All The Numbers
by Judy Merrill Larsen
Published by Ballatine Books
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Reviewed by Julie Failla Earhart
Be sure to block out a serious chuck of time when you sit down with Judy Merrill Larsen's debut novel, All The Numbers, because you won't want to put it down. And it wouldn't hurt to have a box of tissues nearby either. I called in sick at work so I could finish this story of grief and forgiving love.
It's the start of summer vacation for high school English teacher Ellen Banks and her two sons, eleven-year-old James and thirteen-year-old Daniel. It looks to be a rather normal summer: a visit to her see her parents in Missouri, the boys off to Detroit to spend a week with their dad, and the with the much-anticipated August week at Lake Augusta in southern Wisconsin, the final, lazy week before getting ready for back-to-school and the dreaded trip to buy James a new pair of school shoes. Ellen loves these summers to reconnect with her boys.
Life is pretty much well going along as planned until the Banks get to the lake house, owned by Ellen's dearest friend Anna and her husband, Sam. While the boys are frolicking in the lake with Anna and Sam's three girls, a Jet Ski roars into the shallow water and clips James on the head. From that moment on, Ellen's world is turned upside down. There's the decision to take him off life support, the decision about organ donation (and no, says Ellen, it doesn't make you feel any better), and the decision about who is to blame for James' death.
The book is well-paced, giving readers the perfect amount of information to learn about Ellen and her family before tragedy strikes. There are enough twists to give an old tale new life. The prologue was a bit melodramatic and was unnecessary, but on the other hand, it prepares readers for the Ellen's journey through the worst period of her life.
Armchair Interviews says: Grab a tissue and get set for a great read.
Author's Web site: http://www.judymerrilllarsen.com