The story revolves around a group of returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan who are variously pressured into a support/counseling group for returning vets. There is the nineteen year old Marine suffering from depression only in part because he left his legs in Iraq. There is the doctor with traumatic brain injury. There is the cop whose anger is completely out of his control. There is the young wife who can't manage to put the things she did behind her. And there is Clare, herself, who has become dependent on drugs and alcohol to keep the demons at bay.
The lives of the continuing characters in these books is such a large part of the stories that it feels as if the conclusion of one part of that story is the end of the series. Russ is waiting for Clare with a ring when she returns from her tour of duty, and eventually does actually manage to propose. Clare finally does manage to accept his proposal, even though they have taken opposing positions on the first death - well, not actually the first ... - never mind that. They actually manage to get married - eventually.
The crime in this book is, typically for the series, convoluted and broad of scope. Unlike some of the others, the bad guys are called to account for their deeds, including some unpunished in previous books. This also helps give the book a tone of finality.
Each of the vets resolves his or her issues, or takes steps in the direction of resolution - another bit of finality. They discuss the fact that they have each taken steps to control the monsters - as they stand together after the funeral of another young Marine from Miller's Kill dead in the middle east.
There are a few bits and pieces that are not resolved, but fundamentally it feels very concluded. I will be interested to see if a new one turns up.
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