When college sophomore Laurel Estabrook is attacked while riding her bicycle through Vermont's back roads, her life is forever changed. Formerly outgoing, Laurel withdraws into her photography and begins to work at a homeless shelter. There she meets Bobbie Crocker, a man with a history of mental illness and a box of photographs that he won't let anyone see. When Bobbie dies suddenly, Laurel discovers that he was telling the truth: before he was homeless, Bobbie Crocker was a successful photographer who had indeed worked with such legends as Chuck Berry, Robert Frost, and Eartha Kitt. As Laurel's fascination with Bobbie's former life begins to merge into obsession, she becomes convinced that some of his photographs reveal a deeply hidden, dark family secret. Her search for the truth will lead her further from her old life -- and into a cat-and-mouse game with pursuers who claim they want to save her.

In this spellbinding literary thriller, rich with complex and compelling characters -- including Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan -- Chris Bohjalian takes readers on his most intriguing, most haunting, and most unforgettable journey yet.

I have read two novels previously by this author ( Midwives and Transister Radio) which I enjoyed immensely. This too was an interesting story with references to 'The Great Gatsby' and an ending that caught me by surprise.

This is now reserved after checking wishlists of the proposed recipient who is currently participating in the South Cross Book Exchange over at BookObsessed. Posting in the next few weeks when I shall leave release notes.

Selected for amberC the August recipient of the Southern Cross Book Exchange 2010. Posting this evening on my way to work.

Happy Reading and enjoy receiving all those books to come your way.

Thankyou for this wishlist book and the lovely card. Chris Bohjalian is one of my favourite authors.

I didn't enjoy this as much as I have other's by Bohjalian. It was his usual excellent writing but the ending spoiled it for me.

Going to Ms January in the Southern Cross Book Exchange.

Thanks so much for this amberc, I love Chris Bohjalian books and this one's been on my list for quite a while.