The Emperor of Ocean Park [Paperback]

In his triumphant fictional debut, Stephen Carter combines a large-scale, riveting novel of suspense with the saga of a unique family.The Emperor of Ocean Parkis set in two privileged worlds: the upper crust African American society of the Eastern seabord—families who summer at Martha’s Vineyard—and the inner circle of an Ivy League law school.

Talcott Garland is a successful law professor, devoted father, and husband of a beautiful and ambitious woman, whose future desires may threaten the family he holds so dear. When Talcott’s father, Judge Oliver Garland, a disgraced former Supreme Court nominee, is found dead under suspicioius circumstances, Talcott wonders if he may have been murdered. Guided by the elements of a mysterious puzzle that his father left, Talcott must risk his marriage, his career and even his life in his quest for justice. Superbly written and filled with memorable characters,The Emperor of Ocean Parkis both a stunning literary achievement and a grand literary entertainment.“Beautifully written and cleverly plotted. A rich, complex family saga, one deftly woven through a fine legal thriller.”--John Grisham“Rich, rewarding and compelling.... Transports readers into a different world and creates characters that resonate long after you’ve finished it.”--USA Today“Full of energy...high-spirited and fleet of foot.... This novel...lives on the page.... It’s not much of an exaggeration to think that in Stephen Carter the black upper class has found its Dreiser.”-- The New York Times Book Review“A remarkable debut novel.... A rare look into the world of wealthy and established black families.... One is at a loss to name another book...that has sought to convey, with such clarity, such depth of understanding or such cultural analysis, the uniqueness of this experience.”--Los Angeles Times Book Review“A thrl³&