Stephen L. Carter is a Yale law professor and the author of two other novels , The Emperor of Ocean Park and New England White. He writes political thrillers featuring characters of the African-American elite. Palace Council begins in Harlem in 1952. Eddie Westley, a controversial but rising star of a writer, stumbles upon the dead body of a prominent lawyer, Philmont Castle. Hoping to stay out of a potential scandal, Westley suddenly finds himself thrust into a world of secret societies and political manipulation. His sister, the only African-American female in her Harvard law class suddenly disappears, and Westley begins a 20 year search for her - a search which uncovers the mystery behind the Castle murder. Along the way, Westley consults with Langston Hughes and has private meetings with Richard Nixon. Like Carter's other books, I found myself immediately engrossed. Carter's characters are larger than life - and even the villains are likeable. Unlike many of the quick mystery writers I enjoy, Carter's prose is complex, and he uses his stories to show off his vast knowledge of the law, politics, and literature (Paradise Lost features prominently, and Lady Chatterly's Lover forms the basis of a key clue). Sadly, like most authors with tremendous knowledge, Carter's novels tend to be a bit longer and more involved than seemingly necessary. But, I still found this to be a perfect bedside-table book - good for a chapter or two before bed - a nice little mystery at the end of my day, and enough 50 cent words to make me feel like I'd learned something.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Palace Council - Stephen L. Carter
Stephen L. Carter is a Yale law professor and the author of two other novels , The Emperor of Ocean Park and New England White. He writes political thrillers featuring characters of the African-American elite. Palace Council begins in Harlem in 1952. Eddie Westley, a controversial but rising star of a writer, stumbles upon the dead body of a prominent lawyer, Philmont Castle. Hoping to stay out of a potential scandal, Westley suddenly finds himself thrust into a world of secret societies and political manipulation. His sister, the only African-American female in her Harvard law class suddenly disappears, and Westley begins a 20 year search for her - a search which uncovers the mystery behind the Castle murder. Along the way, Westley consults with Langston Hughes and has private meetings with Richard Nixon. Like Carter's other books, I found myself immediately engrossed. Carter's characters are larger than life - and even the villains are likeable. Unlike many of the quick mystery writers I enjoy, Carter's prose is complex, and he uses his stories to show off his vast knowledge of the law, politics, and literature (Paradise Lost features prominently, and Lady Chatterly's Lover forms the basis of a key clue). Sadly, like most authors with tremendous knowledge, Carter's novels tend to be a bit longer and more involved than seemingly necessary. But, I still found this to be a perfect bedside-table book - good for a chapter or two before bed - a nice little mystery at the end of my day, and enough 50 cent words to make me feel like I'd learned something.
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