A mystery, but not really. A study of stories, but not quite. A foray into what makes people tick with generous helpings of humor, coincidence, je ne sais quoi, and scratching at the third wall -- now we're getting somewhere.

This remarkable novel should be read in one sitting, followed by a nice hot bath for emotional recovery.

Like the old question, if you were stuck in a lifeboat that was too full to float how would you decide who to force overboard?, this book explores the thoughts and alliances and fears and doubts that always exist in the human psyche and grow under the worst of conditions. The novel opens on Grace (a remarkable character in that she is both pragmatic and likable) on trial for murder. What follows is her account of the events on the lifeboat that led up to the death, and the trial that followed. A thought-provoking, fascinating read that will linger long after the book has been put away.

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