Gone at First Light: A Novel

by T. Jefferson Parker

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Suspense

336 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 23, 2027

About the author

T. Jefferson Parker is the bestselling author of 26 crime novels, including Edgar Award-winners SILENT JOE and CALIFORNIA GIRL. Parker's next work is coming-of-age thriller, A THOUSAND STEPS, set for January of 2022. He lives with his family in a small town in north San Diego County, and enjoys fishing, hiking and beachcombing.

Reviews

[David Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

It only took a few pages into this novel for me to become completely hooked. Walt Torrance, a seasoned Laguna Beach detective, is called in to investigate the gruesome murder of a beloved psychologist. Not only was this a woman that Walt once loved, but readers quickly learn she later went onto marry Walt’s older brother, Blake. Very quickly, a long list of suspects is put together, which includes a creepy neighbor, an angry pro-basketball player, a suspected arsonist, and an ICE agent, as well as the talented and deeply flawed Blake Torrance. On this fourth marriage at age 71, Blake is a world renown artist and former top-rated surfer, whose struggles with Parkinson’s and regular macrodosing of LSD have led to memory loss.

The book could have been a police procedural, except for the many outside issues Walt has to face. Aside from evidence indicating that his brother might be a murderer, Walt has to deal with the real threat of a potential arsonist, whose wealthy father has kept him out of jail. Worse yet, Walt finds himself going up against an embittered nemesis, who not only works for ICE…but has made it his mission to deport Walt’s Guatemalan wife and daughter.

This was truly a book that I found nearly impossible to put down after the first chapter. The characters were all three-dimensional and very believable. For that matter, along with having to confront the fact that his brother might be a murderer, one can feel Walt’s ache and desperation over the possibility that his family might be sent back to Guatemala. In this regard, although Walt is forced to deal with the first-hand issues concerning ICE, the author steered clear of any political preaching. Also, while I was able to identify the killer early in the book, it never took away from the story; and, in fact, Walt’s final confrontation with this person proved to be a very intense moment in the book.

In any event, this is definitely a five-star novel and highly recommended. My thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

[Andi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sixty-one-year-old Detective Sergeant Walt Torrance works for the Laguna Beach Police Department, and is called to a murder of Mary, someone he used to know when he was younger. Walt dated Mary in his teens, but she ended up marrying—and then divorcing—his brother.

Wade’s brother Blake is ten years his senior, and was married to Mary many years ago. Now on his fourth marriage and battling Parkinson’s, Blake takes low-dose LSD to alleviate the symptoms, but which also causes hallucinations. He’s a complicated man—an artist, former boxer, and drug runner who uses his private plan to smuggle drugs from Mexico. He’s also the husband to Caitlin, and father to two adolescent twin boys.

The plot is a bit meandering. I saw the ending early on, but it was still a relatively interesting mystery.

But what ruined the story for me was the author’s negativity regarding the president and ICE through the subplot on Walt’s Guatemalan wife. This was unnecessary to the main plot, and what could have been a good story was ruined by this political statement. I won’t read anything else by this author as a result.

🌟Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.🌟

[Andrea · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This book made me question why I haven't read all of T. Jefferson Parker’s work. I’ve enjoyed the few I've read, but that stops now. Gone at First Light officially makes him a must-read author for me. What’s not to love about detective stories set in Southern California?
The story centers on two brothers who took very different paths in life: one is an artist, surfer, and drug smuggler, while the other is a detective with the Laguna Beach Police Department. Detective Walt Torrance is assigned the case he never wanted, the murder of his brother’s first wife, who also happened to be one of Walt’s first crushes. Parker gives us a thrilling look into the personal lives of Walt, his brother, and the victim, Mary.
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books . #NetGalley

[Howard Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Parker always writes interesting and entertaining novels and this one is one of his best. There is a lot going on in this book covering a wide variety of topics —- arson, surfing, Parkinson’s disease, drugs, ICE, murders, gangs in Guatemala, deportations, suicide notes, etc. Somehow, it all ties together in an orderly fashion and keeps the reader constantly turning pages. This novel is topical and highly recommended for all readers and I thank NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Police procedural, family, immigration, surfing, art, drug use, flowers, smuggling, history, airplanes, psychology, arson. Gone at First Light has so many layers! The main narrator is Walt Torrance, a police detective in Laguna, California. He is investigating the brutal murder of psychologist Mary Purefoy. Right away, you know there might be a conflict of interest for Walt. Mary was his older brother's long ago ex-wife. Although, Blake, the brother, has been married three times since Mary. And Walt admits to himself (but to no one else) that Mary was his own first love when he was 17. Walt, now in his sixties, tells himself all that is so far in the past to be irrelevant. He keeps the case and follows every lead, even when there are times he'd rather look away. Walt is pulled away from the case when an old high acquaintance, now an ICE agent, threatens to deport Walt's Guatemalan wife. He's also trying to keep track of a billionaire's grown son who loves to light fires just to watch the California brush burn. This is a real page turner with something new and interesting on almost every page. I did guess who the killer was before Walt figured it out, but that just shows how skilled Parker is at slipping in clues as the interwoven stories all come together.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was almost impossible to put down. One does have to sleep now and then. I was drawn in immediately. Detective Walt Torrance is assigned a murder investigation. Mary Purefoy was found with her head bashed in. Mary was his first love 40+ years ago, his older brother's ex-wife and a woman it seems everyone loved. Obviously not.

The author weaves such a great story with Walt's older brother front and center. The history and the lifestyle were mesmerizing and I could picture his brother and his larger than life existance. There was also a really good part of the story that included Walt's wife, his undocumented wife, and his adopted daughter. It was a nice touch and I think would really be appreciated no matter what one's opinion on ICE is.

My brain was already leading me to the murderer, but it took a nice trip while getting there. (pun intended) I really enjoyed this book. I had not intended on reading it so quickly, but I had no choice. I was compelled by this being such a good mystery.

I would like to thank Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the pleasure of this early read.

[Tyler Drennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gone at First Light was fantastic! It was really well written and packed with plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing right up until the very end. Even though life got in the way and it took me a little longer than usual to finish, it was a total page-turner every time I picked it up. Highly recommend if you're looking for a mystery that keeps you on your toes!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Lisa Fullilove · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was totally captivated turning pages quickly and then ….
POLITICAL for no reason ! I neither agree nor disagree with the authors politics, but it ruined the whole experience for me !

I get it. He’s the author it’s his story and view. I don’t have to enjoy it or want to read it !

Great story until the politics!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.!