On the Head of a Pin (review)

It started innocently enough—a group of teenagers from a small town who have known one another most of their lives gather at Andy's dad's hunting cabin to drink some beer, tell some stories, and couple up in the recesses of the building. The book opens with the voice of Helen, who offers commentary on the various attendees—her boyfriend Michael, Andy the showoff, smarmy Victor, quiet, churchgoing Josh. By morning, she is dead, the victim of an accidental shot taken by Andy, who was messing with his dad's hunting rifle after having a few too many drinks. This riveting psychological thriller alternates thereafter between the voices of two characters: Michael, who was drugged immediately after the murder and, upon waking, was told that Helen left with another guy (when in fact she has already been buried in the woods); and Josh, who cannot accept the role he now plays in hiding the murder from the community. Michael leaves town before he finds out about Helen's death (his abusive father kicks him out for coming home late), making him the most likely suspect for the crime; Josh, who is already dealing with a sister who is comatose since a near-drowning incident, is beside himself with grief and anxiety, torn between his moral convictions and his lifelong friendship with Andy. The intricate story is laced with rich themes of religion and suffering, adding depth to an already emotionally complex tale. The two boys' voices both occasionally fall into wandering stream of consciousness, which can be difficult for reader to follow; while this more often than not mirrors the confusion of the teller and adds to the mystery, the narrative is sometimes bogged down as a result of it. Still, readers will undoubtedly find themselves swept up in trying to figure out the various backstories and angles at play in this page-turner.