Somebody's Fool

Ten years after the passing of the charismatic Donald 'Sully' Sullivan, the residents of North Bath grapple with profound changes as their town faces absorption by the affluent Schuyler Springs. At the heart of the narrative is Sully's son, Peter, who confronts his father's enduring legacy while navigating a complex relationship with his own son, Thomas, questioning whether he's merely repeating Sully's paternal patterns. Meanwhile, the consolidated police department sees Charice Bond take the helm after her ex-boyfriend, Doug Raymer, resigns. Their professional reunion becomes inevitable when a decomposing body is discovered in an abandoned hotel between the two towns, forcing them to confront their unresolved romantic tensions. Across town, Ruth, Sully's former lover, struggles to comprehend her granddaughter Tina's growing fascination with Peter's other son, Will. As the mystery of the unidentified body deepens, the community of North Bath finds itself reflecting on its past, present, and the intertwined lives of its unforgettable characters, all rendered with Richard Russo's signature blend of warmth, wit, and profound insight into the human condition.