Saturday, December 26, 2009

Faces of the Gone

Remember this post about Brad Parks' new book FACES OF THE GONE?

Since even I couldn't read and reject queries on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (sharks are not cold blooded, just cold!) I had a chance to read some of the books I've bought recently.

Here's a sample from FACES OF THE GONE narrated in the first person by Carter Ross, a Newark Eagle-Examiner reporter:

Still, when you take into account that a newspaper reporter's sole creation is the written word, we have to considered writers. And, as writers go, we're tough, resilient, dependable. We quietly scoff at the softer breeds. I mean, really, some magazine writers consider themselves "on deadline" when they're three weeks away from having to deliver copy. Where I come from, that's not a deadline. That's two weeks off and a few leisurely days at the office.

Then there are those namby-pamby novelists who write what the critics deem to be "literature." They're the bichon frises of the writing world--they're poofy, pretty, and everyone fawns over them. But the moment things get tough, they're hiding under the kitchen table, making a mess on the floor.




Harlan Coben called this a "terrific debut" and he's not wrong. I tivo'ed through the short italicized sections in the third person POV of the bad guy cause I hate that device almost as much as I hate prologues. I also didn't want to leave Carter Ross's voice. I think he's the dandiest reporter since Laura Lippman didn't want to cover a fire in Season Five of The Wire.

And I love his cat.

I hope enough people discover Brad Parks, and soon, so that he'll have a long and prosperous career.

8 comments:

Ronda Laveen said...

It is my pleasure to discover Brad Parks. Thanks for the point.

David Thayer said...

Does anyone in Newark own a bichon frise? I'd like to meet them.

Lily Cate said...

Hmm.
I've always seen myself as more of an Italian Greyhound...

Sophie Littlefield said...

For once, I was an early adopter!! So glad that the Brad Parks fan club is growing by leaps and bounds...

and Janet, that merit badge totally cracks me up. I think I have sewn on about a zillion girl and boy scout merit badges in my life so far. Would be glad to update your sash any time - my needle is at the ready...

_*rachel*_ said...

The irony, the irony!

Jemi Fraser said...

Sounds like a great read :)

Dale Bishop said...

I love the way he writes and I love his style. But I also work in e-publishing, writing genre romance under my own name and pen names. I'm used to three week deadlines for 70,000 word novels, and there are times when I wish I could be more namby-pamby.

Anonymous said...

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for the comments. And thanks to Janet for the post. If she keeps pumping Carter Ross this way, he might be able to afford to start feeding Deadline name brand cat food.

Malia -- Please note Carter was poking fun at novelists who write literary fiction. If romance writers were a breed, they'd probably be more like Jack Russell terriers -- smart, fun, lots of energy (and constantly humping your leg).

Sophie -- I'm thinking we need our own special scouting award. Call it the "Inappropriate Behavior" Merit Badge. We could start wearing it at conferences, just so people have proper warning when they hang out with us.