Book number two and a lot of history surrounds this compulsive tale, from Auschwitz to gangland America in the 50s and 60s but now our narrator is a woman, Annie, and my admiration for this author increases. We are treated to trauma, past and present, and lives that affect Annie deeply as the truth unfolds. It is breathtakingly good.
Annie O'Neill has it all: a cosy Manhattan apartment, a beautiful bookshop and a network of supportive friends. But at the heart of her life is a hole - a place vacated by her father when he died in her childhood.
So when a mysterious man named Forrester enters the shop and claims to be her father's oldest friend she jumps at the chance to find out more of her own past.
But Forrester's not being free with the answers she needs. He's much more interested in telling her a story about a ruthless ganglord and a fifty-year-old betrayal. A betrayal that she will realise far too slowly, has something very much to do with her...
R .J. Ellory is the author of nine previous novels including the bestselling A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS, which was a Richard & Judy Book Club selection and won the NOUVEL OBSERVATEUR CRIME FICTION PRIZE. Ellory's novels have been translated into 23 languages, and he has won the USA EXCELLENT AWARD FOR BEST MYSTERY, the STRAND MAGAZINE BEST THRILLER 2009, the THEAKSTONS OLD PECULIER CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR for A SIMPLE ACT OF VIOLENCE and the QUEBEC LAUREAT. He has been shortlisted for a further 13 awards including four Daggers from the UK Crime Writers' Association. Despite the American setting of his novels, Ellory is British and currently lives in England with his wife and son.
He has also written books under the name Roger Jon Ellory, which can be viewed by clicking here.
In 2011 R. J. Ellory was shortlisted for the CWA Dagger in the Library, awarded to an author for a body of work.
