I was kept in suspense until the very end of this well-written crime novel. It ranks among the best books I've read in the past 12 months. The story is told from the viewpoints of several of the main characters. Together, these narratives build a picture of the crime that leads to a satisfying but unconventional ending. As in life, the characters all of flaws and secrets along with their more admirable public sides. I had some possible suspects in mind, but I wasn't sure until the last few pages. The writer does an excellent job of giving each character an individual voice. The writing is good and kept me reading most of the day. I didn't want to put it down. In addition to the murder, the book deals with alcoholism and drug use in a realistic but compassionate way, racism, and classism. For an adult or older teen audience, there is plenty here to entertain and provide food for thought.