Amy Chua writes an interesting and thought provoking novel about San Francisco. The story centers on an elite and wealthy family and their connection to the brutal murder of a political candidate, Walter Wilkinson. The story explores two mysterious death in The Claremont Hotel: the death of a young girl who fell down the hotel’s laundry chute and the murder of Walter Wilkinson. I admire the technique employed by Chua to weave the history of San Francisco into the investigation of the murder. So many events happening in 1944 with WWII scaring individuals into fearing their Japanese neighbors. Chua explains the rounding up of the Japanese in San Francisco and moving them to camps. The detective, Al Sullivan, remembers when Mexicans were forcibly sent back to Mexico in the 1930’s. The story highlights racism, hate, and jealousy. Madame Chiang Kai-shek and several other real characters figure into the story. The Claremont Hotel stands as the most important character in the novel, and what a glorious building standing majestically in Berkeley, California. Amy Chua writes an amazing novel that keeps the reader wondering about the murder of Walter Wilkinson. ( )

Al Sullivan is a detective in 1944 Berkeley investigating the murder of a presidential candidate at an up market hotel. In 1930 a girl was tragically killed in the laundry chute at that hotel and the two cases appear to be linked.

There was A LOT going on here - racism, sexism, mental illness, the exploitation of minors, spying, Chinese gangs, lesbians, Communists, union activists, monks, world politics, pages and pages of information about Berkeley and San Francisco. It just went on too long and I got tired of everyone lying to Al. On the plus side, Al was a great character and his niece Miriam very endearing. ( )

Enjoyed the characters and the historical aspects, but did not like the mystery. Won't go into details as they would be spoilers! I liked Chua's writing style and her character development. ( )

Hard-boiled and cynical detective intermingles with both the rich and powerful elite of Nob Hill, along with the people on the fringes of society in 1940s San Francisco. If this sounds like a story written by Raymond Chandler or Dashiell Hammett, you wouldn’t be surprised. If I told you that this is the first novel by Amy Chua of the Tiger Mom fame, you might be shocked! Chua has written a literate, historical mystery with fascinating facts about the San Francisco locale (the Port Chicago disaster is particularly horrifying and mind-boggling). Besides having written one heck of an intriguing murder mystery, she deftly interweaves social issues seamlessly into the narrative. The richly drawn characters encounter various forms of class struggles, prejudice, racial injustice, child labor abuses.

The novel focuses on Al Sullivan, a Berkeley homicide detective, who has the unenviable task of solving a complex murder case involving a presidential candidate who has been killed at the luxurious Claremont Hotel. The victim, Walter Wilkinson, had many enemies with multitudinous reasons for desiring his demise. Meanwhile, another misfortune that occurred ten years earlier at the Claremont involving the death of a seven-year-old member of the mega wealthy Bainbridge family might have implications in the murder investigation.

The author has created characters that are complex, fascinating, and develop beautifully as the story progresses. Detective Sullivan has various weaknesses and preconceptions, but overall he’s decent and adheres to certain morals. The other characters are very captivating, such as the Bainbridge family, Sullivan’s niece, and the various suspects who populate the story.

This is an excellent mystery with numerous twists and turns that aren’t far-fetched yet provide for an enjoyable roller coaster ride. The conclusion is satisfying and wraps up most things nicely while still leaving food for thought. Golden Gate is a golden novel and has become my favorite book of 2023. ( )

A former presidential candidate is murdered in one of Berkeley's best hotels and Detective Sullivan is asked to head up the investigation. The suspects are three rich cousins, all associated with another tragedy at the hotel. However there is also politics at play, the US is at war with the Japanese and the wife of the Chinese leader is involved. Trying to balance the differing parties whilst solving a crime where no-one tells the truth pushes Sullivan to his limits. in addition he is carrying his own baggage.
I liked the sound of the blurb for this book and didn't realise it was by the non-fiction writer and 'tiger mother' Amy Chua. If I had known this I may not have picked up the book but I'm glad I did. The scope is huge, covering race, the war, the supernatural, insanity and revenge but it really works and I ended up loving the complex story and the cast of characters. ( )