“Yesterday I kissed my husband for the last time”

And so begins The Long, Long Afternoon by Inga Vesper, a book set on the west coast of America in the late 1950s which explores race, social class and the veneer of perfection. Joyce Haney is a housewife who lives in a perfect house, on a perfect street, with two perfect daughters and a perfect husband. She has a maid, Ruby who comes to clean her house and it is she who finds Joyce’s eldest daughter on the drive, the baby crying upstairs and a pool of blood in the kitchen with Joyce nowhere to be seen.

Ruby is immediately pinned as being the prime suspect being the maid, black and from a seemingly dodgy part of LA. Detective Mick Blanke isn’t so sure though – there is something else going here, he just isn’t sure what. Could it be something to do with the Women’s Improvement Committee which Joyce was part of? Or is something more sinister afoot?

Sunnylake, Santa Monica is an affluent white neighbourhood filled with Stepford Wives. The depiction of 1950s America is perfectly executed with the wives at home, children smartly dressed and men working hard to provide the latest mod cons and the nicest cars. Then there is the racism aimed at Ruby which is both uncomfortable and upsetting to read. She is deemed as being ‘less than’ due to her skin colour, she has to think twice about diners she can go to and is aware of the eyes on her from behind net curtains as she walks down the street of a white neighbourhood in her maid uniform.

Simmering away in the background is the extreme Californian heat which beats down upon Detective Mick Blanke who has recently moved from Baltimore. The weather is a constant companion which becomes almost oppressive and helps to build the tension within the narrative. Told from the viewpoints of Ruby, Mick and Joyce herself the story builds slowly, gradually creating a picture of deception and hidden truths behind the perfectly constructed life. The characterisation is great, with Ruby in particular being well-written – she is likeable, warm-hearted and tenacious and wants better for herself. She is underestimated by everybody and written off, especially by the women of Sunnylake, all except Joyce who took the time to get to know Ruby and build a friendship with her.

But what has happened to Joyce? Well, you’ll have to read the book to fine out, but this far more than a novel about a missing woman. It is an insightful piece of historical fiction which is a social commentary on the role of women and race in 1950s America. I really enjoyed it and was transported to the searing heat of Santa Monica and the twitching curtains of Sunnylake, where husbands come home from work expecting a meal on the table and a perfectly coiffured wife. There is a dark element which runs through the narrative which is both unnerving and compelling and is an eye opening read. Recommended.

An atmospheric tale comparing the micro: Joyce Haney’s tragic life in 1959; against the macro of women’s rights and the civil rights movement. You can feel the heat as it oppresses the three narrators: Joyce, the victim; Mick the liberal cop with a guilt complex and Ruby, the help. The injustice of how Ruby is treated as a black woman by those around her is seen through her eyes, both her terror and her bravery. It is ultimately a whodunnit but wrapped in many layers of social history.

It’s summer 1959 in Santa Monica. Ruby Wright, „the Negroe help“, arrives late at her next appointment, only to find the daughter of her employers, Barbara, outside. She can also hear the cries of the baby Lily inside. Filled with dread, she has the sense that something is very, very wrong. Joyce, mother of the girls, would never leave them alone! However, it’s only the beginning of the drama – after comforting the girls, Ruby finds herself in the blood splattered kitchen – what has happened to Joyce? Quickly words spread in the neighbourhood and the women of Sunnylakes start to search for Joyce, while police make a quick arrest – Ruby is the most obvious suspect, right? Thankfully, the responsible Detective Mick Blanke thinks differently and seeks Ruby’s help.

