Ted's life has not
progressed as planned. He was a prize winning investigative
reporter. Now, thanks to a divorce gone horribly wrong, he is trapped
producing
a reality TV show. He must balance the needs of the show (shooting
episodes,
then re-shooting and reediting them to some semblance of entertainment)
with
his own needs (maintaining some self pride and visiting his daughter
whenever
his vindictive ex-wife will let him.) His existence becomes even more
complicated after he witnesses an up and coming rapper manhandling a
gorgeous
woman. When the woman disappears Ted feels his investigative reporting
instincts kick into over drive. If he can delve into and solve the
mystery he
might be able to regain his former career. But the case is anything but
straight forward. The addition of a policewoman adds to his interest in
following through on his investigation.
The reality TV show seems a bit familiar. It is based on the concept
of a
famous businessman auditioning assistants from a pool of competing
candidates.
And a few of the other, lesser characters may have been based, only
slightly
(that comment for the lawyers) of course, on real life people, Or it
may just
all be a big coincidence. The main character is quite likable; he gets
the
reader behind his endeavors even when he is not at his most sensible or
logical
The use of the first person with Ted's character enables the reader to
appreciate his point of view, which is a good thing since it is unique
at
times. . He may solve the case but the plot takes many twists and turns
on the
way to the end.
This book's strength is its humor, the ability to look at current
culture and
show the inanity of much of current society. This is not for the
stuffy,
the sanctimonious or the unaware. It is a perfect read for anyone who
can only
face reality with tongue firmly planted in their cheek and laughter
just below
the surface.
Bill Bryan's career as a writer and producer seems to lend this book a
scary
truthfulness. It seems like the looniness of behind the scenes tv may
be as
crazy as we always suspected.