An Honest Living by Dwyer Murphy
Brooklyn, mid-2000s. After leaving behind the comforts of a prestigious law firm, a restless attorney attempts to make ends meet by picking up odd jobs from a colourful assortment of clients. When the mysterious Anna Reddick turns up at his apartment with ten thousand dollars in cash and asks him to track down her missing husband, he trusts it will be an easy case. That is until the real Anna Reddick shows up - a magnetic but unpredictable literary prodigy - and he finds himself out of his depth and drawn into a series of deceptions involving Joseph Conrad novels, unscrupulous booksellers and seedy real estate developers.
Set against the tail end of the analogue era, An Honest Living is a gripping story of artistic ambition, obsession, and the small crimes we commit against one another every day.
About the author
Dwyer Murphy is the editor-in-chief of Crime Reads, Literary Hub’s crime fiction vertical and the world’s most popular destination for thriller readers. He practised law at Debevoise and Plimpton in New York City, where he was a litigator, and served as editor of the Colombia Law Review. He was previously an Emerging Writer Fellow at the Centre for Fiction.
Review
‘An Honest Living’ is set against the backdrop of Brooklyn in the mid 2000’s and is a sultry noir that harks back Chandler’s era with its complex characters and literary air. This is a slow paced affair but that allows for it to get under your skin as you immerse yourself in a long hot New York summer. This is a nuanced novel that is quite impressive for a debut and I thoroughly enjoyed its writing and quirky narrative.
After quitting a prestigious job in a top law firm a restless attorney is taking odd jobs to make ends meet. When Anna Reddick turns up at his apartment to engage his services for $10,000 as she wants to prove that her husband is selling her rare books. He does indeed verify that this is the case but when the real Anna Reddick turns up he realises that he has been duped. He is soon dragged into a series of deceptions, selfish booksellers and the seedy world of retail estate.
This was definitely a slow burn of a book but was thoroughly worth it. The reader is transported to Brooklyn with its rich descriptions and compelling characters. It has the feel of a modern art house film and its homage to ‘Chinatown’ really rams home that vibe. Anna is that elusive author that intimidates until you find out she is a neurotic genius but a human being no less with all their faults and foibles. Our protagonist attorney is an interesting and well developed character, who is questioning their position in life something all of us can relate to.
Yes, there is a linear narrative that runs through the book but this is not a rollercoaster of a book but rather a stroll through the shoreline of Brooklyn. Full of colour, intriguing and beguiling characters and compelling prose. I flew through it in a few sittings but yet took my time over it and savoured its loveliness.
Let me know if you pick it up!
