This book is about a very observant and perceptive child (Reena) who has a "memory like a tape recorder" for details and observation. She grows into an equally super-sharp adult with a passionate mission. Yet, though its blantantly obvious from the start of the book who the villain is, "sharp-as-a-tack" Reena never makes the connection. If you can get past this huge flaw, its not a bad story. The reason I gave this book any stars at all is because the other characters were real and endearing and the author captures the flavor of Baltimore's Little Italy beautifully. This book could have been great - I feel Nora dropped the ball on this one.