Kate Atkinson somehow balances unbearable pain that crime inflicts with the stubborn hope of the human spirit. Along the way she delivers telling insights into her characters, commentary on the human condition and even a few laugh out loud moments. Atkinson uses the multiple narrator technique to full effect, her characters really do have individual voices, you can almost hear them speak. Throughout she shows that know who done it or what really happened doesn't make the pain of lose any easier to bear. 
 Highly recommended for mystery and fiction fans.