Maggie O’Farrell has written another engaging story. In the 1970’s, a retired husband leaves to buy the newspaper and does not return. His wife, Gretta, summons her 3 grown children home for comfort and assistance. Each of the stories of the children- Michael, Monica and Aoife- come to life, along with more background to Gretta’s own story. Michael is a public school teacher afraid his wife is getting ready to leave him. Monica is married with stepchildren who dislike her and threaten her relationship with her husband. Aoife, much younger, has moved to New York and hasn’t settled down. Recommended.