“After stretching the boundaries of fiction in myriad ways ... Egan does perhaps the only thing left that could surprise: she writes a thoroughly traditional novel. Realistically detailed, poetically charged and utterly satisfying: apparently there’s nothing Egan can’t do.” Kirkus I love that comment from the Kirkus review. It’s so true … after the innovation and originality of Goon Squad what COULD Egan do next?? Typical historical fiction, I guess … although there is nothing typical about Manhattan Beach. Though I admit I preferred the creativity and novelty of Goon Squad, I loved Manhattan Beach as well. The characters were fabulously multifaceted and well drawn. The story truly engaging. And the prose, dazzling and powerful. What can I say? Read it!

Kindle Copy for Review from Net Galley

Story of Anna Kerrigan a twelve year who meets a man named Dexter Styles who she will later meet on during the Depression when she accompanies her father to his house. She interacts with his children and watched his uniform servants in his opulent house. There is an odd relationship between them, as they are in debt to him for their financial survival.

We watch Anna become the first female diver at the Brooklyn Navy Yard to support her mother and her disable younger sister. It is a dangerous job.

She finds herself at a night club as she once again meets Dexter Styles. She has not seen him since her father disappearance. Did he have anything to do with her dad disappearance or did he not have anything to do with it?

An interesting read about organied crime during the Depression.

Manhattan Beach is a wonderfully written & thoughtfully researched historical novel. I think this will make an excellent book club pick! (I reviewed this on Goodreads)