[7] Sue Klebold often states that her son was depressive instead of psychopathic, and that compared to Harris, Dylan allowed some victims to flee, as well as killed fewer people.

[8] Meghan O'Rourke of The Guardian wrote that the book is "compelling as a grief memoir" and that "to read it is to be unforgettably drawn into the devastation she endured".

[9] Barbara Ellen of The Observer argued that it was a "brave, sad, self-castigating book" and that Sue Klebold never tried to "excuse her son's crimes".

[5] According to Carlos Lozada of The Washington Post, the book shows the potential "warning signs" Sue Klebold missed as well as "an apology to the loved ones of the victims".

[1] Rachel Shteir of The Boston Globe argued that the book could have given more information on Dylan's characteristics, and she concluded that "In A Mother's Reckoning there is much more suffering than understanding.