This is this kind of book that will bewitch you, the more you read, the more involved you are and the less you want to put the book down. Inga Vesper has brilliantly captured the sense of place and of time and with incredible sharpness presented the reality filled with racism and sexism.
The racism towards Ruby was, actually, heart – breaking and truly well captured and conveyed, no matter if it was the police or her employer. There were perhaps not awful, huge acts but it was passed through the words, motions, actions – small, sneaky acts that nevertheless made it even worse and bigger. And the powerlessness of Ruby was also truly visible.
There was also one thing that the author has captured so brilliantly, writing about it in such a natural way, making it an obvious and certain thing – but nevertheless making your blood boil –that if the superiority of men, of their patronising and arrogant way of being. Sunnylake looks like a wonderful place to live the American Dream, with the huge, clean houses with manicured laws, no financial problems and overwhelming friendliness but those are appearances and what is going behind the closed doors is simply awful and everything is just a facade. The author has brilliantly brought the 50’s attitudes to life.

I really liked the time period the story was set in and the issues that followed – it felt fresh and different and really well done, giving us insight into discrimination that was not taken seriously in those days. I only think that the ending was a bit overdone, it felt like a scenario for a not so good road movie and it didn’t give the book justice in my opinion.

The writing style was of the best quality, luring you slowly into the story, describing things, events and characters in a vivid and atmospheric way. It doesn’t happen often that you read about heat in Santa Monica written in such engaging and evocative way that make you feel it – literally – on your skin and keep you glued to the words – that’s the way Inga Vesper is writing and it’s the highest level for me. She has also brilliantly captured the way the women were ticking in those days. Where everything was done for show, for others to see how great we are doing, but behind the closed doors they were losing their spirits and medicating themselves to simply survive another day; where lies, secrets, prejudices, jealousies are hidden. There is so much more to the story that we could think at first and I truly loved the spiralling way the tale took, the roller – coaster road filled with twists, turns and surprises.

As for the mystery, the author has done a great job with pulling wool over my eyes, as I found myself suspecting one character after the other, although there were always one or two that stood out for me. There are plenty of possibilities to explore and the more you read, the more shocked you’re going to be but you will be determined to solve the mystery, together with Ruby and Mick.

Altogether, it was a captivating and moving read, a great debut that I still find myself thinking about – and that’s a sign of a good book when you can’t forget about it. Already looking toward another book from Inge Vesper.

I enjoyed the historical set of the novel thought that a period like the US 1950s was a super interesting choice to mix the novel with social concerns. Not only that, but the fact that it was a crime novel made it even better for me! Superb read!

This book was so good, I don't think a review would do it justice.

This book is pitched as an interesting mystery, a housewife goes missing leaving behind her children and a bloodstained kitchen floor but it is so much more than that.

Vesper expertly weaves themes of oppression, race, class and feminism through an engrossing storyline.

The characters were well written. I absolutely loved Ruby and Mike. Even though Joyce was flawed, I still thought she was excellent, I loved her chapters and would read a whole book about her.

While this book isn't about race or class or sexism, it is set in 1959 and these themes were so exceptionally placed into the story.

The writing is well paced, starting out with a bang that will suck you in right from the first page and will not let you go until the last sentence.

This is just one of those books I wish I could go back and read all over again for the first time.

I don't think any review could do this justice, you just have to read it for yourself! I've already purchased a physical copy for myself!

5 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley, Bonnier Books and Inga Vesper for an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review!


***Instagram linked, review to follow this week.

A strong crime/mystery set in 1950s California. Reminiscent of The Help, but with a fun mystery to solve.

Joyce Haney a seemingly happy housewife disappears one afternoon leaving behind her two children and a pool of blood in the kitchen. The mystery sets the small suburban town alight with fingers immediately pointing to Joyce's hired help Ruby.

This is set in the 1950s and I loved the gossipy housewife vibe. The plot was a good whodunnit it storyline and kept you hooked.

I also enjoyed how this really highlighted the issues with racism at the time and how this effects Ruby's whole life. Ruby really was the true hero of this story and felt she deserved better throughout.

This would have been a four star read for me but I felt the ending was a little bit predictable and wrapped up too quickly.

That being said I would definitely read more from this author, the writing was great!

Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnier Books for providing me with a copy to review

What a read! Gripping, emotive and full of powerful thoughts; impossible to put down.
I’ll admit that I was attracted to this book for the cover, it intrigued me… a nice kitchen with some blood on the floor, what happened? Are the owners ok? Who would want to harm them?
Everything will start in 1959, one afternoon in Sunnylakes, this peaceful neighborhood will change forever after the disappearance of one of their residents; a wife, a mother, a friend. The problem is that this neighborhood is like a wasp’s nest, everyone has secrets and is ready to do anything to hide them. That’s why the case will not only be investigated by a detective but the maid of the house, a young black intelligent woman that wants to go to college and have a future.
The story is told between these 3 characters; the detective, Mick, Joyce and Ruby, telling us the views of each character and their thoughts. This book is not easy to read, sometimes it made me want to shout or cry for how some of the characters are treated; the daily disrespect of being black or the ignorance of being a woman… But it’s eye opening on how women, even if they know they are being ignored have their own small battles everyday, small wins that make their lives a little bit easy and less angry with the world. I will not talk of how angry it made me read how the black people are treated, disrespected and used; even if we have progressed a little in the racism issue, it’s still there and sometimes I wonder if we make enough to change it.
This had been a surprising read, slowly burning and impossible to stop reading.
Ready for “The Long Long Afternoon”?

#TheLonglongAfternoon by #IngaVesper is one of those books that chained me to the chair and didn't let me go until the end. By the time I thought I had worked it out, there was another twist.

Set in the 1950s, the book portrays the life of rich white Americans in Sunnylakes contrasted with the lives of the oppressed black people in the suburb, where Ruby, the help, lives. On the surface, their lives are completely different: on one hand, we perceive the white women all made up, dressed in the most exclusive houses, with beautiful gardens and on the other- the black women living in houses that are about to fall apart with barely enough hot water to wash themselves. However, deep down, they are more similar than it looks: neither have many rights and want to break free from the life that they are living.

This is a book with a complex plot and many genres. Apart from the cultural theme, the thriller element of the investigation in Joyce Haney's disappearance is quite compelling. and will hold your interest to the very end.

Thank you #Netgalley for offering me this book. I highly recommend it and would love to read more of Inga Vesper.

This atmospheric and claustrophobic novel is set in 1950s small town America, a place full of racism and misogynists. It is narrated by three very different characters; Ruby, ‘The Help’; Joyce, ‘The Wife’ and Mick ‘The Detective’ all of whom have a back story in addition to the main plot.

It is an intriguing and unusual book, sometimes making me think of Stepford Wives, at others the novel ‘The Help.’ It has many toe-curling moments and uncomfortable descriptions, but it also has some great humour. Mick has some great lines, and who can resist the comment: ‘ A breeze enters the room, shy like a prom girl…’

Overall, it is Ruby who is the star, invisible to the neighbours except when they need her but the most clear sighted, realistic and intelligent. Her ‘working’ relationship with Mick shows that she doesn’t really need him to solve the mystery, and even he, who respects and wants to help her, isn’t exempt from letting her down with some of the things he says.

I found this novel fascinating and read it quickly, it has many twists towards the end, and although I guessed what had happened, it didn’t spoil my enjoyment.

The Long Long afternoon is a thriller set in a stepford-wives style 1950s California.

It begins from the perspective of Joyce, who we soon learn has gone missing.

The book does a really good job of changing perspective - in first person of Joyce, and then also from the perspective of Ruby, her housekeeper and Mick, the detective on the case.

Whenever I read a thriller I remember that I just don’t like a lot of thrillers and unfortunately this just wasn’t for me. However, I can see this being a really popular summer read and really popular with book clubs. It just wasn’t really my kind of thing.

3 stars

This was a really interesting read.

I love a who-dunnit and this ticked all the right boxes as it was atmospheric with alot of twists and turns which kept me guessing up until the end. It also touched on the themes of racism which would have been more prevalent in the 1950's where the story took place.

