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New England White (Abridged) Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,582 listener ratings
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The author of The Emperor of Ocean Park, with the powers of observation and richness of plot and character, returns to the New England university town of Elm Harbor, where a murder begins to crack the veneer that has hidden the racial complications of the town’s past, the secrets of a prominent family, and the most hidden bastions of African-American political influence. And at the center: Lemaster Carlyle, the university president, and his wife, Julia Carlyle, a deputy dean at the divinity school–African Americans living in “the heart of whiteness.” Lemaster is an old friend of the president of the United States. Julia was the murdered man’s lover years ago. The meeting point of these connections forms the core of a mystery that deepens even as Julia closes in on the politically earth-shattering motive behind the murder. Relentlessly suspenseful, galvanizing in its exploration of the profound difference between allegiance to ideas and to people, New England White is a resounding confirmation of Stephen Carter’s gifts as a writer of fiction.
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"Stephen L. Carter's "New England White" is more than a typical murder mystery. If you happened to be one of the fortunate ones to have read Carter's previous novel, "The Emperor of Ocean Park", you'll know what I mean. Carter, a Yale law scholar and an African-American, hails from the corridors of academe, and his very prim and proper prose style reflects that. He also writes from a culture that the average reader (assuming one is NOT African-American and a graduate of Yale) may not be familiar with: the black upper-class. Indeed, the novel, at times, reads a lot like a nonfiction examination (and sometimes criticism) of a very specific subculture of New England high society. This is not a negative observation, by the way. I found Carter's descriptions and details about this culture to be extremely enlightening and fascinating, and they are essential in understanding the whys and wherefores of the characters' actions and motivations. Spinning off from "The Emperor of Ocean Park", Carter takes some of the very minor characters in his first book--Lemaster and Julia Carlyle--and puts them in the forefront of this novel. Lemaster is the president of a prestigious New England university. His wife, Julia, is a teacher at an equally prestigious parochial school. Driving home from a dinner party one night, they discover a corpse at the side of the road. It happens to be someone they know: Professor Kellen Zant, a rather controversial figure on campus, and, as we discover, a former lover of Julia's. From this point, the novel spins its seductive web, slowly and intricately. Julia, despite her husband's forceful attempts at stopping her, decides to play detective, a role that threatens to destroy her carefully-constructed life of country-club gossip circles, political fundraisers, and picture-perfect marriages. What she uncovers involves a mysterious thirty-year-old Chappaquiddick-style death of a young girl that may threaten the careers and lives of several men in positions of the highest authority in the federal government, as well as her husband's. "New England White" is an extremely well-written and suspenseful thriller, but don't expect the break-neck pacing of John Grisham or Harlan Coben. Carter's pacing is careful and precise, much like an artist painting an elaborate picture."
— Scott (4 out of 5 stars)
New England White Listener Reviews
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" It took me two tries to finally get through this book. I'm glad I did - it's ultimately a good read - but the middle drags and that was almost a deal breaker for me. "
— Nikki, 2/15/2014 -
" Interesting "conspiracy" story, but more than a little redundant/repetitive in sections. "
— Michele, 2/11/2014 -
" I am a real Stephen Carter fan after reading Emperor of Ocean Park, which held me entranced throughout the book. New England White is another winner although not with the intensity of Emperor. The shifts in time and the number of characters are difficult to keep straight. The conflicts, however, are there and, often subtle, hold interest for the reader. "
— Janet, 2/8/2014 -
" follow up to emperor of ocean park. good book but emperor was better "
— Katherine, 1/31/2014 -
" This is a murder mystery, but not the typical type genre. The main characters are black, and it takes place in a very white New England university town. Good story...but too long-it's almost 600 pages. "
— Laura, 1/30/2014 -
" Just an okay read. Doesn't compare to his previous work of fiction. "
