At First Light by Vanessa Lafaye

At First Light
By Vanessa Lafaye
Published by Orion (1 June 2017)

Publisher's description

1993, Key West, Florida. When a Ku Klux Klan official is shot in broad daylight, all eyes turn to the person holding the gun: a 96-year-old Cuban woman who will say nothing except to admit her guilt.

1919. Mixed-race Alicia Cortez arrives in Key West exiled in disgrace from her family in Havana. At the same time, damaged war hero John Morales returns home on the last US troop ship from Europe. As love draws them closer in this time of racial segregation, people are watching, including Dwayne Campbell, poised on the brink of manhood and struggling to do what's right. And then the Ku Klux Klan comes to town...

My verdict
At First Light is historical fiction with crime at the heart of it. Not just murder, but also bigotry, racism and violence. This novel is very much a book of modern times, even though most of the story is set in 1919. For me, the saddest realisation on reading it was that many things still haven't changed, almost 100 years on.

This is the story of Alicia Cortez, a 96-year-old Cuban woman who admits to shooting a Ku Klux Klan official in Key West, Florida. Alicia arrived in Key West from Havana, exiled by her family, and found love at a time of racial segregation, just as the Ku Klux Klan came to town. Vanessa Lafaye has set this love story during a fascinating period of history. Thanks to her flowing writing and vivid descriptions, I found myself totally immersed into Key West's daily life.

I loved Vanessa Lafaye's first book, Summertime, and never expected to love At First Light even more. Yet I did. I cried my way through the final chapters and shared for my love for it on Twitter soon after I finished. It is stunning from beginning to end, with so many diverse believable, real characters. The book is inspired by real events and real people. There's a Pinterest board (the link is at the back of the book), which really brings the story and characters to life after you've finished reading.

I was offered an ARC of At First Light to review on my blog, but I turned it down, not because I didn't want to read it, but because I didn't know when I'd read it. I was reluctant to say yes, as I have such as huge TBR pile. But when I saw the book in Waterstones soon after publication, I knew I had to buy it, read it and review it as soon as I could.

I'm so glad I did.

I'll be recommending this book to everyone, not just now but for years to come.

BEST OF CRIME with Lynda La Plante

Welcome to my latest BEST OF CRIME feature, looking at crime writers' top picks, from their favourite author and fictional detective to their best writing tip. 

Today I'm delighted to welcome 

LYNDA LA PLANTE

to share her BEST OF CRIME ...

 

... AUTHORS

I am an avid fan of Michael Connolly. His knowledge of police procedure and intricate plots keeps the reader enthralled, but he also brings to life very strong characters that drive the narrative. It is no wonder that many of his novels have been adapted for film and television series. 

... FILMS/MOVIES
I was a student at RADA and used to go to a small cinema showing foreign films with sub titles in Hampstead. I have never forgotten watching Anthony Quinn and Giulietta Masino in the stunning film La Strada directed by Frederico Fellini. The characters are emotionally compelling and the simplicity of the storyline is made powerful by the brilliant performances of the stars. I now have it on DVD and still watch it every year and it never ceases to touch me; it is a very haunting film.

... TV DRAMAS
I loved the CROWN as I think it is the best drama we have made in the UK for many years. It is exquisite to watch. I love everything about it.

... FICTIONAL KILLERS
I think Hannibal Lecter has to be one of the best fictional killers ever written. Sir Anthony Hopkins portrayal of the character in the movie made him even more of a terrifying character. I was in the same year as Anthony at RADA and he is a brilliant actor. Nobody else could play Lecter like him. 

... FICTIONAL DETECTIVES 
I love anything written by Raymond Chandler. His Philip Marlow was a fore runner for all the detectives and his creation was yet another fictional detective that made it to the big screen. Chandler's writing has great humour and his ability in a few strokes to describe characters that leap off the page and drive his plots is for me the biggest incentive to encourage writers to read his works. 

... MURDER WEAPONS
Knives and guns are obvious murder weapons but they leave behind a trail of evidence for the police to track down and make an arrest. Poison has become a very frightening silent weapon of death. Numerous victims have died from being given doses of anti-freeze to such an extent the manufacturers were forced to add a distinct smell and colour. Strychnine also retains a strong odour of almonds. Rat poison likewise, but someone intent on killing can gain from the internet a frightening array of toxic poisons that are difficult to trace.

    

... DEATH SCENES

I recently read the brilliant Patricia Cornwell’s book tracing the Jack the Ripper crimes. Her research and narrative is very compelling as she uncovers the identity of the infamous killer. We also had the repellent Yorkshire Ripper, who in many ways mirrored the Victorian murderer and attempted to replicate his gruesome disemboweling of his victims, making his capture a relief. However, the original mad man was never caught and Miss Cornwall creates such compassion and empathy for the tragic victims that their death scenes are still able to instill great sadness at the brutal way their lives were taken. There is never any pleasure in a death scene, nor is there any humour in dying. However I was very amused when I read about the 1920’s high society Emerald Cunard asking her maid for a glass of champagne on her death bed. When the maid brought her the chilled champagne in an elegant fluted glass she said ‘It is for you’. 

