Parker tells his story in flashback, beginning in the present with Chris recounting the history of the two families to Grace with whom he has separated temporarily. The narrative shifts back and forth from the past to the present and from third to first person perspective, with the story told in first person by Chris and in the third person for those sections about Conn and Gus.

The major focus is on the Sheridan family, since this is primarily their story, with continuing references to the Winslow family inserted into the narrative.

Like Parker's other novels, All Our Yesterdays unfolds in a smooth prose style, and in many ways, the male characters assume the characteristics of Spenser from the series books. Tough, unsentimental, and yet at times tender, the figures of Conn and Gus give vent to their dark side which allows them to survive the prejudice against...