Since his mother died, and his addict brother went to jail, eighteen-year-old Will has been all on his own. Then he meets Carrie, a middle-aged schizophrenic who "hears" the thoughts of the abused and neglected neighborhood animals she rescues. Needing the money, Will agrees to Carrie’s offer to pay him for every “stray” cat or dog he delivers. Will also tutors fourteen-year-old, Kurt, who himself is still processing his role in the death of his abusive stepfather. When Carrie’s animal “rescuing” goes too far, might her, Will's and Kurt’s lives intersect in a way that may allow each of them to be rescued, instead? The Kirkus review targets “very mature [teen] readers” as the audience for this richly satisfying effort, which pairs thoughtful characterizations with complex themes.