Gravesend by William Boyle Published by Pegasus Books on September 4, 2018
Pages: 240
Genres: Southern Gothic/Country Noir
Format: Hardcover
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Some worship him and some want him dead, but either way, tensions run high when “Ray Boy” Calabrese is released from prison. It’s been sixteen years since Ray Boy’s actions led to the death of a young man. The victim's brother, Conway D'Innocenzio, is a 29-year-old Brooklynite wasting away at a local Rite Aid, stuck in the past and drawn into a darker side of himself when he hears of Ray Boy’s freedom. But even with the perfect plan in place, Conway can’t bring himself to take the ultimate revenge on Ray Boy, which sends him into a spiral of self-loathing and soul-searching.
Meanwhile, Alessandra, a failed actress, returns to her native Gravesend after the death of her cancer-stricken mother, torn between the desperate need to escape back to Los Angeles as quickly as possible and the ease with which she could sink back into neighborhood life. Alessandra and Conway are walking eerily similar paths—staring down the rest of their lives, caring for their aging fathers, lost in the youths they squandered—and each must decide what comes next.
In the tradition of American noir authors like Dennis Lehane and James Ellroy, William Boyle’s Gravesend brings the titular neighborhood to life in this story of revenge, desperation, and escape.
About William Boyle
William Boyle is from Brooklyn, New York. His debut novel, GRAVESEND, was published as #1,000 in the Rivages/Noir collection in France, where it was shortlisted for the Prix Polar SNCF 2017 and nominated for the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière. Boyle is also the author of a book of short stories, DEATH DON'T HAVE NO MERCY, and of another novel, EVERYTHING IS BROKEN, published only in France. His newest novel, THE LONELY WITNESS, is out now from Pegasus Crime. GRAVESEND will be reissued, also by Pegasus Crime, in September 2018. He lives in Oxford, Mississippi.
I added this one to my Wishlist when it was first released by a smaller publisher after seeing all the rave reviews about it. It’s now being re-released by Pegasus Books this September and I’m excited to get my hands on it!
What are you waiting on this Wednesday?
Cam @ Camillea Reads
I’ve never heard of Country Noir before! This sounds good and it’s always great to see re-releases 🙂
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Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy
This sounds so good! Not my normal read but definitely something I’d consider😊
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Barb (boxermommyreads)
Oh, Southern Gothic? Sounds pretty interesting. I didn’t grow up in the South but I did grow up in a small country town so I think I’d like to see how this one plays out. Thanks for putting it on my radar!
Heidi
It’s always nice to see a smaller book make it to the big time! Sounds like an intriguing read.