Five Decembers

By: James Kestrel

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

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

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)

Bravo

Excellent story. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Although it takes place in a bygone era, the characters are real and relatable. Author definitely did his research on the Pacific during the Second World War. The mechanics of the mystery are excellent. The clues are unfurled discreetly. Hard to put this book down once you start!

Great narrator

excellent story period of time world war ii background. kept my attention. interesting history along the way as well.

Almost terrific.

Well written. Nicely paced. Good story. The only criticism is zi knew how it would end way to far from the end.

Beautifully Written Superbly Performed

The posted 5 star reviews say it well. I am grateful to those readers whose articulate reviews say it all.

Fantastic

This was a fantastic surprise. A great story set in difficult circumstances, interesting characters and very well written. The narration is superb as well. Highly recommended.