About LYNDA LA PLANTE

Lynda La Plante was born in Liverpool. She trained for the stage at RADA and worked with the National Theatre and RDC before becoming a television actress. She then turned to writing - and made her breakthrough with the phenomenally successful TV series WIDOWS.
Her novels have all been international bestsellers. Her original script for the much-acclaimed PRIME SUSPECT won awards from BAFTA, Emmys, British Broadcasting and Royal Television Society as well as the 1993 Edgar Allan Poe Writer's Award. 
Since 1993 Lynda has spearheaded La Plante Productions. In that time the company has produced a stunning slate of innovative dramas with proven success and enduring international appeal. 
Based on Lynda's best selling series of Anna Travis novels, Above Suspicion, Silent Scream, Deadly Intent and Silent Scream have all adapted into TV scripts and received impressive viewing figures. 

Find Lynda La Plante on her website, FB page and on Twitter - @LaPlanteLynda

About GOOD FRIDAY

Publisher's description

Every legend has a beginning . . . 
During 1974 and 1975 the IRA subjected London to a terrifying bombing campaign. In one day alone, they planted seven bombs at locations across central London. Some were defused - some were not. 

Jane Tennison is now a fully-fledged detective. On the way to court one morning, Jane passes through Covent Garden Underground station and is caught up in a bomb blast that leaves several people dead, and many horribly injured. Jane is a key witness, but is adamant that she can't identify the bomber. When a photograph appears in the newspapers, showing Jane assisting the injured at the scene, it puts her and her family at risk from IRA retaliation. 

'Good Friday' is the eagerly awaited date of the annual formal CID dinner, due to take place at St Ermin's Hotel. Hundreds of detectives and their wives will be there. It's the perfect target. As Jane arrives for the evening, she realises that she recognises the parking attendant as the bomber from Covent Garden. Can she convince her senior officers in time, or will another bomb destroy London's entire detective force? 

Good Friday was published by Zaffre on 24 August 2017.

Look out for more BEST OF CRIME features coming soon.

Click here to read more BEST OF CRIME features.

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BEST OF CRIME with Chris Whitaker

Welcome to my latest BEST OF CRIME feature, looking at crime writers' top picks, from their favourite author and fictional detective to their best writing tip. 

Today I'm delighted to welcome 

CHRIS WHITAKER

to share his BEST OF CRIME ...

... AUTHORS

John Hart. It was after reading The Last Child that I decided to quit my city job and have a go at writing a book. I recently found out he has a copy of All The Wicked Girls. Sometimes I lay awake at night and think of him holding it/me.    

... FILMS/MOVIES

Mystic River, because it did justice to the book. Sean Penn was such a perfect Jimmy, he earned his Oscar that year.   

... TV DRAMAS

The Sopranos, everything else is a very distant second. I have a painting of Tony Soprano in my office and still can’t believe James Gandolfini is no longer with us. 

... FICTIONAL KILLERS

That dude from Silence of the Lambs that makes a skin suit. He scares the absolute shit out of me. If he approached I’d just give him all my skin, he wouldn’t even have to ask.  

... FICTIONAL DETECTIVES 

Rust Cohle and Marty Hart from the first season of True Detective. God, that show was insanely good.

In books I would go with Tom Reynolds from the series by Jo Spain, because he’s a badass and he’s funny. Jo said she modelled him on me.    

... MURDER WEAPONS

Piggy and the boulder comes to mind. Poor guy.

I’d quite like to kill someone with kindness. On a separate note, I’d like to use this platform to tell my wife how much I love her. 

    

... DEATH SCENES

When Tom Ripley beats Dickie with the oar. Destroying something so pretty, it ain’t right. 

  

... BLOGS/WEBSITES

I used the International Dialects of English Archive to listen to Alabamans. I really wanted the dialogue to be authentic so spent many hours just listening. There’s lots of websites where you can do this and I found them invaluable.  

... WRITING TIPS

Be fearless. Take risks. If it becomes a box ticking exercise then tear it up and start again. Don’t send it to anyone until you’re certain you can’t do any better. I believe that if you truly enjoy reading it back then others will too.

Don’t worry if it’s tough, it should be. 

... WRITING SNACKS

I don’t snack when writing. I know it sounds a bit lame but I try and completely move into the story I’m working on, and there’s no distractions at all.

After I’m done I’ll stuff my face with all sorts of sugary crap.        

About CHRIS WHITAKER

Chris Whitaker was born in London and spent ten years working as a financial trader in the city. His debut novel, Tall Oaks, was published to critical acclaim in 2016 by Bonnier Zaffre. Tall Oaks was longlisted for the CWA John Creasey New Blood Dagger, and shortlisted for the Last Laugh Award. 

A Guardian crime book of the month, Tall Oaks also featured in Crime Time’s top 100 books of 2016 and BuzzFeed’s incredible summer reads.

Chris’s second novel, All The Wicked Girls, will be published Summer 2017. He lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and two young sons.

Find Chris Whitaker on Twitter - @WhittyAuthor

About ALL THE WICKED GIRLS

Publisher's description

Everyone loves Summer Ryan. A model student and musical prodigy, she's a ray of light in the struggling small town of Grace - especially compared to her troubled sister, Raine. Then Summer vanishes.

Raine throws herself into the investigation, aided by a most unlikely ally, but the closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous her search becomes.

And perhaps there was always more to Summer than met the eye . . .

All the Wicked Girls was published by Zaffre on 24 August 2017.

Look out for more BEST OF CRIME features coming soon.

Click here to read more BEST OF CRIME features.