The Witch Elm by Tana French

I usually do not write about the myriad of murder mysteries that I read, but this one was one of the New York Times 100 notable books, (which is really on the 50 notable fiction book list), so I am making an exception.
The basic message in this stand alone book by the talented Ms. French is that if you scratch the surface of any extended family you are likely to find a rotten apple or two.  Or someone who when push comes to shove, shoves back in a very deadly manner.
At the center of the story are three cousins who have known each other well since childhood and an uncle that they share who is dying from a brain tumor.  Toby was the incredibly lucky one, nothing stuck to him, whereas his two cousins were not so lucky.  Then Toby is murderously beaten one night to within an inch of his life, and it all changes for him forever.  He finds out what his family is capable of and what he himself can be led to as well.  There are some leaps that need to be taken especially toward the end, but all in all a very good read.