. What there is, is a collection of stories of individuals affected by the murder in a small Southern town. The voices and characters are so well-drawn, and so varied, that I was immediately entranced by the whole environment. It's a wonderful book, with a true Southern voice.
Dec 04, 2007
Marjanne
rated it:
This was an interesting book, though I am not quite sure what exactly the author was trying to get across. It's a story told from several perspectives. The individual stories were interesting though did not really shed any light on the 'main' story, and I'm not sure if the last chapter was just to show that the story would repeat its self. Not a bad read, though it didn't really do a lot for me.
Mar 03, 2008
Laura
rated it:
I do like the premise of writing about a town's major event through the eyes of various community members. Sometimes it was hard to keep up with the numerous characters, however, and I didn't think that many of their stories added anything new. Still, it does make you stop and think about how each person experiences and perceives an event differently.
Jan 21, 2008
Merrill
rated it: 
I really enjoyed the device of telling the story (or perhaps more accurately telling about life in Riley) from different, not always related perspectives. I would have liked to get to know some of the characters more and found several of the chapters especially poignant and effective.
Aug 01, 2008
Wendy
rated it:
I liked the idea a lot, but the execution had its ups and downs. I'd like to see what her third or fourth book looks like. I may be rating it slightly higher just because I find this style of book fascinating, with a kalidescope view of the story.
Jan 18, 2008
Meredith
rated it:
I liked the book, but I thought it dragged in some parts. Intersting perspectives on how one event can changes so many lives from those on the outside to those right in the thick of the event.
Sep 01, 2008
Kristen
rated it:
I'm a people person. I loved the way the book showed how one event affected so many different people in so many different ways.
Mar 10, 2008
Melissa
rated it: 
Disjointed novel in stories about a town affected by a murder-suicide. No Christian content although it is from a Christian publisher.
May 07, 2008
Lydia
rated it:
It was a struggle to finish. It was jarring and difficult to follow. I didn't like the characters.
Jan 14, 2012
Michele
rated it:
Quite enjoyable! Nice batch of characters, in a good story, well developed.
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