The way the characters feel like they are real life dealing with all the regular pressures of adulthood, on top of dealing with the murders. The main character was really well characterized, his background story kept you trying to figure out what happened in this past with his father and how awful it must have been as a kid growing up with that kind of thing over your head. It has a really great plot and excellent suspense building. The descriptions was just enough where you can picture how the scene is set but also nothing too gory and horrible... well I have a high tolerance but still. A really well written book with great plot and well thought out ending. I can't wait to read more books from the same writer.