Green Monster

Rick Shefchik
Poisoned Pen Press (2008)
ISBN 9781590585245
Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (5/08)
  

“Green Monster” is a fictional novel involving a plot to ruin the reputation of the Boston Red Sox.  In 2004, the Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to become World Series champions, ending an eighty-six-year drought and making believers out of many people.  Four years later, Louis Kenwood, owner of the Red Sox, receives a letter stating that the Cardinals threw the series and, if the sum of twenty-million dollars is not paid, the secret will be made public.  In response, Kenwood hires Sam Skrada, a private investigator, to find out who is behind the scheme.  However, Kenwood requires that his executive assistant Heather Canby must accompany Sam throughout the investigation, leaving Sam in a predicament because he does not know who he can or cannot trust.

Baseball enthusiasts and mystery lovers will be enthralled by this book.  It contains many action-packed scenes as well as a few surprises along the way.  It was intriguing trying to figure out which characters were trustworthy in addition to finding out whether the games were fixed and, if so, why.  It leaves the reader wondering what really could happen in the sports world if enough greedy people conspire to interfere with the outcome of sporting events.  The author also examines how extortion plots should be handled in terms of paying off the money in hopes of keeping things quiet versus trying to find and expose the source.

“Green Monster” is a good story with a thrilling ending.  I could not wait to see what would happen next.  The ease and speed with which Sam acquired access to the information and the people involved in the accusation was unrealistic.  However, it did allow the pace of the book to remain rapid.  Rick Shefchik created a wide variety of characters from bookies to mafia members to corrupt policemen, with each serving an important role in furthering the story.

Anyone looking for an exciting and fast-paced book should read “Green Monster.”  It will hold the reader’s interest as he tries to figure out what is really happening as the facts are revealed.  The plot twists and interesting storyline will provide great entertainment.

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