Newsday called this book "a thinking person's thriller," and that's a good description of Donna Tartt's first novel. Sure, some of the characters are annoying and there's some occasional pretention -- and on every reread I still find the ending to be a disappointment -- but in general I'm full of admiration that someone in her early 20s could produce such an accomplished and assured first novel. She seems to aim for a blend of lyricism and suspense that is really unique.
I'm looking forward to reading Tartt's second novel, The Little Friend.

Released on Sunday, August 24, 2003 at Starbucks @ Herndon & Marks in Fresno, California USA.

Released around 4:00 today.