An American release of a best-selling work in the U.K. finds 1940s teen Joseph fleeing to New York in the hopes of escaping an elusive serial killer who has returned to terrorize his Georgia community after a ten-year absence.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Orphaned at the age of seven and sent to prison for poaching when he was seventeen, R. J. Ellory immersed himself in literature and set about learning the craft of writing fiction. Ellory divides his time between writing and volunteer programs in the areas of drug rehabilitation and youth literacy. He is married with one son.
R.J> Ellory is the author of five novels, soon to be published by Overlook in the U.S. A Quiet Belief in Angels was a Richard & Judy Book Club selection in 2008 and was shortlisted for the American Barry Award for Best British Crime Fiction. Two of Ellory's earlier works were shortlisted for the Crime Writers' Association Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award.
"There aren't nearly enough beautifully written novels, that are also great mysteries. Like The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Smilla's Sense of Snow, A Quiet Belief in Angels is one of them." James Patterson
"A Quiet Belief in Angels is a beautiful and haunting book. This is a tour de force from R.J. Ellory." Michael Connelly
From rural Georgia to New York City, a harrowing, evocative, and mesmerizing tale of murder and redemption
1939. In the small, rural community of Augusta Falls, Georgia, twelve-year-old Joseph Vaughan learns of the brutal assault and murder of a young girl, the first in a series of killings that will plague the community over the next decade. Joseph and his friends are determined to protect the town from the evil in their midst and they form "The Guardians" to watch over the community. But the murderer evades them and they watch helplessly as one child after another is taken. Even when the killings cease, a shadow of fear follows Joseph for the rest of his life. The past won't stay buried and, fifty years later, Joseph must confront the nightmare that has overshadowed his entire life...
More Praise for A Quiet Belief in Angels
"A Quiet Belief in Angels is a rich, powerful, evocative novel of great psychological depth." Jonathan Kellerman
"R.J. Ellory is a uniquely gifted, passionate, and powerful writer, and the quality of his prose every word, every sentence lifts A Quiet Belief in Angels far above genre." Alan Furst
"A mesmerizing tale whose intrigue will pull you from one page to the next without pause...R.J. Ellory's remarkable talent for probing the unknown establishes him as the master of the genre. The perfect author to read late into the night." Clive Cussler
"I read A Quiet Belief in Angels breathlessly as this is one of those rare authors who is able to combine a poetic literary style with a stunning mystery story. R.J. Ellory will quickly rank with the best crime writers working today." Otto Penzler
"A Quiet Belief in Angels is a riveting mystery, as compelling as it is moving. Joseph is destined to become one of those seminal characters of literature. Here is a book that restores not only a quiet belief in the redemptive power of literature, but is a novel that you will read over and over again." Ken Bruen
"Roger Ellory is a class act. If you like James Lee Burke or James Sallis, he s a writer who speaks your language." Val McDermid
"R.J. Ellory's A Quiet Belief in Angels starts out like a moody Chopin piano etude and quickly takes on the size and force of a symphony by Grieg at times poignant and somber, at others plunging recklessly into the deep to consider many of the darkest and most dangerous caverns of the human heart, only to break through to the surface again and surge toward a shattering and perfectly realized crescendo. Ellory's style is original and complex, the story quite harrowing, and the book will stay with you long after you've quietly closed the end-pages and stared for a while into the complicated darkness beyond your own bedroom window." David Stone
"This isn't your standard shock and bore serial killer novel. It's an impassioned story of a man's life told in Ellory's distinctive voice, and it confirms his place in the top flight of crime writing." The Sunday Telegraph
"Ellory harnessed me and drove me headlong through his extraordinary, elegant and powerfully elegiac prose. This is compelling, un-put-downable thriller writing of the very highest order." The Guardian
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Seller: More Than Words, Waltham, MA, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. A bright, square, and overall a nice copy. Seller Inventory # BOS-B-13f-01653
Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Hardback. Condition: Good. In 1939 in the small, rural community of Augusta Falls, Georgia, twelve-year-old Joseph Vaughan learns of the brutal assault and murder of a young girl. It is the first in a series of killings that will plague the community over the next decade. Determined to protect the town from the evil in their midst, Joseph and his friends form the Guardians to watch over the community. But the murderer evades them, and they watch helplessly as one child after another is taken. Ten years after the first killing, one of Joseph's neighbors is found hanging from a rope, surrounded by belongings of the dead girls; the killings cease, and the nightmare appears to be over. Nevertheless, a shadow of fear follows Joseph for the rest of his life. He sets out to start a new life in New York, but the past won't stay buried, and, fifty years later, Joseph must confront the nightmare that has overshadowed his entire life. Seller Inventory # 00085712116
Seller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. With dust jacket. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting. Seller Inventory # 1590202503-11-1-29
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. Very Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Seller Inventory # N15G-01010
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: As New. Like New condition. Like New dust jacket. A near perfect copy that may have very minor cosmetic defects. Seller Inventory # X05I-00372
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 39978836-75
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 18715615-75
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G1590202503I4N10
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Missing dust jacket; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G1590202503I4N01
Seller: Aspen Book Co., Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. First Edition. This first edition hardcover is in good condition. The black and red binding is intact with minimal wear. There is no dust jacket present, but the spine and cover show only minor signs of handling. The pages are clean and free from any inscriptions or markings. Seller Inventory # A5-B6-CIZ-JGM-0537