I Read A Book

There was a time this blog was about all the books I read.  Sometimes several times a week.  I had goals to read 100 books a year.  That is not happening this year.  Very busy making HUGE changes in my life. 
I knew Lisa Scottoline had a new book out.  She is one of my favorite authors.  I kept putting off reading it because I had things that needed to get done.  This week-end I decided to give myself a treat and read something I knew I would love.  I was not let down.
For the most part, I am not a big mystery reader.  This book was that much more.  I was hooked from the first page.  It is a story that haunted me when I was not reading it.  I do not want to get too detailed and ruin it for anyone.  Don't Go is described as a story of a soldier who discovers what it means to be a man, a father, and ultimately, a hero.  That does not begin to touch this book.
Dr. Mike Scanlon is called to serve as an army doctor in Afghanistan.  He knows the dangers he will face.  Leaving his wife, Chloe, and newborn baby is difficult for him.  In an ironic turn of events, while Mike is operating on a soldier, Chloe dies at home.  Mike is given a very short leave to bury Chloe and make some quick decisions about his life.  He begins to find out secrets that Chloe kept that completely rock his world. 
Back in Afghanistan Mike makes the first of a few bad decisions.  He chooses to stay for another tour.  As I write this I wonder how many people see that as a bad decision or the right thing to do.  I am a Mother.  I cannot imagine a decision that did not put his daughter's best interest first as a "right" decision. 
Mike tour is cut short when he suffers a life changing injury.  He comes home and a series of events lead Mike down a road of self-destruction.  When I was reading the story I knew some of the things he was doing were going to hurt him as a father.  The writing was clearly pointing to Mike having problems as a father.  What I was not able to solve was the murder.  I pinned the murder on two different characters.  Both guesses were wrong.  I love a mystery that I am not able to solve. 
I am going to rate this book a strong 4.  When I do my ratings I always think of the Old Ladies guidelines.  Did this book have the Old Lady big bang at the end?  It did not.  It did have surprises.  Things were wrapped up nicely at the end.  I am glad I took the time to read this.  Nice treat in the chaos that is my life!!  Old Lady - even without the big ending you like, read this one.  I think you will enjoy it.
If you have not started reading Lisa Scottoline books, what's wrong with you?  Make this your first one.  You will not be disappointed.