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The Second Son

Winner of the 2021 Best Debut Crime Fiction Ned Kelly Award
3.97 goodreads logo

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( 368 ratings, 74 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Second Son by Loraine Peck is a gripping tale of crime and family entanglement set in Sydney's underworld. When a brutal murder shakes the city's Croatian crime gang, Johnny Novak, the younger brother and second in line, is pushed into the spotlight. Caught between the criminal world and familial loyalty, Johnny must navigate betrayals and tensions to protect his family while finding a way to hold onto his own values.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you enjoy gripping crime and thriller novels with complex family dynamics and unexpected twists, you might find this book captivating. It delves into the dark world of organised crime, weaving a tale of loyalty, revenge, and moral dilemmas. This compelling story keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its intense action and well-drawn characters.

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Winner of the 2021 Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction, The Second Son takes readers on a exhilarating ride on the mean streets of Western Sydney

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Winner of the 2021 Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction, The Second Son takes readers on an exhilarating ride on the mean streets of Western Sydney.

Duty always has a price.

When Ivan Novak is shot dead while putting out his garbage bins in Sydney's west, his family wants revenge, especially his father Milan, a notorious crime boss. It's a job for the second son, Ivan's younger brother Johnny.

But Johnny loves his wife Amy and their son Sasha. Amy is about to deliver her ultimatum — either the three of them escape this wave of killing or she'll leave, taking Sasha with her.

Torn between loyalty to his family and love for his wife, Johnny plans the heist of a lifetime and takes a huge risk. Is he prepared to pay the price? And what choice will Amy make?

The Second Son is a brilliant action-packed crime debut that creates a world where honour is everything, violence is its own language, and love means breaking all the rules.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Second Son by Loraine Peck has been praised for its intense depiction of gang warfare, complex characters, and gripping narrative. Reviewers highlight its exploration of family dynamics and inherited trauma, drawing comparisons to classic crime sagas like The Godfather. The novel's fast-paced action, engaging plot, and strong character-driven storytelling have been lauded, with a focus on the strength of its female characters providing an edge over typical crime genre tales. The book's vivid setting in Sydney and its emotional depth make it a standout debut.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781922458971

Publisher: Text Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 17 January 2023

Country: Australia

Imprint: The Text Publishing Company

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 29.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 310g

Pages: 464

About the Author

Loraine Peck started her career as a portrait painter and magician's assistant in Sydney. After being sawn in half one too many times, she switched to dealing blackjack on the Gold Coast. Bartending and slinging lobsters in the US led to a sales job in the movie industry, before she was propelled into a career in marketing in Australia, the Middle East, Asia and the US. Consumed by a desire to write crime thrillers, she decided to stop everything and do a writing course-to learn how to write the kind of book she loves to read. She was the only author named in The Australian's Hottest 21 Creative Artists of 2021. Her first novel, The Second Son won the 2021 Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction from the Australian Crime Writers Association. She is currently hard at work on the sequel, The Double Bind. Loraine and her husband spend their time between Sydney and the Gold Coast.

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