The book had so much promise. In the end, I did give it four stars, but I spent much of the first 50 pages sighing and rereading. The writing style wasn't clear or easy to follow, and if it weren't for the characters I may have put it down. 
 The characters were the book's saving grace. I fell in love with them instantly, and found myself hoping for their safe delivery to the conclusion of the story (which, in true murder mystery fashion, won't happen for all of them). 
 The plot, which eventually came through despite the run-on sentences and convoluted tangents, was well conceived. Suspicion was bandied about, and the breadcrumbs were perfectly spaced to allow the reader room for speculation and assumption. 
 Beware, this is not a story for the faint of heart or stomach. Ariana Franklin does not hold back from the gritty truth of crime.