Cancerous Marla Barrow offers a considerable inheritance to Brad Jenkins (her son-in-law) in exchange for his assurance to see to it she dies at home and not in a facility. With near total isolation, a missing spouse, strange occurrences in the house, a slippery hold on reality, and a mother-n-law determined to do whatever the hell she wants, that is exactly what Brad decides to do. But playing the hand he is dealt degenerates quickly into a two-person competition.
As secrets are revealed and every twist leads to another, a small, seemingly unconnected cast falls or rises to the occasion based on how they see their role in the gamea contest closely watched by unknown contingents.
This third novel by Philip Bias expertly balances humor, murderous passion, and shocking revelations in a simple story with a sprinkling of touching observations on life, death, and our shared desire to make a difference.