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R.J. Ellory
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Candlemoth: A Novel Kindle Edition

by R.J. Ellory (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 328 ratings
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In this “searing . . . harrowing” novel from a “prose master,” a white man reflects on the murder of his black best friend that brought him to death row.(Publishers Weekly)

Daniel Ford and Nathan Verney were six years old when they first met by a South Carolina lake and became best friends against all odds?Daniel was white, and Nathan was black. Thirty years later, Daniel is convicted of Nathan’s murder, and he now faces the long, lonely walk to the electric chair. With time running out until his execution, Daniel tells a sympathetic priest his story, sweeping through first loves, Vietnam, and, finally, the pair’s flight from the draft, which ended in Nathan's brutal murder. A powerful vision of the American South in an age of upheaval, Candlemoth is a stunning suspense novel?and an unforgettable tale of lost friendship.

“The storytelling’s beckoning quality and the conclusion’s welcome twist easily bury [all] grievances. For fans of Tom Franklin, John Hart, and, remarkably, even Pat Conroy.” —Booklist
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  1. Print length
    402 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    The Overlook Press
  5. Publication date
    April 29, 2014
  6. Reading age
    18 years and up
  7. File size
    1732 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

It’s 1982, and Daniel Ford is just weeks away from execution for the murder of his best friend. Although innocent, he barely refuted the charge and hasn’t fully told his story until now, to his priest counselor. Daniel begins his story in Greenleaf, South Carolina, where he and Nathan Verney crossed the racial divide of the 1960s to become unlikely best friends. Alternating rapid-fire historical context (both confirmed and alleged) with the pair’s story, Ellory constructs a virtual cliff from which they plummet after Nathan is drafted into the Vietnam War, and Daniel joins him on the dodge. Heading south instead of the expected route, toward the Canadian border, they confront steady doses of racial hatred but remain relatively unscathed until they return to Greenleaf, where mutual intoxication with a powerful politician’s daughter results in murder. The foreshadowing is frustratingly heavy at times, but the storytelling’s beckoning quality and the conclusion’s welcome twist easily bury such grievances. Englishman Ellory convincingly disproves the belief of many that southern writing can’t be convincingly mimicked. For fans of Tom Franklin, John Hart, and, remarkably, even Pat Conroy. --Christine Tran

Review

Praise for R. J. Ellory:

"A beautifully written novel that is also a great mystery." --James Patterson

"The master of the genre." --Clive Cussler

"A rich, powerful, evocative novel of great psychological depth." --Jonathan Kellerman

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07NGMXMSZ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Overlook Press; Reprint edition (April 29, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 29, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1732 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 402 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 328 ratings

About the author

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R.J. Ellory

R.J. Ellory

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RJ Ellory is the author of eighteen novels, all published in the UK by Orion, and available in twenty-six additional languages. They are:

CANDLEMOTH (2003)

GHOSTHEART (2004)

A QUIET VENDETTA (2005)

CITY OF LIES (2006)

A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS (2007)

A SIMPLE ACT OF VIOLENCE (2008)

THE ANNIVERSARY MAN (2009)

SAINTS OF NEW YORK (2010)

BAD SIGNS (2011)

A DARK AND BROKEN HEART (2012)

THE DEVIL AND THE RIVER (2013)

CARNIVAL OF SHADOWS (2014)

MOCKINGBIRD SONGS (2016)

KINGS OF AMERICA (2017)

THREE BULLETS (2019)

PROOF OF LIFE (2021)

THE DARKEST SEASON (2022)

THE LAST HIGHWAY (2023)

Additionally, in 2020, he independently published 'THE MAN WHO ATE THE WORLD', with all proceeds being donated to Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.

