Leonard Peacock wants to kill his former best friend and then himself. Before he does, he sets out to visit a few of the most influential people in his life. As the day unfolds, each visit gets us deeper into Leonard's head until we start to understand what set him on this destructive path. 

Told in first-person, Quick introduces us to an unlikeable character and slowly gets us to empathize with him through the interactions of others. Quick's story has some intriguing psychological truths that will leave you thinking about this book long after you've read it. For example, Leonard is very perceptive and highly critical of his classmates. Sometimes his critiques are earned, but others are a bit cheap. Though he thinks that no one cares about him, its clear through his interactions that everyone notices this shift in his personality. Further, several of the people he visited offered him a chance at a deeper friendship, but he threw it away, preferring to keep a certain amount of distance. While on the surface these actions seem petty for a person claiming his life is too horrible to continue, it's his inner turmoil and abusive past that keep him from making these connections.

Readers will find themselves completely engrossed in finding out what lead Leonard to this moment in his life. After all, it is such a unique premise...a chance to find out what drives someone to commit a murder-suicide. However, I am not sure of what implications Quick makes by the end of the novel. I love novels that leave the reader thinking, but this subject matter is special considering the intended audience.  Quick leaves Leonard in such an ambiguous state. Writing one last letter from the future will not make him okay. Will he seek help on his own as his mother is a dope? I suppose many individuals find strength without therapy, but I don't think Leonard is really capable of that. But then, life is pretty ambiguous too. Maybe I shouldn't expect a better ending when it comes to this subject matter. Genius or not, this was definitely a book that will make you think.