"The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Empire Falls returns to North Bath, in upstate New York, and to the characters that captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of readers in his beloved best sellers Nobody's Fool and Everybody's Fool"--

A collection of fourteen interwoven short stories from the author of Zorrie, each of which takes place on the same day, in the same close-knit, small-town community in Indiana, each told from the perspective of a different resident.

"The 6:20 Man is back, dropped by his handlers into a small coastal town in Maine to solve the murder of a CIA agent who knew America's dirtiest secrets--can Travis Devine uncover the truth before his time runs out? When CIA operative Jenny Sikwell is murdered in rural Maine, government officials have immediate concerns over national security. Her laptop and phone were full of state secrets that, in the wrong hands, endanger the lives of countless...

Dani lives on a city block carpeted with concrete—until a street tree moves in. The tree brings the wonders of nature to Dani’s doorstep and is good company through the days and seasons. But it will need help to thrive . . .

Johannes is a free dog, a fast dog--such a fast dog! He lives in an urban park by the sea, and every day, he runs through the park, seeing all, missing nothing, and reporting what he sees to the park's three ancient Bison, the Keepers of the Equilibrium. But the Equilibrium has been disrupted. Mysterious rectangles are hypnotizing Johannes, the humans are erecting a mysterious new building, and an entirely new kind of animal has arrived in the park--and...

As Martin and James wait patiently to see Santa in his Grotto, Martin spots a medical concern that has him shut it down and send Santa packing - until he's sure he isn't infectious. Louisa is determined not to let Martin ruin Christmas.

"When Kathleen Deane's husband, Tom, tells her he's no longer happy with his life and their marriage, Kathleen is confused. Who said anything about being happy? They live in Kansas, for goodness sake! But with Tom off finding himself, Kathleen starts to think about what she wants. And her thoughts lead her to a small beach community on the east coast, a town that has always looked lovely in the Christmas cards her childhood friend Josie sends every...

"The Palleseen have sworn to bring Perfection and Correctness to an imperfect world. As their legions scour the world of superstition with the bright flame of reason, so they deliver a mountain of ragged, holed and scorched flesh to the field hospital tents just behind the frontline. Which is where Yasnic, one-time priest, healer and rebel, finds himself. Reprieved from the gallows...he has been sequestered to a particularity unorthodox medical unit....

"A heartfelt, funny, and all-together human novel about the best mistakes a person can make Jonathan and Rosie have been together so long they finish each other's sentences--so when he (finally) proposes and asks her to move across the country with him, everyone is happily surprised. But when things suddenly unravel, Rosie sends Jonathan packing and moves back home with Soapie, the irascible, opinionated grandmother who raised her. Only now she has...