West Orange Novelist Writes ‘Socially Conscious’ Thrillers

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A journalist-turned novelist from West Orange is set to release his second book, a “socially conscious thriller” that focuses on the heated topic of race relations in the United States.

Stephen Clark, who lives in West Orange with his family, is preparing for the release of the tentatively titled “Hands Up,” will follow on the heels of his debut novel, “Citizen Kill,” which examined the “dangers of Islamophobia through a government conspiracy to end the War on Terror following an Inauguration Day bombing that killed the new president's young son.”

According to Clark, “Hands Up” follows three protagonists from different worlds who are on a collision course after a deadly police shooting spins their lives into chaos.

Clark said that while recent police shootings have sparked a “so-called national conversation on race,” the dialogue has fallen short of any true mutual understanding.

“As a former journalist, I’m fully aware of the limitations of the media to address in any meaningful way deeply embedded societal issues,” Clark said. “But as a novelist, I believe in the power of fiction to expand the smallest minds, unite the most divided among us and reveal deeper truths about humanity. That singular belief inspired me to write my current novel.”

In “Hands Up,” one character looms larger than life, he said: the city of Philadelphia.

Clark said he has a deep affection for Philadelphia, a city well-known for its cheesesteaks, the never-ending Rocky franchise and die-hard sports fans.

“As the birthplace of our nation, with a rich and complicated history, the City of Brotherly Love is the perfect setting for a social commentary on race relations in America,” Clark said. “Philly is a truly diverse city with a population that is nearly half black. The other half includes the second-largest Irish and Italian communities in the country, along with a sizeable share of Latinos and Asians. Yet studies show Philly is one of America’s most segregated big cities.”

For his part, Clark grew up in the suburbs of Philly. But racial tensions existed there, too, he said.

“My family was the first to integrate our neighborhood; we were greeted with racial slurs spray-painted on our garage,” Clark recalled. “Yet my family still lives in that house today, and I’m happy to say that the good times over the years far outweigh the bad.”

Learn more about this local author at his website.

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Photo: Stephen Clark