Returning to Belfast after a long absense,to attend her father`sfuneral.Catherine McKenna-a young composer-remembers exactly why she left:the claustrophobic intimacies of the Catholic enclave,herfastidious,nagging mother,and the pervading tensions of a city at war withitself. She remembers a more innocent time,when the LoyalistsLambeg drumssounded mysterious and exciting; she remembers her shattered relationshipwith the drunken,violent Dave,she remembers thechild she had withhim,waiting back in Glasgow. This is a novel, about coming to terms withthe past and the healing power of music, GRACE NOTES is a masterstory-teller`s triumphant return to the long form: a powerful lyricalnovel of great distinction.