Amagansett by Mark Mills

Amagansett by Mark Mills

‘Snow Falling on Cedars’ meets ‘The Shipping News’ in this enthralling literary crime novel set in post–World War II Long Island. In the small town of Amagansett, perched on Long Island's windswept coast, generations have followed the same calling as their forefathers, fishing the dangerous Atlantic waters. Little has changed in the three centuries since white settlers drove the Montaukett Indians from the land. But for Conrad Labarde, a second-generation Basque immigrant recently returned from World War II, and his fellow fisherman Rollo Kemp, this stability is shattered when a beautiful New York socialite turns up dead in their nets. On the face of it, her death was accidental, but deputy police chief Tom Hollis – an incomer from New York – is convinced the truth lies in the intricate histories and family secrets of Amagansett's inhabitants. Meanwhile the enigmatic Labarde is pursuing his own investigation. In unravelling the mystery, this haunting and evocative novel captures a community whose way of life is disappearing, its demise hastened by war in Europe and the incursions of wealthy city dwellers in search of a playground.

‘A striking and assured first thriller…worldly and impeccably researched’ William Boyd

‘This is an intriguing, atmospheric, literary crime novel. The uneasy juxtaposition of two communities is brilliantly evoked by Mark Mills.’ Daily Mail

‘A remarkable first novel. Written with all the wit, lyrical language and slow character development one would search for in the literary department, the book is as rich in time frame and location as any you’d find in the best historical fiction. Mills’ tale gently yet persistently pulls readers in.’ LA Times

‘Beautifully written, character–driven book, with its exotic Long Island sound locale and lyrical descriptions…Mark Mills has written a first novel that reverberates in the mind with the force of a literary epiphany.’ Irish Times

‘Subtle and stylish. Mills is clever, unravelling the story from several angles.’ Observer

‘The requisite qualities of a film script – atmospheric details, lucidity and a simple, spare style.’ Sunday Telegraph

Mark Mills graduated from Cambridge University in 1986. He has lived in both Italy and France, and has written for the screen. His first novel, ‘The Whaleboat House’, won the 2004 Crime Writer's Association for Best Novel by a debut author. His third novel, ‘The Savage Garden’ has received stunning reviews in hardback and is a Richard & Judy 2007 Summer Read. He lives in Oxford with his wife and two children.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780007161904
ISBN 10	0007161905
Title	Amagansett
Author	Mark Mills
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	HarperCollins Publishers
Year published	2004-06-07
Number of pages	368
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.