Based in idyllic suburban America in the late 1950s; The Long, Long Afternoon tells the story of the mysterious disappearance of housewife and mother, Joyce Haney. She vanishes one afternoon, leaving behind two small children and a bloodied kitchen. The story is told from three viewpoints: Joyce's (in the run up to her disappearance), Ruby Wright's (the 'help', who discovers that Joyce is missing) and Detective Michael Blanke (the detective drafted in to investigate). The secrets of perfect suburbia are revealed as Detective Blanke delves deeper into the case.
This is a well written debut, which paints a brilliantly sinister picture of 1950s suburban America - think Stepford Wives meets Gone Girl. The racial tensions of the era are captured in Ruby's experiences and Detective Blanke is a superb homage to pulp fiction detectives. All in all an enjoyable and worthwhile read, thoroughly recommended.
This is a well written debut, which paints a brilliantly sinister picture of 1950s suburban America - think Stepford Wives meets Gone Girl. The racial tensions of the era are captured in Ruby's experiences and Detective Blanke is a superb homage to pulp fiction detectives. All in all an enjoyable and worthwhile read, thoroughly recommended.