On November 19, 2010, Tommy Mullins was murdered. After being harassed for weeks by a neighbor, he went to the neighbor's residence to resolve their feud and get back his garage remote. Just after 9:00 pm, Tommy was shot by the neighbor's boyfriend. In this book, Tommy's mother documents the jagged road of grief. Readers will be drawn in by her prose because it is raw with the emotions of a parent who is still reeling from the loss of her adult child. Her resilience shines through the words as she recounts details of Tommy's relationship with her and his family.
Mullins also challenges the Castle Doctrine and the Protection of Persons and Property Act. These laws led to the murder trial's dismissal, even though the perpetrator confessed. The author challenges the reliability of the justice system itself, relating how three different prosecutors failed to use the staggering exculpatory evidence to bring Tommy's murderer to trial and bring her some solace and closure after the tragedy.
The points that the author makes regarding gun control and victims' rights are valid. The evidence is provided in the book in the form of newspaper articles and police interview transcripts. While these pieces help to support her incredulity and perspective that justice was not upheld in her son's murder case, the numerous poems and letters from Tommy and other family members tend to slow the story's pace. However, these writings are necessary as they showcase the victim's gentle and loving personality, giving the narrative some additional poignancy. This book will likely promote critical thinking in readers about many issues that have been discussed in politics for years.