The
Emperor of Ocean Park
by Stephen L. Carter
Completed August 2002
When the Judge turns up
dead, everyone seems to think that the Judge’s son knows about the arrangements
(he doesn’t) and the novel plays out in regular mystery fashion. Two things
make the novel interesting and worthwhile – First, it is set in a “fictional”
Ivy League law school (remarkably similar to Yale) which is full of backstabbing
politics and second, Carter paints some outstanding characters. He has a habit
of introducing a new character in a new chapter, painting the character in rich
detail – and then never bringing the character back into the story.
Nonetheless, these characters are so vivid and intriguing that it’s good reading.
The Emperor of Ocean Park is a paperback read, though – meaning that
while it’s worth reading, it’s not worth paying extra to read it in hardback.