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BLACK AND WHITE AND DEAD ALL OVER
by John Darnton
Borzoi, July 2008
351 pages
$24.95
ISBN: 0307267520


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times journalist, author John Darnton has created the ultimate newspaper mystery. Setting his story inside the heart and soul of the newspaper business (the newsroom of the fictional New York Globe), he has crafted a compelling mystery that will keep readers engaged until the very last page. It all begins when an editor is found dead in the newsroom, with a spike used to kill news stories embedded in his chest and a note citing one of his catch phrases. As shocked as reporters may be at the murder, even more surprising is the number of potential suspects. Who killed Ratnoff, and why? It's all up to ace reporter Jude Hurley to sort out.

Jude Hurley is on the assignment of his life, but the clues seem to lead in so many directions, it's hard to narrow down the suspects. There is a star reporter about to be fired for plagiarizing; there's the illicit affair and disgruntled spouses; there are any number of embittered reporters passed over for promotion; there's a full-on coup to overthrow the publisher (with a tabloid mogul waiting in the wings); and there is a rogue ex-cop in the Security Department at the paper, who's trying to quash a story about police corruption. In short, there is no dearth of potential murderers on staff.

John Darnton has recreated for his readers a landscape rich in clues and potential suspects. Even likable characters are not immune to suspicion. As the story progresses, readers will not only be racing ahead to try and figure out the murderer, but also enjoying the hustle and chaos that characterizes the newsroom and the lives of the reporters. Every reporter stereotype is fleshed out, with no lack of interesting characters or action. The many years Darnton spent as a journalist at the New York Times has enriched his tale; a sheaf of old reporter stories have been handsomely incorporated into this gripping novel with humor and grace.

Perhaps the only potential flaw is that, after such a highly charged story that zigzags from suspect to suspect, murder to murder, with an overabundance of clues and storylines, the final reveal is a bit of a letdown. Readers will not want to see the story end. Indeed, the book would make an ideal kicking off point for an entire series about these characters and the changes that are gripping the modern newspaper - the drop in readership, the influence of the Internet, the changing landscape of New York after 9/11.

In short, Darnton has written a book that will be loved by anyone who's fascinated with newsgathering. He's given his readers a story and characters that deliver much more than might be expected for a mystery, and he's done it all with style and wit. He's a writer who knows how to grab his reader‛s attention and not let go until the very end.

Reviewed by Christine Zibas, September 2008

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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