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Five Decembers

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Five Decembers

By: James Kestrel
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
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About this listen

Winner of the 2022 Edgar Award for Best Novel

Nominee for Best Thriller in the 2022 Barry Awards

Hammett Prize 2021 Finalist

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; and though the U.S. doesn't know it yet, a Japanese fleet is already steaming toward Pearl Harbor.

This extraordinary novel is so much more than just a gripping crime story—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.

Original cover art copyright (c) 2021 by Claudia Carafe, painted for Hard Case Crime

©2022 James Kestrel (P)2022 Podium Audio 20th Century Crime Fiction Historical Historical Fiction International Mystery & Crime Mystery War

Critic reviews

“War, imprisonment, torture, romance…The novel has an almost operatic symmetry, and Kestrel turns a beautiful phrase.” (The New York Times)
"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)
All stars
Most relevant
excellent. if you only listen to one book this year make it Five Decembers. brilliant

excellent.

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Fantastic detective procedural mixed in the midst of the arrival of WW2. It captures the atmosphere of the time, giving it the noirish feel of novels written in the period, which is a testament to the amount of research that has gone into it. No spoilers, but Kestrel weaves his tale into actual history very eloquently. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator brilliantly captures each character. Probably one of my favourite books of the year. I would definitely read more Kestrel, but so far this is his only publication. We need more Mr Kestrel!

Gumshoe in WW2

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An enjoyable although far fetched story set during WW2, if you suspend your disbelief and except its coincidences you'll be entertained. I wouldn't mind another tale with the main protagonist as he's quite a unique sleuth.

Entertaining

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Gripping pacey WW2 period piece which pulls you in and won't let go! Narrator pitch perfect.

Excellent thriller

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A really good listen. McGrady is a good character in this book. He is one eyed in his pursuit of those who break the law. It’s the first time I have listened to a book that is set in these places, and the author does an excellent job of describing them.

Very enjoyable

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