Julie

and the narrator does an excellent job too.

The book previous to this one didn't really grab me, but I really enjoyed this one as well as nearly all of her others. Fast moving, all of the old characters and a multi-dimensional plot that kept me guessing. I rather disagree with those who want only sunny smiles or for things to "heal". I think that Kay Scarpetta, Lucy, Benton, etc. wouldn't be believable and would seem too perfect if there was no complexity or depth to the characters - no "dark side". This seems to mirror my experience with real life a lot more, even the closest and ultimately best relationships just aren't all moonbeams and sunlight.

I agree with those who believe this author imagines, due to her own privileged background, that people who start out with no advantages have few options and little hope. As someone who had nothing at all handed to me and now, in my early forties, makes more than many of my friends who hold an MBA (I never went to college), and in a very normal white collar business where I simply dedicated myself and worked hard from the very bottom up, I obviously have a very different perspective on what people with a good work ethic and determination can accomplish. It's all about personal responsibility and, sometimes, hard choices (choose not to have 2-3 kids out of wedlock if you want to increase your chances of success, for example). Even so, speaking objectively, it's still a worthwhile read and story - I am always someone who wants to read the other side and consider.

I almost didn't download this after reading some of the reviews here, but the premise still sounded interesting so I did and though I rarely submit reviews, thought I should in this case since I thoroughly disagree with those who've said the characters were uninteresting or that the women sounded whiny. I didn't notice any issue with the narrator either. I thought it was a wonderfully woven story, and was immersed right from the beginning. The 9-11 angle didn't overwhelm the rest of the story either, which was one thing I feared. Great listen!