I'll echo Rory here a bit, I did like the snippet about Richard and the lies he's telling family. That isn't something often considered, and I like the way it forces you to think.

The rest is a fascinating look at Isobel's slipping humanity and the way a child can make all the difference.

We need to talk about Ezra. He's very loosely modeled on Shepherd Book, to give you a rough idea. Though not as old.