A Spark of Light, a contemporary novel by Jodi Picoult, takes place in Mississippi.

Wren McElroy, fifteen, has a boyfriend. Although she is a virgin, you never know what might happen on a date. She asks her Aunt Bix to go with her to The Center for Women and Reproductive Health for birth control pills.

It’s tough getting through the line of anti-abortion people, but they manage to get inside. There are a few women waiting. Most of them are probably there for abortion information or for the procedure.

Suddenly a distraught gunman bursts in and opens fire, instantly killing the woman at the reception counter, and wounding others, including the doctor.

Detective Lieutenant Hugh McElroy, a police hostage negotiator, and Wren’s single dad, is called to the scene. He sets up a perimeter and begins his strategy to communicate with the shooter. His phone vibrates with incoming messages, and Hugh notices that one of the calls is from his daughter. To his horror, he learns that Wren and his sister, Bix, are in the clinic.

As the story progresses, we learn about some of those who have been taken hostage, and what it was that brought them to the clinic. Even the distraught shooter has his tragic reason for being there. No matter what brought the various people to the clinic, it appears they are all in grave danger.

Jodi Picoult is a master in bringing to life this very disturbing scenario. She explains the difference between an embryo (the initial stage of development) and a fetus (the term used from the ninth week of pregnancy until birth). Through story, she discusses the various attitudes about decisions to perform abortion. She talks about women and their rights concerning reproduction. How do we balance the rights of pregnant women with the rights of the unborn they carry? While pro-life protesters are protecting the rights of the fetus, who is protecting the rights of women, or in some cases, young girls? No matter how we feel about abortion, this novel brings to light the various complex issues involved.