It is the story of Katrinas  Marlino last night . It is also the story of her neighbours those who witnessed her murder , those who did nothing, the anxious Vietnam draftee , the former soldier planning suicide ,the woman who thinks she killed a child , and her husband who will riskeverything for her and the others too whose lives are touched by the crime . Shocking and tender ,angry and gripping it is a terrifying crime novel like no other .