" Well, I suggested the book group read this, just because we previously mentioned reading something by Ruth Rendell, but boy, am I sorry. There are clearly characters, and a plot, but the book is missing a reason. Why read it? Indeed, why did she write it? This book is populated by assholes, morons, and crazy people, mostly psychopaths. That's it. Well, maybe Heather is okay. And Edmund ultimately turns out to be not as much of a schmuck as he started out being. Ismay is a moron, Andrew is an asshole, Marion is crazy, as is her brother, Edmund's mother is an asshole, Andrew's girlfriend after Ismay is a moron. Barry seems to be a moron. Oh, Ismay and Heather's mother is crazy, their aunt Pamela is a moron, her boyfriend is both crazy and an asshole. Some people get engaged, some get married, some people break up, some people blackmail others, some use others. Not a clever comment or insight to be found. "
— Laurie, 1/25/2014