There are times when a single event can change a person's life forever. If it occurs in their latter years, the impact, though not lessened, finds fewer days upon which to cast its shadow. 'Scattered Pieces' begins on May 15, 1946 when eight-year-old Katie Harris feels her younger brother Jimmy's fingers slip from hers in a crowded train station. He disappears. What follows in this nimbly penned novel is not as much an examination of the case, as a study of the effect of one split second on the lives of Katie and her family and friends. It is a book that I tried numerous times to put down at the end of a chapter only to find myself involved, concerned, and curious enough to keep turning pages. Lynn does a solid job of introducing complex psychological concepts and uses a well mixed and believable group of characters to portray human quarks and foibles akin to those we see in our own tribes. I was moved throughout the book by the depth of Katie's emotional struggles as she tried to maneuver through her life with the weight of her enormous and painfully human guilt. 'Scattered Pieces' has it all, crime fiction, psychological drama, romance, mystery, and even some fairly comprehensive explanations of painting styles. Add this to your 'to read' list, but make sure you have the time to do just that!
