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Amagansett [Paperback]

Mark Mills
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)

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Book Description

31 May 2005

From the No. 1 bestseller and author of Richard & Judy pick The Savage Garden: an award-winning crime novel set in post-war New York for fans of Carlos Ruiz Zafon and Jed Rubenfeld

In the small town of Amagansett, perched on Long Island's windswept coast, generations have followed the same calling as their forefathers, fishing the dangerous Atlantic waters. Little has changed in the three centuries since white settlers drove the Montaukett Indians from the land. But for Conrad Labarde, a second-generation Basque immigrant recently returned from the Second World War, and his fellow fisherman Rollo Kemp, this stability is shattered when a beautiful New York socialite turns up dead in their nets.

On the face of it, her death was accidental, but deputy police chief Tom Hollis – an incomer from New York – is convinced the truth lies in the intricate histories and family secrets of Amagansett's inhabitants. Meanwhile the enigmatic Labarde is pursuing his own investigation.

In unravelling the mystery, this haunting and evocative novel captures a community whose way of life is disappearing, its demise hastened by war in Europe and the incursions of wealthy city dwellers in search of a playground.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.


Product details

  • Paperback: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group; Reprint edition (31 May 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0425205800
  • ISBN-13: 978-0425205808
  • Product Dimensions: 23 x 15.2 x 2.7 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 891,355 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Product Description

Review

Praise for The Whaleboat House:

‘A very rich book – rich in detail and history and local color; rich in characters and conflict and mystery; and, most importantly, rich in wonderful writing.’ John Grisham

‘A striking and assured first thriller… worldly and impeccably researched.' William Boyd

'This is an intriguing, atmospheric, literary crime novel. The uneasy juxtaposition of two communities is brilliantly evoked by Mark Mills.' Daily Mail

'A remarkable first novel. Written with all the wit, lyrical language and slow character development one would search for in the literary department, the book is as rich in time frame and location as any you'd find in the best historical fiction. Mills' tale gently yet persistently pulls readers in.' LA Times

'Beautifully written, character-driven book, with its exotic Long Island sound locale and lyrical descriptions… Mark Mills has written a first novel that reverberates in the mind with the force of a literary epiphany.' Irish Times

'Subtle and stylish. Mills is clever, unravelling the story from several angles.' Observer

'The requisite qualities of a film script – atmospheric details, lucidity and a simple, spare style.' Sunday Telegraph

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Mark Mills is a screenwriter. His film credits include The Reckoning, an adaptation of Barry's Unsworth's Morality Play, due for release in spring 2004. The Whaleboat House is his first novel.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Brilliantly realised thriller set in 1940s Long Island. The clever plot immediately draws you in and the characters make it an enjoyable ride. The background historical and technical research fills out the story, creating real authenticity and credibility without getting in the way of the unfolding drama. Mark Mills' first novel is a massively impressive debut - he's a name to watch and I can't wait for more.
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45 of 47 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Enjoyable read 9 Mar 2005
Format:Paperback
I enjoyed this book from start to finish. I wouldnt say that the murder mystery element filled me with a great deal of suspense but it was the books rich history and sense of atmosphere of 1940's Long Island and in particular that of East Hampton originally called Maidstone after the town in Kent, England from where its first settlers hailed.

The story centers primarily upon the 2 main characters being Conrad Labarde, a Basque Fisherman and Deputy Police Chief Tom Hollis. Both for their own reasons have an inextricable need to unravel and solve the mystery of the apparent suicide of society daughter Lillian Wallace.

Extremely well researched, from very early on and most certainly by the end of the book, you will feel a closeness and familiarity to the place, the peoples and its history.

I recommend this read and look forward to more works hopefully soon from Mark Mills!

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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars! An author to watch. 25 Jun 2006
Format:Paperback
Evocative, thrilling, feature rich. The best book that I have read in a long, long time. The novel blends sea-faring, small-town life and the effects of WWII in an unforgetable mix. Incredible to believe that this is a debutant novel.........
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By John M VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This story poignantly invokes the divisions between the priviledged families residing in their mansions and the local fishing communities of the easternmost tip of 1947 Long Island. The main protagonist, Conrad Labarde, has returned from the Italian theatre of WWII, psychologically scarred from his wartime experiences. He embarks upon a relationship with a socialite who is subsequently found dead, apparently drowned at sea, her body being hauled ashore in his own fishing net. This is where the book opens. Labarde then sets out to bring her killers to justice. Positive aspects of the book include the atomsphere and quality of the writing, which is obviously well researched. The central heroic character is both well painted and likeable. However, for me the book has a bit too much technical detail concerning fishing techniques (which was a little lost on me), and although the central character is well painted, the character of the detective slips into cliche, and the villains are almost pantomime. The book is described as a 'mystery', and although this succeeds for the early part, the identity of the killers is really pretty obvious and in fact the author obviously gives up on this and tells us straight out two-thirds of the way through. The author feels the need to give every character an extensive back history as they are introduced, and the detectives love-interest subplot does little to advance the story. In places it has the overtones of the Great Gatsby.
Therefore it is a mixture of the good and the ordinary for me. Still an enjoyable read, but don't expect a cleverly plotted murder mystery. The author's obvious writing skill really conceals what is really quite a weak story line. Personally I prefered 'The Information Officer', but reading the reviews I seem to be in the minority!
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling stuff - a must read. 27 Jan 2005
Format:Paperback
Mark Mills has pieced together a superb crime thriller set in a post second world war Long Island fishing community.

