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Five Decembers

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( 11,569 ratings, 1,635 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
In Five Decembers, a gritty crime thriller by James Kestrel, the story follows a dedicated Honolulu police detective embroiled in a complex murder case that spans several countries. As he delves deeper into the investigation, the protagonist confronts the horrific realities of war and human nature across the tumultuous backdrop of World War II. The novel masterfully weaves historical context with suspenseful storytelling, highlighting themes of justice, love, and resilience.
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Format: Hardback
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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?

You might enjoy this book if you're drawn to immersive crime thrillers that blend historical settings with intense detective work. Set against the tense backdrop of the Pacific during World War II, it follows a determined investigator through a complex web of mystery and intrigue, promising a gripping narrative filled with unexpected twists and emotional depth.

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Winner of the 2022 Edgar Award for Best Novel "War, imprisonment, torture, romance...The novel has an almost operatic symmetry, and Kestrel turns a beautiful phrase." -New York Times

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

Five Decembers is a gripping thriller, a staggering portrait of war, and a heartbreaking love story, as unforgettable as All the Light We Cannot See.

'Read this book for its palpitating story, its perfect emotional and physical detailing and, most of all, for its unforgettable conjuring of a steamy quicksilver world that will be new to almost every reader.'

Pico Iyer

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. The trail of murder he uncovers will lead him across the Pacific, far from home and the woman he loves. Though the U.S. doesn't know it yet, a Japanese fleet is already steaming toward Pearl Harbour.

This extraordinary novel is so much more than just a gripping crime storyβ€”it's a story of survival against all odds, of love and loss, and the human cost of war.

Spanning the entirety of World War II, Five Decembers is a beautiful, masterful, powerful novel that will live in your memory forever.

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?

Five Decembers by James Kestrel has garnered praise for its immersive narrative and gripping storytelling. It is described as a beautifully written crime epic, combining elements of a hardboiled mystery, wartime narrative, and a poignant love story. Readers are captivated by its vivid portrayal of the 1940s, with the novel being a standout work in its genre and recommended for those seeking an intense, atmospheric read.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781789096118

Publisher: Titan Books Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 26 October 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Titan Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 127.0mm

Height: 203.0mm

Weight: 368g

Pages: 432

About the Author

Formerly a bar owner, a criminal defense investigator, and an English teacher, James Kestrel is now an attorney practicing throughout the Pacific. His writing has won advance praise from Stephen King, James Patterson, Dennis Lehane, Lee Child, Meg Gardiner, James Fallows, Pico Iyer, and numerous other authors. A sailor and world traveler, Kestrel has lived in Taiwan, New Orleans, and a West Texas ghost town. He lives in Volcano, Hawaii.

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