Billionaire Paul Parnell is dead. For many families, the death of the patriarch is a time of loss and reflection. For Parnell's brood, it is a time of strained connections and plans for potential monetary compensation.

However, Paul Parnell had time to do his own reflecting before his death and decided that his family would learn from his mistakes. Instead of an immediate payout for those fortunate -- or unfortunate -- enough to be his children, Paul created a year-long test of worth. If the grown children pass the test, one deemed unwavering by several lawyers, they will receive their share of the inheritance. The test of their self-discovery is not one that can be easily completed; Parnell's family members must face their own mistakes and areas for improvement.

THE TEST is excellent. One might assume it would be a staid and predictable tale of money-grubbers trying to trick an aging lawyer. However, THE TEST is an excellent analysis of personal motivation, a father's last effort to pass on a moral code under which he never rallied, and family members' connections to each other. Suspenseful and well- crafted, this novel is riveting in its development and completion.