The Golden Gate

A Novel

By: Amy Chua

Narrated by: Robb Moreira, Suzanne Toren, Tim Campbell

Edgar Allan Poe Award Nominee, 2024

Long-listed, Library Journal Best Books of the Year, 2023

"Moreira displays his many years of dramatic training and extensive theatrical experience as he animates characters as diverse as low-life thugs, the upper-class Bainbridge women, and even Madame Chiang Kai-shek. Tim Campbell and Suzanne Toren ably narrate the court deposition sequences. This audiobook is part hard-boiled detective story, part family saga, and wholly good listening!"—AudioFile

Amy Chua's debut novel, The Golden Gate, is a sweeping, evocative, and compelling historical thriller that paints a vibrant portrait of a California buffeted by the turbulent crosswinds of a world at war and a society about to undergo massive change.

In Berkeley, California, in 1944, Homicide Detective Al Sullivan has just left the swanky Claremont Hotel after a drink in the bar when a presidential candidate is assassinated in one of the rooms upstairs. A rich industrialist with enemies among the anarchist factions on the far left, Walter Wilkinson could have been targeted by any number of groups. But strangely, Sullivan’s investigation brings up the specter of another tragedy at the Claremont, ten years earlier: the death of seven-year-old Iris Stafford, a member of the Bainbridge family, one of the wealthiest in all of San Francisco. Some say she haunts the Claremont still.

The many threads of the case keep leading Sullivan back to the three remaining Bainbridge heiresses, now adults: Iris’s sister, Isabella, and her cousins Cassie and Nicole. Determined not to let anything distract him from the truth—not the powerful influence of Bainbridges’ grandmother, or the political aspirations of Berkeley’s district attorney, or the interest of China's First Lady Madame Chiang Kai-Shek in his findings—Sullivan follows his investigation to its devastating conclusion.

Chua’s riveting debut brings to life a historical era rife with turbulent social forces and groundbreaking forensic advances, when race and class defined the very essence of power, sex, and justice, and introduces a fascinating character in Detective Sullivan, a mixed race former Army officer who is still reckoning with his own history.

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books.

©2023 Amy Chua (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“A successful, compelling mash-up of California history, ghost story, family tale, and social commentary.”–Library Journal (starred review)

"A riveting mystery. . . Chua skillfully creates tension around Sullivan’s complex investigation, tempting red herrings, and thoughtful examination of war-time social divisions."–Booklist (starred review)

"All the elements I love in a mystery: A tough-guy homicide detective, an entrancing femme fatale, family secrets, a fabulous building in a beautiful city in a great time period, a touch of Agatha Christie, and a soupcon of Dashiell Hammett. And Amy Chua’s terrific writing provides the icing."—Lisa See

Thoroughly Enjoyable Noirish Mystery

A terrific debut work of fiction. Historically grounded. Well narrated - the variety of convincing voices Robb Moreira provides is astonishing. Enjoyable and informative closing interview between author and narrator. Strong recommendation.

Excellent setting!(spoiler free)

This review will be spoiler free so it will be short; since it's a murder mystery, and I won't give any hint away. What I can say is that the setting in noir San Francisco during World War Two is a diverse setting with many fascinating aspects chrime evaluation and how they are used to conclude the mysterious murder. This story also covers the types of discrimination that many races had to endure at that time and the challenges they faced just to get by. The narration is excellently done with the voice actor giving each character a unique tone that gives them their character their own individuality. I highly recommend this book uncovering it's mystery!

A rollicking blend of Agatha Christie and history lesson

The Golden Gate is a terrific whodunnit with delicious twists and turns but also one which offers amazing history lessons. In fact the historical background provided about Northern California in the first half of the 20th century is so fascinating I found myself doing research (well, just Googling) to see where the historical facts ended and the story took over. It was also very well read making it an enjoyable and easy listen.

Local setting AND a really good story as well!

The real places in and around the Bay Area as well as all the complex characters and the plot twists kept me actively involved.

Story lines

San Francisco Bay Area history, author’s mastery of the story line and its sensitivity to history and social issues

Great Writing and Narration

I loved the story and how the truths of the past were presented in ways easily understood. History has never been so amazing and interesting! I hope there are more fiction books to come from this author!

The Claremont Secrets

Loved the narration! This story was very similar to the old radio mysteries we listened to when I was young, like the Green Hornet and Sherlock Holmes.

This is a story that comes to life with this narrated version.

The historical perspective of the times is so full of fear of people of color.

I liked the voices all done by the same actor. The story was full of twists and kept me wondering who the murderer could be.

Epic History Mystery

I loved the complexity of this story. The history of the characters and the history of California!

Good Detective Mystery

Nice story based in a World War II time frame that was a good detective mystery. Story reflects the discrimination
faced by the Japanese who were forced into internment camps, Chicanos, homosexuals, and others.