Wakulla County

In this novel, a husband convicted of murdering his wife winds up with a loyal canine companion.

Bobby Barnes and his wife, Martha, reside in Wakulla County, Florida, in a rundown beach cottage on the ocean. But when their son, Daniel, takes his own life, Martha spirals downward in despair. After Daniel’s funeral, Bobby wanders into an animal shelter, where he finds a wayward dog who becomes his longtime companion. Martha deteriorates, becoming silent, drinking heavily, and engaging in promiscuous behavior. When Bobby is sentenced to prison for his wife’s violent murder, what happened on the day of her death becomes clear, and unlikely people—Bobby; his attorney, Amy Budreau; his prison cellmate’s mother, Dorothea Joplin; and Assistant District Attorney Dan Strick—become inextricably linked. Yet Bobby’s connection to his dog, Lola, is paramount and he asks his lawyer to protect the canine, who will do anything to find Bobby. Marsella’s vivid novel skillfully weaves an intricate web of human relationships between intriguing characters. Her players exhibit quirks and eccentricities, such as a felon who cares about nothing but his dog; a woman who sacrifices her career to maintain the connection between a man and his best friend; and a man who makes key decisions to raise his professional status. Such imperfections, priorities, and connections, in turn, illustrate how humans are beautifully flawed. Although the relationships sometimes feel a little unresolved, and the chapter labels are a bit clichéd and lack subtlety, the characters’ motivations and passions make for an engaging read despite the tragic happenings—which include violence, alcoholism, mental illness, suicide, and loss. The audience will want to know what happens to the story’s players and devoted canine. A heartbreaking moment occurs when, prior to Martha’s death, Bobby reflects, “He was done with it all. He was leaving her in her father’s house on the water with her pain, her hate, and her Southern Comfort.”

An engrossing tale about a man, dog, and unlikely human connections.