After their father died in a freak car accident, Jim and Bob Burgess were eager to leave their home in Shirley Falls, Maine.

The two have a seemingly loving but competitive relationship that is only truly challenged after their sister Susan calls them seeking assistance.

He had been caught throwing a pig's head into a Somali mosque during Ramadan, which he claims was meant only as a joke.

Jim is not immune to all of this, as he eventually finds that he has been taking his seemingly perfect home life for granted.

"[6] The Washington Times also praised the novel, as they felt that Strout "has a gift for straightforward storytelling and original turns of phrase, coupled with insight into the human heart and psyche.