This book investigates the organizational and political responses of individuals bereaved by homicide, focusing on how these groups navigate the aftermath of violent death. Paul Rock, a prominent criminologist, utilizes extensive qualitative research and interviews to document the emergence of self-help and advocacy organizations. The work provides a sociological framework for understanding how personal trauma is transformed into collective action and political influence within the justice system.

Experts in criminology and victimology recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the sociology of victimhood. Readers frequently note the academic rigor and the depth of the author's primary research into the organizational dynamics of support groups.