Sunset Swing

Sunset Swing by Ray Celestin is a gripping novel that intertwines the lives of three compelling characters against the backdrop of a perilous Los Angeles in the late 1940s.

The Plot

As a young nurse, Kerry Gaudet arrives in the City of Angels, driven by a desperate quest to find her missing brother. Her search unfolds amidst a chilling spate of murders linked to an elusive serial killer, forcing her to confront the dark underbelly of a city rife with danger and deception.

Simultaneously, retired Private Investigator Ida Young is drawn back into the fray when the police enlist her help after a woman's lifeless body is discovered in a motel room, her identity unexpectedly connected to a broader web of crime. The narrative deepens as we follow mob fixer Dante Sanfelippo, who stands on the brink of fulfilling his dream of owning a winery, yet finds himself entangled in one final, perilous job that could jeopardise everything he holds dear.

Themes

Celestin masterfully explores themes of family loyalty, the quest for identity, and the moral ambiguities of justice. The narrative captures the tension of post-war America, where the promise of a better life clashes with the shadows of crime and corruption.

Writing Style

With a vivid and atmospheric writing style, Celestin immerses readers in the sights and sounds of 1940s Los Angeles, creating a rich tapestry of characters and settings. Fans of historical crime fiction, particularly those who enjoyed Celestin’s previous works or authors like Michael Connelly and Robert Crais, will find much to appreciate in this thrilling tale.