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“William Shaw’s powerful debut
novel is searing suspense and a haunting look at the ’60s. Murder, politics,
international intrigue—the brutal death of a young woman set against the dark
background of Abbey Road. The dialogue is razor-sharp and the London scene is
brilliantly authentic. She’s Leaving Home
is thriller writing at its best.”
— Linda Fairstein, New York Times bestselling author of Terminal City
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“A fine start to what promises
to be a rich new detective series.”
— Chicago Tribune
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“This outstanding novel is a
reminder of the multiple joys of a straight-ahead, by-the-numbers police
procedural with quirky characters, crisp dialog, and, in this case, a healthy
dose of period detail (ten-shilling notes and carbon paper make cameo
appearances) involving the music scene as well as politics and immigration in
those politically incorrect times…[A] satisfying debut.”
— Library Journal (starred review)
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“A standout job…Keep an eye
out for this dynamic duo. Whether you’re a Beatles fan or a mystery lover, this
book comes highly recommended.”
— BookPage
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“Pop culture journalist Shaw plays
to his strength in his first novel set amid England’s cultural clashes in 1968
with the Beatles craze still going strong, immigration creating new frictions,
and the generation gap upsetting many families…Fresh, eager Tozer and stolid,
unimaginative Breen make an odd couple as they adjust to each other and work to
identify the victim. Alienated Beatles’ fans, supporters of Biafran
independence, and adults frustrated by changing mores make for a heady stew of
likely and unlikely suspects…[A] promising debut.”
— Publishers Weekly
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“A first-rate police thriller
set amidst the seamy underside of the swinging sixties; a young girl’s murder
on a bleak housing estate near the Beatles’ recording studio leads an intrepid
police duo into a world of inter-generational quarrels, racial tensions, and
arms dealing. The totemic year of ‘68 will never seem the same again.”
— C. J. Sansom, author of the Matthew Shardlake series
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“Narrator Cameron Stewart gives a
bravura performance in the first book of Shaw’s proposed trilogy…Stewart’s
narration skill is truly impressive. He manages high-pitched squeaks and
ominous rumblings as the two detectives attempt to solve the murder. With
natural-sounding accents for all, he transitions between smooth narrative and
rapid-fire dialogue. Characters and settings are multitextured as Stewart takes
listeners through ‘mod’ London, mini skirts, shiny white boots, racism, sexism,
and more in this 1960s pop-culture mystery.”
— AudioFile
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A first-rate police thriller set amidst the seamy underside of the swinging sixties; a young girl's murder on a bleak housing estate near the Beatles' recording studio leads an intrepid police duo into a world of inter-generational quarrels, racial tensions, and arms dealing. The totemic year of '68 will never seem the same again.
— CJ Sansom, author of the nationally bestselling Matthew Shardlake series and Winter in Madrid