EVERYBODY'S FOOL by Pulitzer Prize writer Richard Russo

Richard Russo (b. Amer 1949) has a gift for the written word & credible characters that are endearingly absurd.  Russo won the Pulitzer Prize for "Empire Falls" ('02.)  His latest novel "Everybody's Fool" captures lovable and befuddled small town citizens.  The novel takes place in Bath, upstate New York. Bath is a dying town alongside its neighboring thriving & sophisticated city of Schuyler.  Bath maybe be small but it has a broad range of quirky & mainly likable locals ranging from the buffoons, to the sensible & sensitive to the loathsome villain.  The anchor of the city is Chief Douglas Ramsey whose heart is grieving over the death of his wife Becka.  Ramsey knew he married up with this beautiful, femme fatale who takes a fatal fall down the stairs after leaving Douglas a Dear John note and a mysterious garage remote.  Ramsey is relentlessly called upon to maintain order amidst chaotic mayhem. He is also obsessed with finding his wife's lover by finding the garage the remote can open. Thankfully, the Chief has cohort Charice at the station; always a voice of reason with some sass in her say.  Ramsey also has a fumbling "Barney Fife" officer.  Sully, another major fixture in town possesses  a strong disposition but a failing heart that is waning.  The town's mayor is constantly at odds with Ramsey and a menacing ex-con has returned causing havoc.  The Chief has a lot on his plate of late.  Russo spins a toothsome tale with odd-ball characters we love or love to hate.  You can't wait to see what lightening bolt will strike next.  There is a bounty of foolish & irrational behaviors, love being the most irrational of all.  "Why do people fall in love?  Nobody knows.  They just do."  This is an enjoyable read where everyone plays the fool sometime. "I mean, look around.  Who's not a damn fool most of the time?"