John reviewed Five Decembers by James Kestrel
Review of 'Five Decembers' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Terrific throw-back noir with well researched historical detail.
Paperback, 432 pages
Published Oct. 17, 2022 by Hard Case Crime.
Five Decembers
In this novel of World War II, an American police detective trapped while trailing a killer overseas struggles to survive with only the help of a total stranger and his daughter, who risk their lives to protect him.
December 1941. America teeters on the brink of war, and in Honolulu, Hawaii, police detective Joe McGrady is assigned to investigate a homicide that will change his life forever. Because the trail of murder he uncovers will lead him across the Pacific, far from home and the woman he loves; and though the U.S. doesn't know it yet, a Japanese fleet is already steaming toward Pearl Harbor.
In this novel of World War II, an American police detective trapped while trailing a killer overseas struggles to survive with only the help of a total stranger and his daughter, who risk their lives to protect him.
December 1941. America teeters on the brink of war, and in Honolulu, Hawaii, police detective Joe McGrady is assigned to investigate a homicide that will change his life forever. Because the trail of murder he uncovers will lead him across the Pacific, far from home and the woman he loves; and though the U.S. doesn't know it yet, a Japanese fleet is already steaming toward Pearl Harbor.
Mark reviewed Five Decembers by James Kestrel
None
5 stars
I was given an advance reading copy of Five Decembers by the publisher.
From the moment I started reading James Kestrel's Five Decembers, I was immersed in a time and place I've never experienced, but found entirely believable. Early 1940's Hawaii, Pacific islands, Hong Kong and Tokyo all come alive, giving this book a lyrical quality missing from many hard-boiled tales. Combine the setting with Hawaii PD Detective Joe McGrady's journey to solve two brutal murders while his life is set on fire by world war, and you have a story that makes for compelling, non-stop reading, all the way to the wintry conclusion. Five Decembers is a terrific addition to the Hard Case Crime library.
In his acknowledgements at the end of the book, Kestrel mentions that he has written seven books, but Five Decembers is apparently the first book with the byline James Kestrel. What is his real …
I was given an advance reading copy of Five Decembers by the publisher.
From the moment I started reading James Kestrel's Five Decembers, I was immersed in a time and place I've never experienced, but found entirely believable. Early 1940's Hawaii, Pacific islands, Hong Kong and Tokyo all come alive, giving this book a lyrical quality missing from many hard-boiled tales. Combine the setting with Hawaii PD Detective Joe McGrady's journey to solve two brutal murders while his life is set on fire by world war, and you have a story that makes for compelling, non-stop reading, all the way to the wintry conclusion. Five Decembers is a terrific addition to the Hard Case Crime library.
In his acknowledgements at the end of the book, Kestrel mentions that he has written seven books, but Five Decembers is apparently the first book with the byline James Kestrel. What is his real name? What are his other books? Asking for a friend who wants to read them!
