In 1959 Felix married Bambi. In 1976 he disappears, avoiding a jail sentence. In 1986, Julie, Felix’s girlfriend prior to his disappearance, disappears as well. In 2001 her body was found not far from Felix and Bambi’s home. The question is: Who killed her? The answer is supplied by Laura Lippman in After I’m Gone.
Inspired by an actual incident in which a Baltimore gambler disappeared leaving a wife, three children and a girlfriend, Lippman puts her own spin on this.
After I’m Gone is not so much a mystery as it is a character study. It probes into the life of Roberto ‘Sandy’ Sanchez, a retired cop and widower who, on a consulting basis, handles cold cases. It describes Bambi and her relationship with her three daughters, one of whom is too young to really remember her father before his disappearance. It studies the relationship between Bambi and Bert Gelman, Felix’s friend and attorney, and with Lorraine, Gelman’s wife. It explores a family’s take on Judaism.
There’s not a lot of action in After I’m Gone, nor police procedural, nor following clues. It is more a family history and a well written one at that. I don’t remember reading any Laura Lippman, known for her Tess Monaghan series, but I’d definitely add her to my reading list.
Two Heads Together 
I am eager to read this as her stories seem to work on the psyche question our perceptions of “good” and “bad” people. The Laura Lippman book -turned-movie, “Every Secret Thing” was partly filmed in Bayside NY at my sister’s house (the Diane Lane character lives in the house) . The movie was just released at the Tribecca Film Festival last weekend. I was not able to attend but I heard it is a dark story with interesting character studies.
Where in Bayside does your sister live? I grew up there.
I liked her book and definitely will read more.
Ed
P.S. Sorry it took so long to respond.