Set in a rural, small town in Virginia, this novel gives its readers a definite sense of place. When Thomas and Amanda Clement move back to Amanda's hometown where Thomas will act as pastor, they didn't expect to be dragged into the middle of years-old family hatred. When her relatives start dying under questionable circumstances, and suspicions arise about a past suicide, Amanda begins trying to put together the pieces to figure out what's going on. As she and Thomas struggle with family, community, and church, they also struggle with seeing God for who He really is. Unlike other Christian authors, Bauer doesn't present a neat, perfectly tied-up, happy solution for everything. Instead she presents us with a vivid portrayal of corrupt human nature and all its destructive consequences. However, all is not completely bleak as the author's message seems to be that God is still there even through the darkest of times. ( )