I like seeing the different characters and how their lives intersected, although that device can feel a bit contrived. Also with that many characters, it can be difficult to flesh them out; to me, most of them felt one-note (the dutiful yet plucky daughter, and the wife who longs for a more fulfilling relationship with her scientist husband, the silent stubborn father who doesn’t understand why his son doesn’t want to follow in his footsteps, the determined wife whose husband is just along for the ride). The backdrop is of course Panama, which was the most interesting part of the book. 3 stars.