Catherine McKenna returns from Glasgow to Belfast for her father's funeral.   She is a talented pianist and composer, a creative spirit caught up in the tensions of difficult relationships with her parents and partner.   A convincing study of childbirth and post-natal depression by Bernard  MacLaverty, yet the main theme is the central musical image of grace notes - the embellishment of life, holding together community, religion, relationships.

Shortlisted for the 1997 Booker Prize.