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The Emperor of Ocean Park

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The Emperor of Ocean Park

By: Stephen L. Carter
Narrated by: Richard Allen
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NATIONAL BESTSELLER INSPIRATION FOR THE MGM+ ORIGINAL SERIES ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 BEST MYSTERY AND THRILLER BOOKS OF ALL TIME •

In his triumphant fictional debut, Stephen Carter combines a large-scale, riveting novel of suspense with the saga of a unique family. The Emperor of Ocean Park is set in two privileged worlds: the upper crust African American society of the Eastern seabord—families who summer at Martha’s Vineyard—and the inner circle of an Ivy League law school.

“Beautifully written and cleverly plotted. A rich, complex family saga, one deftly woven through a fine legal thriller.” —John Grisham

Talcott Garland is a successful law professor, devoted father, and husband of a beautiful and ambitious woman, whose future desires may threaten the family he holds so dear. When Talcott’s father, Judge Oliver Garland, a disgraced former Supreme Court nominee, is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Talcott wonders if he may have been murdered. Guided by the elements of a mysterious puzzle that his father left, Talcott must risk his marriage, his career and even his life in his quest for justice.

Superbly written and filled with memorable characters, The Emperor of Ocean Park is both a stunning literary achievement and a grand literary entertainment.

©2002 Stephen L. Carter (P)2002 Books on Tape, Inc.
Fiction Legal Thriller & Suspense Marriage Law Thriller Exciting Suspense

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Critic reviews

"Among the most remarkable fiction debuts in recent years…[The Emperor of Ocean Park] is full of musing about God, family, chess, the politics of Supreme Court appointments, loyalty, unhappy marriage, the media, depression, race, and academic infighting…[Carter] is a scholar and a lawyerly commentator who has penned a rip-roaring entertainment."–Boston Globe

"The year's hottest summer read and a surefire bestseller…Carter does for members of the contemporary black upper-class what Henry James did for Washington Square society, taking us into their drawing rooms and laying their motives bare…However The Emperor of Ocean Park is categorized, beach reading doesn't get any better than this."–Time Out New York

"The Emperor of Ocean Park is a delightful, sprawling, gracefully written, imaginative work, with sharply delineated characters who dwell in a fully realized narrative world…Carter deserves comparison with such successful practitioners of the crime novel as Scott Turow."–The New York Review of Books

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Intriguing Mystery • Complex Characters • Soothing Voice • Suspenseful Plot • Rich Descriptions • Excellent Performance
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loved it! thrilling, exciting and a great listen. this book had enthralled and captivated..

What are the "Arrangements!"

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Struggle to complete. Not my typical genre. I'm romance but decided to try something different.

Stephen L. Carter Debut

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What made the experience of listening to The Emperor of Ocean Park the most enjoyable?

I am a fan of descriptive writing. The author did not disappoint.

What aspect of Richard Allen’s performance would you have changed?

The accent did not fit the time period of the character. Too soft... Too gentile.

Any additional comments?

Very slow start.... Far too many unnecessary characters, but still intriguing until the end. Did I miss the epilogue?

Well written...sorely read.

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So many twists and turns. Every time I thought I had figured it out a new piece of information would emerge. Great book for the reader who loves mysteries. The lead character was read perfectly. Highly recommend.

Twists

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The Emperor of Ocean Park is an excellent book, both suspenseful and rich in characters. The narrator does an outstanding job, as well. I would highly recommend this audiobook.

Outstanding

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Loved it. Insightful, erudite, and a cliff hanger! I actually want to play chess, lol. I love Richard Allen's soothing voice, may he rest.

A great read...

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The mystery was enthralling right up to the very end. I haven’t read (listened to) a story that kept me guessing who, what and why about the main character in many years.

Exciting

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A decent storyline and plausible characters but way to long and repetitive. This book could easily have been condensed in half without reducing the value. I found myself not really listening especially the 2 middle parts and in hindsight it might have been better to get the abridged version.

Not a bad book but where was the editor?

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I wrote review because the top review says the book was too long, and needed to be edited. I disagree, I wouldn't want to lose a single word of this masterpiece. Yes it is long, but anyone who connects with this story understands.

A long and wonderful book.

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I watched the TV series and became intrigued. Much like many other works, the book is better. Which in this case was a difficult feat!!!

This book is amazing!

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