In this story, fiftysomething novelist Mira Winston is writing a memoir about the time she was a gifted amateur golfer, perhaps on her way to the LPGA, and a golf drive changed her life forever.
The fateful incident occurs in the summer of 1978, when Mira is an 18-year-old high school graduate. Mira's family lives in the wealthy suburb of Tallmadge, 35 minutes from New York City, and Mira - a golf prodigy - plays at Tallmadge Country Club. Mira's set to start at Yale University in a month, and has already met with the coach of the women's golf team.
On August 3, Mira is warming up near the first tee at the country club. She's on a green that has a small practice net where members can work on their swing, and a pergola for caddies waiting to be called for a loop. Mira finishes her follow through, and the golf ball zooms through a small hole in the net, hits a 17-year-old caddy named Kenny Foster in the head, and kills him.
Mira admits, "I didn't go to Yale because, in part, I no longer wanted anything to do with golf, and I associated my acceptance there with the sport...Besides, after Kenny Foster's death, I was in no condition to study anywhere."
Kenny's tragic death devastates his family, and - like a pebble thrown into a pond - causes ripples.
❂ Prior to the accident, the practice net had a target that Mira disliked because it facilitated bad habits.
Mira asked the golf-pro to remove the target, but he refused. On the day Kenny died, the target was gone, and investigators later discover the net was damaged. No one admits to snipping off the target, and Kenny's grieving parents plan to sue the country club, the net manufacturer, and Mira. If Mira is held liable, her parents will have to pay hefty damages.
❂ Kenny's death leads to the exposure of Mira's affair with a 47-year-old married man named Theo Catton, that started when Mira was fifteen. The revelation breaks up Theo's family and makes Mira the talk of the town.
On top of that, Mira sees Kenny's death as punishment for having sex with Theo, and her drinking and drug use escalates exponentially. Contrary to common sense, Mira also continues to seek out older men for sex.
❂ The district attorney considers the removal of the target to be criminal negligence, and plans to level a criminal charge.
Mira knows her youthful misbehavior will be viewed in a negative light. She grew up privileged, in an upscale community, went to good schools, and had supportive parents. So why the drinking and drug use? Why the older men?
Looking back from her mature years, Mira knows she had issues.
❂ Mira's parents, Peter and Alexis, drank heavily, and were borderline alcoholics. When Mira still lived at home, she watered down their bottles of scotch.
Mira was also aware her mother Alexis was having an affair with a married neighbor called Sam Stetson, though Alexis was friends with Sam's wife.
❂ Mira thought her father loved her older brother Spencer more than he loved her, even after Mira took up golf to please her dad. 
The suspense part of the novel revolves around the potential lawsuits and criminal charges. Mira's father hires a lawyer named Cleon Barker to represent Mira in any proceedings that might arise, and this is a central aspect of the book.
The story also addresses the issue of pedophilia. If a girl sees herself as a willing participant, is the older man still a pedophile? As a mature woman, Mira says yes.
It's hard to like young Mira as a character. As she herself admits, Mira grew up with advantages, and her constant drinking and cocaine use - as well as other behavior - is jarring. That said, teenage Mira had a good heart and was kind to people.
This is an engaging novel that would appeal to many suspense fans.
Thanks to Netgalley, Chris Bohjalian, and Doubleday for an ARC of the book.
Rating; 3.5 stars
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