This book was hard for me to read at the start. My husband is currently serving in Afghanistan, and it was heart breaking to read about a wife who just found out her husband was killed fighting. Once I persevered through the death and notification part, the rest of the story was filled with mystery as to the events that actually took place on that fateful day. The story was put together well, and I like how the author used each character to tell their part of the story. This is the first book I have read by this author and I will certainly be reading more. The book is thought-provoking and caused me to revisit my own thoughts on our role in Iraq. Lest you think it is a war story, it isn't. Well, actually it is and it isn't. The plot revolves primarily around the wife of a soldier killed while serving in Iraq. I'm not giving any spoilers when I tell you that the soldier, John Stanton, was killed by another man in his unit, as this information is provided within the first few chapters. John Stanton was a college football hero who went on to play pro ball after graduation. But after 9/11, he heard the call to duty and firmly believed it was his obligation to enlist in order to help fight terrorism. As time passes, however, John began to question if our mission in Iraq was actually a road to end terrorism or not. When John is killed, his wife Abby is forced to make some tough choices in dealing with the aftermath. Her mother-in-law is determined to bury John at Arlington with a full-scale hero's funeral, whereas Abby knows that John's wishes were to be cremated and have his ashes thrown into the river Seine in Paris. And to add to the drama, Abby finds out from a friend that there is suspicion that John was actually killed by another soldier in his unit and she is seeking answers, answers which the military would prefer to see buried. Also, Abby is aware that John had become disillusioned with the war, but his parents turn a deaf ear to that. Add in a bit of mystery, as John's killer is only revealed in the last chapters, and a bit of romance between Abby and her journalist friend who was in Iraq at the time John was killed and is helping Abby navigate the military bureaucracy, and it makes for an all-around thoroughly readable story. It held my interest even through the business of Christmas and New Year's, family gathering, shopping, cooking, etc. I highly recommend it.
What do You think about One September Morning (2009)?
A little too cliche for my liking...I read the whole book, but was totally unsatisfied by it.
—darkmark719
It was a good story that was well told but more than a little predictable on the outcome.
—Boo
great book with a lot of suspense but was disappointed with the ending.
—Bvbarmy6
I'm not sure how I felt about this book. Kind of lukewarm I think.
—yeshu
Couldn't read it due to anti military/anti war sentiment.
—Wesley