'Candlemoth' was shortlisted for the Crime Writers’ Association Steel Dagger, and went on to win the Grand Prix des Lecteurs and the Balai d'Or 2017. His fifth novel, 'A Quiet Belief In Angels' was a Richard & Judy Book Club selection in 2007, and won the Livre De Poche Award, The Strand Magazine Novel of The Year, The Mystery Booksellers of America Award, the USA National Indie Excellence Award for Best Mystery, the Inaugural Nouvel Observateur Prize and the Quebec Booksellers' Award. 'A Quiet Vendetta' won the Quebec Laureat, the Avignon Readers’ Prize and the St. Maur Prize. 'A Simple Act of Violence', Ellory’s sixth novel, won the Theakston’s Crime Novel of the Year 2010. He has been nominated for a further thirteen international awards including two Barrys, the Association 813 Trophy, and the Europeen Du Point. He has also written the screenplay of 'A Quiet Belief In Angels' for Oscar-winning director, Olivier Dahan, and has optioned 'A Dark and Broken Heart' for film. His novella 'Three Days in Chicagoland' was released as a French graphic novel at the end of 2014 (in collaboration with Fabrice Colin), as was 'Seul le Silence' in 2021. He has published short stories in numerous British and American magazines. Currently working on two TV series adaptations, he is also writing for the screen with two original feature films in production. Ellory - alongside Martin Smith (formerly of ELO) - is a founding member of The Whiskey Poets, a country-blues band, and they have released three albums, 'Low Country', 'Native Strangers' and 'The Garage Tapes'.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
328 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Sharon Murray
5.0 out of 5 stars Boring, long-winded...
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2014
Verified Purchase
Tedious prose. Weak, ineffectual main character. Quite frankly, wished the character would be summarily executed. I skip read the last 50% of the book just to get to the end.
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Pablo P
5.0 out of 5 stars Don't miss Candlemoth
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2013
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This book is an exciting page turner that will keep you reading into the middle of the night. You may lose some sleep but it is worth it.
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Jennifer Cameron-Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars `I have faith in the fact that I am going to die.'
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2011
It's 1982 and Daniel Ford is thirty-six years old. Twelve years ago, Daniel was convicted of the murder of his best friend, Nathan Verney. In thirty-six days, he will walk to the electric chair and pay with his life.

`I ask myself what life is, what does it mean? Perhaps nothing more than a story, and each story different and rare and pronounced with its own voice.'

Father John Rousseau has been assigned to talk with Daniel during this last period of his life, and it is their conversations that lead us through Daniel's life. Daniel's friendship with Nathan started when they were aged six, and had its own difficulties in the American south of the 1950s: Nathan was coloured. The narrative takes us through the tumultuous events of the 1960s and 1970s in America: the backdrop of racial tensions; civil rights marches; assassinations and conspiracy theories; and the shadow of the Vietnam War shape the world in which Daniel and Nathan grew to adulthood.

So, what happened for Nathan to be killed and Daniel to be convicted of his murder? We learn Daniel's story as he tells it to Father Rousseau - the history is familiar, and the personal events unfold against that backdrop. If Nathan's murder defines the beginning of the end of Daniel's life, then it is necessary to go back to the beginning to understand how and why Nathan was murdered. We readers do not have the answers until the end of the novel.

'Best as I can recall it all started with a baked ham.'

This is the third of Mr Ellory's novels that I've read (although it was the first one published), and I enjoyed it. Daniel is a totally believable character, as are many of the secondary characters in the novel. At times I felt the story was in danger of being overwhelmed by the times in which it was set but by then I was totally engrossed in Daniel's story. And the ending? Read it for yourself and see what you think.

`Four times I've been betrayed - twice by women, once by a better friend than any man may wish for, and lastly by a nation. And perhaps, truth be known, I betrayed myself.'

Jennifer Cameron-Smith
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Bill Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars This was an excellent read. Not so much a mystery, as a character study.
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2014
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Highly recommend this for anyone interested in the civil rights movement, and growing up in the 60's. Throw in a good conspiracy theory for good measure.
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Linda M Rink
3.0 out of 5 stars Try a better Ellory
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2013
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Not his best book. But its a good read. Go for its a "A quiet vendetta" and you will be riveted.
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Tsandi Crew
5.0 out of 5 stars RJ Ellory is an advanced soul writing Super Literature for us
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2015
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1. RJ Ellory is an advanced soul writing Super Literature for us.
2. I will buy from this seller again.
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Wayne Edward Hanson
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2015
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Great story, loved how Ellory used first person so well to tease the story out and keep raising the tension.
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Greg
4.0 out of 5 stars Great crime novel about life, death, friendship and American history
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2019
A carefully plotted crime novel mixed with thoughtful meditations on life, death, friendship and American history. The deliberate reveal of how narrator Daniel Ford ended up on death row makes this novel compelling, and the additional story elements put it over the top. Ellory’s short sentences and paragraphs pull the reader along and help expose Ford’s psychology, though I found them less effective the few times they offered different similes for the same object. And while the plot sputters a bit in the lead-up to the murder of Nathan Verney, the heart-rending and terrifying details of Ford’s last days on death row showcase Ellory’s writing at its best.
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Nick
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb writing
Reviewed in Canada on November 25, 2021
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Mr Ellory is a master storyteller. His novel Candlemoth is a story for any time. Ellory is one of the few writers that you need to pay close attention to. This is not a 'holiday novel' it is far better than that.
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Hewy
5.0 out of 5 stars Candlemoth
Reviewed in Australia on June 23, 2023
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What a brilliant writer this R J Ellory is!

