I'm usually not a big fan of the suspense/thriller genre, but this one has a depth of emotion and characterization that puts it above the typical thriller. Two women from opposite ends of the social spectrum---one a professional journalist, the other a homeless alcoholic---join forces through a fateful series of events to foil a murder plot. The suspense builds slowly but steadily until it culminates in an explosive climax that is very well written. If the book had ended there, or shortly thereafter, I might have given it four stars, but the story continued for several more chapters so that it ended with a sentimental whimper rather than a big bang. It is worth noting that the author created a realistic portrait of homelessness in our society, neither romanticizing nor demonizing the homeless, but describing with great accuracy their daily struggle for survival. I could have done without the nursery rhymes and the occasional Shakespearean quote that began every new chapter, but otherwise I found this an enjoyable and worthwhile read.
