Droll characterization, wry humor, and storytelling chops [are] displayed by the talented Thompson-Spires in this debut novel . . . Reminiscent of T.C. Boyle, another master of the darkly whimsical short story, Thompson-Spires packs a sharp, caustic wit that yields plenty of compassion for even someone as mean and misbegotten as her title character. Is this a whodunit, or a 'how-they-did-it'? However you define Thompson-Spires’ novel, it’s shrewd, audacious, and funny.