Only with the Heart: A Novel

After a childhood spent in foster homes and a lifetime of longing, Claudia has finally found a family: a devoted husband, Sam, and a loving and supportive mother, Eleanor. But soon Eleanor develops Alzheimer's-complete with violent eruptions, speechlessness, incontinence, and suicide attempts-and Claudia's beautiful life becomes a nightmare. When Eleanor is unexpectedly found dead, Claudia is charged with murder. Told in the unforgettable voices of its three players-Claudia, Eleanor, and Sam-Only with the Heart is an engrossing, beautifully crafted novel about the agonizing effects of terminal disease, our deepest need for acceptance, and the difficult, complex character of love.