Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

The narrator, Susie Salmon was only fourteen years old when she was raped and murdered. No one suspected George Harvey the next door neighbor. Harvey was a serial rapist and murderer. Heaven was not what Susie expected. She watched her traumatized family as they tried to find her. Gradually they went on with their lives.

At times Susie showed regret as she observes her friends and family. Surprisingly she never expresses anger. Alice Sebold clearly depicts the grief of a family facing the death of a child. There is so much more I want to say about this book but I do not want to give away the plot. Susie did not seem content in heaven. She focused on her unfinished life. Perhaps it was the lack of closure. There was one scene that disturbed me. I thought it was unnecessary. For me it detracted from this beautiful story.

I was also disappointed in Susie’s mother’s behavior. However, I’ve never faced such a situation and do not know how I would react. Ruana and her situation seemed like a rabbit hole and added nothing to the story. I was captivated from the beginning of Lovely Bones, is a satisfying read. I wanted justice or revenge but that’s not what this book is about. This is a quiet read. Other than the grisly murder at the beginning of the book the story is not high action. Sebold has a quiet understated style.