Duplicate Keys - Jane Smiley

I've previously read 'A Thousand Acres' by Jane Smiley - and was incredibly impressed - she is a very powerful author. What I admire about her writing is the examination of human relationships - what might be described as both internal and external lives of the characters.
In Duplicate Keys relationships are at the heart of the story. We have double murder at the start of the book, and although you might think this is a story of the police case and its' solution it is more about how each of the cast of characters resolve their feelings and emotions about the event, and how it affects their dependence upon or independence from the group of friends that have been 'together' for a decade or more. In reality they discover that their friendships aren't as solid as they imagined.
Ms Smiley is exceptionally good at examining self revelation - and the unintended results of thoughtless impulses. The central character is in many ways totally selfless but is as a result suffocating in her attention to the needs of others. In the aftermath of the murder she embarks on a totally out of character relationship and regrets it, but cannot extricate herself with dignity and without rudeness.
She really does draw you into the story - you really care about the fate of the character, and she can truly write suspense into scenes that require it, and you just want to shout 'Tell the truth!' at times.
I'm going to try and read many other books by Jane Smiley - rating: 9/10