by Scott Lasser (Get the Book)Summoned home to Detroit to help his father cope with his mother's dementia, Denver lawyer David Halpert arrives shortly after his former girlfriend Natalie and her black half brother, Dirk, are murdered. While paying respects to the family, David reconnects with Natalie's younger sister, Carolyn, who has traveled from Los Angeles, happy to leave her faltering marriage behind in spite of the tragedy that has unraveled her family. Family tragedy is nothing new to David, who is still mourning the death of his teenage son, which may explain his willingness to take over Dirk's role as mentor to an at-risk inner-city teen. Buoyed by a blossoming love affair with Carolyn and a tenative rapport with Marlon, David decides to make his temporary stay in Detroit a permanent return to his childhood home. Forget the grime and crime, political corruption and economic decay. Lasser's Detroit may be a troubled city, but it is one whose vibrant soul is writ large in the small actions of its loyal citizens. With a serene and steady hand, Lasser's spare but intense tale is a smart, intimate homage to the power of second chances. Put this book in the hands of fans of Richard Ford and Richard Russo. --Booklist
