Death in Belmont

Sebastian Junger grew up in New England and has worked as a tree-feller, Bosnian correspondent, journalist and adventurer. His first book, ‘The Perfect Storm’, spent over four years on the bestseller lists and its film adaptation was a huge box-office success. Junger is a contributing editor to Vanity Fair, and winner of the National Magazine Award for Reporting. He has also written for magazines including Harper's, the New York Times Magazine, and National Geographic Adventure.

‘The great merit of Junger’s thoughtful book is that he is constantly striving to go beyond the obvious…True crime stories in which the wrong man is sent down are a dime to the dozen. But Sebastian Junger’s elegant and gripping book rises above the herd because he is unafraid to confront the ambiguity of human memory, and because he admits the impossibility of discovering the ‘absolute truth’ of what happened that day in Belmont…Superbly researched and tautly written, “A Death in Belmont” reads like a classic whodunit; but it is a hundred times more satisfying.’ The Telegraph‘Junger is a master of narrative, his bold, clear-eyed prose never lags. His story tells us a great deal about America in the middle decades of the 20th century, about the operations of race, class (and the violence of prejudice) permeated and, in a sad way, defined a society.’ The Guardian‘A lucid study of crime and justice in 1960s America…compelling.’ Independent on Sunday‘Junger’s storytelling is at its best when weaving the case’s minute detail into the larger picture of the dark times experienced by the US in the 1960s.’ Financial Times‘It is written in the beautifully cool, precise, easy style of the best American journalism. There is a fascinating detail on every page.’ Mail on Sunday'An interesting meditation on the American judicial and penal systems and, in particular, their attitude to the issue of race'. Daily Telegraph'Junger masterfully draws out his narrative out of the labyrinthine investigation.' Observer