Dark Town by Thomas Mullen (Atria, 2016)
This is quite simply one of the best novels I’ve read in recent years. Set in Alabama in the 50s, this is the story of the city’s first black policemen and is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of that time. Mullen shows an extraordinary ability to give his readers a gripping story-line and unforgettable characters who avoid stereotypes. His sequel Lightning Men proved to be just as good, and there’s a third novel in this series due this year.