Told through the diary and memoirs of five narrators, Why She Left Us is a darkly chilling tale of wasted life, exploring the psychology of the book's events and their effects on the survivors as well as the different ways people deceive themselves as well as others.

The narrators' voices are powerful and unique as they recount the events leading up to a number of family tragedies: Monica – despairing, depressed and suicidal, though unrepentant despite being locked in a hospital for the criminally insane. Ellen – bitter and full of rage, confined to a wheelchair. Betsy – beautiful, overeager, overkind, overgenerous, with very little self-esteem, desperate to be loved. Aunt Lucille, world-weary and worried, trying to hold together the remnants of her family and Carl – egotistical and twisted to the point of narcissism. A weak man trying to convince himself and the world that he is strong. There is one more main character, Wayne, who deals with grief and loss through silence, and so his voice is missing – which in itself makes a loud statement.

Despite having five narrators, it is very easy to follow each of their characters and timelines as they slowly build a picture of tragedy from separate points of view. Although, as you get further into the book, tragedy is not an adequate word to encompass the events that have had such an extreme effect on so many lives, and we are left guessing as to the true horror until the very end.

It isn't all chills and thrills, though, there are tender moments, romantic interludes and glimpses of hope amongst the secrets and betrayals, A gripping read.