Somebody's Fool

Peter Sullivan, Sully's son, continues to wrestle with his father's formidable legacy while navigating his own complicated relationship with his son, Thomas. He finds himself questioning whether he has been any different a father than Sully was to him, an introspection that strikes at the heart of generational dynamics and personal growth.

Meanwhile, the town's newly combined police department falls into the capable hands of Charice Bond, following the resignation of Doug Raymer, the former North Bath police chief and Charice's ex-boyfriend. As Charice assumes her new role, old tensions and unresolved feelings between her and Raymer resurface, adding layers of emotional conflict and professional challenge.

When a decomposing body is discovered in the abandoned hotel that lies between North Bath and Schuyler Springs, Charice and Raymer are drawn together once more. The investigation not only reawakens their complex attraction to each other but also forces them to confront the secrets and suspicions that lie beneath the surface of their relationships and the townspeople.

Across town, Ruth—Sully's married ex-lover—grapples with her granddaughter Tina's growing obsession with Peter's other son, Will. This intergenerational narrative adds another dimension of familial tension, as Ruth tries to navigate her granddaughter's turbulent emotions and her own unresolved feelings towards Sully's family.

As the residents of North Bath speculate about the identity of the unidentified body, questions arise about who among them could have vanished unnoticed. This mystery serves as a backdrop to the personal dramas unfolding within the community, intertwining the fates and fortunes of its members in unexpected ways.

Brimming with warmth, wisdom, and Richard Russo's signature wry humour, Somebody's Fool is another classic from a contemporary master of storytelling. With its richly drawn characters and poignant narrative, this novel offers a profound look at life's complexities and the enduring nature of human connections.