Clara has a crooked nose, the Tripp brothers are crooks, life in general is "crooked". This was a long book and Laura and Tom McNeal did a wonderful job guiding the book along, gently. The book does not seem too long to tie up the loose ends it just completes itself. I was pleased, but I am a quote gatherer and there were no quotes that jumped out at me this time. A great read in all other respects.