— Mallorie, 1/16/2014 -
" Great book marred by wordy wordy wordy prose. Why use 10 words when 3 will do? "
— Malika, 1/8/2014 -
" entertaining political conspiracy thriller with a lot to recommend it. and the heroine is a mother and divinity school dean! "
— Kit, 1/4/2014 -
" I thought this was a good mystery thriller. I enjoyed it. "
— Lynette, 11/17/2013 -
" Mr. Carter must've thought that the accolades he received from Emperor of Ocean Park gave him license to write a book that is too long, too rambling and too pretentious. "
— Kim, 9/16/2013 -
" very convaluted plot; interesting take on the power behind the power and the Black Nation "
— Phyllis, 7/26/2013 -
" It is a murder mystery and very well written...don't know the ending yet! "
— Jlotterhos, 7/22/2013 -
" not a bad murder mystery but got a bit tedious trying to keep up with all the clues, many of which seemed to be too conveniently placed just to move the plot forward. "
— Katrina, 6/19/2013 -
" An older book but extremely engaging...a mystery within a mystery set in academia. Intriguing characters and plot. Learned a good deal about the African American culture. "
— Diane, 3/18/2013 -
" anyone who thinks racism is a thing of the past....just read this book. "
— Judy, 8/10/2012 -
" Mystery that fooled me most of the time-interesting to read during election season. "
— Jayne, 6/14/2012 -
" I actually couldn't put this book down until the mystery was solved! The story involves much more than solving a murder - it uncovers the lives of the characters through the years and makes it all believeable. "
— Jean, 5/20/2012 -
" Reads beautifully as a commentary on race in America, a little more problematic as a mystery, but definitely entertaining. "
— Jennifer, 2/20/2012 -
" written in very much the same style as the emperor of ocean park, with overlapping characters, but a different storyline. fun reading with occasional provocative and thoughtful statements & themes. "
— Aaron, 12/14/2011 -
" Such a good writer - he's a little weaker when he's writing the women. "
— suellen, 12/13/2011 -
" Excellant read good page turner!!! "
— Alang, 9/14/2011 -
" this was a behemoth. a mystery, and not particularly well paced. and while the subject matter was a little intriguing, not particularly good prose. my Tournament of Books experiment is not exactly getting off to an impressive start. at least i finished this one. "
— lbh., 7/30/2011 -
" Interesting view of an African American family. I like this author's novels. "
— Veronica, 5/14/2011 -
" i like everything s.l. carter writes. met the author at literary lights and was impressed by his charm, intellect and grace "
— Mary, 1/20/2011 -
" it didn't need to be so long. Stripped down a little, it would have been better. "
— Robin, 12/28/2010 -
" A great, fun read but an unsatisfying ending. "
— Ellen, 11/22/2010 -
" Not bad! It was more compelling than my rate of reading makes it appear... "
— Majda, 9/14/2010 -
" This book was okay to read but not something I would probably recommend "
— Rhonda, 8/21/2010 -
" Too long. Story drags. The only positive thing I can say is that the novel gives a portrait of an affluent African-American family -- one you do not usually see. "
— Celine, 8/1/2010 -
" I enjoyed Stephen Carter's Writing. He is clearly a brilliant individual. But the plot got a little too complex as it reached the climax. "
— doug, 7/6/2010 -
" This is my first book by S. Carter. It was a pretty good who-dun-it. "
— Sherie, 6/24/2010 -
" Continuation of Emperor of Ocean Park in a way, more of the same. "
— Linda, 6/6/2010 -
" Wow! Loved this well written book, full of intrigue, and a different perspective than one usually sees. "
— Kash, 5/5/2010
About Stephen L. Carter
Stephen L. Carter is the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law at Yale, where he has taught for more than thirty years. He is also the author of seven acclaimed works of nonfiction and five bestselling novels. He has published dozens of articles in law reviews and many op-ed columns in the nation’s leading newspapers. He appears frequently on radio and television.
About Bahni Turpin
Bahni Turpin, winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and several prestigious Audie Awards for her narrations, was named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine in 2019. Publishers Weekly magazine named her Narrator of the Year for 2016. She is an ensemble member of the Cornerstone Theater Company in Los Angeles. She has guest starred in many television series, including NYPD Blue, Law & Order, Six Feet Under, Cold Case, What about Brian, and The Comeback. Film credits include Brokedown Palace, Crossroads, and Daughters of the Dust. She is also a member of the recording cast of The Help, which won numerous awards.