Very enjoyable and I would recommend for fans of the genre.

Thank you to Netgalley & Bonnie Books for this ARC.

Atmospheric wonderfulness throughout this story of 1950s housewifely repression and suppression, The Long Long Afternoon evokes the limits of being a housewife brilliantly, and the restrictions on being 'the help' and trying to deal with the police. Lots to get your teeth into, a great debut

This book set in the 1950's gives a snapshot of how things were, for women and ethnic minorities, in our not too distant past. Interesting to see how some things have moved forward but we still have some way to go.
The lead detective is a little more forward thinking than his counterparts. A really good book with some twists and turns that keep you reading.

I raced through #TheLongLongAfternoon

It is utterly compelling, beautifully written, vivid and incredibly atmospheric.

What an interesting debut! Set in the 1950s in America where women are the little women in the home, there to serve their husbands and 'the help' must be neither seen nor heard. Blood in the kitchen and Joyce Haney is missing and her children are home alone. Ruby, the 'help' has information that would help the police, but should she keep out of it, or speak up. Her first experience is that she is arrested and held responsible!
Three and a half stars for me.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Inga Vesper/Bonnier Books for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Bonnier Books UK for the ARC.
This was an interesting read. Set in 1959 in the Santa Monica district of California, it contrasts the lives and attitudes of the wealthy 'white' homemakers - the wives with children who should know their place within the kitchen, and the 'blacks' - their servants - gardeners and cleaners, and, when push comes to shove, how they are all inter-dependent.

Detective Mick Blanke has transferred-in to the district from New York. His boss, Chief Murphy, resents his 'big city' ways and tries to make life difficult for him. Mick doesn't agree with the local's treatment of the blacks.
He's assigned a possible home-invasion case in Sunnylakes where Joyce Haney, a mother of two toddlers has disappeared, leaving a trail of blood in their kitchen. The scene is discovered by the family's cleaner, Ruby - who is promptly arrested for her murder.
Told from several points of view from the main characters, the reader gains insight into what actually happened to Joyce, as well as Ruby's experiences of working alongside Blanke on the investigation.

I found this to be a little slow-going in the main, although I wasn't quite prepared for the ending and the revelations leading up to it.
It's a decent-enough detective story - set in those particular times, but it didn't always hold my attention as would a riveting detective mystery.
Worth reading though.

Ruby is cleaning houses when she finds blood on the floor in one of them and the lady of the house missing. Did she run away or was she murdered. Ruby wants justice for the only one who was actually nice to her but how can someone like her help out without being accused of commiting the murder herself. Maybe a detective wanting the truth will help her.

This was a really interesting story. It looks at the racial differences that existed back in those days and touches on the riots of those times as well. The plot itself was twisty and cleverly done. Its a fairly slow burn until you get to the ending where it picks up to a dramatic finish. The story is told by various characters which I really like as it adds more depth to the story and allows you to see it from more than one perspective. I really liked Ruby and I'm so glad she stayed true to herself and wanting to help someone she saw as a friend. By the end I really liked Joseph too. However Blanke annoyed me quite a bit though, I just couldnt seem to warm to him. A brilliant mystery and read,

What a great book. I sat down and just read as it was so gripping. Having lived in LA for 10 years , visited the places described and evn been ride along with the LA Sherrifs dept out in Compton and some of the other areas. This touched my memories as the areas are so well described I could picture the clearly. The feelings that were exhibited between the black community and the white community were well written without being demonic to either side.
A great thriller with so may hidden stories that made it a joy to read. I guessed the murderer long before the detective could see through the smoke but this did not take away from the great story by an exceptional writer.

I was gripped from the start, the story flowed incredibly well and I enjoyed the character development throughout. It reminded me of Desperate Housewives - the secrets in surburbia coming to light. With Detective Mick Blanke, there were times where it felt like his backstory was not developed enough or we were drip fed things without knowing the whole story behind his background.