What a tale this first-time novelist tells. Connecticut writer Kaufman sets this story in New England, capturing and juxtaposing the urban and urbane Boston against the more rural "hill town" region of Western Mass. This writing device also serves as a metaphor for the differences in the primary characters' lives -- stable family life vs unstable, wealthy vs poor, climbing the ladder of success vs sitting at the top of the ladder, and being almost what you seem to be vs being an almost total fraud. Some portions of the story tax credulity, but that criticism is relatively minor in comparison to the strengths of Kaufman's storytelling skill. I recommend this book, and even more highly recommend his second: "One Last Lie." Though I've never met the author, I live in the same state and would love to discuss with him his work over an adult beverage or three. Why? His imagination, as demonstrated in his books, is wonderfully twisted.