Candlemoth is such an exciting read, not to mention a great contemporary history lesson. His writing, his story-telling are mesmerising and obsessive. Quite literally, not ‘put-downable’.

Hard to believe this man is an Englishman - his dialogue is spot on American. Nailed it!

The story is completely engrossing. His characters are believable and their stories riveting. The writing is pure, intense, page-turning.

This is more than a thriller, it is a great story. Clear.

I’ll be reading more and more of this author.
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Yorkshire Rose
5.0 out of 5 stars Quite simply amazing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2014
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There is little to say about this book (as I'm absolutely heartbroken and can barely see to type, if I'm honest) except to say it's just amazing, as are all R J Ellory books.

Briefly, we have the (just lovely) Daniel Ford who we know is on Death Row for the murder of his life long friend, Nathan Verney. Daniel and Nathan were inseparable throughout their lives and were like brothers.

Daniel is white and Nathan was black and in 1960's America it was a turbulent time for the long suffering black people; Daniel and Nathan being no exception to racial prejudice and violence along the way. Daniel never sees Nathan as anything other than his blood brother.

Daniel is recounting the events of his life from his cell and his friendships, loves and the time leading up to the murder to his only visitor, Father John Rousseau, and he looks forward to his visits. Mr West is the pure evil warder who taunts Daniel relentlessly as his execution day looms. Mr Timmons is the nice warder and who is extremely sympathetic to Daniel and brings him his wife's home baked apple fritters.

What i particularly liked was the reference to the conspiracy surrounding the assassination of JFK and one which has, for a long time, really interested me and this theory I totally believe is the most plausible and credible. There are some slightly overlong references to American politics but this does not deter from the fact that this is just an amazing book.

I need to go and get my breath back and perhaps read something a little lighter until I read the next Ellory book.....
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Pascale Bookine
5.0 out of 5 stars un premier roman de grande qualité
Reviewed in France on March 16, 2011
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Page Facebook : Pascale Bookine
Blog : pascalebookine.eklablog.com

Ayant adoré "A Quiet Belief in Angels" et "Ghostheart" et, dans une moindre mesure, "A Simple Act of Violence" et "Anniversary Man", j'avais un peu hésité à lire "Candlemoth" en me disant qu'en tant que premier roman, il ne serait qu'une pâle esquisse de ce que l'auteur écrirait ultérieurement avec brio. Grave erreur, "Candlemoth" a la maturité d'un auteur accompli et il est difficile de concevoir qu'il s'agit là de la première oeuvre de R.J. Ellory.

L'histoire est narrée par Daniel Ford, qui vit ses dernières semaines dans le couloir de la mort avant d'être exécuté sur la chaise électrique pour le meurtre de son ami d'enfance Nathan Vierney. Il raconte son amitié avec Nathan, les difficultés nées du fait que Nathan est de race noire, et retrace leur histoire en parallèle avec celle de l'Amérique des années soixante, et notamment la guerre du Vietnam qui vient bouleverser leurs vies.

Le suspense tient évidemment au fait que d'une part, le lecteur ne perçoit pas ce qui a pu mener Daniel à assassiner son ami compte tenu de la force du lien qui les unit, et que d'autre part, le compte à rebours morbide a commencé pour Daniel, que chaque heure rapproche de son exécution. R.J. Ellory parvient magnifiquement à transmettre les émotions et j'avoue avoir dévoré la fin du livre le coeur battant, tant on ressent l'angoisse terrifiante qui s'empare du condamné à l'approche de l'exécution, indépendamment des raisons qui l'ont mené là.

Un petit bémol pour la résolution finale -mais je n'en dis pas plus pour ne pas lever le voile-, mais qui n'empêche pas l'ensemble de vraiment valoir le détour. Bien écrit, intelligent, parfois didactique, plein de sensibilité. Vivement conseillé...
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Client d'Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this author and read almost every books he wrote
Reviewed in Canada on May 31, 2016
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I love this author and read almost every books he wrote. I recommend this author to any one who likes suspense.
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