The pace of the book is spot on. The way that the pasts of the characters unfolds as the primary story develops is quite simply some of the most impressive writing I have ever encountered. It gives the novel a depth that truely connects you to the time, place and individuals.

The story evoles in such a way that you reach the end not only with excitement as to the climax, but also with genuine sadness that there are only a handful of pages left & Mark Mills has not written any other novels! (yet)

I would put this up there with one of the best books I have ever read.

My advice to you is to buy or borrow this book as soon as you can & to never underestimate a fisherman!

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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Amagansett 11 July 2004
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I could not put it down! A truly gripping and beautifully written novel. A wonderful setting, wonderful characters and a wonderful read.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Not quite a page turner 26 Mar 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The book centred around a complex character, his strength and determination came through well and he was totally believable. The story line was quite strong but perhaps a little confused in places, I was some way through the book before I realised that this was essentially a very moving love story about a man who would go to the ultimate ends to revenge the tragedy which overtook his life and took away the woman who had transformed his damaged soul.
I would recommend this book, but not for sun lounging on holiday!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Easy and enjoyable 1 April 2008
By Margo
Format:Paperback
As with The Savage Garden Mark Mills puts the location at the very heart of this book. It is evident that a very thorough research went into preparation on the historical location. The sea plays a major part and is the setting for many key events, linking nature and human emotions.

I enjoyed reading the book not only because of the easy writing style that Mark Mills developed but also because he manages to link the lives and secrets of very contrasting individuals that were brought together by a seemingly innocent death of the New York socialite.

The two main characters are Conrad Labarde, the reclusive fisherman, and Tom Hollis, a widowed Deputy Police Chief. The author cleverly explores the past and present of these characters that lead to a mutual understanding when it matters most.

It is not the most on the edge, bite-your-nails murder mystery I have read but it is a stimulating book which is easy and enjoyable to read and I am waiting with anticipation for Mark Mills' next novel.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars The Whaleboat House
clever, complicated complicated plotting along with well drawn and unusual characters make this a compelling story. Brilliant sense of place.
Published 1 month ago by tina price
5.0 out of 5 stars A good read with a cinematic quality
I think this is the best of Mark Mills' novels. If it isn't a film yet, it should be. Well-written, well-plotted with vivid characterisation. A very enjoyable read.
Published 4 months ago by Anne Laird
5.0 out of 5 stars A starter for ten (or 5 in this case)
I came across Mark Mills with The Savage Garden and continued through to the House of the Hanged. I almost bought The House of the Hunted until I realised it was merely a change of... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Michael Watson
5.0 out of 5 stars Atmospheric......
This novel makes me want to visit the barren sea side dunes of North Long Island. The characters, the street names, the sound of the wind and the surf all combine to make an... Read more
Published 8 months ago by ebooker
3.0 out of 5 stars Lack of Suspense
I bought this book because I had enjoyed Mark Mill's "Savage Garden". However it did not engage me in the same way and left me somewhat disappointed.
Published 9 months ago by Upstream
4.0 out of 5 stars Simply riveting, atmospheric and exciting.
Early last year I was introduced to the books of Mark Mills when I read House of the Hanged, his fourth novel, and loved it. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Stacey Woods
5.0 out of 5 stars Fab !!!
I read this one after having read Savage Garden and I have to admit I much prefer the Whaleboat House. I cared more about the characters and what became of them. Read more
Published 16 months ago by The Honey Monster
5.0 out of 5 stars My Top 10
The Whaleboat House

The Whaleboat house was suggested to me by a friend as a good read. Once picked up I could not put this book down. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Book Worm
5.0 out of 5 stars Clever Story
Also published under the title 'The Whaleboat House'

Amagansett is a clever story set in 1947, in a small working class village east of the Hamptons. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Toni Osborne
5.0 out of 5 stars Who do the waelthy think they are?
I really enjoyed the book. Being a retired police it merely confirmed my long held opinion that a certain proportion of the better off think money can buy anything. Read more
Published on 2 Aug 2010 by E. W. A. Hobby
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