I'm on a little Anna Quindlen kick right now!  This is the 4th novel of hers I've read.  She is or was a columnist for Newsweek magazine - and I know I've read some of her columns.  I find it interesting that someone who writes columns for a news magazine - and good columns at that, because she got a Pulitzer for them - also writes some compelling novels about families and life and tragedy.

This story is not for the faint of heart - a family is destroyed by a violent act by a crazy young man. The back story is beautifully told, with lots of authentic details and word pictures.  And the story of the family's survival is well wrought. 

I may just pick up another one of her books - until I find a new author to become attached to!