Every now and again, you get a first novel that has so many different issues included that you want to tell the author to leave a few for next time, relax, you can write, there will be another book. This book has that sort of feel to it. Steel is not a new writer, but perhaps she feels that her time is limited, and she still has all these ideas she wants to use? My advice is still to relax and take one or two ideas at a time.

Most of the story lines got sewn up in the expected manner(s). Like most of DS's characters, they moved in circles too rich for most of us. In fact many of their difficulties wouldn't have happened if they didn't move there. Of course, the money also made it possible to survive the difficulties a lot more easily than we could.

I think a good editor would have told her to split this up into several books. But as often happens with established authors, they know a book with her name on the cover is going to sell, so they don't bother. ( )