Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2080736 in Books
• Published on: 2003-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 339 pages

From Booklist
Northwestern student Nash Hansen's internship at the San Bernardino Ledger doesn't last long. Within weeks, he is fired by his editor for playing journalistic hardball with Evan Carr, a local powerbroker with an inexplicable fondness for renovating drive-in theaters and sketchy ties to a band of far-right Christian survivalists. Nash suspects that Carr had something to do with a multiple murder, and he won't pass up the chance to break a big story-- even if he no longer technically works for a paper. With the help of his Hell's Angel of a roommate and a delightfully acerbic veteran reporter, Nash just might get one hell of a clip--if he can keep himself from being killed by an unsavory cast of corrupt cops and gun-toting ministers. Witty dialogue and excellent pacing make for fun reading in this first novel, and the tough but sensitive Nash (he's the kind of hero who may catch the killers but won't ever get the girl) is a protagonist readers will hope to see again. John Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Hells Angels, Nasty Nazis, Kooky Characters Galore & More
Nash Hansen, fresh out of journalism school in Chicago, has an internship on the San Bernardino Ledger, a chance to show his stuff. He packs his bags, gets on the road, immediately sees a burning Harley, stops and picks up the biker. They're not on the road ten seconds when the bike blows and now Nash has a new best friend, future roommate and comrade at arms, the chain smoking Homer.

In Berdo they stop at a Denny's where Nash meets waitress Wendy, who becomes his latest flame. Wendy turns the boys onto an apartment in her building. Nash shows up at work, meets Lydia, his Broom Hilda of a boss who wants him to do fluff pieces. Nash stumbles onto the story of a lifetime and talks veteran reporter Curt Escobar into helping him with it . It seems Nazi-like right-wingers have bought a drive-in movie and are doing something sinister and secret underground. However the front man for the sinister, secret show is wealthy and influential and he gets Nash fired.

Homer joins the Hells Angels and gets a lot of new friends. The Nazis kidnap Escobar and are coming after Nash and Wendy. However Homer and the Angels may have something to say about that.

And there is more in the same vein in this gripping story by first-timer Frank Sennett. This is just the kind of book to wile away a weekend with or to read when you're supposed to be doing something else, because I can guarantee you this story is way more fun that just about anything else you could be doing. I loved it.

Review Submitted by Captain Osborne

An original plot
I ordered a copy of this novel after reading the review written by another Amazon reviewer. It is a good first novel written by a younger novelist. While the writing style may not be great literature, the plot is very original, and the writing is very good (the author is a journalist by trade). The hardbound copy is in a somewhat smaller format, with an easy to read type font. The story moves along, and with 209 pages of actual text is easy to read in an evening. It is small enough to easily fit into a carryon bag to take along on an airline flight or to the beach.

The story brings together an interesting group of people, but I do know people like this. Would a band of bikers help out in real life? Well, yes. They might get rowdy at times, but I have found they are trustworthy and will stand behind their friends. The outlaw image is misleading.

Reporters and photographers risking their lives for a story? Sure, they do that somewhere every day, and sometimes they get shot. Some survive and some don't. The government giving tacit support to weapons sales? Well, look at recent history.
Overall a good story. The novel has been largely overlooked by most readers.

A fresh face and an excellent read
Sennet's first novel has all the indications of sequels to come and readers should be glad of that.

Nash Rambler, the protagonist in this page turner of a book, may be a "cub" reporter, but he makes up for inexperience with determination and the courage to trust his intuition. Nash is not intimidated by authority but he also demonstrates an endearing humility and oppeness. He is the kind of guy you will instantly like and root for.

The author, an accomplished journalist, molds his writing style to perfectly reflect the protagonist's character. He walks the knife's edge between hard boiled mystery and light humor and never once gets cut.

This is a refreshing entry into a genre that too often presents similar characters following well worn plot lines. Bravo! And let's have the next Nash Rambler story soon.